APA News Digest

Sept. 29, 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 ...

• United Pilots Ratify New Contract
• Safety Committee: GPS Spoofing and Spurious EGPWS Warnings
• Safety Committee: FAA Issues Warning Over Uncertified Parts
• Hotel Committee: Hotel Survey Data Effects Change in PDX
• Information Technology Steering Committee: APA Pilot Mobile App Set to Launch
• Information Technology Steering Committee: Calendar of Events on AlliedPilots.org – How It Works
• Uniform Committee: Coming Soon – Sharkskin Fabric in “Gunsmoke” Shade
• Maintenance and Technical Analysis Committee: Pigs of the Week
• Membership Committee: APA Welcomes New Pilots
• Membership Committee: APA Welcomes Captains’ Leadership Class
• Benton Named Distinguished Alum by Alma Mater
• APA Represented at Latino Pilots Conference
• Domicile Events
• Domicile Elections
• Week in Review
• Are You Willing to Serve?
• Professional Standards FAQ
• If You’re 50, Join The Grey Eagles
• Pilot Job Fairs and Future Pilot Seminars

United Pilots Ratify New Contract

Today, the ALPA United Master Executive Council announced the ratification of a new four-year contract with United Airlines. Approximately 82 percent of voting pilots were in favor of the deal, with 97 percent of eligible pilots participating.

The APA Negotiating Committee will soon communicate how the snap-up clauses in our contract, the newly ratified United contract, and the Delta contract approved in March will affect our new pay rates and 401(k) contributions.

GPS Spoofing and Spurious EGPWS Warnings

This is a new message from the APA Safety Committee.

APA has been aware of anomalies concerning GPS spoofing and other interference – especially around Pakistan – for several months. APA Safety has been closely involved in communication with the widebody fleet team regarding these issues, which include GPWS interference. Several crews took action because of incorrect inputs into the GPWS system. 

We are aware of recent news articles on this topic, and the FAA is concerned, as they should be. The American Airlines fleet team and APA Safety have been involved in ongoing industry communications regarding these issues, and we are taking measures to react to and mitigate these threats.

The AA fleet team published a 17-page guide regarding this phenomenon and also issued at least two CCI messages. We issue this message because some pilots have said they have not seen those, so we want to make sure that we can direct you to the information that’s available. We will keep you updated as developments occur.

B777 Fleet Bulletin: Comply365 > Collections > B777 > Fleet Specific Ops B777 > Fleet Bulletins > GPS Jamming/Spoofing - Off the Deep End, Vol. 2

FAA Issues Warning Over Uncertified Parts

This is a new message from the APA Safety Committee.

APA Safety and APA Security have been aware of fraudulent uncertified aircraft parts within the industry since late July. APA shared this information with American as reports came in, and they are working with the FAA and other authorities to identify suspect parts and remove them from any impacted aircraft and parts inventories. We have been in contact with the Flight Department and Maintenance regarding these issues and will continue to monitor the situation.

As always, our first line of defense against any of this is the professionalism and dedication of our line pilots to the safety equation. Please write up anything that you see that is of concern and put it in the logbook. Make the call to APA Safety and ASAP if you think it’s warranted. Above all, keep abreast of any announcements or information that’s coming across regarding issues that affect the safety of our airline. Thank you for your professionalism.

Hotel Survey Data Effects Change in PDX

This is a new message from the APA Hotel Committee.

Your engagement matters. Thank you to all pilots who participate in the hotel/transportation survey via APA Mobile!

Over the last several months, pilots have made it clear they do not feel safe staying in downtown Portland. We have received phone calls, debriefs, and a plethora of valuable survey data indicating this area was not acceptable. We appreciate all your feedback and are happy to announce that layovers will be going back to Vancouver, Wash., in October, specifically to a new property – the Hotel Indigo on the Columbia River.

The survey data for the PDX Embassy Suites clearly indicated a problem very early on. To date, the data indicates a rate of safety/security complaints 25 times higher than the average AA layover hotel. We received 186 such reports in the past three months, and 42 percent of participating pilots indicated safety/security concerns. Your surveys were crucial to APA convincing the company it was time to leave downtown Portland. Surveys, more than debriefs, are key to showing trends and highlighting our large problems in the system. Again, thank you for your engagement and taking the time to fill out the survey after each layover.

We hope you enjoy the move back to Vancouver, Wash., for your long PDX layovers. Please let us know how you feel about this new property via the survey.

For more information, see the QRH – Quick Reference Hotels document, which should answer 99 percent of all hotel and transportation questions while providing helpful solutions. Suggestion: Download this QRH document to your AA iPad for easy access in the future.

