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Allied Pilots Association

Headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, near Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, the Allied Pilots Association (APA) serves as the certified collective bargaining agent for the 16,000 professional pilots who fly for American Airlines. APA was founded in 1963 and is the largest independent pilots’ union in the world. APA provides a broad range of representation services for its members and devotes more than 20 percent of its dues income to support aviation safety.

HEADLINES

APA in the News

Associated Press, May 9

Air traffic controllers for Newark airport briefly lose radar access again

Recent radar outages at EWR are alarming, but they are not an impending disaster, APA spokesman Capt. Dennis Tajer told The Associated Press. “Even when it sounds frightening, know that the air traffic controllers and the pilots have training, and we go to that.” Read the article …

Fox Business, May 7

Newark airport ‘one of many volcanoes waiting to erupt,’ pilot says

APA spokesman Capt. Dennis Tajer told Fox Business that the air traffic control system has been under immense pressure for years given the persisting staffing shortages, outdated technology, and underinvestment in critical infrastructure. “We’ve seen an uptick in serious runway incursions that could have been prevented with modern technology and proper staffing,” he said. Read the article …

CNN, March 29

What’s the riskiest part of your flight? It isn’t cruising at 40,000 feet

APA spokesman Capt. Dennis Tajer talked to CNN about the importance of the “sterile cockpit” rule, which prohibits any unnecessary conversation or activity below 10,000 feet. “It’s so important that your full attention is on one thing, and that’s flying the airplane right on down to the taxi,” he said. Read the article ...

WHAT'S HAPPENING

APA Public Statements

Allied Pilots Association Welcomes Upgrades to Air Traffic Control

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Capt. Dennis Tajer, 847-902-8481/Gregg Overman, 817-312-3901 Allied Pilots Association Welcomes Upgrades to Air Traffic Control FORT WORTH, Texas (May 12, 2025) – The Allied Pilots Association (APA) voiced its support for modernizing the nation’s air traffic control system and boosting air traffic controller staffing. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has announced plans to modernize and expand the system’s infrastructure in four key areas: communications, surveillance, automation, and facilities. The secretary also said he intends to boost hiring of new air traffic controllers through incentives. “For too many years, our controllers have been saddled with the limitations of 20th-century technology,” said APA President First Officer Nick Silva. “An investment in the future of air travel – a critically important investment that will enhance aviation safety – is long overdue. “One of APA’s core objectives, as laid out in our constitution and bylaws, is ‘to safeguard, with ceaseless vigilance, the safety of scheduled air transportation,’” First Officer Silva said. “We applaud President Trump and Secretary Duffy for kickstarting this initiative, and we stand ready to assist in any way we can.” Founded in 1963, the Allied Pilots Association – the largest independent pilots union in the United States – has its headquarters in Fort Worth, Texas. APA represents the 16,000 pilots of American Airlines, including members on full-time military leave of absence serving in the armed forces. The union’s website is AlliedPilots.org.

5/12/2025

APA Urges Passage of Safer Skies Act of 2025

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Capt. Dennis Tajer, 847-902-8481/Gregg Overman, 817-312-3901 Allied Pilots Association Urges Passage of the Safer Skies Act of 2025 FORT WORTH, Texas (March 26, 2025) – The Allied Pilots Association (APA) voiced its support for the Safer Skies Act of 2025, which U.S. Representative Nick Langworthy (NY-23) introduced today. “The Allied Pilots Association commends Representative Langworthy and legislation co-leads Representative Jack Bergman (MI-01) and Representative Marc Veasey (TX-33) for their leadership on aviation security,” said APA President First Officer Nick Silva. “We wholeheartedly endorse this bipartisan bill, which would close a critical loophole in aviation security. There should never be a double standard when it comes to protecting the traveling public.” The Safer Skies Act of 2025 would require the Transportation Security Administration to update security screening requirements for Part 135 and Part 380 operators that offer individual seats in advance, provide publicly available schedules, and operate passenger seat configurations of more than nine seats. If enacted, it would require these operators to undergo the same security screening requirements as any other scheduled commercial airline. “APA urges Congress to enact the Safer Skies Act of 2025 promptly to ensure Part 135 and Part 380 operators are held to the same security standards as any other scheduled commercial airline,” Silva said. “As professional pilots, we are concerned that memories of the 9/11 terrorist attacks have grown short. We cannot allow charter operators to lose focus on security for the sake of profit. There should be no more aviation security loopholes, period.” Founded in 1963, the Allied Pilots Association – the largest independent pilots union in the United States – has its headquarters in Fort Worth, Texas. APA represents the 16,000 pilots of American Airlines, including several hundred pilots on full-time military leave of absence serving in the armed forces. The union’s website is AlliedPilots.org.

