Communications Committee Deputy Chair FO Melissa Monahan talks with Captain's Authority Committee Chair CA Carl Jackson about how his committee monitors and documents instances of pilot pushing by gate agents and customer service managers. If you need help during a challenging situation, call the Captain's Authority Hotline: 817-302-2338. If you want to tell the committee about an incident after the fact, fill out a Captain's Authority Threats form on AlliedPilots.org. CA Jackson stressed that his committee welcomes contributions from First Officers.

APA Communications Committee Deputy Chair FO Melissa Monahan talks with CA Cody Lasker and FO Mike Roman about how the National Communications Network (NCN) facilitates face-to-face conversations throughout the system so union leadership can hear directly from line pilots and vice versa. They also discuss how pilots can become NCN volunteers, which CA Lasker describes as a "a very low-threat, high-reward commitment." APA's goal is for 10 percent of the membership to serve as NCN volunteers as part of preparations for upcoming contract negotiations.

In the latest episode of our “Positive Rate” podcast, Communications Committee Deputy Chair FO Melissa Monahan speaks with LGA CA Matt Sheehan, who serves on the board of the charitable organization Above the Clouds. The organization's stated mission: “Above the Clouds delivers joy and hope through the wonder of flight to children and teens who have a serious illness or disability, are underserved and/or are facing other diversity.” During the APA Board of Directors' summer meeting, CA Sheehan asked the Board to consider sponsoring “Wings of Legacy,” an Oct. 5 fundraising event the charity hosts in Quincy, Mass., for a scholarship honoring the life of CA David Willey, a U.S. Navy veteran who also flew for Cape Air, Southern Air Transport, and New England Air. Earlier in his career, CA Sheehan also worked for Cape Air and cited CA Willey's mentorship as a major influence in his life. The Board subsequently approved a motion authorizing a $3,000 donation to the Wings of Legacy event.

Each episode of “Positive Rate” features APA subject-matter experts working on the membership's behalf. The podcast is available through popular streaming services, including Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, and Spotify. You can search for “Positive Rate” or “Allied Pilots Association” on your platform of choice to subscribe and download. Your first opportunity to listen will be via AlliedPilots.org/Podcasts.