Fellow pilots,

The MEC is pleased to share we are launching a Professional Standards (ProStans) Committee.

For those of you unaware what ProStans is, here is some background.

As professional pilots, we all understand the importance of using our Crew Resource Management skills to discuss issues openly and directly and we do not hesitate when the safety of flight is involved. In those rare instances when our personal CRM tools fail and personalities clash, we may bid around that person in the future, we may opt to ignore the situation and let it fester, or if grievous, we may opt to take the issue to management. There is a fourth alternative -- peer conflict resolution. This is the role of Professional Standards.

The Professional Standards mission is to protect and enhance the careers of ALPA pilots. If you have an issue of a professional or ethical nature involving another pilot that you can’t resolve on your own, the ProStans Committee can step in as a neutral arbitrator to help you come to a resolution. Confidentiality will be maintained, as ProStans never keeps any written records. Professional Standards deals primarily with pilot behavior in the workplace to ensure a safe and professional operating environment.

With that in mind, please welcome our new ProStans chair, Capt. Tim Head.

Background on Tim

My aviation career spans over 30 years, and I have spent much of that time working with several Manitoba-based companies specializing in Medivac operations. Prior to starting my career with Keewatin Air in 2019, I spent almost 10 years with the Life Flight Program under Manitoba Government Air Services. At Keewatin, I have had the privilege of flying the Citation, the King Air and the PC-24. I have also been a Training Captain at various companies for over 15 years.

I am always open to change and would be willing to volunteer where I could be most valuable. I appreciate and respect the guidance and support ALPA has brought to the company and would like to offer my assistance with the MEC. 

Vision for Future

Initially I would like to step into the role and focus on ALPA’s Policy manual and help in the customary form of “ProStans”. After becoming better educated with the role as ProStans Chair, I would like to look at the possibilities of expanding responsibilities to include a healthy interaction between our pilots and management. I also believe there should be added protection in the form of monitoring and ensuring understanding of operational changes that get passed down through memos and are outside the realm of standard training. 
There have been many changes post audit, and it would be beneficial to have a liaison ensuring crews can ask questions and get answers. 

Ultimately, I would like to assist crews performing their duties safely, efficiently, and in a respectful and professional collective manner.

Thank you to Tim for stepping up to volunteer, and we look forward to working with you in the future.

In unity,

Your MEC