APA News Digest

May 5, 2023

Editor’s note: Some links in this message will work best if you log in to AlliedPilots.org before clicking them.

In This Edition ...

The World Knows We Are Ready to Strike

The fact that American Airlines pilots are ready to strike was certainly deemed newsworthy by a variety of media outlets this week. Here’s a sampling of the TV coverage of the strike authorization vote results (more than 96% participation, with more than 99% of those pilots voting yes) and the informational picketing (attended by more than 3,000 pilots across 10 domiciles):

  • “It’s up to the CEO, Robert Isom. He could solve this in a minute if he wanted to. But don’t tell me that, after four years, they’re working ‘expeditiously’ to close this out, ’cause it just doesn’t add up, and I don’t think the public believes it either,” APA President CA Ed Sicher told Neil Cavuto on Fox News.
  • “You’ve got 15,000 pilots that have said, ‘Enough is enough.’ We have got to serve our passengers better by more than just saying we’re going to do better, like management is saying. We have to do better. And our ideas will definitely do something to repair and bolster the summer reliability, but management right now is just not seeing that,” APA Communications Committee Chair CA Dennis Tajer told News Nation.
  • “Ninety-six percent of this pilot group of over 15,000 pilots voted in the strike; 99 percent voted in favor of it. That’s not just an overwhelming result; it’s a mandate: Fix it now,” CLT Domicile Chair CA Doug Hancock told WJZY-TV in Charlotte.
  • “We’re tired of the company slow-rolling us, giving us promises that they’re not upholding,” PHX Domicile Vice Chair FO Brian Ellis told KPHO-TV in Phoenix.
  • “We’ve been working for a new contract for four years. We’re close, but not close enough,” APA STOP Committee Chair CA Steven Pacheco told WPVI-TV in Philadelphia.
  • “We have 15,000 pilots that are very nervous about how it’s gonna go. They’re unhappy, and it just shows that there’s a lot of uncertainty going into the summer,” APA Communications Committee member CA Jennifer Byrne told KCAL-TV in Los Angeles. (You can see that video on APA’s new TikTok account.)
  • “When our pilots leave for a trip, they don’t have any idea when they may be coming back,” APA Vice President CA Chris Torres told Spectrum News 1.
  • “We have families at home that we’re trying to return to on a regular schedule,” MIA Domicile Chair CA Thomas Copeland told WTVJ-TV in Miami.
  • “Every disruption in a pilot’s schedule translates into another missed flight,” DFW Domicile Vice Chair FO Jason Gustin told WFAA-TV in Dallas.

Newspapers and websites around the world published articles about our strike authorization vote, courtesy of these wire services:

Additionally, several newspapers and websites published their own unique articles on our willingness to strike:

  • The Wall Street Journal: “American Airlines pilots vote to authorize potential strike”
  • USA Today: “American Airlines pilots authorized a strike. Here’s why you shouldn’t panic.”
  • Forbes: “In Charlotte’s biggest labor protest in two decades, 500 American pilots decry slow pace of contract talks”
  • HuffPost: “American Airlines pilots vote to authorize strike”
  • The Dallas Morning News: “American Airlines pilots authorize strike as carrier says a contract deal is near”
  • The Philadelphia Inquirer: “American Airlines pilots might strike, but not quite yet”

We augmented our message with paid digital advertising; a steady stream of #readytostrike content on our Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter accounts; and billboards in all 10 domicile cities.

Expedited Presidential Grievance Filed Over TTS-RTT

APA President CA Ed Sicher filed Sicher Expedited Presidential Grievance 23-019 (TTS) today at the behest of the APA Board of Directors. This grievance protests the violation of Section 15.A., Section 15.P., the TTS Modifications LOA dated Nov. 19, 2015, Section 19.A.1.a. of the 2003 Agreement, and past practices. In January 2023, the Company terminated the pilots’ access to the TTOT system and simultaneously implemented TTS with Real Time Trading (RTT). RTT was intended to replace TTOT. However, the Company has not met its contractual obligations – RTT was never completely programed prior to implementation and does not have similar functionality to TTOT.

The grievance seeks the following relief:

  • An order directing the Company to reactivate the TTOT System and run it concurrently with TTS RTT.
  • An order directing the Company to immediately comply with and maintain compliance with Section 15.A., Section 15.P., all other related sections of the Agreement, the TTS Modifications LOA, Section 19.A.1.a. of the 2003 Agreement, all other related sections of the 2003 Agreement, and past practices.
  • A directive to the Company to make all affected pilots whole plus interest.
  • Any other appropriate relief.