APA Pilot Mobile App Set to Launch

This is a new message from the APA Information Technology Steering Committee.

As part of our ongoing commitment to provide the best tools and resources to our members, we are thrilled to introduce our latest innovation: APA Pilot Mobile!

We plan to release this new app next week. Have no fear – if you are not ready to leverage the APA Pilot Mobile app, the current APA Mobile will continue to operate for the time being.

If you are a beta tester associated with APA Mobile 2.0, please be on the lookout for more detailed communication in the coming days about the beta channel and steps to migrate to APA Pilot Mobile.

Calendar of Events on AlliedPilots.org – How It Works

This is a new message from the APA Information Technology Steering Committee.

Since the rollout of Web 2.0, we have fielded questions from members regarding the calendar of events on AlliedPilots.org. With Web 2.0, members are now able to adjust the calendar to their individual preferences by clicking on the “Preferences” icon near the calendar’s upper right-hand corner, which opens a “User Calendar Preferences” menu. Once members complete their menu selections, the calendar will display according to those selections.

Coming Soon – Sharkskin Fabric in “Gunsmoke” Shade

This is a new message from the APA Uniform Committee. 

We have been advised that M&H will soon have new Sharkskin uniform pieces in a color called “Gunsmoke” that will more closely match the Tropical (lighter weight) uniform.  

More than 70 percent of our pilot group have moved to the Tropical option. As the original Sharkskin is nearly 7 years old, matching any new product with old can be a challenge (especially after years of dry-cleaning and laundering cycles). Based on these considerations, it made sense for M&H to create the option for a Sharkskin fabric that better aligns with the Tropical fabric. Tropical was not originally made to exactly match Sharkskin, because different weaves of fabric absorb dye differently. Due to recent technological advances, it is now possible to obtain a closer match. However, dissimilar weaves will always result in variations with shading.  

The Tropical uniform was developed due to pilot feedback and was heavily advocated for by the APA Uniform Committee. Pants were approved in 2019 for optional purchase and quickly became best-sellers. The Tropical blazer option was added at the end of 2020. In late 2021, the full Tropical uniform became an option for new hires.  

The APA Uniform Committee remains dedicated to advocating for improved and additional pilot uniform options. Per the 2023 CBA, we will participate in a Uniform Working Group with representatives from AA. 

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.

• In the last three weeks, A319 aircraft 746 has been written up eight times for left engine bleed airand has been out of service three times. It was most recently signed off on Sept. 25.
• In the last 10 days, B737 aircraft 3CM has been written up six times for cabin pressurization and has been out of service four times. It was most recently signed off on Sept. 29.

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 Sept. 26: Matthew Amidon, Christopher Baker, Justin Beique, Shane Brown, Benjamin Browne, Brian Cheshire, Matthew Combs, Raul Dardon, Sean Delago, Matthew Dinsdale, Ernest Files, Juan Franco Olaya, Monique Gagnon, Emmanuel Gavalas Jr., Mark Goosen, Logan Grzymala, Jordan Hack, Marissa Haynes, James Hicks, David Hinz, Spencer Hutka, Julia Jacobs, Jarrett Kempen, Mark Kennedy, Kevin Kennelly, Christopher Knutson, Shafiq Ladha, Bruno Libio da Silva, Alexander Musgrove, Joseph Oberman, Christopher O’Neill, Matthew Ortiz, Bailey Paddock, Eric Paik, Tanmay Patel, Cory Reardon, Casey Riggs, Bradford Smith, Craig Stern, David Taylor, David Thies, Kevin Tyson, Ryan Warner, and David Wyche.

APA Welcomes Captains’ Leadership Class

This is a new message from the APA Membership Committee.

Click the image for a closer look.

On Sept. 27, 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: George Arbuckle, Joseph Benscoter, Bradley Bonenberger, Timothy Bowden, Bryan Bryson, Richard Burrus, Reuben Chapman VII, Michael Conrad, Edel Cruz, John Currie, Tyler Dunn, Jeffrey Frankenfield, Onofre Gutierrez III, Jason Harris, James Hartman, Brian Jackson, David Loveday, Scott McCoy, Sean Murphy, David Ritz, Neil Roghair, Justin Rubino, Harry Sahoy, Jeffrey Smith, and Kyle Thompson.

Benton Named Distinguished Alum by Alma Mater

CA Johnathan Benton was one of eight Southeastern Oklahoma State University graduates recognized as Distinguished Alumni during the school’s homecoming festivities last week.

