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Air Line Pilot Podcast

News

The Air Line Pilot Podcast provides news and information for pilots to stay up to date on what is happening in their union and across the industry. Through discussions about labor relations, tips for pilots, and aviation news, the podcast brings together pilot leaders, industry experts, policymakers, and more to keep ALPA members informed. The Air Line Pilot Podcast is hosted by Capt. Jason Ambrosi and is a product of the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l.

Location:

United States

Genres:

News

Description:

The Air Line Pilot Podcast provides news and information for pilots to stay up to date on what is happening in their union and across the industry. Through discussions about labor relations, tips for pilots, and aviation news, the podcast brings together pilot leaders, industry experts, policymakers, and more to keep ALPA members informed. The Air Line Pilot Podcast is hosted by Capt. Jason Ambrosi and is a product of the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l.

Language:

English


Episodes
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2025 in Review

12/31/2025
Each year brings new opportunities and challenges for our union, and 2025 was a powerful reminder of just how unpredictable a single year can be. This year, ALPA mourned loss, confronted economic instability at several airlines, and felt the harsh impact of political turmoil, including the longest government shutdown in U.S. history. To close out 2025, ALPA President Capt. Jason Ambrosi had an in-depth discussion with ALPA general manager David Krieger on the challenges and successes of the past year.

Duration:00:24:28

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Building One ALPA Through Strategic Collaboration

12/18/2025
Capt. Ronan O'Donoghue, chair of ALPA's Strategic Preparedness and Strike Committee, joined ALPA president Capt. Jason Ambrosi to discuss the transformation of ALPA's culture. Collaboration, strategic and communication planning, and solidarity among pilot groups all play critical roles in ALPA’s recent successes. Informational pickets and the introduction of new initiatives like the fact team and virtual components are just a few examples that highlight these efforts.

Duration:00:12:01

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Aviation from a Journalist’s Perspective: A Conversation with Elan Head

11/19/2025
How does the aviation industry look from the outside? ALPA president Capt. Jason Ambrosi found out in this interview with Elan Head, senior editor at The Air Current, and a helicopter pilot herself. The conversation covers industry trends, media perspectives, pilot misconceptions, the impact of emerging technologies, and how reporting on aviation can influence understanding and accountability within the industry.

Duration:00:21:22

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Headwinds and Tailwinds: The North American Airline Industry in 2025

10/22/2025
As 2025 unfolded, the airline industry's initial optimism was met with unexpected challenges. ALPA president Capt. Jason Ambrosi sat down with Aviation Economist Patrick Cropper from ALPA’s Economic and Financial Analysis Department to discuss the factors that were fueling early confidence and the hurdles airlines now face. From high profits at Delta and United to the struggles of ultra-low-cost carriers like Spirit, this episode explores the state of the aviation industry and what it means for ALPA pilots.

Duration:00:11:56

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Canadian Accident Investigations: Interview with TSB Chair Yoan Marier

10/9/2025
In aviation, we learn from the past to build a safer future. One of the most effective ways we do that is through accident investigation—identifying contributing factors to reform processes, designs, and policies to prevent similar accidents from happening again. ALPA president Capt. Jason Ambrosi interviews Transportation Safety Board of Canada Chair Yoan Marier about how the board investigates accidents and incidents and develops recommendations in Canada.

Duration:00:19:44

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ALPA Pilots Perform at Oshkosh

7/17/2025
For many ALPA members, flying is more than a career—it is a passion. And that passion is on full display at EAA’s AirVenture Oshkosh every year. At last year’s fly-in, the Air Line Pilot Podcast caught up with ALPA members who arrived in war birds or performed at the airshow. Capt. Skip Stewart (FedEx) does aerobatic performances in his modified Pitts S-2S, Bill Sleeper (United, retired) gives rides in a 1929 Ford Tri Motor, Billy Janus (Delta) flew a C-47, Jeff Linebaugh (FedEx) in a P-51 Mustang, and Martin Gerhard (United) and Steve McGarry (Envoy) reenacted paratroopers to commemorate the 80th anniversary of World War II’s Normandy invasion.

Duration:00:21:42

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Modernizing Air Traffic Control: Interview with NATCA President Nick Daniels

6/12/2025
Air Traffic Controllers are critical to safe airline operations, but they have faced a chronic lack of support and infrastructure funding. ALPA president Capt. Jason Ambrosi sits down with Nick Daniels, the president of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA). In their conversation about the challenges that controllers face on the job, Daniels discusses how NATCA continues to fight and advocate for their members as they face increasing pressure and outdated equipment. The fight for aviation safety unites all airline unions, and Ambrosi and Daniels talk about how their two unions are supporting each other to protect their members and keep aviation safe.

