World’s Largest Pilot Union Details Policy Plan To Ensure Future Pilot Supply

In a letter sent Wednesday to U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao, the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA) offered high-impact policy solutions to inspire young people to become airline pilots and provide air service to small and rural communities while maintaining the extraordinary level of aviation safety that U.S. passengers and shippers expect and demand.

“No organization is more committed than the Air Line Pilots Association, International to ensuring we have enough qualified pilots in the United States to meet future demand,” said Capt. Tim Canoll, ALPA’s president (pictured). “With the right policies, the U.S. government can help inspire young people to become airline pilots while making certain that air transportation in this country remains the safest in the world.”

ALPA’s policy solutions are especially relevant this week as the Federal Aviation Administration hosts an Aviation Workforce Symposium in Washington, D.C.

The union’s clear and bold plan to address pilot supply includes key policy actions to:

• make it easier for veterans to become pilots.
• encourage more women to become pilots.
• ensure more students can afford to become pilots.
• inspire the next generation to become pilots.

“Every one of our members has made the decision to become an airline pilot, which gives ALPA a unique understanding of what it takes to inspire the next generation of trained and qualified aviators to join the profession,” said Capt. Canoll.

“We applaud Secretary Chao for leading this week’s symposium as part of an effort to bring more qualified pilots into the best profession in the world,” concluded Capt. Canoll. “Our union stands ready, willing, and able to work with anyone who is serious about addressing the pilot supply issue while keeping our passengers, crews, and cargo safe.”

(Source: ALPA news release)

FMI: www.alpa.org