Our Departments

The Communications Department supports ALPA pilots by providing strategic communications guidance, impactful content, customized training, and a wide range of tailored tools and services. Working collaboratively with pilots and other ALPA staff, the department's vast team of experts help achieve not just the Association's overall goals but also each pilot group's communications needs through:

• Pilot representation support such as strategic planning, content development, and coordination.
• National officer support to include speechwriting, testimony, public statements, executive briefings, and preparation for media relations engagement.
• Branding, advocacy campaigns, media/social media, crisis communications, Association-wide publications (Air Line Pilot, FastRead, website, podcasts, videos, app content, and more), website and app development, graphic design, copyediting, multimedia production, campaign materials, and digital campaign execution.
• Training such as workshops on messaging, media relations, public speaking, social media, and ALPA programs and tools.

The Economic & Financial Analysis (E&FA) Department plays a critical role in evaluating collective bargaining agreements and analyzing the financial health of airlines. The department leverages over 100 years of combined experience to assess business plans, financial data, and contract proposals from the perspective of airline pilots. E&FA ensures that pilots have a level playing field during financial negotiations and helps assign proper valuation to economic proposals. Known for its expertise, E&FA's services are highly sought after by both ALPA and non-ALPA carriers, and its analyses are often relied upon by management and the National Mediation Board in negotiations.

E&FA supports the following ALPA committees:

• Collective Bargaining Committee
• Fee-for-Departure Committee
• Flight Time/Duty Time Committee
• Strategic Planning Committee
• Strategic Preparedness and Strike Committee (SPSC)

The Engineering and Air Safety Department (E&AS) oversees a wide range of aviation safety and security initiatives, including pilot health, accident investigations, flight training, air traffic control, sustainability, and environmental concerns. The department also focuses on pilot and aircraft certification, safety management, and advancing aviation regulations. E&AS collaborates with government and industry partners to represent our members worldwide and supports pilot representatives working on safety and security issues at the local, MEC, and international levels.

E&AS is recognized for its leadership in areas such as accident investigation, aircraft certification, proactive safety reporting, aviation security, and flightcrew training. Its work ensures that aviation safety continues to evolve and improve for pilots across the United States and Canada.

The E&AS Department supports the following ALPA committees:

• Air Safety Organization
• Safety
• Security
• Pilot Assistance
• Jumpseat
• Aviation Sustainability and Environment
• Cargo Committee
• Flight Time/Duty Time Committee (in coordination with ALPA Legal Department)
• Reduced Crew Operations Committee
• Remote Operations Committee

The Finance Department oversees the financial administration of our union, ensuring it has adequate funds to meet both planned and outstanding commitments. The department manages the union’s budgeting process, crucial during both downturns and recovery periods in the industry. It is responsible for managing members' dues and providing financial resources to assist pilot leaders in their work.

The Finance Department includes several divisions that manage various financial aspects of the union. These include financial reporting, budgeting, cash management, accounts payable, membership billing, data processing, and member insurance benefit administration. The department ensures compliance with governmental regulations, prepares and monitors ALPA's budgets, and provides financial training and support to officers. It also administers member reimbursements, insurance programs, and oversees membership accounts. Through these efforts, the Finance Department plays a vital role in maintaining the union’s financial health and supporting our members' needs.

The Finance Department supports several ALPA committees:

• ALPA Canada Insurance Trust
• Contingency Fund Oversight Board
• Investment Management Committee
• MCF Strike Oversight Board
• Membership Committee
• Pilots for Pilots (ALPA's Emergency Relief Fund)
• President’s Committee for Headquarters Planning
• Retirement & Insurance (R&I) Committee
• Special Compensation Review Committee
• Structure, Services and Finance Review Committee
• VEBA Board

The general manager is the union's professional business manager and chief of staff. As our most senior staff position, the general manager reports to ALPA's president on the strategic planning, financial, and administrative functions of the Association. The general manager is responsible for our business operations, including strategic planning, project management, organizing, mergers, fiscal planning, budget development, financial performance, resource allocation, and personnel functions.

Along with our managing directors, the department provides and coordinates administrative and professional support to the Association's national officers, governing bodies, national committees, task forces, and airline groups.

The department is also responsible for ALPA's project, resource, and risk management.

The Government Affairs Department represents the interests of airline pilots in Washington, D.C., and Ottawa, Ont., advocating for safety, security, and the future of the profession. The department works on federal public policy issues that affect pilots, passengers, cabin crews, and air cargo shippers, ensuring a strong, unified voice in national legislation. Our professional staff, alongside active pilot volunteers, engage directly with elected representatives through calls to action, district and constituent advocacy programs, ALPA-PAC, and lobby days in both Washington and Ottawa. These efforts focus on issues such as pilot supply, fatigue, first officer qualification standards, safety-based crew complements, and the integration of commercial spaceflight, while working to advance aviation's safety, security, and sustainability standards.

The Human Resources Department manages employee recruitment, policy development, and personnel records for all our staff. The department ensures that the goals and objectives of the Association are communicated to employees through training and development programs. It negotiates and administers employee group insurance benefits, collective bargaining agreements, and ensures compliance with federal, state, and local regulations. The department also handles wage and salary administration for all employee classifications and ensures that our hiring and employment practices adhere to both Association policy and legal requirements.