Duration:00:31:20

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President Ambrosi Shares His Furlough Experience

4/10/2025
Nearly two decades after a significant number of ALPA pilots were furloughed, many ALPA members still remember what it feels like. ALPA’s Furloughed Pilot Support Program (FPSP) is built on the first-hand experience of members, like ALPA president Capt. Jason Ambrosi and FPSP volunteer F/O Quincy Flemming. Listen now to hear their furlough stories and suggestions for pilots facing career uncertainty today. They also discuss the Association’s stronger approach to supporting all pilots on furlough, including available resources.

Duration:00:14:27

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Managing Conflict and Strengthening Negotiations: An Interview with Naseem Khuri

3/5/2025
Effectively managing conflict and knowing what works in a negotiation are essential skills for life, but especially for union work. Naseem Khuri, a trainer, consultant, mediator, and facilitator who specializes in negotiation, influence, and conflict management, sat down with ALPA president Capt. Jason Ambrosi to talk about how his best practices can be applied at ALPA. Khuri has worked with Israeli, Palestinian, and other international diplomats and political leaders; U.S. Navy SEALs; state lawmakers; and Fortune 100 companies to facilitate change conversations and strategic planning for influence and negotiations. His advice can help ALPA leaders manage relationships within their pilot groups and learn how to be more effective when working with management.

Duration:00:25:40

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Recovering from Tragedy: How ALPA Investigates Accidents and Supports Pilots

2/11/2025
On the evening of January 27, 2025, ALPA’s Air Safety Organization enacted programs it hopes to never have to use: the Accident Investigation Board (AIB) and Critical Incident Response Program (CIRP). These highly trained ALPA volunteers went to action at a moment’s notice after a midair collision between PSA Flight 5342 and a military helicopter took the lives of all 67 aboard both aircraft. The AIB provides expertise to the National Transportation Safety Board as a party to the investigation, while CIRP supports the families, crew, investigators, and anyone impacted by an accident. ALPA president Capt. Jason Ambrosi sat down with Aviation Safety chair Capt. Steve Jangelis and Pilot Assistance chair Capt. Travis Ludwig to discuss how their programs advance safety and support pilots in the wake of an accident.

Duration:00:20:03

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Interview With Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 First Officer

12/19/2024
Flying out of Portland in January, a door plug on Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 departed the aircraft, causing a rapid depressurization. In her exclusive first interview following the event with CBS News’s Kris Van Cleave, Superior Airmanship Award Winner, Emily Wiprud shares her experience. Events like Alaska 1282 are reminders of the ways pilots must always be ready to respond to emergencies in the skies and it demonstrates the value of having two highly qualified, fully trained, and well-rested pilots on the flight deck at all times. In this episode of Air Line Pilot, we’re sharing that exclusive interview with First Officer Wiprud and ALPA President, Capt. Jason Ambrosi.

Duration:00:39:26

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International Unity Against Reduced Crew Operations

8/21/2024
Industry stakeholders are working to reduce safety by taking pilots off the flight deck, but ALPA, the European Cockpit Association (ECA), and the International Federation of Air Line Pilots Associations (IFALPA) are united to stop them. ALPA President, Jason Ambrosi interviews ECA President Otjan de Bruijn about the risks and hazards associated with single pilot operations, IFALPA Deputy President (and an ALPA member) Ron Hay about ALPA’s work on the international stage to prevent single pilot operations, and ALPA Canada President Tim Perry about what ALPA is doing in Canada to inform members, decision-makers, and the public about the risks of reduced crew operations.

Duration:00:27:39

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Aviation Safety in Congress with Rep. Nick Langworthy

7/26/2024
Laws passed by Congress continually make and remake safety in American aviation. Through laws —like the FAA reauthorization bill, passed earlier this year—lawmakers have the power to defend or deteriorate safety in the skies. During ALPA's Legislative Summit, Capt. Jason Ambrosi interviewed Rep. Nick Langworthy (NY-23) one of the key Members of Congress fighting to protect aviation safety. In this candid conversation, Rep. Langworthy explains how lawmakers protected safety in the FAA authorization bill and the work he is doing to defend against future threats.

