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

The Washington Post, Dec. 24


American Airlines flights resume after brief halt over computer issue

American Airlines grounded flights for about an hour on Christmas Eve after a glitch of its flight operations system. “Getting a resolution so early in the day is a real relief,” APA spokesman Capt. Dennis Tajer told The Washington Post. “These are all indications that the system is recovering and we are not seeing a major cascading failure.” Read the article ...

 

FlightGlobal, Nov. 27


FAA not taking immediate steps to address 737 MAX engine smoke concern

The FAA will take no immediate action to address a smoke-related issue involving the “load reduction device” (LRD) on the Boeing 737 MAX. APA spokesman Capt. Dennis Tajer told Flight Global that pilots were not even aware of the LRD’s existence before this year, and he questioned whether the FAA’s forthcoming “enhanced instructions” will be sufficient. Read the article …

 

The Seattle Times, Nov. 22


FAA team recommends Boeing MAX design change and pilot notification

A team of FAA investigators has recommended a design change to fix an engine vulnerability on Boeing’s 737 MAX. The same team also wants pilots to be fully informed of the risk, according to a memo reviewed by The Seattle Times. “That’s hero action,” APA spokesman Capt. Dennis Tajer said of the memo’s release. “At least somebody gets that safety must be the No. 1 goal.” Read the article ...

 

WHAT'S HAPPENING

APA Public Statements

American Airlines Rescinds Post-Flight Exterior Inspection Requirement

American Airlines Rescinds Post-Flight Exterior Inspection Requirement  In the wake of the Flight Department’s Dec. 5 CCI message regarding pilots performing post-flight exterior inspections for RON aircraft, I have been in regular contact with management and the Transport Workers Union leadership. During a conversation earlier today, American Airlines VP-Flight Operations CA Alan Johnson confirmed that the Company has abandoned plans to have pilots perform post-flight inspections at maintenance bases. Pilots will continue conducting inspections at non-maintenance stations. I would like to thank the TWU leadership for working with us to emphasize the importance of having qualified union mechanics continue performing this work. Ensuring an open line of communication between APA and the TWU is highly beneficial for our respective members. In addition, I want to thank those of you who took the time to provide your feedback to APA regarding this issue. Your engagement matters. Safety remains the guiding principle in all that we do, and the Company’s decision to continue relying on the professional judgement and skill of the qualified union mechanics on the property is consistent with that principle. I appreciate management’s willingness to listen to our concerns and reverse course. Thank you again. In Unity, FO Nick Silva APA President

Post Flight Exterior Inspections for RON Aircraft

Post-Flight Exterior Inspections for RON Aircraft The CCI message the Flight Department issued yesterday regarding post-flight exterior inspections for RON aircraft is problematic on multiple levels. As the CCI message acknowledges, post-flight exterior inspections represent an important part of ensuring the health of our fleet and the reliability of the operation. However, members of the Transport Workers Union should perform this work at TWU-staffed locations, not our pilots. If American Airlines does not have enough qualified union mechanics on the property to perform this work, then the solution is to hire and train additional mechanics — not to shift the work to the pilot group. The Flight Department chose not to consult with your APA leadership before announcing this unilateral change. If the Flight Department had afforded us that courtesy, we would have advised against proceeding based on the reasons above. If they nevertheless insisted on moving forward, we would have been able to communicate with the pilot group in advance of the rollout. Unfortunately, management chose not to seek our input before acting. As I emphasized when the APA Board of Directors entrusted me with serving as your APA President, one of my priorities is to strengthen our relationships with key stakeholders, including leadership at American Airlines. This unilateral and ill-advised step goes against that effort. With the commitment to safety as our guiding principle, pilots should comply with this new procedure. When you receive a “POST FLIGHT INSPECTION REQUIRED” message, pilots should perform a thorough inspection and make all maintenance entries that, in your professional judgment, are necessary to ensure any aircraft damage/mechanical issues can be addressed in a timely manner. As a reminder, your post-flight rest cannot commence until all duty is complete. Thank you. In Unity, FO Nick Silva APA President

Allied Pilots Association: “We Stand with Our Spirit Airlines Colleagues”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Capt. Dennis Tajer, 847-902-8481/Gregg Overman, 817-312-3901 Allied Pilots Association: “We Stand with Our Spirit Airlines Colleagues” FORT WORTH, Texas (Nov. 18, 2024) – The Allied Pilots Association expressed its support for the pilots of Spirit Airlines following that carrier’s announcement it has filed a Chapter 11 petition in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in the Southern District of New York. Spirit Airlines is the first major passenger carrier to enter Chapter 11 bankruptcy restructuring since American Airlines did so in 2011. “Many of the pilots APA represents know firsthand how challenging Chapter 11 is for the employees who are involved, and we stand with our Spirit Airlines colleagues as they prepare to navigate the restructuring process,” said APA President First Officer Nick Silva. “It’s also important to acknowledge this news personally affects some of our own pilots who have family members and friends who fly for Spirit Airlines, including some who are already furloughed. “The airline pilot community is a closely knit group, and we will do everything we can to help our Spirit Airlines colleagues protect their career interests while the airline restructures,” Silva said. “This news serves as the latest reminder of the airline industry’s dynamic, intensely competitive nature. “Above all, I want the pilots of Spirit Airlines to know that we’re here for you,” he said. 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.

Honoring Our Nation’s Veterans

Honoring Our Nation’s Veterans Today, our nation observes Veterans Day in honor of our military veterans. The freedoms we enjoy as Americans are without precedent, but they come at a steep cost. We owe them to the service and sacrifice of everyone who has served in our armed forces throughout our history. The values we hold dear in this country will always face challenges from hostile forces, and it is the duty of those in uniform to protect us by pushing back and risking all. In turn, each of us shares the same debt of gratitude to them — a debt we can never repay, but simply acknowledge. With that in mind, please join me in honoring all who have served, including American Airlines pilots now on active duty in conflict zones around the world. We are forever grateful.

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APA makes its voice heard on Capitol Hill.

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