APA has approached the Company about scheduling the arbitration.

Help Us Beta Test Our New Website

The new version of AlliedPilots.org, aka Web 2.0, is nearly complete, and we are giving you early access to the site for extended beta testing. Click the link above, then log in using your current APA username and password.

Please take the time to experience the new site. Most importantly, we need your feedback! To provide it, click the red comment box found on the lower right side of most pages on the site, or click the avatar in the top right corner and then “Website Feedback“ in the dropdown menu. Our IT staff will respond during business hours (0900 to 1700 Central on weekdays) to your submissions through those links and to your questions submitted to helpdesk@alliedpilots.org.

Also, once you have experienced the site, please complete this questionnaire; five pilots who do so will be randomly selected to receive Starbucks gift cards. You can’t win if you don’t play (with the site)! We are in the final refinement process, and the new site will launch soon. We greatly appreciate any testing and feedback you can provide.

The Key to Unity is Member Engagement

This is a new message from the APA Compass Project.

On May 1, more than 3,000 pilots showed up to picket, and 96 percent of our pilots participated in a 99-percent pro-strike vote. The Strike Center and picketing were supported by fewer than 100 volunteers from around the system – we simply could not have these events without our volunteers! So now what? What else can YOU do? As we await news of progress in Section 6, please consider a few areas where you can volunteer to improve our collective futures:

National Communications Network (NCN): Volunteer to share APA’s message while you fly – low time commitment, grass roots, help give members a voice by sharing the message that is all about unity!

  • Current volunteers: 25
  • Desired volunteers: 1,500

Family Awareness hosts events around the system, including Fini Flight, a new program honoring our retiring pilots. Add your name to their roster, and lend a hand when you can.

  • Current volunteers: 12
  • Desired volunteers: 500

Compass Project – AA is hiring, on average, 45 pilots a week. Each pilot needs a sponsor to walk through their first four to six months with them. This is a time commitment of 15 minutes a week per pilot sponsored. Compass will train you and support you as your sponsor.

  • Current volunteers: 360
  • Desired volunteers: 400

There is also a list of national committee vacancies in each News Digest, or reach out to your Domicile Officers to offer a hand at the local level. 

Finally, register for YOUnion 101. Every single pilot should attend this informative Zoom call, hosted by APA Vice President CA Chris Torres, to learn more about how APA works, how we serve our members, and how we support you. This session is interactive, with Q&A from participants. The next session is scheduled for 1100 Central on Wednesday, May 24.

Please consider these options and take the step into volunteerism with APA – we need you! Questions? Please email memberengagement@alliedpilots.org.

What to Do When Your First Leg Cancels

This is the latest in a series of Q&As from the APA Contract Compliance Committee.

Q: I just signed in to begin a trip, and my first leg cancelled. Do I need to stay at the airport? For how long?

A: As a Reserve pilot, please reference Page 2 of the Quick Reference Guide for Cancellation, Delays, and Fatigue.

As a Lineholder, there is no requirement to remain at the airport. A pilot whose sequence has cancelled after sign-in, but before the first leg departs, is to be promptly available for a Replacement Flying assignment. The Cancellation Notification Window (CNW) in this scenario is four hours after sign-in or one hour after the cancellation occurs, whichever is later.

Please reference the Sequence Protection Flow Charts for more information.

Example: If you have a sign-in time of 0800 and a scheduled departure of 0900, and the cancellation occurs at 1130, you would be assignable until 1230.

Contract Language: 4.C.4.d. Cancellation Post Sign-In at Domicile (prior to departure of first leg, or mid-sequence): the pilot will remain promptly available for assignment to replacement flying for four (4) hours after the originally scheduled sequence sign-in time (after originally scheduled departure time, if mid-sequence), or one (1) hour after the cancellation is known, whichever is later. If not assigned replacement flying within the window above, the pilot shall be released for that day.

Have more questions? Make plans to join one of our Contract Compliance Town Halls on May 23 or May 25. Click here for the details.

More Updates to New Hotel Webpages

This is a new message from the APA Hotel Committee.

