Members of the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) will hold an informational picket on Thursday (September 1). (An informational picket is defined by Merriam-Webster as one that is intended to inform the public about a matter of concern. It has been said that the picket will not affect operations on the day.)

ALPA represents more than 65 000 pilots at 40 US and Canadian airlines, making it the largest airline pilots’ union in the world. 

Those that will be hosting the picket in collaboration with ALPA include Delta Air Lines, Endeavor Air, JetBlue, Sun Country Airlines, Spirit Airlines and United Airlines. 

The pilots are picketing to highlight their calls for airlines to improve operations and reduce flight delays and cancellations, reports Travel Weekly. So far this year, flight cancellations for US airlines are at 2.6% and flight delays at 21.3%, compared with 2% and 17.2% in the same period in 2019. 

The US Department of Transportation recently released its Air Travel Consumer Report on airline operational data, compiled for the month of June and for the second quarter of 2022. The report details on-time performance, consumer complaints received, mishandled baggage, and mishandled wheelchairs and scooters. 

According to the report, there was a 34.9% increase in air travel service complaints from May to June, and complaints were up almost 270% above pre-pandemic levels in the same period. 

ALPA said in a statement: "ALPA will be hosting a nationwide picket on September 1, 2022, to send a strong message to airline managements across the country that it’s time to prioritize passengers and recognize the extraordinary sacrifices pilots made during the pandemic. 

“ALPA pilots are calling on management to fix their operational problems that are causing a significant increase in flight delays and cancellations."

Off-duty pilots and allies will be deployed in public spaces at 12 large airports in the United States. The airports and spaces where the pickets will be held are as follows:

• Atlanta (ATL): South Terminal upper-level outer and inner kerbside east of Door S1 and South Terminal upper-level outer kerbside between Doors S5 & S6 
• Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport (ORD): Terminal 1, Concourse B, upper level outside in the connection walkway between Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 
• Detroit (DTW): McNamara Terminal upper ticketing/departure level north end 
• Las Vegas (LAS): Terminal 1 between Doors 16 and 17 
• Los Angeles (LAX): Upper-level Terminal 3 
• Minneapolis-St. Paul (MSP): Terminal 1 – east upper roadway, south end 
• New York City’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK): T4 arrivals level outer island 
• Orlando (MCO): Terminal A arrivals 
• Salt Lake City (SLC): Upper level/ticketing eastside along Terminal Drive 
• San Francisco (SFO): International Terminal upper roadway between Doors 1-5 
• Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA): Along both sides of International Blvd. between 18118 and 18740 and near Flagpole at S 182nd Street 
• Washington, DC’s Reagan National Airport (DCA): Terminal 2, ticketing level Door 6 by the American Airlines ticket counters

The picketing will occur in two-hour sessions at each location.