APA News Digest

March 21, 2025

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In This Edition ...

Remember: Every Voter Needs a Voting PIN

Voting is underway in multiple APA elections. The Election Round of the LAX and ORD Domicile Elections and the Nomination Round of the National Officers Election will run through 0001 Central on March 31. Resumes for all candidates may be found here: Candidate Information.

Each eligible pilot should have received a notice in the mail containing a unique Voting PIN and voting instructions for the National Officers Election. Each eligible pilot in LAX and ORD should also have received a separate notice in the mail containing a unique Voting PIN and voting instructions for the domicile election. It is important that you retain this letter, as you will need the same Voting PIN for all rounds of an election. If you are based at LAX or ORD, you will have two distinct Voting PINs – one for each election.

You should have also received your Voting PIN and voting instructions via an email from APA’s elections vendor, Sequent. To ensure you receive your voting credentials, please verify your contact information via the Member Update page on AlliedPilots.org.

The ballots for each election are found at separate websites:

If you did not receive or misplaced your Voting PIN, did not receive a mail ballot, and/or are experiencing difficulties casting your ballot, please call the Voting Support Call Center at 888-454-3230.

To verify your identity, the call center will ask you for your unique APA Unique Identifier Code. Your APA Identifier Code can be found at the bottom of the Member Update page on AlliedPilots.org.

Any voter who is unable to vote electronically, or would prefer to vote by mail, can request a mail ballot by visiting this website: https://electiontrust.com/apabod. Alternatively, you may request a mail ballot by calling 888-454-3230. If you request a mail ballot in one round of the election, you will receive a mail ballot for all subsequent election rounds. Requesting a mail ballot does not preclude you from voting electronically. However, if you submit both an electronic and a mail ballot, only the electronic ballot will be counted.

The Voting Support Call Center is staffed by APA’s election vendor from 0900 to 1700 Central on every day of the voting period for each round of the election. On the last full day of each round, the call center will remain open until 2200 Central. You may direct any additional questions to APA’s Election Coordinator, Kathy Lazenby, at 817-302-2175, or at elections@alliedpilots.org, between 0800 and 1600 Central on weekdays.

APA Board of Directors to Convene on March 25-26

In accordance with the APA Constitution and Bylaws Article V, Section 3.A.2.b, the APA Board of Directors will convene at union headquarters beginning at 0900 Central on Tuesday, March 25.

Among the items on the special meeting’s agenda:

  • American Airlines Chief Executive Officer Robert Isom will meet with the Board on Tuesday, March 25.
  • On Wednesday, March 26, the Board will review the results of the recent round of membership polling. Polling results that are not related to negotiating strategy will be briefed in open session.

The agenda calls for the special meeting to conclude at 1400 on Wednesday, March 26.

The APA Strategic Plan

This is a new message from APA Communications.

The Strategic Planning Committee hosted the Strategy Development Group at APA headquarters this week. In accordance with the APA Policy Manual Section 9.15.A, participants included the National Officers, Executive Director, Strategic Planning Committee, Negotiating Committee, Strike and Tactical Operations Planning Committee Communications Committee, National Communications Network, Family Awareness Committee, Compass Project Committee, and Investor Relations Committee.

Among the topics discussed during the two-day meeting:

  • A recap of the APA Board of Directors-approved 2024 Strategic Plan, which set APA’s priorities for the year.
  • Section 6 lessons learned (also presented previously to the Board).
  • Focus groups dedicated to the strategic plan’s four strategic focus areas.
  • APA’s budget process and resource allocation.
  • The Negotiating Committee’s preparations for the next round of Section 6 bargaining, with early openers slated for the second half of 2026.

Additionally, the group discussed various contingencies and potential responses to the threats they pose to our pilot group.

APA’s Most Valuable Negotiating Resource? The Membership

APA’s most valuable resource is its membership. With 16,000 represented pilots, a tremendous amount of skill and talent resides within our ranks, and it’s in our collective best interests to tap it to the greatest extent possible.

As we prepare for the next round of Section 6 negotiations, it’s essential that all our committees are fully staffed. Each of these national committees or subcommittees has the indicated number of vacancies. Please consider volunteering, or if you know a fellow pilot who you think would be a good fit for one of these committees, give them a heads up and encourage them to apply.

  • Aeromedical Committee (0)
    • Critical Incident Response Program Subcommittee (2)
    • 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)
  • Retirement and Benefits Committee (1)*
  • Scheduling Committee (1)
  • Training Committee (0)
    • 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.

Sun ‘n Fun April 1-6: Don’t Miss It!

This is a new message from the APA Communications Committee.

From April 1-6, the skies above Lakeland, Florida, will be awash with the sounds of airplanes, from the putter of Piper Cubs to the roar of F-35s. But on Tuesday, April 1, the sky will go quiet, as Disturbed’s haunting cover of “The Sound of Silence” plays. At 6,000 feet over Florida, performer Erik Edgren will shut down the engine of his unique “T-Clips” and perform his one-of-a-kind aerial ballet.