We appreciate everyone’s patience as we rolled out 400 new Hotel Webpages. Some of the initial feedback we received was that pilots missed having an easily accessible Hotel Debrief button. We heard you! At the top of the alphabetical list of airport codes, you will see a red “QRH – Quick Reference Hotels” button and an orange “Submit a Hotel Debrief” button. These two buttons are also on each hotel’s webpage.

The red button puts the comprehensive QRH – Quick Reference Hotels document, which covers nearly all the issues you might encounter on a layover, at your fingertips. There are 47 hyperlinked topics ranging from explanation of our current JCBA hotel language to the hotel selection process to specific problems pilots encounter on layovers with recommendations. The QRH also has a great explanation of the Hotel Survey and how we use its data in comparison to the need and value of the Hotel Debrief.

As a reminder, the Hotel Debrief is to be used when you have a specific issue with a hotel or transportation that needs to be addressed with management. The Hotel Committee reviews all of these debriefs daily and submits them to AA for follow up. The survey data provides us with a bird’s eye view of our hotels and transportation companies. It is a great tool for us to capture trends and general issues. Completing these surveys is the number one thing each pilot can do to improve the overall layover experience.

If there is a topic you feel we should add to the QRH, please submit a recommendation via email to Hotel-Committee@alliedpilots.org.

United and FedEx Pilots Welcome Our Support

This is a new message from the APA Strike and Tactical Operations Planning Committee.

United ALPA pilots are planning a systemwide picketing event on May 12. If you can stand with your fellow union pilots that day at any of United’s base airports, get in touch with APA STOP Committee Chair CA Steven Pacheco: spacheco@alliedpilots.org.

FedEx ALPA pilots – who are voting on whether to authorize a strike – plan to conduct informational picketing at ANC on May 10 and at MEM on May 24. RSVP by sending an email to FEDEX-SPSC@alpa.org.

Pigs of the Week

APA commends American Airlines’ hardworking aircraft maintenance technicians for their outstanding work. We believe they are the best in the business. When repetitive problems do arise, they’re often due to managerial decisions that fail to properly prioritize tasks and to management’s decision to outsource a significant portion of the airline’s maintenance to offshore, third-party repair stations.

  • B737 aircraft 3DJ was at an MRO (Maintenance Repair and Overhaul) for a main base visit. It was returned to service on April 25. After an in-service ferry and two revenue flights, the aircraft went out of service for “flaps would not extend.” The aircraft repeated during the next revenue flight and went out of service for “flaps would not extend.” It was returned to service and in-service ferried to an AA maintenance base with a line crew and went out of service for a flap split fault. Maintenance repaired a loose skew sensor electrical connector. An FCF (Functional Check Flight) was accomplished with a management crew, and the aircraft was returned to service on May 2. At the time of this writing, it was restricted to Class 1 and 2 maintenance stations.
  • A321 aircraft 902 was at an MRO (Maintenance Repair and Overhaul) for a maintenance check and returned to service on April 26. The left engine bleed air temp has been written up five times and has been out of service three times. It most recently returned to service on May 5.
  • Since March 25, B737 aircraft 3PP has been written up and been out of service six times for brake pressure bleed down. It most recently returned to service on May 5.
  • Due to chipped paint, A321 aircraft 180 has had speed tape applied to the wing-to-body fairings since the middle of April.

VA Disability Opportunity for Disclosure

This is a new message from the APA Aeromedical Committee.

VA Disability Ratings have been a recent subject of concern for many pilots. Disability benefits and/or related medical conditions must be disclosed to the FAA. The FAA is seeking to reconcile any inaccuracy or failure to report on past medical applications by providing an opportunity for disclosure.

All First-Class Airman Medical Certificate holders with unreported VA benefits must submit a new medical application and schedule an appointment with an AME when their current medical expires, or no later than July 31, 2023, whichever is earlier.

Any questions regarding this should be directed to the APA Medical Advisors. Failure to submit an expedited reapplication and reexamination in accordance with the FAA’s timeline or failure to disclose all reasonably known information may result in legal enforcement action.

Our Recommended Reading List

This is a new message from the APA Aeromedical Committee.

In an effort to improve our members’ health, we have created a recommended reading list. Each month, we will highlight a book that has helped in the prevention of, treatment of, or recovery from an injury or illness, or has elevated a member’s education. Feel free to send your book recommendations to aeromed-committee@alliedpilots.org.

Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art

No matter what you eat, how much you exercise, how skinny or young or wise you are, none of it matters if you’re not breathing properly. There is nothing more essential to our health and well-being than breathing: take air in, let it out, repeat 25,000 times a day. Yet, as a species, humans have lost the ability to breathe correctly, with grave consequences.

Journalist James Nestor travels the world to figure out what went wrong and how to fix it. The answers aren’t found in pulmonology labs, as we might expect, but in the muddy digs of ancient burial sites, secret Soviet facilities, New Jersey choir schools, and the smoggy streets of São Paulo. Nestor tracks down men and women exploring the hidden science behind ancient breathing practices and teams up with pulmonary tinkerers to scientifically test long-held beliefs about how we breathe.

Disclaimer: This recommendation is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute the practice of medicine or other professional health care services. Always consult with your medical provider when making health care decisions.

737 Pilots Needed for Study in OKC

This is a new message from the APA Safety Committee.

The MITRE Corporation is conducting research to better understand how pilots respond to different operational situations during normal flight operations. The results will be used to better understand pilot response and decision-making processes related to manual and automated flight and apply this research to improve training programs and scenarios.

MITRE needs 30 B-737 pilots with current or recent Part 121 experience to come to the FAA’s Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center in Oklahoma City. Participation will require about half a day, including an introductory briefing, two to three hours in a B-737 Level-D full-motion simulator, followed by collecting pilot opinion data after the simulator. Participants are required to have an ATP and be type-rated in the B-737-800 or -900 series aircraft and have been fully qualified and actively piloting the B-737 in FAR 121 operations within the past 18 months. Active pilots, pilots on short-term or long-term absences (less than 18 months, including medical leave), and retired pilots (less than 18 months) can participate.

The research is set to begin May 15 and conclude by June 16. A $550 stipend will be paid along with $175 travel expenses. Pilot volunteers will be responsible for any transportation costs.

For more information or to sign up, contact the principal investigator, Dr. Beth Lyall-Wilson, at elyallwilson@mitre.org. This study is for research purposes only; all data will be de-identified.

APA Welcomes New Pilots

This is a new message from the APA Membership Committee.

Click the image for a closer look.

The APA Membership Committee welcomed the following pilots during a casual dinner on May 2: Diana Abrams, Brandon Allman, Ofir Ayalon, Jonathan Bodwell, Matthew Bolado, Austin Calvert, Cristian Cepeda, Terence Clarke, David Colon III, Sean Cook, Luiz Coronel, Christian Craddock, Collin Davis, Preston Dean, Jason Dickerson, Karim Elsammak, Bogdan Filip, Walken Frederic, Stephen Gibbins, Fernando Guilarte Jr., Amena Huff, Andrew Hughes, Paul Jennings, Ashford Kerr, Daniel King, Robert Koon, Patrick Kreitzer, Jorge Rodrigo Landauro Canales, Randy Lehto, Mario Leon Yanes, Timothy Letizia, James Lightbody, Travis Lowry, Robert McCracken, Karen McDermott, Larry Noble, Robert Nole, Michael Noonan, Griffin Norton, Christopher O’Connell, Marvin Regis, Jesus Rivera, Gregory Rogel, William Rundell, Quincy Sadro, Justin Scalley, Cooper Smith, Louis St. Pierre, Garrett Tarman, John Tarrago, Corwynn Vanderpool, and Keith Wood.

APA Welcomes Captains’ Leadership Class

This is a new message from the APA Membership Committee.

Click the image for a closer look.

On May 3, the APA Membership Committee hosted a casual dinner for the following pilots who were in Fort Worth for American Airlines’ Professionalism, Leadership, and Mentoring class: Thomas Arkwright, Heather Boulanger, Joshua Brown, Ryan Dorris, Arthur Dunn, Giovanny Feliz, Randall Gamer, Santiago Giraldo, Scott Harris, Brian Keen, Thomas Kittler, William Leahy, Robert Livingston, Bryce Nelson, Shean Oliverio, Jeffrey Papin, John Pitchford, Scott Prahl, Jon Reutter, Frederick Staats, Jeanne Trigo, Luke Trower, William Umhoefer, Monika Wallin, and Jonathan Winstead.

Gone West

This is a new message from the APA Membership Committee.

