APA News Digest

April 4, 2025

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

In This Edition ...

• Voting Resumes Tuesday in National and LAX Elections
• Remember: Every Voter Needs a Voting PIN
• Plane Owners Find Fellowship on Facebook
• Family Awareness Committee: It’s Not Too Late to Join Us at Sun ’n Fun
• Hotel Committee: Shuttle Location Change at DFW
• Jumpseat/Non-Rev Committee: Alcohol While Deadheading or Jumpseating
• Pilot Occupational Health Subcommittee: History of Solar Cycles
• Compass Project Committee: Join Us for YOUnion 301 on April 9
• Military Affairs Subcommittee: Town Hall for Military Pilots on April 9
• CIRP Subcommittee: May 6-8 Training Offered for CIRP Volunteers
• Membership Committee: APA Welcomes New Pilots
• Membership Committee: APA Welcomes Leadership Class
• Membership Committee: Gone West
• Positive Rate Episode 48: Safety Operations Subcommittee
• APA Contract Minute – Non-Golden DFP Penalties
• APA Medical Minute – VA Disability Benefits
• Domicile Events
• 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

Voting Resumes Tuesday in National and LAX Elections

Members in good standing will elect a President, Vice President, and Secretary-Treasurer to serve from July 1, 2025, until June 30, 2028.

Nomination Round voting closed at 0001 Central on March 31. Per the APA Constitution & Bylaws, each domicile’s top three candidates for each office advance to the Election Round. We have been advised by Sequent that the following candidates have advanced:

President
CA Bill Evans
FO Alex Gutierrez
CA Jim Scanlan
CA Edward Sicher
FO Nick Silva

Vice President
CA Chris Torres
FO Scott Yancy

Secretary-Treasurer
CA Clint Early
FO Tim Hamel
FO Philip Johnson
CA Andrew O’Hara

Election Round voting will open at 0000 Central on April 8 and close at 0001 Central on April 30.

If necessary, Runoff Round voting would open at 0000 Central on May 7 and close at 0001 Central on May 29.

Here are the Nomination Round results for President and Secretary-Treasurer. (Because there are only two candidates for Vice President, that office was excluded from the Nomination Round.)

LAX Domicile Election

Runoff Round voting will open at 0000 Central on April 8 and close at 0001 Central on April 30. The following candidates will be listed on the Runoff Round ballot:

LAX Chair
FO William Brynjolfsson
CA Bill Evans

LAX Vice Chair
CA Timothy Dick
FO Cort Keithley

Resumes for all candidates may be found here: Candidate Information.

Remember: Every Voter Needs a Voting PIN

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 based at LAX 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, 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:

• Domicile Elections: https://apa.sequent.vote
• National Officers Election: https://apa-national.sequent.vote

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.

Plane Owners Find Fellowship on Facebook

This article was written by Communications Committee Deputy Chair FO Shalyn Marchetti.

FO Bryan Jorgensen, FO Brad Welch, and FO Scott Perry

Making conversation with the pilot sitting next to you can be a challenge sometimes. But there’s one thing all pilots can talk about: airplanes. And for some, flying isn’t just their job; it’s their hobby, too.

For FO Brad Welch, a 777 pilot based at DFW, flying is a deep-seated passion. “Every time I get out on the line, I ask the pilots I’m flying with, ‘Do you do any general aviation flying?’” he says. And although the answer can frequently be “No,” he’s aiming to find the “Yes” crowd.

Facebook provided him the opportunity to start the AA Pilots and Airplane Owners group, which he runs with two good friends, FO Bryan Jorgensen and FO Scott Perry. For the first few months, the group had only a half dozen members, but it has grown to more than 450 pilots.

“I wanted to have this place where we could talk, compare notes, and eventually have some fly-ins and meet-ups,” FO Welch says.

The Facebook group has indeed become a fun place for members, all of whom are either active or retired American Airlines pilots. There’s a good representation of unique airplanes, from the classic Cessna 172 to Stearmans, high-performance taildraggers, and multiple RVs. FO Welch owns a 1951 C-45 and is building a Starduster. FO Jorgensen, a 320 pilot based at LGA, has a Beech 18, and FO Perry owns a Starduster.

