From June/July 2006 Airline Pilot
Rumors have been circulating about some ALPA pilots refusing to allow jumpseaters from select non-ALPA and low-cost airlines. Please do not let politics into the jumpseat. While you might feel good about having denied a jumpseater from a non-ALPA or low-cost airline, your ALPA brothers and sisters might be denied a much needed jumpseat on one of those airlines commuting to or from their base. Your actions can have implications far beyond the immediate situation. Also, ALPA's long-term goal is to represent the entire airline piloting profession--and that means every one of us is a field organizer for our union. A jumpseat is one more opportunity to educate and influence our non-ALPA brothers and sisters.--Second Officer Dan Gradwohl (Northwest), Chairman, ALPA National Jumpseat Comittee
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ALPA Reasserts Policy on Jumpseat Restrictions
During these times of airline turmoil, airlines may be tempted to place artificial restrictions -- specifically, those that do not involve safety concerns -- on using jumpseats. ALPA strongly disagrees with such restrictions and has always maintained that jumpseats should be off limits to any type of dispute that is not related to safety.
ALPA's jumpseat policy, contained in Section 115 of the ALPA Administrative Manual, speaks directly to this subject: "ALPA supports the Captain's authority to exclude any person other than required crew from the flight deck if, in his opinion, that person's presence will compromise safety.
"Denial of jumpseat privileges as a means of punishing, coercing, or retaliating against other pilot groups or individuals is not supported by ALPA. The Jumpseat and/or Professional Standards Representative appointed by the respective Master Executive Council or governing body should resolve disputes that arise between pilots, airlines, or other unions."
ALPA's president, Capt. Duane Woerth, says, "Using jumpseats to retaliate against an individual, pilot group, or company is not only wrong. It could also result in violations of the Railway Labor Act, if pilots took those actions to harm a company during collective bargaining." Gigantic fines could be levied against a pilot group if its members misused jumpseats in this way.
"The jumpseat is a mutually beneficial tool that helps airlines and pilots by enhancing safety, security, and efficiency," Capt. Woerth noted. "Both parties must guard against any activities that may damage the viability of that invaluable asset."
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