Numerous Issues Get Extensive Study
ALPA’s Canada Board convened in Toronto last week with
nearly 50 members in attendance. The Toronto meeting attracted
leaders from ALPA-represented Canadian pilot groups including Air
Canada Jazz, Air Transat, Bearskin, Calm Air, CanJet, First Air,
Kelowna, and Wasaya. The two-day summit gave pilots an opportunity
to discuss issues affecting the piloting profession on both
national and international levels, as well as to hear from
representatives from industry and government.
Capt. Dan Adamus (ACJ), ALPA executive vice-president of the
Group C airlines, set the tone in his opening remarks. “It
promises to be another busy year. From jumpseat issues to defending
cockpit voice recorders and unwarranted discipline to pilots due to
improper interpretation of the Safety Management System (SMS). We
have a lot of work to do.”
ALPA president Capt. John Prater thanked the members of the
Canada Board and the elected ALPA representatives in attendance for
giving up time with their families to come together and share in
discussions on how to advance the piloting profession and move
forward as a union.
Speaking on issues of cabotage and the Foreign Worker Program,
Prater outlined the importance of working together to advance
international legislation for the betterment of pilots worldwide.
“I want to stay in tune with what the issues are up here in
Canada and how ALPA can assist,” said Prater. “I want
to continue reaching out to our Canadian pilot groups to find out
where we can assist directly, whether it’s with resources or
whether it’s with the horsepower of our union. What can we do
better, and how can we be a stronger union?”
ALPA vice-president—finance Capt. Randy Helling presented
an industry overview of the last seven years.
ALPA executive administrator Capt. Don Wykoff was on hand to
present highlights of the BOD Strategic Plan developed by ALPA
leaders one year ago and discussed fatigue and flight-/duty-time
issues, including an update of the FAA/ARC study and the Fatigue
Risk Management System.
Members of industry and government also participated in the
summit, including Deborah Ciccotelli, director of Safety and
Security at the Canadian Airports Council (CAC); Yves Ducharme,
director of Regulatory Affairs at the Canadian Air Transport
Security Authority (CATSA), and Jaqueline Booth and Michel
Béland of Transport Canada.
The meeting brought to light several aviation security
initiatives and crew-screening challenges at Canadian airports.
Yves Ducharme of CATSA stressed that both technology and
policy-related advancements in security will have international
impact. “The recent development of
behavior-pattern-recognition systems and the implementation of the
Unruly Passenger Policy” are very important steps in the area
of security,” said Ducharme. “The Unruly Passenger
Policy is geared to mitigate problematic behavior on board aircraft
and comes at a time when it will likely be tested soon with the
anticipated increased travel expected as we draw closer to the
Vancouver 2010 Olympics.”
Canadian Pilot Assistance chairman Capt. Murray Munro (ACJ)
presented an overview of ALPA’s Pilot Assistance Program
including the Critical Incident Response Program and the
Aeromedical and Pilot Support and Resource Committees. Pilot
Assistance Training sessions are scheduled for November 9 through
12 in Toronto. “I would like to thank ALPA for making these
resources available to our members,” said Munro. “The
Pilot Assistance program is making a positive impact.”
Also during the meeting, Adamus presented former ALPA
vice-president—finance Capt. Chris Beebe with the ALPA
Crystal Goose award. Adamus thanked Beebe and recognized him as an
honorary member of the Canada Board for his many years of service
to the group.
Canada Board members stand ready to review and act on possible
aviation-related legislation on Parliament Hill this year including
a possible amendment to the Aeronautics Act, which would enable
provisions to the Safety Management System to protect privacy
rights. In addition, the Canada Board is looking at ways to
maximize the potential for the Restricted Area Identity Card
(RAIC), the Canadian equivalent to the U.S. CrewPASS system, and
working to modify policies regarding the Foreign Worker Program,
which allows Canadian companies to hire foreign pilots.
ALPA's John Prater
“Most of our companies compete in one form or
another,” said Prater. “Certainly as the industry
becomes more global, we find ourselves at potential competition
with each other. We need to find solutions that don’t harm
another pilot or another pilot group. Let no pilot’s gain
come at the expense of another pilot’s pain.”