Human Resources also provides support to several committees:

• Special Compensation Review Committee
• Strategic Planning Committee
• Strategic Preparedness and Strike Committee

The Information Technology (IT) Department provides technical solutions, training, and support for the Association's computer systems, communication systems, and web technology. The department ensures the availability of systems and information for all our groups when needed. IT services include network system support, which maintains office infrastructure, and operations and support, which handles the Help Desk, system security, and computer support. The department also manages financial and application support, developing and maintaining computer applications for various departments and groups, including finance, communications, membership, and MEC.

The department supports the Information Technology Advisory Committee.

The Legal Department serves as the internal law office for the Association, providing legal representation in matters related to labor and aviation law. The department’s attorneys, paralegals, and support staff have deep expertise in legal issues affecting the piloting profession. They represent ALPA, our officers, governing bodies, and members in federal and state courts, administrative proceedings, and arbitration. The Legal Department also provides advice and counsel to our members, participates in training programs for pilot leaders, and ensures compliance with laws and regulations. Additionally, the department supports various committees, including Flight Time/Duty Time, HIMS, and International Affairs, as well as the ALPA Hearing and Appeal Boards.

The Legal Department supports the following ALPA committees:

• Air Safety Organization
• Flight Time/Duty Time Committee, in coordination with ALPA Engineering and Air Safety Department
• Hearing and Appeal Boards
• HIMS, in coordination with ALPA Engineering and Air Safety Department
• Pilots for Pilots (ALPA’s Emergency Relief Fund)
• Special Representational Structure Review Committee
• Strategic Planning Committee
• Strategic Preparedness and Strike Committee
• Structure, Services and Finance Review Committee

The Membership Administration Department provides support to pilots and communicates regularly with members and officers on issues related to member records, billing accounts, administrative functions, and membership benefits. The department ensures that pilots have the information and resources they need to manage their membership and stay informed about available benefits.

The Representation Department supports pilot groups throughout the collective bargaining process, from negotiations to contract enforcement. The department works closely with pilot leaders, elected by their fellow pilots, and provides expertise from 40 professional negotiators and lawyers with extensive industry experience. The Representation team assists in crafting strong collective bargaining agreements, focusing on key areas such as pay, benefits, work rules, and job security, while coordinating with other ALPA departments like Economic & Financial Analysis and Retirement and Insurance. In addition to contract negotiations, the department represents individual pilots in grievance cases, arbitrations, and disciplinary matters, and offers legal support in FAA, NTSB, and Transport Canada proceedings. The Representation Department also facilitates strategic planning, helping pilot groups set goals, prioritize tasks, and execute plans for long-term success.

The Representation Department provides support to the following ALPA committees:

• Collective Bargaining Committee
• Fee-for-Departure Committee
• Fiduciary Boards of three pilot retiree HRA VEBAs
• Fiduciary Boards of two Canadian member benefit trusts
• Flight-Time/Duty-Time Committee
• Investment Management Committee
• Membership Administration
• Organizing Task Force
• President’s Committee for Cargo
• President’s Grievance Committee
• Retirement and Insurance Committee
• Strategic Planning Committee
• Strategic Preparedness and Strike Committee

Provides specialized consulting services concerning pilot retirement and welfare benefit plans, including pension plans, 401(k) plans, group life, health, and disability plans. Department staff assist each pilot group in the design and negotiation of employee benefit programs, ensure that the ongoing administration of the benefit program complies with the collective bargaining agreement and applicable law, and assist in the enforcement of pilots' rights under their benefit program. The department also works with the Association's Government Affairs Department to suggest and support federal legislative initiatives concerning pilots' employee benefits, and monitors and comments on proposed federal legislation and federal agency regulations concerning pilots' employee benefits. The department also works closely with ALPA's Member Insurance group and the Pilot Welfare Benefit Plan VEBA Board on the ALPA-sponsored member benefit programs specifically designed for pilots to supplement employer-provided benefits.

The R&I staff includes a team of experienced ERISA attorneys, benefit specialists, actuary, investment portfolio adviser, and support staff who act as in-house consultants on all matters related to employee benefits.

R&I provides support to the following ALPA committees and groups:

• R&I Committee
• Collective Bargaining Committee
• Fee-for-Departure Committee
• Pilot Welfare Benefit Plan VEBA Board
• Member Insurance
• Membership Administration
• Investment Management Committee

The Strategic Member Development & Resources (SMD&R) Department is responsible for aligning ALPA services with the Association's strategic goals and improving the promotion of resources to members and staff. The department manages our strategic plan, coordinates outreach efforts for the Canada Board, and oversees orientation programs and training for pilot leaders and staff. SMD&R also manages the online store and merchandise, and serves as the project manager for governing body meetings and other ALPA events. In addition, SMD&R provides administrative support for balloting, local councils, and event planning. 

SMD&R provides support to the following ALPA committees and groups:

• Professional Development Group
• Strategic Planning Committee
• Strategic Preparedness and Strike Committee
• ALPA-PAC Steering Committee
• Election and Ballot Certification Board
• Hearing and Appeal Board
• Pilots for Pilots (ALPA's Emergency Relief Fund)