“I’ve been pretty surprised at the growth,” says FO Perry, a 787 pilot based at PHL. “And so many people with really neat airplanes! We had a poll recently about the different types of aircraft owned. And we allow people that are also looking to buy their first airplane, so if they have questions, they can ask us.”

FO Welch adds that the group has been a great experience for him. “It’s really kind of neat to bring these pilots together that still just love flying. Granted, it’s just a Facebook group, but the word is getting out and that’s a good feeling, seeing our colleagues connect over a shared passion.”

It’s Not Too Late to Join Us at Sun ’n Fun

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

APA has hosted hundreds of our pilots and their families this week at the Sun ’n Fun Aerospace Expo, the biggest and best airshow in the southeastern United States. On Saturday, April 5, we will be hosting dinner from 1800 to 2000 at our air-conditioned chalet, and the chalet will be open from 1000 to 2200. The MIA Domicile Officers, volunteers from numerous APA national committees, the APA Medical Advisors, and APA Benefits Department staffers are all on hand to hear from you and answer your questions. It’s not too late to join us – bring your family for a great time!

The code for discounted tickets is APA995.

Click the image for a closer look.

Shuttle Location Change at DFW

This is a new message from the APA Hotel Committee.

The drop-off/pick-up location for the shuttle that loops between DFW’s Terminal A, Skyview 3, and Skyview 6 is now located on the terminal’s lower level, near gates A19 and A20.

This move provides easier and quicker access to the KCM line. All other shuttles remain unaffected.

For a complete shuttle schedule, go to the SV3 shuttle information page on AAPilots.

Alcohol While Deadheading or Jumpseating

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

Pilots who are traveling on any flight as a deadhead or jumpseat (including D6J, D6UJ) passenger are additional crew members (ACM).

Deadhead: Transportation of a flight crew member as a passenger or non-operating flight crew member. All time spent in deadhead transportation is duty and is not rest (FOM 1p.1.2, 18.5). Deadheading pilots are included on the Crew List (NS).

Jumpseat: While you are exercising the privileges afforded you by FAR 121.547 or 121.583, which define the ability of a pilot to jumpseat, you are considered an ACM, and the alcohol limitations of FAR 91.17 apply. Having a seat in the back does not relieve you of this responsibility. Even when not in uniform, remember that you are still considered an ACM, and you may be required to assist on the flight deck or in the cabin in case of unusual or emergency circumstances. You are considered part of the crew, will be called upon if needed, and may be included in any related incident or accident investigations.

ACM must follow these rules regarding alcohol consumption:

• Do not request and do not accept any offers for alcoholic beverages. It is a violation of the FARs to consume alcohol while an ACM, including:
  • AA pilot deadheading on any flight.
  • AA pilot on OAL flight in a cabin seat using jumpseat privileges.
• Consumption of alcohol by an AA pilot holding a “W” boarding pass on an AA flight is prohibited, even if moved to a cabin seat. (Check priority list to verify seat.)
• Admission to the flight deck after consuming alcohol is prohibited.

NOTE: AA pilots traveling D1/D1W/D2/D2W and seated in the cabin on AA flights (not issued a “W” boarding pass) are passengers and not ACM. 
AA pilots deadheading or jumpseating on OAL fights are ACM even if seated in the cabin. The same is true of OAL pilots traveling as a D6J/D6UJ on AA flights.

Flight attendants are prohibited (FOM 1p.1.2) from serving alcohol to :

• Airline crew members in uniform (including OAL).
• Working or deadheading crew members.

Also, passengers are not allowed to consume alcohol not served by a flight attendant.

