ALPA president Capt. John Prater joined airline industry stakeholders at the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) invitation-only “State of the Aviation Industry” forum on Thursday, where Secretary Ray LaHood announced the creation of a federal advisory committee. The committee has been charged with examining the airline industry, its competitiveness, and its ability to address the evolving transportation needs, challenges, and opportunities of the global economy.

“It’s important to evaluate where the airline industry is now and set a goal for the future,” Prater said. “The AFL-CIO’s Transportation Trades Department, of which ALPA is a part, started that discussion by pushing for this forum. ALPA expects the DOT and this committee to follow through with definitive actions that will help put this industry back in its rightful position.”

LaHood made a public statement at the forum’s conclusion, encouraging the participants to submit their top five pressing issues for the committee’s consideration. He also solicited input on how many industry stakeholders should serve on the committee, and what mix it should represent.

“I promise you that this will not be just another advisory committee,” said LaHood. “Allow us to provide the leadership, and with your participation, we will have a roadmap for the future of the aviation industry within a year.”

Participants also emphasized the need for upgrades to an antiquated National Airspace System. “Everyone in this room believes that NextGen is critical,” said LaHood. “It is a priority of the Department of Transportation and the White House.” FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt echoed these sentiments, saying “It’s happening, we’re doing it now. All these systems will come together like a symphony.”

Prater and other union leaders from the AFL-CIO’s Transportation Trades Department made short presentations during the forum, sharing the stark financial realities that have plagued the industry in the years following 9/11, and it appears that the DOT and the FAA took note. In fact, Babbitt made a point of saying that the aviation industry must compete globally for passengers, capital, and people. “We’ve got to attract the best and the brightest,” he said. “It has to be a good place to work.”

Babbitt and LaHood both pointed to the agencies’ leadership role since January, stating achievements such as reaching a contract with NATCA, which the controllers’ base approved by 90+ percent, and implementing the Aviation Rulemaking Committee to review the outdated U.S. flight- and duty-time regulations. “We’re dedicated to these achievements and accomplishments,” Babbitt said. “We’re going to have a FTDT rule out for public comment after the beginning of the year.”