3/26/2025

Docking Guidance System Update

Docking Guidance System Update APA and TWU Local 513 Members, American Airlines has announced that it will discontinue using the Docking Guidance System at domestic DGS-equipped gates and rely on guide persons and wing walkers to meet incoming aircraft at the assigned gate. In response to this announcement, the APA and TWU safety teams have been in close coordination to help ensure a smooth transition. We encourage all pilots and fleet service workers to ensure strict adherence to the Clean Ramp Policy, to report safety concerns to your respective safety teams, and to notify your professional standards representatives of any issues you may encounter. This transition represents a notable change in procedure for both of our work groups. As such, it will require ongoing cooperation, clear communication, and a measure of patience with one another. As always, safety must remain foremost in all our minds. Thank you for your usual outstanding professionalism and for maintaining our mutual commitment to a safe operation. FO Nick Silva President, Allied Pilots Association Greg Cosey President, Transport Workers Union Local 513 CA Jason Sharp APA Safety Committee Chair

2/25/2025

Crew Meals – Stick to the Contract

Crew Meals – Stick to the Contract Last week, all 10 of the domicile Flight Offices coordinated to include an identical message in their weekly newsletters regarding crew meals that are not boarded or are materially incomplete. This Company message included non-contractual misrepresentations regarding reimbursement limits and a time limit for the purchase of replacement meals. Contrary to the statements in the coordinated messages, the accurate information regarding reimbursement and time limits is as follows: There is no contractual time limit for a pilot to purchase a replacement meal in relation to the flight’s departure or arrival, although it should be proximate in time and location to the missed crew meal. There is no contractual reimbursement limit for a replacement meal. $30 for a replacement meal is only the automatic approval limit and should not result in a blanket denial. Submissions over $30 may require additional coordination with the Flight Office staff. Although the Company’s message states that replacement meals must “generally” be purchased within 90 minutes of the segment on which the crew meal was not boarded, APA understands that reimbursement requests are routinely being denied using the 90-minute time limit as a rule. By imposing this arbitrary and non-contractual time limit, Flight Offices have created an environment that may result in delays of required pre-departure pilot duties. In order to comply with this arbitrary time limit, pilots will be forced to focus on securing a timely meal rather than preparing for the performance of their duties. All this, simply in an effort to create an easier way for Flight Offices to deny meal reimbursement claims. We have also received anecdotal feedback that casts doubt on the accuracy of some reported missed crew meals. To ensure accurate reimbursement, you are encouraged to submit your Crew Meal Not Boarded form through Comply365 as soon as possible, especially if the missed meal is discovered before departure. It may also be advisable to secure a replacement meal before departure to avoid any issues with the Company-imposed time limit. Remember that the Comply365 form currently pays $35.92 (this amount is annually adjusted) on a future Pay Statement and is in addition to the reimbursement for a replacement meal (typically paid as an off-cycle direct deposit). Keep in mind that your assessment of fitness for duty includes securing adequate sustenance for your current segment or future segment(s), which is what the Crew Meal contractual provision was intended to provide.

2/24/2025

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Allied Pilots Association

APA in the News

Air traffic controllers for Newark airport briefly lose radar access again

Newark airport ‘one of many volcanoes waiting to erupt,’ pilot says

What’s the riskiest part of your flight? It isn’t cruising at 40,000 feet

APA Public Statements

Allied Pilots Association Welcomes Upgrades to Air Traffic Control

APA Urges Passage of Safer Skies Act of 2025

Docking Guidance System Update

Crew Meals – Stick to the Contract

APA’s Legislative Priorities

“We Are Proud”

Contact APA

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Media Inquiries

Careers

Affiliations

Gone West

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Allied Pilots Association

APA in the News

Air traffic controllers for Newark airport briefly lose radar access again

Newark airport ‘one of many volcanoes waiting to erupt,’ pilot says

What’s the riskiest part of your flight? It isn’t cruising at 40,000 feet

APA Public Statements

Allied Pilots Association Welcomes Upgrades to Air Traffic Control

APA Urges Passage of Safer Skies Act of 2025

Docking Guidance System Update

Crew Meals – Stick to the Contract

APA’s Legislative Priorities

“We Are Proud”

Contact APA

Contact Benefits

Contact Helpdesk

Media Inquiries

Careers

Affiliations

Gone West

Spouse Support Network