Additional information about carrying alcohol in carry-on luggage can be found in FOM 3.d.3.5 – Restricted Article Information - Alcoholic Beverages (please review FOM for current TSA quantity limitations):

• Alcoholic beverages (liquor and distilled spirits) allowed to be carried on board:
  • Must not exceed 70% alcohol (140 proof).
  • Limited to no larger than a 1-liter package.
  • Must be unopened and in the original retail packaging.
• Alcoholic beverages (wine and beer) are allowed to be carried on board:
  • Must not exceed 24% alcohol (48 proof).
  • Opened containers may be allowed if re-closed and properly packaged.

If you have questions or concerns regarding this or any other jumpseat, deadhead or non-rev travel issue, please call, text, or email our members or file a debrief.

History of Solar Cycles

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

Solar cycles have been tracked since 1755. The average length of a solar cycle is 11 years, with most happening in a span of eight to 14 years. Each solar cycle includes a period of increased activity marked by sunspots, solar flares, and coronal loops. 

Solar Cycle 25 began in 2019 and is forecasted to end in 2030. However, we are currently in the solar maximum, which means increased activity and strength. To best predict future impacts, let’s review two historic impacts and one recent occurrence:

• Solar Cycle 10 (September 1859): The Carrington Event was the most intense geomagnetic storm in recorded history. Telegraph systems failed and, in some cases, gave their operators electric shocks.
• Solar Cycle 15 (May 1921): Known as the New York Railroad Storm, these geomagnetic storms blew multiple transformers, damaged telephone and telegraph lines, and disrupted railways.
• Solar Cycle 25 (May 2024): New Zealand’s electrical grid was placed in emergency status. According to state broadcaster TVNZ, 16 electricity assets across the country were removed from service to prevent power cuts.

Tracking this activity is important because it has real-world implications. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the National Weather Service use a series of RSG scales; R is for radio blackouts, S is for solar radiation storms, and G is for geomagnetic storms. These scales, which range from 1 to 5, explain health impacts, navigation impacts, and communication impacts. For example, the effects of a S5 are:  

• Biological: Unavoidable high radiation hazard to astronauts on EVA (extra-vehicular activity); passengers and crew in high-flying aircraft at high latitudes may be exposed to radiation risk.
• Satellite operations: Satellites may be rendered useless, memory impacts can cause loss of control, may cause serious noise in image data, star-trackers may be unable to locate sources; permanent damage to solar panels possible. 
• Other systems: Complete blackout of HF (high frequency) communications possible through the polar regions, and position errors make navigation operations extremely difficult.

To view current RSG data (and explanations), visit the website for the Space Weather Prediction Center.

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

Join Us for YOUnion 301 on April 9

This is a reminder from the APA Compass Project Committee.

The Compass Project and APA Vice President CA Chris Torres will host a “YOUnion 301” meeting via Zoom at 1100 Central on April 9. This “Captains’ Development Seminar” is intended to help new captains and soon-to-be captains understand their authorities, APA support, and safety trends within our airline.

If you register now, you will receive reminder emails in advance of the meeting.

Click here to register for the April 9 meeting.

Town Hall for Military Pilots on April 9

This is a reminder from the APA Military Affairs Subcommittee.

Join your Military Affairs Subcommittee via Zoom at 1400 Central 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 also have time for questions on other topics and encourage you to submit questions in advance to militaryaffairs@alliedpilots.org. We will be recording the meeting and posting it to the Military Affairs page on AlliedPilots.org for review throughout the year for those who cannot attend.

Click here to register for the April 9 town hall.

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

May 6-8 Training Offered for CIRP Volunteers

This is a reminder from the APA Critical Incident Response Program Subcommittee.

The Aeromedical Committee’s Critical Incident Response Program (CIRP) Subcommittee is responsible for ensuring a coordinated response toward accident investigators, crewmembers, and their families after a critical incident.

Have you always wanted to assist pilots who’ve had a bad day at the office? Here’s your chance to become part of a rewarding crisis management team. We will conduct a three-day training course for new volunteers May 6-8 in Dallas.

If interested, please email Deputy Chair FO Ken Hagan at khagan@alliedpilots.org.

APA Welcomes New Pilots

This is a new message from the APA Membership Committee.

Click the image for a closer look.

