Unionism Fuels Our Collective Mettle

The work ALPA does delivers tangible results to our 79,000 members across 42 U.S. and Canadian pilot groups who rely on us every day. These past few months have truly tested our collective mettle. We’ve endured tragedies that some members never imagined facing in their careers; and through it all, our union’s resources have been a guiding light.

This difficult period has served as a sobering reminder that being a union member is about far more than simply belonging to an association. When you find yourself questioning what membership means, it’s worth revisiting our roots. Our union was formed in 1931 to amplify the voices of individual pilots—voices that, on their own, weren’t powerful enough to stand up to managements that disregarded fair compensation, working conditions, and even lives.

Much has changed since then, but our core value remains constant: taking care of our members. As with any democracy, there may be times when ALPA’s strategic plan, approved by the Board of Directors, doesn’t align with your personal interest at a given time—this happens in an organization representing different demographics. The power of ALPA is that it’s powered by you, the pilots, as our bottom-up democratic structure ensures your elected leaders advance the priorities determined by the membership. While we may not agree on every decision, this representative process—the same democratic foundation our two nations have depended on for hundreds of years—gives every pilot a voice and ensures the will of the majority guides our collective action. While your airline signs your paycheck, ALPA negotiates the amount at the bargaining table. We also continue to be a powerful, unified voice that challenges threats to our profession—whether from regulators and policy makers, manufacturers seeking to remove pilots from the flight deck, or managements failing to value their workforce.

ALPA is a community fortified by decades of solidarity, much of which is chronicled in Flying the Line, Vols. I and II. We’ve built a fortress for pilots—an army of volunteers and an organization whose influence is driven not just by passion, but by data, expertise, and relentless advocacy. Whether we’re at the bargaining table, fighting unjust treatment by management, or advocating for safety improvements through our safety structure, our mission is to support pilots. And when we succeed, we elevate the piloting profession and the safety of the flying public.

That community was desperately needed and delivered when, within three weeks, we endured the horrific mid-air collision of PSA Flight 5342 and an Army Black Hawk helicopter over the Potomac River and Endeavor Air Flight 4819 impacting the runway while landing in Toronto, Ont. In any crisis, we respond instinctively—fueled by adrenaline, compassion, and resolve. But once that adrenaline fades, we’re left in the wake of sorrow. People process that reality differently. Some dig in to continue the work of supporting others. Some step back to reset and grieve. And sadly, others lash out. In today’s hyperonline world, social media attacks came quickly—and unfairly. And they had to be addressed.

Capt. Jason Ambrosi, ALPA’s president, and I were proud to speak at this year’s Women in Aviation Conference, where we reaffirmed our profession’s safety standards and set the record straight. We reinforced that there are no shortcuts to safety. All airline pilots are held to the same rigorous qualifications and uncompromising standards. We were also joined by Rep. Nanette Barragán (D-CA-44) who participated in a discussion I hosted that reinforced the collective commitment to support female pilots in the wake of horrific social media attacks.

As we mark Mental Health Awareness Month this May, I want to emphasize that addressing mental health proactively isn’t a weakness—it’s a commitment to safety, professionalism, and operational excellence. We must treat mental wellness as we do physical health, because a pilot’s ability to focus, make sound decisions, and communicate clearly is essential to the safety of every flight.

This month, I’m asking you to take two important steps. First, join us in urging Congress to pass the bipartisan Mental Health in Aviation Act. Pilots shouldn’t be penalized for seeking the care they need. Second, use ALPA’s confidential self-assessment tools to help identify signs of mental-health strain and point you toward the right support. Let’s keep the conversation going.

Progress doesn’t stop with any one of us. It’s the foundation for the future. And ALPA will continue to build on that foundation—for the benefit of every pilot, now and for generations to come.

This article was originally published in the May 2025 issue of Air Line Pilot.