Why It Matters

The airline pilot shortage is forcing Washington to confront cascading aviation crises: critical air traffic controller gaps, safety concerns from congested airspace, and questions about pilot training standards. The January 2025 Reagan National midair collision—killing all 67 people aboard both aircraft—has transformed these workforce issues into a national safety imperative.

ALPA’s lobbying addresses the core tension reshaping aviation policy: maintaining safety standards while addressing acute pilot shortages. Congress is pursuing solutions including raising mandatory pilot retirement from 65 to 67, expanding pilot training funding, and strengthening two-pilot crew requirements—precisely the issues ALPA targets. With bipartisan momentum on bills like the Mental Health in Aviation Act already passing the House, ALPA’s $140,000 quarterly investment reflects congressional receptivity to pilot union priorities.

By the Numbers

The Air Line Pilots Association International spent $140,000 on in-house lobbying this quarter. ALPA has filed 77 self-represented disclosures totaling over $25.7 million since 2003. The organization supplements efforts with external firms: S-3 Group received $500,000 for pilot retirement age advocacy, while Polaris Consulting LLC earned $1.04 million on FAA safety issues.

ALPA’s team comprises three lobbyists with deep Capitol Hill experience. David Bryan Martin has represented ALPA since 2009 across 62 disclosures. Jill Cernok Larrabee joined in 2017 after serving as scheduler for Senator Jon Kyl (R-AZ). Sean K. Maxwell, hired in January 2025, brings a decade of House Appropriations Committee experience and previous advocacy for the National Air Traffic Controllers Association.

The Agenda

ALPA is lobbying on comprehensive issues critical to commercial aviation, focusing on broad policy areas where Congress is actively engaged rather than specific legislation.

Key priorities include:

  • Aviation safety and pilot training standards, particularly following incidents that elevated congressional scrutiny of airspace safety protocols
  • Pilot mental health, where ALPA successfully advocated for the Mental Health in Aviation Act (H.R. 2591), which passed both House committee and full chamber
  • Workforce development, including support for the Flight Education Access Act to increase pilot training accessibility
  • Retirement age policy, addressing debates over raising mandatory pilot retirement from 65 to 67
  • Crew complement requirements, particularly opposition to single-pilot commercial operations
  • Unmanned aircraft systems integration and emerging airspace management challenges
  • 5G interference with aviation instruments

Broader Context

The recent government shutdown has placed aviation front and center of the national agenda. Transportation Head Sean Duffy announced in November a roll back of flights to maintain safety. This could last through the busiest travel season of the year: Thanksgiving.

Aviation safety became Congress’s urgent priority following the January 2025 midair collision near Reagan National Airport that killed 67 people. Investigations documented over 15,000 close-proximity events between helicopters and commercial jets at Reagan National in just two months, directly fueling congressional action on pilot training standards and crew complement requirements.

The FAA is short nearly 3,800 air traffic controllers, with 20% of newly hired trainees failing training. This shortage validates ALPA’s advocacy for robust two-pilot crews.

Congress is advancing several aligned legislative opportunities: the Mental Health in Aviation Act passed the House, the Aviation Workforce Development Act was reintroduced by Senators Scott and Cantwell, and the 1,500-hour pilot training rule enjoys bipartisan defense.

Between The Lines

Senate Commerce Committee hearings revealed systemic vulnerabilities at Reagan National, accelerating legislation like the Safe Operations of Shared Airspace Act and ROTOR Act.

Pilot training standards remain contentious. Senators Schumer and Cantwell defended the 1,500-hour requirement during FAA administrator confirmation hearings, while a bipartisan group led by Senators Duckworth and Sheehy urged the FAA to reject single-pilot operations.

The retirement age debate continues with Rep. Nehls reintroducing the Let Experienced Pilots Fly Act. Education advocacy appears viable with bipartisan support for making pilot training more affordable.

Competitive Landscape

Multiple pilot unions lobby Congress on nearly identical issues to ALPA, creating unified advocacy. The Coalition of Airline Pilots Association and Independent Pilots Association share overlapping agendas on pilot mental health, workforce development, labor rights, retirement age, and safety issues. This coordination reflects shared pilot community concerns rather than competitive positioning.

The Bottom Line

ALPA’s lobbying maintains steady advocacy presence on issues central to congressional aviation debates. Key legislative developments validate ALPA’s priorities: the Mental Health in Aviation Act passed the House, bipartisan senators are pushing back against single-pilot operations, and Congress is actively legislating UAS integration and airspace safety reforms. ALPA’s experienced lobbying team—including Maxwell’s House Appropriations Committee background—provides substantial access to aviation policy debates and FAA funding decisions.

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