PAG BALPAs Get support when you need it By First Officer Katy Lee and Russ Jones As the EASA-mandated peer support programmes have established themselves firmly across the airlines, its easy to forget that BALPA offers another invaluable resource for those in need: the Pilot Advisory Group (PAG). PAG is a peer group of experienced, If you need to talk , just pic professional pilots, who are also trained k up the phone or email counsellors. They are on hand to offer pilotsadvisor ygroup@balp personal counselling and assistance in any matter concerning a.org PAG members are: aviation, or to any member who is in any sort of difficulty, whether Hayley Brewis 01284 3860 it be of a professional or personal nature. Our members come from 04 Amanda Calnan 07812 1515 a variety of airlines, with experience in different types of commercial 12 Ru s s J o n e s 0 1 3 3 7 8 5 8 0 2 6 o aviation, and are available 24/7, 365, for pilots and their loved ones r 0 7 7 13 62 15 0 7 in need of support. With the pressures of COVID-19, the past few years have brought K at y L e e 0 7 7 1 7 7 78097 about particular challenges, as people face huge uncertainty about David Marshall 01164 2992 13 their future. No two phone calls are the same. Often, an issue at Sean Walters 07850 07 705 5 work triggers a call. At PAG, we have people who have expertise in aviation and are able to understand the problems that arise. Weve helped people with everything from a minor flight-deck issue to serious accidents and fatalities. I remember assisting a family as they dealt with the aftermath of an accident and were the centre of much unwanted attention from the media. We were able to talk the member and their family through this. We advised them on what they might expect to happen, how best to avoid the attention from the media, and where to go for some respite at this most vulnerable time. Variety of calls Sometimes, the operational issue that a member presents is simple, and we can advise them or pass them on to relevant Company Councils, other reps or BALPA staff and experts. The calls we take are both work-related and personal, ranging from health concerns and custodial sentences to drug and alcohol concerns (very prescient, considering the recent CAA drug and alcohol testing requirements) and the aftermath of suicide, plus everything in between. People call PAG for many reasons. We have helped people through depression, and we have helped families cope with grief, financial worries, medical issues and much more. Some calls are about a bad day at work, while others are about life-changing events. Whatever the call, PAGs trained counsellors with aviation expertise are here to listen. Everything discussed on a PAG call is confidential.