Sun ‘N Fun is one of the largest gatherings for APA’s Family Awareness Committee, which will be hosting two lunches and two dinners. While this will be an incredible opportunity for our pilots and their families to get to know one another, APA’s location — right along the flight line — offers an unparalleled view of the airshow and the pilots who seem perfectly okay having the blue side down on their attitude indicators.

We talked to Sun ‘N Fun performer Erik Edgren about what a day in the life is like for an airshow performer in Lakeland. “First of all, I have to say, it’s pretty nice for an Iowan to go down where it’s warm and fly for a nice crowd,” he says. “But I have to admit, if I were to bounce a landing at a pilot-centric show like Sun ‘N Fun, I’d be really mad at myself,” he adds with a laugh.

Edgren began flying on his father’s lap at an early age. By the age of 10, his father had taught him spins, something that sparked his life-long love of aerobatics. Edgren’s unique “T-Clips” was originally built by the Taylorcraft Aviation in 1939. “In those days, there were no factory ready-made aerobatic planes. You took an existing civilian or military planes and modified it. That’s what makes my airplane, and by extension my act, kind of a throwback.”

Like most pilots, Edgren starts off his day with a cup (or three) of coffee. “I wake up, grab coffee, grab breakfast, gather everything I need for the day, and head to the airport. I want to arrive not just to make the 10 a.m. airshow briefing, but to stop by the hangar and set eyes on my plane.” After the briefing, Edgren moves his T-Clips from the hangar to the flight line. His son, John Edgren, a pilot for an American Airlines regional partner, will be part of his ground crew at Sun ‘n Fun. “It helps a lot to have my son there,” Edgren says. “He can help move the plane if needed and helps me make sure the plane has the smoke oil, fuel, and oil I’ll need for my act.”

From there, as any pilot knows, it’s all about taking care of yourself until it’s time to fly. “I make sure I’m ready, staying cool, and staying hydrated, that type of thing. And then you fly. That’s the best part.”

Edgren may have a few extra nerves when flying for a pilot-centric crowd, but says “once you shove the throttle forward and enter the [show] box, you’re only thinking about the nuts and bolts of flying the airshow.”

But as much as Edgren just loves the flying, he also loves interacting with his fans. “When I was a kid, my heroes were airshow pilots. It made my day when I got to meet one. I love the flying, but I also really hope that when I’m signing autographs and meeting fans that I’m making pilots.”

Edgren will be signing autographs on Wednesday at noon at the Aerobatic HQ, as well as at various sponsor tents on Thursday. He’s performing in the Tuesday airshow and both Wednesday and Saturday night airshows. His acts are ones you won’t want to miss.

For American Airlines pilots and their families planning to attend Sun ‘N Fun, the code for discounted tickets is APA995. Please remember to RSVP for each meal separately at the APA flight-line chalet so we can order enough food.

APA Contract Minute – Pilots Assigned Recovery Flying or Reassigned Beyond Original Sequence Footprint

In the newest APA Contract Minute, Contract Compliance Committee Chair CA Jason Saxer addresses the contract’s enhanced provisions for pilots who are assigned recovery flying or reassigned beyond their original sequence footprint.

APA Medical Minute – Back Pain Medications

In the latest edition of the APA Medical Minute, APA Medical Advisor Tina Smith discusses back pain medications, including muscle relaxants and associated downtimes, as well as certain over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications that require no downtimes.

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

Overage and Pop-Up Market Hotels for April

This is a new message from the APA Hotel Committee.

Below is the list of overage hotels and pop-up market hotels that will be utilized in April. If you are scheduled to stay at one of these properties, we recommend you review the Hotel Committee’s update from last year regarding non-contracted hotels.

AGS

Crowne Plaza North Augusta

AGS

Agusta Marriott

CLE

Crowne Plaza Playhouse

DCA

Embassy Georgetown

DTW

Detroit Marriott Livonia

HSV

Element

IND

The Alexander

LBB

Overton

LBB

Staybridge

LIR

Secrets

RNO

Silver Legacy Resort

SAN

Wyndham San Diego Bayside

SAN

Coronado Island Marriott Resort & Spa

SDF

The Brown

SFO

Parc 55

SVD

La Vue Boutique and Beach Resort

TPA

Hampton Inn Tampa North Omar

TYS

Crowne Plaza Knoxville Downtown

UVF

Marigot Bay

Laser Strikes: Short-Term Exposure, Long-Term Disability

This is a new message from the APA Aeromedical Committee-Pilot Occupational Health Subcommittee.

If you think there has been an increase in laser hazards during the past few years, you are correct. There were 13,304 reports from pilots to the Federal Aviation Administration in 2023, a 41 percent increase from the prior year, with a total 313 injuries reported since the FAA began recording data on laser strikes in 2010. 

