Page 18 - InterPilot 2018, Issue 4

PAGE 18 IFALPA.ORG PAGE 19

Founding MAs:

ALPA Canada

BY CAPTAIN BRIAN SHURY
ALPA Canada Vice President
IFALPA Director Canada

he issues that In 1948 the Canadian Airline Pilots As- of various countries to get together,
were facing the sociation (CALPA) represented Canadian become thoroughly confused, suspi-
global pilot pro- pilots at the founding conference of IF- cious and even antagonistic as a result
fession in April ALPA held in London. Captain C.R. Rob- of misinterpretation, or lack of common
T1948 were very inson, President of CALPA, represented interests, or any number of reasons that
similar to the issues we Canada at that inaugural meeting. It might have come to mind a year ago. My
face today. There was an should be noted that this first Confer- answer would be quite different now. I
incredible amount of opti- ence had some of its roots in the April know that international conferences can
mism that the world’s pi- 1943 Mutual Aid Agreement signed by be 100% successful and I now know why.
lots could come together Air Line Pilots’ Association (United States I know this because it was my good for-
through IFALPA and begin ALPA), British Air Line Pilots’ Association tune to attend one and to learn firsthand
to solve the problems. The (BALPA), and CALPA. how large a part singleness of purpose,
problems, not surprising- mutual trust and the free exchange of
ly, were safety related such Captain Rueben Hadfield was quoted in ideas play in achieving the desired re-
as fatigue, training issues, the April 1943 edition of The Air Line Pi- sults.”
and Captains’ authority. lot as stating in that meeting, “I wish to
Top-of-mind as well were add that we Canadians believe it is our I wonder what our IFALPA founders
the issues around pilot se- prime duty to maintain and continue to would think of our progress on the top-
niority and the challenges build an equitable structure of salaries of-mind issues of 1948? Would they be
that were presented by and working conditions, not necessarily proud of what we have accomplished, or
very different seniority identical but essentially the same, for the would they be disappointed? Would we
practices in the various air line pilots of all of the free nations so get a passing grade or a fail?
Member Associations. that those who survive the war will have
something worthwhile to come back to.” I would like to think that they would be
I think that both Captain Robinson and proud of the work that we have done
Captain Hadfield felt that the formation with respect to safety and security.
of IFALPA was not only going to be his- There have been massive leaps forward
toric but was going to provide hope and in training, human performance, flight
promise to guide the profession. time and duty time, aircraft design, han-
dling of dangerous goods, and air traf-
Captain Robinson had this to say in the fic control. The proof, of course, is in the
July 1948 edition of The Canadian Air performance and the data. ALPA Canada
Line Pilot: “If I had been asked a year ago have, along with our brothers and sisters
for my opinion with respect to interna- within IFALPA, collectively contributed to
tional conferences, I’m afraid I wouldn’t improvements in these areas. We can all
have been very complimentary. Possi- be proud of that work done by genera-
bly, I would have said they provided a tions of pilots and professional staff.
wonderful opportunity to meet people The July 1948 cover of The Canadian Air Line Pilot Magazine commemorates CALPA’s role as a Founding Member Association of IFALPA