JoeMerchant
ASA pilot
- Joined
- Mar 31, 2005
- Posts
- 6,353
A Holiday Message from Capt. John Prater
As airline pilots, many of us enter the year-end holiday period with mixed feelings. The heightened travel volume means that most of us are working longer hours and have less time to participate in the traditional festivities that other families will be enjoying. That is one of the burdens of our profession, and we accept it willingly so that others can be reunited with their loved ones or receive that special package full of gifts.
Across the globe, ALPA members are airborne every minute of the day, every day of the year. Holidays are no different. But there is a particular fraternal spirit that develops among those pilots and crews who meet in the weather room or share a cockpit during this time of the year. While duty may take us far away from our families, the camaraderie and professional ties among pilots wearing different uniforms are testament to the fact that our common bond outweighs our individual situation. It is this understanding and our collective concern for each other that define our Union.
As we approach the end of the winter holidays, I hope that each of you will have some time to share with your families and loved ones and think of those who will not be home. For those who have chosen our profession, flying brings its own obligations and rewards. But like any first-rate career, in the end it also must leave us opportunities to enjoy and share the fruits of our labor.
As always, the coming new year will bring our union and our profession more opportunities and more challenges. On behalf of your officers and fellow pilots, I look forward to the months ahead with the firm belief that, by working together in unity, we can make the most of the former, and rise above the latter.
In unity,
http://cf.alpa.org/Internet/images/B...efull-tspt.gif
John H. Prater
As airline pilots, many of us enter the year-end holiday period with mixed feelings. The heightened travel volume means that most of us are working longer hours and have less time to participate in the traditional festivities that other families will be enjoying. That is one of the burdens of our profession, and we accept it willingly so that others can be reunited with their loved ones or receive that special package full of gifts.
Across the globe, ALPA members are airborne every minute of the day, every day of the year. Holidays are no different. But there is a particular fraternal spirit that develops among those pilots and crews who meet in the weather room or share a cockpit during this time of the year. While duty may take us far away from our families, the camaraderie and professional ties among pilots wearing different uniforms are testament to the fact that our common bond outweighs our individual situation. It is this understanding and our collective concern for each other that define our Union.
As we approach the end of the winter holidays, I hope that each of you will have some time to share with your families and loved ones and think of those who will not be home. For those who have chosen our profession, flying brings its own obligations and rewards. But like any first-rate career, in the end it also must leave us opportunities to enjoy and share the fruits of our labor.
As always, the coming new year will bring our union and our profession more opportunities and more challenges. On behalf of your officers and fellow pilots, I look forward to the months ahead with the firm belief that, by working together in unity, we can make the most of the former, and rise above the latter.
In unity,
http://cf.alpa.org/Internet/images/B...efull-tspt.gif
John H. Prater
