APA News Digest

Feb. 28, 2025

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In This Edition ...

First 737 with 2 Jumpseats Has Been Delivered

This is a new message from the APA Jumpseat/Non-Rev Committee.

CBA Section 19.D.3.i:

“All new aircraft, which have a manufacturing configuration option for two flight deck jumpseats, shall include two flight deck jumpseats. New aircraft are those aircraft ordered after the Effective Date of this Agreement, and also those aircraft on order at the Effective Date of this Agreement if reconfiguration does not cause a delivery delay.”

In accordance with the CBA, Boeing production serial #1B180 was identified during negotiations as the first delivery that would include the second flight deck jumpseat (FDJ). This aircraft (nose 3UF) entered service on Feb. 27. Flight Load information (3*) depicts the number of actual jumpseats on board each aircraft and reflects the additional jumpseat for flights assigned nose 3UF.

Your APA Jumpseat/Non-Rev Committee recognizes this change will affect only a small number of flights at first. However, there are a few points we would like flight crews to consider:

  • The flight deck on the 737 is already a tight space, so accommodating an additional FDJ occupant may be challenging.
  • Captains always have the final authority on FDJ use.
  • There are several airlines with whom we have reciprocal jumpseat agreements who have always offered two FDJ on 737 aircraft. We encourage our flight crews to accommodate as many jumpseaters as possible on every leg.
  • Our CBA includes language for FDJ luggage storage (Section 19.C.3), including that available cabin overhead bin storage is allowed for all FDJ occupants and “pink tag” Gate Valet is available for AA pilots.

All subsequent serial numbers will be delivered with a second jumpseat.

Please direct any question – on this topic or any other topics related to jumpseat, deadhead, or non-rev travel – to one of the members of our committee by email, text, or a phone call. If you encounter issues, file a Jumpseat/Deadhead/Non-Rev Debrief.

Become a Federal Flight Deck Officer

This is a new message from APA’s Committee for Armed Defense of the Cockpit.

Following the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, APA and other pilot unions aggressively advocated for the establishment of the Federal Flight Deck Officer (FFDO) program. The FFDO program became a reality when Congress enacted the Arming Pilots Against Terrorism Act as part of the Homeland Security Act in November 2002. The first class of 44 FFDOs trained in April 2003.

For many years, American Airlines pilots constituted the single largest pilot bloc in the FFDO program, but that is no longer the case. The Committee for Armed Defense of the Cockpit would like for our pilots to regain that distinction and encourages every APA member to consider becoming an FFDO. The Transportation Security Administration covers all training and equipment costs for FFDOs. There is no fee for individual participants. To be eligible, you must have a current FAA Airman Certificate, a current First Class or Second Class Medical Certificate, and U.S. citizenship. All eligible flight crew members attend a one-week training course in Artesia, N.M.

Click here to complete the application to become an FFDO.

For more information, please contact the Committee for Armed Defense of the Cockpit. We are happy to answer any questions you may have.

APA Welcomes Finnish Pilot Leader

a group of pilots in a lobby

CA Chris Torres, CA Akseli Meskanen, and FO Nick Silva

On Feb. 12, APA President FO Nick Silva and Vice President CA Chris Torres welcomed Finnair CA Akseli Meskanen to union headquarters in Fort Worth. CA Meskanen chairs the Oneworld Cockpit Crew Coalition as well as the Professional and Government Affairs Committee at the International Federation of Air Line Pilots’ Associations. APA is a member of the OCCC, and the APA Board of Directors recently authorized the necessary funding for APA to join IFALPA.

Commuters Converged at Hockey Games

This is a new message from the APA Family Awareness Committee.

a group of people wearing Nashville Predators merchandise

Click the image for a closer look.

Last weekend, we brought APA to members who reside near three commuter cities. A combined 150 attendees enjoyed camaraderie at professional hockey games in BNA, MCI, and STL. The photo above is from a Nashville Predators game, and you can see photos from a St. Louis Blues game on APA’s Facebook page.

MSY commuters should take note of the “Les Bon Temps Rouler” crawfish boil scheduled for April 12.

