Political Engagement: The Time to Act Is Now

As aviation professionals, ALPA pilots play a pivotal role not only in maintaining the safety of air travel, but also in influencing public policy that affects the airline industry. In today’s complex political landscape, active engagement within your congressional district is a key component to the Association’s success on Capitol Hill. The benefits of such involvement are numerous, while the consequences of apathy can be dire—affecting both your career and the sustainability of the industry.

Understanding Political Engagement

Political engagement is vital because legislative decisions directly impact your working conditions, aviation safety and security regulations, and the overall health of the aviation industry. Your job doesn’t exist in a vacuum; it’s deeply intertwined with policies on issues such as reduced-crew operations, pilot training and qualifications, and labor rights. By ensuring that pilots’ unified voices are heard, you protect pilot interests.

The Role of a District Advocate

ALPA’s District Advocacy program is designed to amplify the voices of the Association’s members. It encourages and facilitates pilots building strong relationships with their elected representatives, ensuring that the union’s issues are front and center in policy discussions. By participating in this program, pilots can become a trusted aviation expert to their members of Congress—creating opportunities to influence legislation that impacts ALPA members. Initiatives may include lobbying for maintaining safety regulations, opposing harmful legislation like single-pilot operations, supporting funding for the FAA to modernize air traffic control systems, or urging Congress to increase funding for the National Mediation Board to ensure that the board can conduct its work.

The Benefits of Advocacy Participation

Involvement in advocacy efforts fosters a sense of unity among ALPA pilots and enhances the Association’s advocacy effectiveness and reach. Elected officials are more likely to listen to engaged constituents who demonstrate organized support around specific issues. As an ALPA member, when you reach out to your representative, whether through letters, phone calls, or an in-district meeting, you establish a presence that reinforces the importance of your concerns.

In addition, advocacy participation allows pilots to educate peers and the public on aviation-related issues. Sharing knowledge can lead to better-informed communities and policy makers, ultimately resulting in more thoughtful legislation. This grassroots engagement not only strengthens the union, but also elevates the profile of the piloting profession as a whole.

Consequences of Apathy

While the importance of political engagement can’t be overstated, the potential consequences of disengagement among ALPA pilots can be severe. If members don’t remain actively involved in political advocacy, the union risks losing influence over legislation that affects pilots’ livelihoods. This disengagement can lead to policies that don’t consider the unique challenges pilots face, including fatigue, safety and security, and labor rights.

Without a strong voice, pilots may find themselves at the mercy of legislative decisions made without their input. Potential outcomes of such inattention could include weakened labor protections, reduced aviation safety regulations, or detrimental aviation security proposals.

Additionally, disengagement can foster a sense of disconnection between pilots and their members of Congress. Elected officials who don’t hear from their pilot constituents may prioritize other interests, leading to a lack of understanding of the crucial issues facing the aviation industry. This gap can result in policy decisions that disregard the realities of the profession, ultimately undermining the working conditions and safety standards that pilots strive to uphold.

The Path Forward

For ALPA members, the need for political engagement is imperative. By actively participating in the Association’s advocacy and engagement programs, you can help ensure that pilot voices are heard at crucial moments in the legislative process. This involvement requires commitment, but the potential rewards—stronger protections, better working conditions, and a more robust aviation industry—are well worth the effort.

ALPA provides dedicated tools and the necessary resources for ALPA advocates to make a difference. Education, training, and networking opportunities enhance your effectiveness as advocates. In addition, collaboration with fellow pilots fosters a sense of camaraderie and shared purpose.

The importance of ALPA pilots’ political engagement can’t be overstated. Through proactive involvement, you can help shape the future of the aviation industry, safeguard operations, and ensure that pilot voices resonate within the halls of Congress. By embracing this responsibility, you can contribute to the ongoing improvement of the aviation landscape for generations to come. The time to act is now; the stakes are simply too high to ignore.

Make Your Voice Count

To become a district advocate or learn more about the program, contact your master executive council’s Government Affairs Committee chair or e-mail Paul Mendelsohn, ALPA’s grassroots representative. Help shape the policy decisions that affect aviation safety and the well-being and livelihoods of pilots.

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