Air Line Pilot Podcast

Industry stakeholders are working to reduce safety by taking pilots off the flight deck, but ALPA, the European Cockpit Association (ECA), and the International Federation of Air Line Pilots Associations (IFALPA) are united to stop them. ALPA President, Jason Ambrosi interviews ECA President Otjan de Bruijn about the risks and hazards associated with single pilot operations, IFALPA Deputy President (and an ALPA member) Ron Hay about ALPA’s work on the international stage to prevent single pilot operations, and ALPA Canada President Tim Perry about what ALPA is doing in Canada to inform members, decision-makers, and the public about the risks of reduced crew operations.

Laws passed by Congress continually make and remake safety in American aviation. Through laws —like the FAA reauthorization bill, passed earlier this year—lawmakers have the power to defend or deteriorate safety in the skies. During ALPA's Legislative Summit, Capt. Jason Ambrosi interviewed Rep. Nick Langworthy (NY-23) one of the key Members of Congress fighting to protect aviation safety. In this candid conversation, Rep. Langworthy explains how lawmakers protected safety in the FAA authorization bill and the work he is doing to defend against future threats. 

ALPA President, Capt. Jason Ambrosi interviews Dr. Susan Northrup the FAA’s Federal Air Surgeon, who oversees the FAA’s aviation medical programs— about how pilots can stay healthy and navigate mental health concerns with their aviation medical examiner. It is vital that pilots have the resources, support, and access to help mental wellness. Listen to this interview to hear about the pathways available to pilots.  

Akbar Sultan, Director of NASA's Airspace Operations and Safety Program joins ALPA President, Capt. Jason Ambrosi for a conversation about the latest advances in aviation safety research for a behind-the-scenes look at how researchers and pilots are collaborating to strengthen aviation safety. Their discussion covers Airspace Operations and Safety Program’s work to develop predictive safety systems using flight data to identify risks before pilots encounter them, optimizing schedules to prevent fatigue, and how to integrate automation to supplement the work of pilots. 

Stepping up to serve our members is our union’s highest calling. During ALPA’s annual Leadership Training Conference the union’s newest leaders gather to learn more about the resources available to them and best practices for their new leadership position. This month, ALPA President, Capt. Ambrosi spoke with Capt. Tiffany O’Connor (FedEx Express), Capt. Steve Savidge (Alaska Airlines), F/O Manuela Valenzuela (WestJet Encore), and F/O Brandon Arrington (Delta Air Lines) about the unique challenges and opportunities they’re facing as some of ALPA’s newest leaders.  

With vital work to negotiate contracts, defend safety, and protect the contract gains made last year, ALPA President, Capt. Jason Ambrosi sits down with the national leadership team to plot a path for 2024. In this conversation First Vice President and National Safety Coordinator, Capt. Wendy Morse, the new Vice President-Administration/Secretary, Capt. Sean Creed, Vice President-Finance/Treasurer, Capt. Wes Clapper, and ALPA Canada President, Capt. Tim Perry outline their priorities for the year ahead, discuss the new President’s National Grievance Committee, and review the aviation safety concerns that are top of mind going into the new year.  

Ten new contracts, hundreds of pilots picketing, four congressional hearings. 2023 started out fast and never slowed down.

Mid-flight, when a system fails, and an emergency arises, is the wrong time to discover that no one is flying the plane. But efforts to implement Reduced Crew Operations (RCO) are setting the stage for that to become a reality.

The growing threat of efforts to remove pilots from the flight deck is one of the greatest risks facing aviation safety today. ALPA joined with pilots across the world to build a unified approach against these efforts. Capt. John Sluys (Alaska Airlines), ALPA International Affairs Coordinator and Capt. Bill Secord (FedEx Express), ALPA Reduced Crew Operations Committee Chair, joined ALPA President, Capt. Jason Ambrosi for a conversation about the dangers of RCO and the work pilots are doing together to stop it.

2023 was a historic year for ALPA with record contracts, events, and membership growth. In part two of this two-part series of interviews, ALPA president Capt. Jason Ambrosi sits down with the chairs of four more pilot groups to discuss the challenges and successes they faced this year, and how they’re continuing to support ALPA members. As their groups continue to evolve, Capt. Mike Sterling (ATI) and Capt. Adam Spurrier (Endeavor) discuss how they’re managing turnover in their groups and council leadership, as well as the steps they’re taking to advocate for their members. Capt. Darren Hartmann (Delta) and Capt. Garth Thompson (United) share the steps they took to secure strong contracts this year, and how they collaborated with other pilot groups to learn from their success, while lifting up ALPA members across the industry.

2023 was a historic year for ALPA with record contracts, picketing events, and membership growth. In part one of this two-part series of interviews, ALPA president Capt. Jason Ambrosi sits down with the chairs of several pilot groups to discuss the challenges and successes they earned this year, and how they’re continuing to support ALPA members.

Beginning late last year, the pilots at Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines kicked off a series of strong contracts across the union when they successfully negotiated huge wins in their new contracts. Capt. Ambrosi talks with Capt. Will McQuillen (Alaska) and Capt. Larry Payne (Hawaiian) about the tactics and collaboration that helped their success.

Also in this episode, Capt. Ambrosi talks with the Air Canada pilot group’s chair, First Officer Charlene Hudy, and the WestJet chair, Capt. Bernie Lewall. The Air Canada pilots are currently negotiating a new contract, while the WestJet pilots narrowly averted a strike this past spring to secure their new contract. Capt. Lewall also shares updates on the pilot group’s merger with Sunwing. Finally, Capt. Chris Kenney (JetBlue) and Capt. Ryan Muller (Spirit) discuss how they’re working to protect their pilot groups as the government decides if the two airlines will be allowed to merge.