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News from ALPA International

January 31, 2012

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The FlightDeck

In This Issue:

ALPA Applauds FAA Reauthorization Bill Moving Forward
Capt. Lee Moak, president of the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l, applauded the FAA Conference Committee and the House and Senate leadership for moving forward on the FAA conference report today. After numerous years and 23 extensions, this is a significant step forward for aviation safety. We look forward to the final, fully funded, multi-year bill being passed by Congress and signed by the President in the near future.

Overall this is a very strong aviation safety bill. There are provisions that ALPA would not want included in a final bill and would like to see removed. We are reviewing other provisions and assessing how they will impact ALPA. We will not hold up this important safety bill for several pieces we can work on in the future, and we are proud to support this bill moving forward.

In the coming days, ALPA will release additional statements on the FAA reauthorization bill after its pilot leadership and volunteers, as well as professional staff, have had an opportunity to review the bill in its entirety.

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ALPA Scores Victory in NAA Vacation Pay Arbitration
Last Friday, the North American Airlines MEC was notified that the arbitrator ruled in favor of the NAA pilots in the matter of the vacation pay grievance. This win for NAA pilots comes three months after the System Board of Adjustment hearing on this grievance, which was held on October 31, 2011, nearly three years after it was filed.

“This is an example of ALPA and the NAA MEC’s serious commitment to our collective bargaining agreement (CBA) and willingness to vigorously defend it,” Capt. Al Gallo, NAA MEC chairman, said. “ALPA recognized the importance of defending our contract and came fully prepared to do so. On behalf of all the NAA pilots, I would like to thank ALPA attorney and contract administrator Dan Froehlich, whose legal guidance and strong defense throughout this process was instrumental in this victory.”

Read more.

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Three Pilots Receive ALA Service Legend Award


Alaska Airlines Capt. Gary Nowak is presented
the Alaska MEC Service Legend Award.

Three Alaska Airlines pilots were recognized last Wednesday night by the Alaska MEC for their sustained contributions to improving the lives of Alaska pilots. At its November meeting, the Alaska MEC nominated and voted to recognize three pilots with the 2012 Service Legend Award: Capt. Gary Nowak and retired Capts. Jack Stockton and Greg Calmes.

Nowak, a 26-year Alaska pilot, was a two-term MEC chairman, MEC vice chairman, and a first officer rep for Council 67 in Seattle. Additionally, he served as both member and chairman of the Alaska MEC’s Retirement and Insurance Committee, and as a member of the MEC’s Jumpseat and Negotiating committees and the System Board of Adjustment. 

Read more.

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The FlightDeck
Find out what’s happening in the airline industry with The FlightDeck! On this episode, ALPA president Capt. Lee Moak and Flight Time Duty Time Committee chairman Capt. Don Wykoff (DAL) talk about the new pilot fatigue rule. Learn about an expedited visa process for low-risk travelers and where Congress stands on FAA reauthorization. Plus, get an update on the EU Emissions Trading Scheme talks, learn how you can avoid DVT, and watch coverage of a local Pilots for Kids event at a D.C.-area hospital.

Remember that you can sign up for our video podcasts of The FlightDeck via iTunes.

Tell us what you think about this latest edition at FlightDeck@alpa.org. We also welcome your suggestions for future stories.

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ALA MEC Officers Elected
At its quarterly meeting last week, the Alaska Airlines MEC elected new officers. Capt. Chris Notaro, the current MEC secretary-treasurer, was elected MEC chairman; Capt. Blane Dye, the current Seattle Council 67 chairman, was elected MEC vice chairman; and F/O John Allison, currently the Portland Council 59 chairman, was elected MEC secretary-treasurer. The newly elected MEC officers will begin their two-year terms on March 1.

Alaska MEC chairman F/O Paul Stuart, who previously served as the Alaska MEC vice chairman and Negotiating Committee chairman, and MEC vice chairman Capt. Craig Huffman, a former captain rep for Anchorage Council 64, did not seek reelection.

Notaro previously served two terms as MEC secretary-treasurer and is a former Jumpseat Committee chairman. In addition to his current position as Council 67 chairman, Dye previously served as the Alaska MEC secretary-treasurer. Allison has served as Council 59 chairman since the council was created in 2010.

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What Do You Know About the New Fatigue Rule?
You’ve heard the news that the new pilot fatigue rule has been issued for U.S. pilots, but how much do you really know about the details?

Please take a moment to complete a brief survey to let us know what you know. Go to www.alpa.org/survey to participate. We want to hear from you.

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Good Eats
In recent years, airport eateries have evolved from greasy spoons to a full range of dining options. Sushi, gourmet pizzas, steaks—you name it. Bloggers tout personal favorites, but we want to hear from you, the ultimate “road warriors.”

From your extensive travel experience, tell us what your favorite airport restaurants are and why? Send us an e-mail to Communications@alpa.org and please include your name, status, and member airline. If you feel strongly enough, send us a photo of the establishment(s).

With a reasonable response, we will present the group’s preferences and possibly some choice comments in an upcoming issue of Air Line Pilot magazine. Don’t be shy. Tell us what’s on your menu.

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Aviation Week Discounts for ALPA Members
Here’s some great news—as an ALPA member, you can now subscribe to the digital-only edition of Aviation Week for just $39! That price includes free apps for your iPhone, iPad, or Android.

Click here for details.

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Other Industry News
• According to Reuters, the Honda Motor Co. will enter the small business jets market next year, when it delivers its first aircraft. Read more.

• The Wall Street Journal reports that Delta Air Lines Inc. is studying US Airways Group Inc. as a possible acquisition target. Read more.

• The Los Angeles Times says the FAA has pushed back the date when it will propose new rules for the use of small drones in the national airspace. Read more.

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FastFact

The Air Line Pilots Association Federal Credit Union was established in 1947 as a member-owned financial institution serving airline pilots and their immediate family members. Because it is a not-for-profit organization, after payment of expenses and provisions for reserves, the credit union returns all of its income to the members in the form of share dividends and low rates on loans. To learn about the many services the ALPA Credit Union offers, go to alpafcu.org.

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Feedback & E-mail Address Changes
Questions or comments on this FastRead? Give us your feedback at communications@alpa.org.

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 www.alpa.org and logging in. Go to “My ALPA” in the menu at the top of the page, and from there, you’ll be instructed how to make the necessary changes.

If you don’t have access to the members-only section of www.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.

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Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l
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