Jim Shilling is a senior airline captain, line check pilot, and nationally recognized aviation security leader with more than 26,000 flight hours and over three decades of experience spanning airline operations, federal law enforcement, aviation security policy, and defense systems development.

He currently serves as a Boeing 737 Captain and Line Check Pilot at United Airlines, where he conducts line evaluations, mentors flight crews, and operates high tempo domestic and international missions. In recognition of his leadership and impact, he has been named one of the United 100, an honor awarded to top performers within the airline.

In addition to his flying role, Shilling serves as Vice Chairman of Security for the Air Line Pilots Association, where he helps shape aviation security strategy at the national level. He previously served as Security Committee Chairman for ALPA’s New York City pilot bases, representing more than 3,000 pilots and acting as a primary liaison with the TSA, DHS, FBI, and airline corporate security leadership. His work has influenced policy development, incident response protocols, and pilot focused security initiatives across the industry.

Shilling is also a federally sworn law enforcement officer supporting national security operations, with specialized training in advanced weapons systems, night vision, and classified mission environments.

Earlier in his career, he held a senior leadership role at Northrop Grumman, where he directed the commercialization and deployment of advanced infrared countermeasure systems (IRCM/LAIRCM/Guardian). He led business development and program capture for a $300M+ portfolio, bridging military defensive technologies into commercial aviation platforms while managing engineering, contracts, and flight test integration.

His aviation career includes captain and check airman roles with Airborne Express (DC-9), Airbus A230 operations with Virgin America, and leadership positions in both corporate and international aviation environments, including Chief Pilot roles and rotary-wing law enforcement operations.

A recognized subject matter expert in aviation security, Shilling has contributed to national policy initiatives through organizations such as the Aviation Security Advisory Committee (ASAC) and has been active in legislative affairs impacting cargo security, FFDO programs, and international aviation security standards. He has been featured across major media outlets including CNN, NBC News, and Fox News, and is a frequent speaker at domestic and international aviation security forums.