Duration:00:14:35

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Navigating Pilot Mental Health and Wellness

6/11/2024
ALPA President, Capt. Jason Ambrosi interviews Dr. Susan Northrup the FAA’s Federal Air Surgeon, who oversees the FAA’s aviation medical programs— about how pilots can stay healthy and navigate mental health concerns with their aviation medical examiner. It is vital that pilots have the resources, support, and access to help mental wellness. Listen to this interview to hear about the pathways available to pilots.

Duration:00:25:58

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Understanding the Future of Aviation Safety

4/9/2024
Akbar Sultan, Director of NASA's Airspace Operations and Safety Program joins ALPA President, Capt. Jason Ambrosi for a conversation about the latest advances in aviation safety research for a behind-the-scenes look at how researchers and pilots are collaborating to strengthen aviation safety. Their discussion covers Airspace Operations and Safety Program’s work to develop predictive safety systems using flight data to identify risks before pilots encounter them, optimizing schedules to prevent fatigue, and how to integrate automation to supplement the work of pilots.

Duration:00:27:42

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ALPA’s Highest Calling

3/5/2024
Stepping up to serve our members is our union’s highest calling. During ALPA’s annual Leadership Training Conference the union’s newest leaders gather to learn more about the resources available to them and best practices for their new leadership position. This month, ALPA President, Capt. Ambrosi spoke with Capt. Tiffany O’Connor (FedEx Express), Capt. Steve Savidge (Alaska Airlines), F/O Manuela Valenzuela (WestJet Encore), and F/O Brandon Arrington (Delta Air Lines) about the unique challenges and opportunities they’re facing as some of ALPA’s newest leaders.

Duration:00:25:38

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Look Ahead: 2024

2/1/2024
With vital work to negotiate contracts, defend safety, and protect the contract gains made last year, ALPA President, Capt. Jason Ambrosi sits down with the national leadership team to plot a path for 2024. In this conversation First Vice President and National Safety Coordinator, Capt. Wendy Morse, the new Vice President-Administration/Secretary, Capt. Sean Creed, Vice President-Finance/Treasurer, Capt. Wes Clapper, and ALPA Canada President, Capt. Tim Perry outline their priorities for the year ahead, discuss the new President’s National Grievance Committee, and review the aviation safety concerns that are top of mind going into the new year.

Duration:00:22:37

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ALPA’s 2023 Year in Review

12/28/2023
Ten new contracts, hundreds of pilots picketing, four congressional hearings. 2023 started out fast and never slowed down. With new contracts, new pilot groups, and membership higher than ever before, this was a banner year for the Air Line Pilots Association. Capt. Jason Ambrosi recounts the events of the past year with Strategic Preparedness and Strike Committee Chair, Capt. Ronan O’Donoghue, Government Affairs Director Elizabeth Baker, Representation Director Andrew Shostack, and Communications Director David Weaver.

Duration:00:29:40

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The Risks of Reduced Crew Operations

12/7/2023
Mid-flight, when a system fails, and an emergency arises, is the wrong time to discover that no one is flying the plane. But efforts to implement Reduced Crew Operations (RCO) are setting the stage for that to become a reality. The growing threat of efforts to remove pilots from the flight deck is one of the greatest risks facing aviation safety today. ALPA joined with pilots across the world to build a unified approach against these efforts. Capt. John Sluys (Alaska Airlines), ALPA International Affairs Coordinator and Capt. Bill Secord (FedEx Express), ALPA Reduced Crew Operations Committee Chair, joined ALPA President, Capt. Jason Ambrosi for a conversation about the dangers of RCO and the work pilots are doing together to stop it.

Duration:00:21:22

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Pilot Group Updates Pt. 2: ATI & Endeavor, Delta & United

11/22/2023
2023 was a historic year for ALPA with record contracts, events, and membership growth. In part two of this two-part series of interviews, ALPA president Capt. Jason Ambrosi sits down with the chairs of four more pilot groups to discuss the challenges and successes they faced this year, and how they’re continuing to support ALPA members. As their groups continue to evolve, Capt. Mike Sterling (ATI) and Capt. Adam Spurrier (Endeavor) discuss how they’re managing turnover in their groups and council leadership, as well as the steps they’re taking to advocate for their members. Capt. Darren Hartmann (Delta) and Capt. Garth Thompson (United) share the steps they took to secure strong contracts this year, and how they collaborated with other pilot groups to learn from their success, while lifting up ALPA members across the industry.

Duration:00:21:44