View this message on the Web.

News from ALPA International

February 2, 2012

Facebook
Twitter
Flickr
YouTube
RSS Feeds
LinkedIn

The FlightDeck

In This Issue:

Moak Lays Out Top Pilot Issues at National Press Club


View a photo slideshow of the press briefing.

At the National Press Club, Capt. Lee Moak, president of the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l, today discussed with leading aviation journalists ALPA pilots’ perspectives on developments in the airline industry and the union’s priorities in 2012.

In his remarks, Moak underscored the importance of funding the FAA to fulfill its mission, immediately including cargo pilots under the new pilot fatigue regulations, pressing to enhance aviation security, and working to eliminate unfair economic advantages for foreign airlines and position North American airlines to successfully compete in the global air transportation arena.

Journalists representing Bloomberg News, Reuters, TheStreet.com, USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, and Aviation International News attended the Washington, D.C., briefing.

Return to top

ALPA Front and Center at NATCA Safety Conference


View a photo slideshow of the conference.

Earlier this week, ALPA president Capt. Lee Moak delivered a keynote address at this year’s NATCA “Communicating for Safety” conference. Held in downtown Atlanta Monday through Wednesday, the conference examined air traffic control issues and ways to improve the safety and efficiency of the U.S. national airspace system.

“This nation’s air traffic controllers move more than 50,000 flights each day and more than 770 million passengers each year,” said Moak, during a keynote speech on Wednesday morning. “As dedicated professionals, the more than 15,000 members of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association have made an enormous contribution to our industry’s remarkable safety record.”

In addition, a number of ALPA pilot reps from ALPA’s Air Safety Organization and several MECs attended this year’s conference, including Capt. Chuck Hogeman (UAL), ALPA’s Aviation Safety chair, who was part of a panel discussion about aircraft automation. Capt. Mike Schilz (DAL), the Association’s director of Safety Information and Analysis programs, talked about unstable approaches and what’s required when a flight crew receives a last-minute runway change.

Read more.

Return to top

Pressing Congress for FAA Reauthorization Conference Report
ALPA Director of Government Affairs Michael Robbins today wrote to members of Congress, asking them to support H.R. 658, the FAA Reauthorization Conference Report. ALPA will track how members of Congress vote on H.R. 658 and score their votes in ALPA’s new 2012 congressional scorecard.

“After more than five years and 23 extensions, this is a significant step forward for aviation safety,” said Robbins. “We stand with others in labor, including the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, as the frontline users of the air traffic control system, and urge you to vote YES on H.R. 658.”

Scorecard results, outlining how members of Congress vote on aviation-related issues, will be made available for ALPA pilots to review on the ALPA Government Affairs webpage later this year.

Read Robbin’s letter in its entirety.

Return to top

ALPA Cautions Pilots on New Canadian SID/STAR Phraseology
On Feb. 9, Canada will implement new SID/STAR phraseology and procedures. In Canada, pilots must comply with published SID/STAR altitude restrictions, even if a subsequent altitude is given, unless ATC specifically cancels them. This differs from FAA procedures and phraseology, in which any new altitude clearance cancels any previous altitude restriction unless the restriction is restated.

Read ALPA Operations Bulletin 2012-1, issued yesterday, and learn more important details about the differences between FAA and NAV Canada SID/STAR phraseology requirements.

Return to top

Stay Connected

Stay connected with your union, your profession, and your industry by reading Air Line Pilot magazine and watching monthly episodes of The FlightDeck.

Find out what’s happening with every ALPA pilot group in a special section that begins on page 19 of the January/February issue of Air Line Pilot magazine.

On the twelfth installment of The FlightDeck, watch an update on the EU Emissions Trading Scheme talks.

Remember that both Air Line Pilot and The FlightDeck can also be accessed from the members-only portion of the ALPA website at www.alpa.org.

Return to top

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 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. Don’t be shy. Tell us what’s on your menu.

Return to top

Other Industry News
• Reuters reports that Congress will formally express its opposition to the European law aimed at reducing pollution from jetliners, a thorny diplomatic issue that has threatened to escalate transatlantic trade tensions. Read more.

• Per USA Today, the size of the government's list of suspected terrorists, who are banned from flying to or within the United States, has more than doubled in the past year. Read more.

• According to The Wall Street Journal, Spirit Airlines has firmed up 75 Airbus A320 aircraft orders. Read more.

Return to top

FastFact

On Feb. 4, 1976, U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary William Coleman decided to allow the Concorde supersonic transport to land in the United States for a 16-month test period.

Return to top

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.

Return to top

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