We extend our deepest sympathies to the loved ones of these pilots, whose deaths we learned of last month: Chuck Reed, 90, on Dec. 17; Don Tzareff, 77, on Dec. 22; Julian “Bud” McVay, 92, on Jan. 4; Sal Pace, 85, on March 4; Bill Huss, 92, on March 5; Spencer Honey, 81, on March 14; Fred Drews, 71, on March 19; Ken O’Brien, 90, on March 20; Dave Goodlin, 70, on March 22; Robert “Pepe” Lefevre, 88, on March 23; Jimmy McCain, 67, on March 25; Herman “Griff” Griffin, 76, on March 28; Roger Groves, 73, on April 6; Steve Hall, 62, on April 6; Steve Simmons, 69, on April 14; and Hemant Patel, 59, on April 25.

Domicile Events

Get more details about these upcoming events at AlliedPilots.org/Calendar:

  • DCA: Concourse Conversations on June 15
  • DFW: Pilots for Kids Golf Tournament on May 15; Concourse Conversations on May 18; Texas Rangers game on June 7
  • LAX: Retirement Dinner on June 3
  • ORD: Galt Airport Pancake Breakfast on May 27
  • PHL: Town Hall Meeting with PHX on May 16; Philadelphia Phillies game on June 20; Domicile Meeting on June 23; Retirement Dinner on June 23
  • PHX: Town Hall Meeting with PHL on May 16; Concourse Conversations on July 20

Spring Board Meeting Set for May 15-19

The APA Board of Directors’ spring meeting has been scheduled for May 15-19 at APA headquarters in Fort Worth.

Per Section 1.01.C of the APA Policy Manual, each regular Board meeting includes a 60-minute “Membership and Guest Hour” immediately after the President delivers his report on the first day. Any APA member in good standing – or, with the consent of the Board, a guest of a member – shall be allowed to address the Board.

If you would like to address the Board on May 15, please email your request to Senior Executive Assistant Audra Smith via asmith@alliepdilots.org.

RSVP for June Special Board Meeting

A special Board of Directors meeting will be held at APA headquarters on June 1 and 2 so the APA-ALPA Merger Exploratory Committee can deliver its final report, as required by Resolution 2022-25. Due to limited seating, RSVPs will be required. Please click here if you wish to attend. (A recording of the meeting will be available to all members ASAP.)

Week in Review

The following messages were sent since last week’s News Digest was published.

Are You Willing to Serve?

Each of these national committees or subcommittees has the indicated number of vacancies:

  • Aeromedical Committee (0)
    • Critical Incident Response Program (1)
    • Disabled Pilot Awareness Subcommittee (3)
    • Human Intervention Motivation Study Subcommittee (3)
    • Pilot Occupational Health Subcommittee (2)
    • Project Wingman Subcommittee (4)
  • Captain’s Authority Committee (4)
  • Communications Committee (0)
    • National Communications Network (6)
  • Compass Project (5)
  • Grey Eagles Liaison Committee (1)
  • Hotel Committee (2)
  • Jumpseat/Non-Rev Committee (1)
  • Professional Standards Committee (1)
  • Retirement & Benefits Committee (2)
  • Safety Committee (0)
    • Air Traffic and Procedures Subcommittee (3)
    • Environmental Sustainability in Aviation Subcommittee (2)
  • Scheduling Committee (9)
  • Training Committee (3)
    • Checkmate (0 on 787, 2 on 777, and 1 on 320)
  • Uniform (1 female)

If you would like to serve on one or more of these committees, visit the National Committee Volunteer Portal.

Professional Standards FAQs

Is Professional Standards a step in the traditional discipline process (Section 21)?
No. The Professional Standards program is an APA volunteer committee that does not involve discipline. A call to domicile Professional Standards volunteers should be considered as the first step: First call? Union first! Resolved issues submitted to the Professional Standards Committee cannot be used by management to support other disciplinary actions at any time in the future. The objective is to facilitate a change at the lowest possible level to prevent the need for a traditional discipline approach.

To read all of the FAQs, click here.

Professional Standards’ 24/7 hotline: 817-402-2181

If You’re 50, Join The Grey Eagles

Are you a pilot for American Airlines, at least age 50, active or retired? Please join The Grey Eagles for food, fun, and fellowship. We offer cruises, conventions, monthly luncheons, retirement dinners, professional mentoring, and assistance to surviving spouses – all for a one-time lifetime fee.

Pilot Job Fairs and Future Pilot Seminars

Future & Active Pilot Advisors’ next Pilot Job Fairs and Future Pilot Seminars are scheduled for May 27 at HNL followed by June 17 at DEN. Click here for more information.