Air Line Pilot Podcast

Capt. Ronan O'Donoghue, chair of ALPA's Strategic Preparedness and Strike Committee, joined ALPA president Capt. Jason Ambrosi to discuss the transformation of ALPA's culture. Collaboration, strategic and communication planning, and solidarity among pilot groups all play critical roles in ALPA’s recent successes. Informational pickets and the introduction of new initiatives like the fact team and virtual components are just a few examples that highlight these efforts.

How does the aviation industry look from the outside? ALPA president Capt. Jason Ambrosi found out in this interview with Elan Head, senior editor at The Air Current, and a helicopter pilot herself. The conversation covers industry trends, media perspectives, pilot misconceptions, the impact of emerging technologies, and how reporting on aviation can influence understanding and accountability within the industry.

As 2025 unfolded, the airline industry's initial optimism was met with unexpected challenges. ALPA president Capt. Jason Ambrosi sat down with Aviation Economist Patrick Cropper from ALPA’s Economic and Financial Analysis Department to discuss the factors that were fueling early confidence and the hurdles airlines now face. From high profits at Delta and United to the struggles of ultra-low-cost carriers like Spirit, this episode explores the state of the aviation industry and what it means for ALPA pilots. 

In aviation, we learn from the past to build a safer future. One of the most effective ways we do that is through accident investigation—identifying contributing factors to reform processes, designs, and policies to prevent similar accidents from happening again.  

For many ALPA members, flying is more than a career—it is a passion. And that passion is on full display at EAA’s AirVenture Oshkosh every year. At the 2024 EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, the Air Line Pilot Podcast caught up with ALPA members who arrived in classic warbirds or other vintage aircraft, or who flew as part of the daily airshow. William “Skip” Stewart (FedEx Express) gave aerobatic performances in his modified Pitts S-2S, Bill Sleeper (United, ret.) provided rides in a 1929 Ford Tri Motor, Billy Janus (Delta) piloted a C-47 Skytrain, Jeff Linebaugh (FedEx Express) flew a P-51 Mustang, and Martin Gerhard (United) and Steve McGarry (Kalitta) reenacted as paratroopers to commemorate the 80th anniversary of World War II’s Normandy invasion.

Air Traffic Controllers are critical to safe airline operations, but they have faced a chronic lack of support and infrastructure funding. ALPA president Capt. Jason Ambrosi sits down with Nick Daniels, the president of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA).

In their conversation about the challenges that controllers face on the job, Daniels discusses how NATCA continues to fight and advocate for their members as they face increasing pressure and outdated equipment. The fight for aviation safety unites all airline unions, and Ambrosi and Daniels talk about how their two unions are supporting each other to protect their members and keep aviation safe.

Nearly two decades after a significant number of ALPA pilots were furloughed, many ALPA members still remember what it feels like. ALPA’s Furloughed Pilot Support Program (FPSP) is built on the first-hand experience of members, like ALPA president Capt. Jason Ambrosi and FPSP volunteer F/O Quincy Flemming. Listen now to hear their furlough stories and suggestions for pilots facing career uncertainty today. They also discuss the Association’s stronger approach to supporting all pilots on furlough, including available resources.

Effectively managing conflict and knowing what works in a negotiation are essential skills for life, but especially for union work. Naseem Khuri, a trainer, consultant, mediator, and facilitator who specializes in negotiation, influence, and conflict management, sat down with ALPA president Capt. Jason Ambrosi to talk about how his best practices can be applied at ALPA. Khuri has worked with Israeli, Palestinian, and other international diplomats and political leaders; U.S. Navy SEALs; state lawmakers; and Fortune 100 companies to facilitate change conversations and strategic planning for influence and negotiations. His advice can help ALPA leaders manage relationships within their pilot groups and learn how to be more effective when working with management.

On the evening of January 27, 2025, ALPA’s Air Safety Organization enacted programs it hopes to never have to use: the Accident Investigation Board (AIB) and Critical Incident Response Program (CIRP). These highly trained ALPA volunteers went to action at a moment’s notice after a midair collision between PSA Flight 5342 and a military helicopter took the lives of all 67 aboard both aircraft. The AIB provides expertise to the National Transportation Safety Board as a party to the investigation, while CIRP supports the families, crew, investigators, and anyone impacted by an accident. ALPA president Capt. Jason Ambrosi sat down with Aviation Safety chair Capt. Steve Jangelis and Pilot Assistance chair Capt. Travis Ludwig to discuss how their programs advance safety and support pilots in the wake of an accident.

Flying out of Portland in January, a door plug on Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 departed the aircraft, causing a rapid depressurization. In her exclusive first interview following the event with CBS News’s Kris Van Cleave, Superior Airmanship Award Winner, Emily Wiprud shares her experience. Events like Alaska 1282 are reminders of the ways pilots must always be ready to respond to emergencies in the skies and it demonstrates the value of having two highly qualified, fully trained, and well-rested pilots on the flight deck at all times.

In this episode of Air Line Pilot, we’re sharing that exclusive interview with First Officer Wiprud and ALPA President, Capt. Jason Ambrosi.