Meanwhile, we hope all APA members and their families will be able to join us at the Sun ’n Fun Aerospace Expo. We will be serving daily meals there April 2-5.

APA Ramp Rides Program Comes to DCA

This is a new message from the APA Safety Committee.

three men outside a skybridge

CA Gavin Tade with IAM Capital Air Lodge 1759 members Mosweat Marshall and Ismaila Sanyang

Safety Operations Subcommittee member CA Gavin Tade continued the APA Ramp Rides program with a Feb. 16 visit to DCA. The APA Safety team is committed to reducing incidences of broken tow bars and damage to aircraft nose gear by emphasizing proper ramp pushback safety briefings and standard communication.

Join Us For YOUnion 201 on March 12

This is a repeated message from the APA Compass Project Committee.

The Compass Project hosts a series of YOUnion webinars to educate pilots about various stages of their careers. YOUnion 201 is designed as a “top-off” for newer pilots (6 to 18 months), but the material covered is applicable to ALL members:

  • How APA is governed by the elected officers and organized into committees.
  • What you and your family should expect from the APA.
  • How you can engage and volunteer with the APA.

The next session of YOUnion 201 is scheduled for 1100 Central on March 12 via Zoom.

Register in advance for this webinar.

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the webinar from Exec_Assistant@Zoom.com.

Send your feedback to YOUnion@alliedpilots.org.

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.

I Heard There Was a Secret Chord: Music as Medicine

Neuroscientist and composer Daniel J. Levitin explores the curative powers of music, showing us how and why it is one of the most potent therapies today. Compiling the results of numerous studies on music and the brain, he demonstrates how music can contribute to the treatment of a host of ailments, from neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s, to cognitive injury, depression, and pain.

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.

APA Welcomes New Pilots

This is a new message from the APA Membership Committee.

a group of pilots in a lobby

Click the image for a closer look.

On Feb. 25, the APA Membership Committee hosted a casual dinner for the following new-hire pilots: Randal Alexander, Douglas Banks, Matthew Beachy, Dustin Burton, Felix Chang, Jacob Damron, Brenden Flygare, David Forestier, Anthony Fuller, Evan Gumbel, Nicholas Hanna, Christopher Hutchens, Logan Jaybush, Curtis Jones Jr., Matthew Jonkey, Christopher Kimbrough, Andrew Kinnear, William Kirkpatrick, Quinn Lake, David Ludington, Ryan Massaar, Stephen Mattes, Julian Mejia Royo, Manuel Montalvo Principe, Ruggiero Nocito, Rudy Ostermann, Jesse Paschall IV, Matthew Profitt, Douglas Reyes, Matthew Roussel, Anthony Schreiber, Mark Schroeder, Owen Shrader, Eric Skaggs, James Stefaniw, Steven Sweet, Adam Taylor, Christian Underwood, Zachary Waddell, Wallace Wittkoff, and Weston Woodward.

APA Welcomes Leadership Class

This is a new message from the APA Membership Committee.

a group of pilots in a lobby

Click the image for a closer look.

On Feb. 26, 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: Peter Comeau Jr., Alex Garcia, Braden Gross, Timothy Kessinger, Tommy Larsson, Katharine Lecy, Orlando Ontivero Mena, Michal Pisarski, and Kayla Waskowski.

APA Medical Minute – Measles

In the latest edition of the APA Medical Minute, APA Medical Advisor Christopher Ryan discusses measles – a highly contagious, fast-spreading virus – and provides Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines for protecting yourself and others.

You can watch previous Medical Minute videos on APA’s YouTube channel.

How Does Our Fleet Compare to Competitors’ Fleets?

American, Delta, and United have all released their annual reports, which included the following fleet information as of Dec. 31:

Regional Review

The following comments are from American’s earnings call on Jan. 23:

Devon May, CFO:

  • “We have a ton of regional capacity coming online.”
  • “In the first quarter, regional ASMs (Available Seat Miles) will be up approximately 17% as we return to full utilization, and mainline capacity will be down 2% to 3%.”

