Standing in Solidarity with U.S. Federal Aviation Workers

“Aviation isn’t a partisan issue—it’s the backbone of America’s economy and a lifeline for communities nationwide.” Capt. Jason Ambrosi, ALPA’s president, said these words on November 12 regarding the longest federal government closure in U.S. history and the resulting stress it placed on commercial air travel.

“While we’re relieved Congress reached a deal, the past 43 days set a dangerous precedent that caused unnecessary strain on the world’s safest aviation system,” Ambrosi continued.

During the shutdown, air traffic controllers and other federal aviation employees faced furlough or work without pay, and the subsequent staffing shortages initially resulted in an estimated 6,000 daily flight delays and cancellations. The FAA later issued an Emergency Order that required airlines to reduce scheduled domestic flight operations at 40 airports by 4 percent on November 7 and reaching 10 percent by November 14. 

Ambrosi and National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) President Nick Daniels addressed the news media together on October 14 at Reagan Washington National Airport, while NATCA members distributed leaflets informing the public about how the government closure was affecting them and what was at stake if the situation didn’t improve. “Many are already working six days a week, and now they’re facing the impossible choice of taking on extra jobs just to feed their families,” Daniels observed.

“Airline pilots stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters at NATCA and with all the federal employees who are continuing to work without a paycheck during this shutdown,” said Ambrosi. However, the Association’s show of support for these fellow union members didn’t stop there.

ALPA pilots championed air traffic controllers in a host of ways to demonstrate their appreciation for their fellow aviation employees, especially those working without pay who ensured flights operated safely in the United States. Association members brought pizzas for the controllers in the San Francisco International Airport tower; NorCal Approach in Mather, Calif.; and Oakland Center in Fremont, Calif. Others delivered barbeque to workers in the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport tower and the nearby Minneapolis TRACON facility.

ALPA pilots provided similar meals to ATC operations in Atlanta, Ga.; Chicago, Ill.; Detroit, Mich.; Los Angeles, Calif.; Miami, Fla.; New York, N.Y.; Salt Lake City, Utah.; Seattle, Wash.; and Washington, D.C., as well as other locations. In addition to these efforts, the Association issued press releases, recorded and circulated personal videos from Ambrosi, coordinated an extensive social media campaign, and attended NATCA picketing events. ALPA also joined 51 other aviation associations and trade groups of the Modern Skies Coalition, releasing a joint statement calling on Congress to end the government closure.

“I’m proud of ALPA members who supported colleagues across the system, from delivering meals to air traffic controllers to standing together in unity,” Ambrosi remarked. “These essential professionals play a vital role in keeping millions of passengers and tons of cargo safe every day.”

In addition to praising the reopening of the government, we continue to support proposed legislation like the Aviation Funding Stability Act. Under this bill, the FAA, in the face of potential future government shutdowns, would be able to maintain its operation and pay its employees for an additional 30 days from its Airports and Airways Trust Fund, which draws its resources from domestic passenger ticket, fuel, and cargo taxes. Rep. André Carson (D-IN), who helped introduced this legislation, stated, “A government shutdown shouldn’t interrupt aviation or create unnecessary chaos.”

We are also calling on Congress to approve an appropriations bill to properly fund transportation safety and security systems and the National Mediation Board, and to take measures to protect the public from those attempting to reduce the number of pilots on airline flight decks.