Cargo Associations Summit 2023
5-05-2023
More than 70 pilots and labor representatives from 14 airlines gathered in Chicago, IL on April 24-26 for the Cargo Associations Summit. Participants included members of the Airline Professionals Association–Teamsters Local 1224, Teamsters Airline Division, Teamsters Local 769, International Aviation Professionals–Teamsters Local 2750, Independent Pilots Association (IPA), Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), Southwest Airlines Pilots Association (SWAPA) and the Coalition of Airline Pilots Associations (CAPA).
The goals of the Cargo Associations Summit are vast and it appears our initial goals are coming to fruition – relationship building, information sharing and unity. Despite pressures to pit pilot groups against one another, it’s essential that we reach across carrier lines and make every attempt to work together to advance job security and contract improvements.
“This year’s conference was incredible! Participating so openly with this level of leadership across our industry is rare; and to realize the commonality of our threats, goals, and opportunities is phenomenal,” said Joe Muckle, president of APA Teamsters Local 1224. “With so much going on with the FAA Reauthorization, the threats to the minimum First Officer Qualifications (1500-hour rule), reduced pilot operations, and unmanned operations, our pilots have a lot at stake.”
Participants heard from guest speakers on various topics affecting our pilots and the broader industry including Aviation Issues and Congressional Oversight, Air Cargo & Trade at the Chicago International Airport, Reduced Crew Operations, Industry Pay & Benefits, Fatigue Risk Management, Air Safety, Safer Skies, Industry Economic Outlook, the National Mediation Board’s Role in the Railway Labor Act, Costing Airline Labor Contracts, Future Aviation Challenges, the Pilot Supply, and a Presidents’ Roundtable. Work groups with a focus on reduced crew operations were a significant component of this year’s event, giving participants the opportunity to identify pitfalls and develop strategies to help our legislative affairs teams counter automation and reduced crews in the cockpits.
Representing Teamsters Local 1224 were President Joe Muckle and Safety Coordinator Russ Leighton; ABX Executive Council Members Randy Riesbeck and Chris Mankamyer; ABX Air Committee Members Vic Manningham, Camille Manningham, and Andrew Whobrey; and Silver Airways Steward Scott Cartwright. Teamsters Airline Division Manager of Representation Greg Unterseher and International Brotherhood of Teamsters Senior Legislative Representative & Policy Advisor Cole Scandaglia were also in attendance.
Organizers raised nearly $2,000 for Pilots for Kids during this year’s event, by encouraging attendees to become a member or make personal donations to the charity. We’d like to thank those organizations that donated door prizes in support of our charitable efforts: ABX Air, Aircraft Spruce & Specialty, Alaska Airlines pilots, Amerijet pilots, APA Teamsters Local 1224, Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings, Aviation Supplies & Academics, Bose, Contrail, Flight Outfitters, Kalitta Air pilots, KG Aviation, Lost Aviator Coffee, Silent Thunder Models, and Silver Airways.
“I want to thank the great work of the organizers and 1224 staff for pulling this off flawlessly,” added Muckle.
This year’s event was co-organized by ABX Air Executive Council Member Chris Mankamyer and Kalitta Air MEC Chairman Jeremy Keyes.
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