FAA recommendations for a suspected laser environment, from its Laser Hazards in Navigable Airspace pamphlet:

  • Anticipate – When operating in a known or (Laser Hazards in Navigable Airspace pamphlet) suspected laser environment, the non-flying pilot should be prepared to take control of the aircraft.
  • Aviate – Check aircraft configuration and (if available) consider engaging the autopilot to maintain the established flight path.
  • Navigate – Use the fuselage of the aircraft to block the laser beam by climbing or turning away.
  • Communicate – Inform Air Traffic Control of the situation. Include location/direction of the beam, your present location, altitude, etc. Once on the ground, request and complete a “Laser Beam Exposure Questionnaire” (i.e., AC 70-2A)- per FOM, completing a pilot debrief.
  • Illuminate – Turn up the cockpit lights to minimize any further illumination effects.
  • Delegate – If another crewmember has avoided exposure, consider handing over control to the unexposed crewmember.
  • Attenuate – Shield your eyes when possible (hand, clipboard, visor, etc.). Do not look directly at the laser beam and avoid drawing other crewmembers’ attention to the beam. Do Not Exacerbate – Avoid rubbing of eyes and possibly inducing further injury.
  • Evaluate – If any visual symptoms persist after landing, get an examination by an eye doctor.

The FOM also provides detailed information in Section 1n.5.4 Laser Illumination of an aircraft. The summarized six steps are:

  1. announce "laser"
  2. protect yourself (divert your eyes below glareshield)
  3. immediately report to ATC
  4. contact dispatch to alert other crews
  5. omplete a “Laser Beam Exposure Questionnaire”
  6. complete a pilot debrief (CERS)

The FAA takes laser strikes seriously. Federal law treats laser strikes as serious criminal offenses. Under 18 U.S.C. § 39A, perpetrators face up to five years in federal prison, civil penalties up to $11,000 per violation, and/or additional fines up to $30,800 for multiple incident.

If you have any questions or firsthand experience, please contact the Pilot Occupational Health team at cmte-occupationalhealth@alliedpilots.org.

Stay in the Green: Your First Call

Whenever you need to resolve an at-work issue, please make the APA Professional Standards Committee your first call.

The committee is now distributing these two-sided cards around the system as a helpful reminder.

Click the image to enlarge.

Current and Former Military Pilots: Virtual Town Hall on April 9

This is a new message from the APA Membership Committee-Military Affairs Subcommittee.

Join your Membership Committee-Military Affairs Subcommittee at 1400 CST on Wednesday, April 9, for this year’s virtual town hall meeting. We will discuss a variety of topics that directly impact our Guard and Reserve pilots.

Topics to be discussed:

  • DFP movement issues
  • USERRA five-year limit issues
  • Military Leave count against five-year USERRA limit
  • Chinese visa issues
  • FAA 1,000-hour rule for upgrades
  • VA disability ratings and VA letters
  • PBS bidding strategies
  • 401(k) contribution calculations and AAL matching issues

We will have time for questions on other topics and encourage you to submit questions in advance to militaryaffairs@alliedpilots.org. We will also be recording the meeting and posting it to the Membership Committee-Military Affairs Subcommittee page on AlliedPilots.org for review throughout the year if you cannot attend.

Click here to register in advance for the April 9 town hall.

The Membership Committee-Military Affairs Subcommittee is here to assist you during your transition to the airline and beyond. We look forward to hearing from you.

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 March 18, the APA Membership Committee hosted a casual dinner for the following new-hire pilots: Octavio Acosta, Benjamin Alimena, Justin Bauer, Donovan Boone, Austin Bowman, Roger Brown III, Roy Brown III, Bryant Burns, Gabriel Caban, Dominic Chevalier, Joseph DeLuca, Donald Hodgson, Matthew Hoffman, Adam Kubashack, Peter Lamoe, Blake Martin, Carlo Martinez, Kevin McCarthy II, Brian McGann, Mason McCrary, Logan Miller, Patrick Monfiston-Desir, Niko Mrkonjic, Ferenc Nihof, Barry Nomann, Rodolfo Ovelar Lopez, William Pugleasa, Justin Rooks, Gabriel Russe Gomez, Kenneth Seiden, Thomas Shine, Chad Skubicky, Joshua Snyder, Robert Sutherland, Madhuri Telang, Adam Thorsen, Eric Torres, Russell Van Ruitenbeek, Garrett Vargason, David Venci, Stephen Walker, Clayton Whaley, and Anthony Wise.

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 March 19, 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: Roaul Anderson, John Baldwin, Philip Bartoo, Michael Blackstone, Alex Bode, Casey Brouhard, Srdjan Cvetanovic, Sean Daley, Justin Denton, John Forsha, Matthew Golian, Nicolas Gunnarsson, Christopher Matson, Lawrence Monahan Jr., Eric Music, Michael Origel, John Pummel, Eric Riebeling, Justin Shore, Scott Shuster, Virginia Smith, Cody Taylor, and Drew Uhler.

Week in Review

Here are some recent messages you may have missed.

Domicile Events

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

Professional Standards FAQs

What time frame can be expected when Professional Standards is working an issue?
Professional Standards issues will normally be resolved within a few days. Due to scheduling complexities, some cases may take longer. The expectation is that committee volunteers will be as timely as possible and not delay the processing of any issue submitted to the PS committee. Most cases are resolved with two days.

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

The Future & Active Pilot Alliance’s next Future Pilot Seminar is scheduled for March 15 at SAN, and the next Pilot Job Fair is scheduled for 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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