APA’s longtime Government Affairs Committee Chair, CA Benton lost his life in a light aircraft accident in January. For three straight years, he was named one of the top lobbyists in Washington, D.C., by The Hill. The influential publication said the honorees on its 2022 list “all demonstrated a track record of success in the halls of Congress and the administration during a critical year for policy.” APA’s base of operations in Washington is now known as the Benton House.

The other Southeastern Oklahoma State University honorees included Chickasaw Nation Lt. Governor Chris Anoatubby, West Virginia University Director of Athletics Wren Baker, and former Major League Baseball player Jeff Frye.

APA Represented at Latino Pilots Conference

CA Steve Pacheco, CA Andy Fierro, FO Josh Daneault, CA Andrea Hoover, and CA Clint Early represented APA at the Latino Pilots Association’s inaugural Latin Aerospace Industry Expo, which was held Sept. 14-16 in Kissimmee, Fla. This effort was similar to APA’s presence at the February conferences hosted by the National Gay Pilots Association and Women in Aviation International.

Domicile Events

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

• CLT: Second Harvest service project on Oct. 2; Domicile Meeting on Oct. 13; Runway 5K on Oct. 21
• DFW: Domicile Meeting on Oct. 3; Telephone Town Hall Meeting on Oct. 17; Contract Compliance training on Oct. 25; Family Awareness event at Chicken N Pickle on Oct. 25; Retirement Party on Nov. 11
• LAX: Fleet Week lunch aboard the San Francisco Belle Sun on Oct. 8; San Diego Yacht Club party on Nov. 2; Dave & Buster’s event at LAS on Dec. 5
• LGA: Retirement Party on Oct. 28
• ORD: Telephone Town Hall Meeting on Oct. 17
• PHL: Family Awareness event for PIT commuters on Oct. 5; Domicile Meeting on Oct. 10
• PHX: IMAX training via Zoom on Oct. 24

Domicile Elections

The following results of the PHL and PHX Domicile Elections were certified by the American Arbitration Association on Thursday.

FO Drost, CA Sweep, CA Saracino, and FO Ryder will begin their two-year terms on Nov. 1.

Because CA Doug Hancock stepped down as CLT Chair with more than six months left in his term, an election will be held to select an interim chair who will serve through Oct. 31, 2024. Submissions for nomination will be accepted on the APA Elections webpage from 0001 Central on Oct. 9 until 0001 Central on Oct. 30.

If you have any questions, contact the APA Elections Department via 817-302-2175 or elections@alliedpilots.org.

Week in Review

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

• President: The Kitchen Table and the Board Table 
• Communications Committee: What a Government Shutdown Means for Our Industry
• Communications Committee: Meet Your APA Government Affairs Committee
• Benefits Review and Appeals Board: APA Voluntary Accidental Death and Dismemberment (VADD) Enhancement: An Industry First 

Are You Willing to Serve?

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

• Aeromedical Committee (1)
  • Disabled Pilot Awareness Subcommittee (3)
  • Human Intervention Motivation Study Subcommittee (2)
  • Pilot Occupational Health Subcommittee (2)
  • Project Wingman Subcommittee (3)
• Captain’s Authority Committee (2)
• Communications Committee (0)
  • National Communications Network (7)
• Compass Project (5)
• Grey Eagles Liaison Committee (1)
• Jumpseat/Non-Rev Committee (1)
• Retirement & Benefits Committee (2)
• Safety (0)
  • Environmental Sustainability in Aviation (2)
• Scheduling Committee (6)
• Training Committee (3)
  • Checkmate (1 on 777 and 1 on 320)

If you would like to serve on one or more of these committees, visit the Member Engagement Portal.

Professional Standards FAQs

Does Professional Standards only handle pilot-to-pilot issues?
No! We support our pilots in the performance of their duties and interaction with many other entities. Almost every person with whom a pilot engages during day-to-day operations enjoys union representation. We have established relationships for working through issues with gate agents (CWA/IBT), flight attendants (APFA), dispatchers (PAFCA), and maintenance (TWU/IAM). In addition, we also work closely with ALPA, NATCA (air traffic controllers), SWAPA, USAOA (Cathay Pacific), and all of our regional carriers. In collaboration with the APA Jumpseat/Non-Rev committee, we also handle cases that arise between pilots of other carriers. In a nutshell: if you face a challenge with another employee, let us be your first call.

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 Fair and Future Pilot Seminar are scheduled for Sept. 30 at TPA followed by Oct. 14 at DFW. Click here for more information.

Industry News

For more about what’s happening in the industry, be sure to visit the Industry News page on AlliedPilots.org.