October 20, 2014 - The 2014 Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA) Board of Directors meeting commenced on Monday morning with reports from the four national officers: Capt. Lee Moak, president; Capt. Sean Cassidy, first vice president; Capt. Randy Helling, vice president–finance/treasurer; and Capt. William Couette, vice president–administration/secretary.

“As a whole, our union is strong. I believe the strongest it has ever been,” Capt. Moak said. “The goal for this BOD must be—must be—to leave stronger.” Capt. Moak highlighted the current strengths of the union and outlined the need to continue showing that strength for the growth of our pilots and our union, regardless of current industry challenges, including calling on the BOD members to consider a proposed dues reduction.

“If we are divided, we will fail. If we are united, we will prevail. We must remain resolute to this cause,” he said.

During his report, Capt. Couette highlighted the work of countless volunteers on the Education Committee, Membership Committee, Leadership Committee, Information Technology Advisory Committee, and more, for their selfless work in helping strengthen their union and their fellow pilots. He issued a challenge to “double our roster of engaged member participants.”

Capt. Helling reviewed the finances of the organization, highlighting positive increases in dues income and in the OCF and MCF, while still looking to lower dues for members for the second time in as many BOD meetings from 1.90 to 1.85 percent.

And Capt. Cassidy ran down the successes of the Air Safety Organization (ASO), praising the work of its many volunteers, including the ongoing work to update ALPA members on Ebola.

Cassidy said that ALPA must remain vigilant and always keep an eye on potential future problems while maintaining its current successes.

“Overall, while the ASO’s mission is clear, the job will never be complete,” he said. “We must constantly remain alert. We must constantly adapt. We must constantly remain agile. If we do that, we will remain the safest form of transportation literally in the history of the world.”

As all the officers stated, ALPA must remain “Stronger Moving Forward”—for our pilots, for our airlines, and for our industry. In that same vein, Capt. Helling quoted Henry Ford: “Coming together is the beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success.”