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!
30 Apr 2026
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
19 Feb 2026
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.
26 Nov 2025
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.
31 Oct 2025
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.
26 Sept 2025
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.
16 May 2025
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.
18 Apr 2025
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
Like, Download and Subscribe to Piedmonsters wherever you get your podcasts!
Follow us on instagram
Contact us at PDTPodcast@alpa.org
24 Jan 2025
Episode 8 - How to Handle Fatigue
Welcome to the first episode of 2025!
This month, we are joined by Captain Jerry Schiffauer, who is the chair of our Fatigue Committee.
Our schedules are always demanding, no matter the time of year, but winter storms and weather delays, along with holiday stress, and cold and flu season, mean winter is a prime time for pilots to become fatigued. Jerry is with us to discuss how and when to call out fatigued, how to file a fatigue report, and what he and the members of the Fatigue Committee have done and continue to do in order to make Piedmont Airlines safer.
Also in this episode:
- Remember to check your ALPA account to ensure you're receiving update emails and TextCaster text message updates!
- When filling out an Incident Report, as required for specific events per the FOM, ALPA and the MEC recommend *not* using the option provided to generate an ASAP report directly from the Incident Report. It is recommended to file those reports completely separately, with different levels of detail in the information. Please contact a member of the Safety Committee with questions.
20 Dec 2024
Episode 7 - An Interview with Captain Jason Ambrosi
Captain Jason Ambrosi, president of ALPA International, shares insights on ALPA's successes and the future of the aviation industry, offering valuable perspectives for pilots and industry professionals.
13 Dec 2024
Episode 6 - ALPA-PAC and Government Affairs
ALPA Director of Government Affairs Elizabeth Baker and Government Affairs Committee Chair Matt Chadwick discuss how ALPA and ALPA-PAC work with bipartisan elected representatives to protect and advance pilots' causes.
6 Dec 2024
Episode 5 - Meet Our ALPA Support Staff
ALPA support staff members Dena Jackson, Nina Ing, and Vicki Noble share insights into the behind-the-scenes work that keeps the union running smoothly.
8 Nov 2024
Episode 4 - Better Safe Than Sorry: How ASAP and FOQA Programs Work
This month, we are joined by the Chair of our Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP) Committee, Captain Martin Ebert, as well as a member of our Flight Operational Quality Assurance (FOQA) Committee, First Officer Ben Montgomery. Join us as we walk through all you need to know about these two crucial programs, and how our teams are working to keep you, our airline, and the skies, as safe as possible.
Like, subscribe, download, and listen, wherever you get your podcasts, including iTunes, Spotify, YouTube, or Podbean.
Follow us on Instagram @piedmontpilots and email any questions or topics you’d like to hear discussed to pdtpodcast@alpa.org.
20 Sept 2024
Episode 3 - An Update on PBS & The Tentative Agreement
In this episode, we're joined by Brandon Hagy, PBS Committee Chair, and Jay Weatherman, Negotiating Committee Chair, for an update on the PBS implementation process.
Important Links, Notes, and Info:
To be added to the standby / reserve pilot list for the Phillies game, email Davis.Bunting@alpa.org
To submit Willingness to Serve for LEC 29
Voter Information:
North Carolina
Pennsylvania
Vote.org
Follow us on Instagram
Contact the Podcast - PDTpodcast@alpa.org
23 Aug 2024
Episode 2 - An Interview with the Charlotte Local Executive Council
Today we are joined by Captain Brandon Hagy and First Officer Davis Bunting, your reps for Local Executive Council 35, in Charlotte.
Additional Notes:
Philadelphia Phillies Event - If you have RSVPed but will not be able to attend OR if you would like to be added to the waitlist for tickets, please email Davis Bunting - Davis.Bunting@alpa.org
Charlotte Pilots - the deadline to swap parking passes is August 31. Beginning September 1, all Piedmont crews are required to park in the employee lot.
October VLOA awards will be notified prior to next months bid package is published.
26 Jul 2024
Episode 1 - An Interview with the Master Executive Council
Join us for an interview with your MEC, as they share a little about themselves, their roles, and what they're working on in 2024.
We'd love it if you subscribed to our channel, follow us on instagram (@piedmontpilots) and email any questions to PDTpodcast@alpa.org
Thanks for listening!
25 Jul 2024
Welcome to PIEDMONSTERS
Welcome to PIEDMONSTERS - The Piedmont Pilot Podcast, brought to you by your Piedmont Master Executive Council.
Like, subscribe, download, and listen wherever you get your podcasts. Follow us at our new MEC Instagram account at @piedmontpilots, and email questions or topics you'd like to hear discussed to pdtpodcast@Alpa.org.
We look forward to using this channel to get you the latest and greatest information as it pertains to your Piedmont MEC.
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
YouTube views
156
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
9 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
8 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 30 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
13
Social presence
0
YouTube
64
Engagement
51
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