Air Line Pilot Podcast

How AMAS Helps ALPA Members Stay Healthy and Flying

ALPA’s Aviation Medicine Advisory Service (AMAS) has provided free medical consultations to U.S. ALPA members since 1969. ALPA president Capt. Jason Ambrosi welcomes Dr. Quay Snyder, ALPA aeromedical advisor and AMAS president/CEO, to explain the role of AMAS in advising pilots on how to stay healthy and compliant with medical certificate requirements. Snyder covers common pilot questions about whether specific medications are compatible with flying and how to accurately meet medical reporting requirements.

Drones and Commercial Aviation: The Growing Threat and Counter-UAS Solutions

How do we protect commercial aircraft from the threat of unmanned aerial systems? ALPA president Capt. Jason Ambrosi talks with Col. Bill Edwards, director of counter-unmanned aerial systems operations at ENSCO, about the rapidly growing drone threat to commercial aviation and what it will take to counter it. Edwards discusses the evolution of small UAS driven by global conflicts, the scale of drone detections near U.S. airports, and how limited detection and mitigation authorities have constrained responses. He outlines detection methods (radar, radio frequency, optical, acoustic) and mitigation options suited for domestic use.

Mergers, Growth, and Negotiations: Pilot Groups and Canada Update

Joined by leaders from several ALPA pilot groups and ALPA Canada, ALPA president Capt. Jason Ambrosi discusses key developments within the union. Guests include Capt. Larry Payne (Hawaiian Airlines) and Capt. Will McQuillen (Alaska Airlines), both chairs of their respective MECs, who provide updates on their ongoing merger. Capt. Brian Smith (Porter Airlines) shares insights from the recent organizing effort at Porter, and Capt. Brad Small (Air Transat) discusses his pilot group’s contract negotiation. Additionally, Capt. Wayne Scales (JetBlue) and Capt. Andy Nelson (Spirit) discuss issues affecting their pilots, including contract enforcement and support through Spirit’s financial uncertainty. Finally, ALPA Canada president Capt. Tim Perry discusses the Association’s priorities in Canada.

2025 in Review

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.

Building One ALPA Through Strategic Collaboration

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.

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

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.

Headwinds and Tailwinds: The North American Airline Industry in 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. 

Canadian Accident Investigations: Interview with TSB Chair Yoan Marier

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.