“After more than four and a half years of grueling contract negotiations, our Negotiating Committee obtained a deal we can confidently send to the pilots for their vote,” said Pinnacle MEC chairman Capt. Scott Erickson. “I believe there is something in this agreement that benefits every Pinnacle pilot, and I’m confident our pilots will feel the same way.”

The new agreement provides for pay increases, work rule improvements, job protection provisions, and a significant signing bonus. The tentative agreement will be distributed to all Pinnacle pilots shortly, and a series of road shows to address pilots’ questions and concerns will be conducted between September 4 and September 18, 2009.

(For more information, please click here.)

Return to top

The pilots are protesting two and a half years of stalled contract negotiations and six years of bankruptcy-imposed contract terms. The strike ballot, which opened Tuesday and continues until September 10, would authorize the Hawaiian MEC to declare a strike once the pilot group was given permission to do so by the National Mediation Board (NMB).

“Hawaiian management must understand that after years of giving back to our airline, we need firm guarantees that our company plans to give something back to us. We cannot accept the continued erosion of our contract in exchange for vague promises of future profit sharing ‘when things get better.’ For us, the time is now,” said Hawaiian MEC chairman Capt. Eric Sampson.

(For more information, please click here.)

Return to top

During just the past two months, fire, smoke, or evidence of fire associated with battery shipments has occurred aboard three U.S. airliners. The incidents—which took place in the Minneapolis/Saint Paul, Minn., area; Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic; and Honolulu—were similar to a 2006 battery fire aboard a DC-8 in Philadelphia, Pa. In that accident, the fire was severe and prompted the National Transportation Safety Board to recommend the full regulation of these types of batteries as dangerous goods.

Lithium batteries provide essential power for millions of Americans every day for laptop computers, cell phones, flashlights, and cameras. ALPA is not calling for new restrictions on what passengers are permitted to bring aboard aircraft, but the Association is extremely concerned about the risk from transporting lithium batteries aboard aircraft as cargo.

(For more information, please click here.)

Return to top

ALPA illustrated ways that better implement RNP/RNAV procedures to improve safety and efficiency in the NAS. The discussion encompassed many aspects of NextGen implementation and included ALPA’s views on procedure development, necessary training for pilots and controllers, and potential uses of new technologies to improve capacity. The Association emphasized the need to ensure that NextGen plans include details on operational implementation, not just goals.

In a separate meeting, GAO engaged representatives of the ALPA Safety Committee’s Aircraft Design and Operations Group in a discussion of FAA’s progress toward revising regulations on aircraft operations in icing conditions. The current GAO focus is on airborne icing issues. ALPA representatives traced industry actions from the mid-1990s through current activity, all of which have involved direct ALPA participation. The discussion outlined advances in understanding of the nature of atmospheric icing, development of ice detectors, the need for pilot training, and fundamental differences in the issues surrounding ground deicing and airborne icing. ALPA representatives clearly pointed out the inherent inconsistency between the conditions in which aircraft are routinely flown and those that have been operationally or theoretically tested during aircraft design and flight test.

Return to top

More than 100 participated in the event, the fourth in a series of planned Family Awareness activities. Jazz pilots and their families enjoyed outdoor games and a cookout with hot dogs and hamburgers, and world champion face painter Lucie Brouillard brought lions, dolphins, and creatures to life for youngsters and the young at heart.

Jazz Family Awareness events are paying off—pilots and their families are more unified and better educated about the current contract negotiations campaign. However, the Jazz SPC wants all pilots to know that Family Awareness events aren’t just for families—if you are single or your family members cannot attend a future event, bring a friend or come by yourself. Most of all, bring your support!

Return to top

ALPA is using every opportunity to promote CrewPASS. Stay tuned.

Return to top

ALPA donated $5000 to cover the costs of flight tests and accommodations for the finalists for this year’s event. MEC chairman Capt. Brian Shury, who won the competition in 1982, served as a judge, and Capts. Barry Turner and Glen McMullin managed simulators for the eight finalists.

The Webster Memorial Trophy event was held in Brampton, Ont., Aug. 19-22, and is the culmination of nine regional competitions. The trophy is presented at a special awards banquet and this year’s winner is Cory-Daniel Raby, an Ottawa Flying Club pilot and student in Algonquin College’s Aviation Management program.

Return to top

The Continental MEC is coordinating the Association’s participation in the parade as part of a Cleveland Family Awareness function, and all ALPA members and their families are encouraged to participate. Pilots are asked to wear their summer uniforms, including their hats.

If you have questions or to sign up, please contact Capt. Eric Hunter at eric.hunter@alpa.org. Transportation will be provided (for those who need it) from the Cleveland Hopkins Airport at 8:30 a.m. to the parade site, and the parade begins at 10:00 a.m.

Support the annual Cleveland Labor Day Parade—we want to see you there!

Return to top

German broadcaster Deutsche Welle noted, “The EU also plans to introduce an emissions trading scheme by which companies that do not meet targets can buy permits from the European market or invest in clean development systems.”

Look for details in future FastReads.

Return to top

If you have moved or changed your ISP or e-mail address, please update your ALPA records. If you don’t, you will no longer receive the ALPA FastRead and other e-mail bulletins and notices, and once your postal forwarding order expires, you’ll no longer receive the magazine and other ALPA mail. You can do it yourself by going to https://crewroom.alpa.org and logging in. Go to “My ALPA” on the left side of the page, and from there, you’ll be instructed how to make the necessary changes.

If you don’t have access to https://crewroom.alpa.org, you can e-mail your requests by sending them to membership@alpa.org. Be sure to include your member number or enough other information so that we can identify you in the membership database, and tell us what information needs to be updated.

Please note that it is not sufficient just to notify your LEC or MEC of these changes—you should register them with the ALPA Membership Department in Herndon.

Can’t remember your member number or how to log in? Need information about your ALPA insurance programs? These and other questions about ALPA services can be answered by contacting membership@alpa.org.

Return to top

Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l
1625 Massachusetts Avenue NW | Washington, DC 20036 | 703-689-2270