Robert Isom, CEO:

  • “I feel great that in 2025 we’re going to have our regional fleet fully deployed. And what that’s going to allow us to do is better fill out some of the hubs that, quite frankly, are ready and I think willing to support the network in a different way.”
  • “And whether it’s the new flagship suites on 787-8s or 787-9s and the XLRs, or whether it’s just the domestic product where we’re so strong, we have a regional product that others can't touch in terms of the E175s.”

AAL disclosed fleet order book:

Note: Based on the mainline deliveries above (“Total” column), assuming no aircraft retirements, AAL’s ratio of widebody aircraft to mainline aircraft will drop to less than 12%.

AAL Senior Executives Receive Annual Share-Based Compensation

American Airlines recently filed a series of Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Form 4s disclosing senior executives’ annual share-based compensation plans. These “Restricted Stock Units” (RSUs) will vest over three years. The granted RSUs are on top of previously granted RSUs that also vest over three years. (These share-based compensation plans are also in addition to their base salary and other benefits that will be disclosed in an upcoming AAL Proxy Statement filing.)

Value of RSUs based on AAL grant-date share price ($16.08):

  • Robert Isom, CEO and President: $11.2 million
  • Steve Johnson, Vice Chair: $6.4 million
  • Devon May, CFO: $3.5 million
  • David Seymour, COO: $3.5 million

AAL’s Form 4 filings also disclosed a number of “securities beneficially owned following reported transaction.” The table below displays the total securities held on the grant date multiplied by the grant date share price ($16.08):

Positive Rate Episode 45: Spouse Support Network

In the latest episode of our “Positive Rate” podcast, Communications Committee Deputy Chair FO Melissa Monahan, who also chairs the Family Awareness Committee, talks with Family Awareness Deputy Chair CA Jerry Gemma about the newly established Spouse Support Network, which has its own Facebook and Instagram pages.

Each episode of “Positive Rate” features APA subject-matter experts working on the membership’s behalf. The podcast is available through popular streaming services, including Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, and Spotify. You can search for “Positive Rate” or “Allied Pilots Association” on your platform of choice to subscribe and download. Your first opportunity to listen will be via AlliedPilots.org/Podcasts.

LAX and ORD Domicile Elections

Election Round voting will open at 0000 Central on March 10 and close at 0001 Central on March 31. The following candidates will be listed on the Election Round ballots:

LAX Chair
FO William Brynjolfsson
CA William Evans
FO Scott Gaddy

LAX Vice Chair
CA Timothy Dick
FO Cort Keithley
FO Gaston Valdovinos

ORD Chair
CA Thomas Kovac
CA Wesley Smith

ORD Vice Chair
FO Paul Meyers
FO Garrett Page

If necessary, Runoff Round voting would open at 0000 Central on April 8 and close at 0001 Central on April 30.

The elected pilots will begin their three-year terms on May 1.

For more information, visit the Elections page on AlliedPilots.org.

Domicile Events

Visit AlliedPilots.org/Calendar to RSVP for any of these upcoming domicile events:

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 Subcommittee (1)
    • Disabled Pilot Awareness Subcommittee (3)
    • Human Intervention Motivational Study Subcommittee (1)
    • Pilot Occupational Health Subcommittee (2)
  • Captain’s Authority Committee (2)
  • Communications Committee (0)
    • National Communications Network (2)
  • Grey Eagles Liaison Committee (1)
  • International Alliance Committee (1)
  • Professional Standards Committee (1)
  • Retirement and Benefits Committee (1)*
  • Scheduling Committee (1)
  • Training Committee (1)
    • Checkmate (1 on 777)

* Seeking volunteer with financial services experience and possible AIF®, CFP®, or related designations.

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

Week in Review

Here are some recent messages you may have missed.

Professional Standards FAQs

Is management required to use Professional Standards?
No. Management is not required to use Professional Standards. However, management is encouraged to refer issues that are most appropriately addressed at the peer-to-peer level. Since 2016, management has been regularly utilizing Professional Standards to assist in resolution of cases for every appropriate opportunity.

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

The Future & Active Pilot Alliance’s next Pilot Job Fairs are scheduled for March 14 at SAN followed by April 25 at ATL. 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.

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