Building on Our Strength

The aviation industry has seen both remarkable growth and real turbulence over the past decade. Through it all, ALPA has grown stronger—in membership, in resources, and in our ability to serve and support our pilots.

With responsible budgeting, we’ve wisely invested in the Association’s capabilities and its future to drive major changes that will have a positive effect for just about every single ALPA member. Plus, we’ve grown our Major Contingency Fund (MCF) and Operating Contingency Fund, which are both now in excellent financial condition.

This financial strength has provided us with many opportunities.

Dues Reduction Proposal

First and foremost, we can propose a reduction in dues. You can read more about this in the coverage of the Executive Board, but the bottom line is that at the upcoming Board of Directors (BOD) meeting delegates will vote on a proposal to reduce dues from 1.85 to 1.55%—allowing our members to keep more of their hard-earned paychecks.

Because of our responsible stewardship combined with our strength as an Association, we’re able to propose this dues reduction without degrading our resources and services to you—and without any meaningful reduction in the funds provided to our pilot groups for their activities.

Another Dues Return Offer

The proposed reduction in dues would come on the heels of three straight years of conducting an offer to return dues. In May, the Executive Council authorized a proffer to return dues totaling $53 million—offered to all those who were dues obligated in 2025. Once this proffer is completed later this year, ALPA will have offered to return more than $150 million to our members over three consecutive years. In addition, many master executive councils (MECs) have also offered to return funds over the past three years, as the union’s financial strength has boosted all parts of the Association.

Unfortunately, every year we have pilots who are unable to accept this offer due to an incorrect mailing address or other information. Don’t miss out: Review the offer details and make sure your member record is up to date and ready for this year’s offer to return dues.

War Chest, Headquarters, and Other Upgrades

I’m proud of the important changes our financial strength has enabled us to make in our policies and processes and in the resources we’re able to provide our pilot groups.

We’ve expanded the use of the MCF, our “war chest,” to allow greater use by our pilot groups. While the MCF previously assisted in the final stages of negotiations only after an MEC had depleted its funds, now when in mediation or conciliation pilot groups can access MCF funds on a dollar-for-dollar basis for every dollar they spend out of their own budgets. And, after negotiations are complete, MECs are eligible to receive a grant through the MCF that provides financial support for the implementation of their new contracts or other major agreements.

Within the MCF, we also established a Headquarters Building Fund. Due to the increase in the number of Association staff members, we’ve outgrown our current headquarters in McLean, Virginia. But thanks to our financial strength, stewardship, and planning for the future, we’ve purchased a new building just a short distance from our current offices and will be renovating it to our required specifications before moving in 2030.

In addition, we’ve enacted a number of changes to update our spending policies and make it easier for our pilot groups—especially local executive councils (LECs)—to use their budgeted money to benefit you, the line pilot. For instance, LECs now have the ability to host family awareness events to educate members and their families about ALPA resources. Also, local councils can use up to nine days of flight pay loss annually (12 days for large councils) for LEC business.

We’ve done a tremendous job, in my opinion, of building strong finances over the past decade and strengthening our Association overall. We’ve added important new resources that benefit all pilots. We’ve increased support for our MECs, including new ways to use the MCF in mediation or conciliation and through contract-implementation grants. And we’ve done it all while being responsible stewards of your money, including offering to return dues for three straight years, and, with BOD approval, a reduction in dues.

By building on our strength, we’re creating a better ALPA for every single one of our 80,000 pilots. And we’re building a better ALPA for every pilot yet to join.