How do we protect commercial aircraft from the threat of unmanned aerial systems? ALPA president Capt. Jason Ambrosi talks with Col. Bill Edwards, director of counter-unmanned aerial systems operations at ENSCO, about the rapidly growing drone threat to commercial aviation and what it will take to counter it. Edwards discusses the evolution of small UAS driven by global conflicts, the scale of drone detections near U.S. airports, and how limited detection and mitigation authorities have constrained responses. He outlines detection methods (radar, radio frequency, optical, acoustic) and mitigation options suited for domestic use.

Joined by leaders from several ALPA pilot groups and ALPA Canada, ALPA president Capt. Jason Ambrosi discusses key developments within the union. Guests include Capt. Larry Payne (Hawaiian Airlines) and Capt. Will McQuillen (Alaska Airlines), both chairs of their respective MECs, who provide updates on their ongoing merger. Capt. Brian Smith (Porter Airlines) shares insights from the recent organizing effort at Porter, and Capt. Brad Small (Air Transat) discusses his pilot group’s contract negotiation. Additionally, Capt. Wayne Scales (JetBlue) and Capt. Andy Nelson (Spirit) discuss issues affecting their pilots, including contract enforcement and support through Spirit’s financial uncertainty. Finally, ALPA Canada president Capt. Tim Perry discusses the Association’s priorities in Canada.

Each year brings new opportunities and challenges for our union, and 2025 was a powerful reminder of just how unpredictable a single year can be. This year, ALPA mourned loss, confronted economic instability at several airlines, and felt the harsh impact of political turmoil, including the longest government shutdown in U.S. history. To close out 2025, ALPA President Capt. Jason Ambrosi had an in-depth discussion with ALPA general manager David Krieger on the challenges and successes of the past year.