PIEDMONSTERS

Mental Health Awareness - Updates from the FAA and Advice from an Aviation Therapist

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. This year we were joined by Pilot Peer Support Committee Chair, Captain Amanda Fallon, as well as Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Cynthia Sterling-Pinion. 

As pilots, aviation safety experts, and ALPA continue to work daily towards safer skies and healthier pilots, the guidelines surrounding pilot mental health are constantly evolving. As such, the FAA released new guidance on May 27, 2026 (between this podcast being recorded and the time it is uploaded for listening). That new guidance is linked below and supersedes any conflicting guidance previously released.

May 2026 Updates to Therapy Guidelines

May 2026 Updated Guidelines for Therapists

May 2026 Information for Therapists Treating Pilots

 

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES AND INFORMATION

 

PILOT PEER SUPPORT HOTLINE: (309) 777-2572

To contact a Piedmont PPS Representative, please email PDTPilotPeerSupport@alpa.org OR utilize the ALPA App by selecting the following menu items.

My Pilot Group -> MEC Committees -> Pilot Peer Support

 

Cynthia Sterling Pinion LMFT, NCC, CPLC (Aviation Therapist certified in FL and Certified Professional Life Coach in all 50 states)

Website: https://www.cynthiapinion.com/

Email: info@cynthiapinion.com

Phone: 386-320-3181

 

ALPA Aviation Medicine Advisory Service (AMAS)

ALPA Mental Health Continuum

FAA Aviation Rulemaking Committee Recommendations

AME Guide Item 19 (When Therapy Does or Does Not Need to be Disclosed)

FAA Guidance for Fast Track Approval of a Specified Condition

*This is a starting point, please contact AMAS (paid for by your ALPA dues) for any specific conditions diagnosed to comply with FAA requirements and minimize down time.

FAA Guidance Regarding Anxiety and Depression

Pilot Mental Health Campaign (not ALPA reviewed) resource to help explain aviation medicals to a mental health provider that is not familiar

 

 

Your Piedmont Union Representatives stand in full support of all pilots who choose to seek treatment and improvement of their mental health, and are happy to help with any additional questions or information. Happy pilots are safe pilots!

 

Non-Rev Travel

In this episode, we discuss some basic guidelines and helpful tips for non-rev travel, both for employees and those with access to employee benefits. 

The non-rev travel hotline number is: 1-888-933-5922

 

 

Additionally in this episode:

Phillies PUB Event RSVP Form

Mid-Term Negotiations Update

 

Piedmont MEC - 2025 Year In Review & 2026 Look Ahead

Welcome back to Piedmonsters! In this episode, we're joined by MEC Chair Kimberley Gott and Vice Chair Ryan Higgins, to discuss what the MEC accomplished in 2025 and look ahead to what the group will be working on in 2026.

 

For LEC 35 Voting - alpa.org/votenet 

 

 

 Like and subscribe to Piedmonsters wherever you get your podcasts, including Apple, Spotify, and YouTube.

And follow us on Instagram @PiedmontPilots. You can also email us at PDTpodcast@alpa.org with any comments or suggestions.

 

 

ALPA Committees and Volunteering

For the first time since our very first episode last summer, we are joined by Piedmont MEC Chair, Captain Kim Gott. She’s with us to highlight the roles of the various committees within our union operations and explain the best ways for our pilots to become involved with specific committees.  

 

Holiday Party Information

RSVP Here

Additional Details

 

As we move into the holiday season, we are reminded that flights are full, and commutes are tough. Please remember to “do the walk” for jumpseaters. 

Please do everything you can to ensure that jumpseating and commuting coworkers receive the courtesy of your best efforts to accommodate them. For our commuting pilots, please take a moment to review the Piedmont Commuting Policy outlined in our CBA. If you have any questions, please reach out to your status rep… 

 

We hope everyone has a safe and happy Thanksgiving, whether that is at work or at home. 

 

Thank you, as always for listening. Like and subscribe to Piedmonsters, wherever you get your podcasts, including apple, spotify, and youtube. And follow us on instagram @PiedmontPilots. 

You can also email us at PDTPodcast@alpa.org with any comments or suggestions. 

 

 

 

Back to School with the Training Department - Part 2

This is Part 2 of a 2-part interview featuring Training Committee Chair, Captain David Weidenhamer. In Part 1, we discussed an overview of the Training Committee, Training Review Boards, and what to expect during CQ. Part 2 features information about what to expect during Captain Upgrade, as well as additional suggestions and information. This episode also features some updates from around the MEC, including information about our new Training Department LEC, LEC 28, and upcoming Holiday PUB events in Charlotte and Philadelphia.

Back to School with the Training Department - Part 1

In this episode, we're joined by David Weidenhamer, Piedmont Captain and Chair of the Training Committee. This is part 1 of a 2 part interview. Part 1 includes general information about the training department and the training committee, as well as Training Review Boards and what to expect during CQ.

 

This episode also features updates regarding our recent MEC meeting, PUB event in Philadelphia, and announcement of our new LEC 029 secretary / treasurer.

Pilot Mental Health with Sharon Curlee and Julie Schell

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, so we are joined in this episode by Captain Sharon Curlee, chair of our Pilot Peer Support Committee and the Critical Incident Response Program, as well as Julie Schell, Piedmont Vice President of Safety and Regulatory Compliance. Sharon and Julie will be sharing information about pilot mental health initiatives, addressing concerns about confidentiality, and providing resources available to our pilots. 

 

ALPA Pilot Peer Support

Pilot Peer Support Phone Number:  (309) 777-2572

 

Piedmont Mental Health Support 

 

The Mental Health In Aviation Act Info & Call to Action

 

PHL / MDT LEC 29 Captain Rep Info 

 

 

 

Like and subscribe to Piedmonsters, wherever you get your podcasts, including apple, spotify, and youtube. And follow us on instagram @PiedmontPilots. 

You can also email us at PDTPodcast@alpa.org with any comments or suggestions. 

 

Safety and the State of the Industry with Captain Wendy Morse

In this episode, we are joined by Captain Wendy Morse, ALPA First Vice President, and leader of the Aviation Safety Organization, or ASO. This interview took place in March, during the Women in Aviation International Conference in Denver. Thank you again to Wendy for taking the time to talk with us!

 

LEC 29 Captain Representative:

Captains based in PHL / MDT, who are active members in good standing, may submit their willingness to serve at alpa.org/votenet

 

Phillies PUB Event on 4/29:

If you are on reserve and would like to be added to the standby list, in case you are not assigned flying, please contact Davis.Bunting@alpa.org

 

 

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Contact us at PDTPodcast@alpa.org