On April 1, the APA Membership Committee hosted a casual dinner for the following new-hire pilots: Rebekah Alford, Bryan Bottoms, Levi Broeckelman, Charles Carpenter, James Cutrone, Cody Dennison, Steven Dixon, Ryan Fogelsanger, Yoerick Gomez, Matthew Grant, James Haley IV, Taras Hryniw, Adam Jimenez, Richmond Jones Jr., James Kearns, James Lathrop, Richard Laws III, Timothy Martin-Vegue, Bradley Merkel, David Miller, David Noss Jr., Jean Marc Oulai, Austin Pershke, Gary Rogers, Alexandre Roth, Kevin Sack, John Skeele, Cody Tharp, Daniel Vaca Diez, and Conor Whitehead.

APA Welcomes Leadership Class

This is a new message from the APA Membership Committee.

Click the image for a closer look.

On April 2, 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: Robert Bennethum III, Joshua Bossert, Daniell Cannon, Brandon Doh, Kenton Grypp, Lynn Howland, Michael Jim, Jahn King, Jeffrey Klosky, Matthew Lamontagne, Christopher Madden, Paul Matthews, Paul Mauch, John McNamara, Robert Midgley, David Mielke, David Ng, Ellen Oeschger, Daniel Owen, Scott Rice, Roy Shapard, Daniel Strange, and Jeffrey Ulmer.

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 in March: Bob Southgate, 92, on Jan. 4; John “Gil” Gilbert, 91, on Feb. 3; Steve Smith, 78, on Feb. 3; Jim Henderson, 80, on Feb. 7; Cliff Green, 86, on Feb. 18; Ron Fischer, 65, on Feb. 19; Dave Gibson, 102, on Feb. 20; Jim Kistler, 88, on Feb. 21; Jim Scott, 68, on Feb. 21; Bob Hendricks, 72, on Feb. 23; Jeff Ashburn, 65, on Feb. 28; Jim Mize, 81, on March 2; Ron Wilson, 86, on March 3; Russ Boggs, 90, on March 7; Fred Culberson, 92, on March 9; Jim Allen, 69, on March 10; Bob Ponti, 85, on March 16; John Lee, 89, on March 19; and Jim Newhouse, 81, on March 23

Positive Rate Episode 48: Safety Operations Subcommittee

CA Gavin Tade has participated in “ramp rides” as part of the Ground Operation Safety Improvement program.

In the latest episode of our “Positive Rate” podcast, Communications Committee Deputy Chair FO Melissa Monahan talks with CA Gavin Tade, who serves on the Safety Committee’s Safety Operations Subcommittee. CA Tade enumerates the widely varying issues the subcommittee deals with such as tow bar breakages, the hazards that lithium batteries pose, aircraft damage through contact with catering and deicing trucks, and other operational concerns.

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.

APA Contract Minute – Non-Golden DFP Penalties

In this encore edition of the APA Contract Minute, CA Jason Saxer reminds pilots about the penalties the company incurs for scheduling or reassigning a Reserve pilot into a non-golden duty-free period

APA Medical Minute – VA Disability Benefits

In this previously released edition of the APA Medical Minute, APA Medical Advisor Tina Smith is back with a reminder about VA disability benefits. If you have any awards that raise concerns, Ms. Smith encourages you to contact the Medical Advisors so they can guide you appropriately based on your individual situation.

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

Domicile Events

About 200 pilots and guests gathered at the United Center on Sunday for a Chicago Blackhawks game.

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

• BOS: Boston Red Sox game on July 10
• DCA: Domicile Meeting on April 17
• DFW: Pilots for Kids Golf Tournament on May 19
• LAX: San Diego Lunch on April 8; Thousand Oaks Lunch on April 9; Dana Point Lunch on April 10; Pasadena Lunch on April 15; Temecula Lunch on April 16
• LGA: Domicile Meeting on April 10
• MIA: Air Dot Show on May 3; Domicile Meeting on May 15
• ORD: Retirement Party on April 5; Galt Fly-In and Pancake Breakfast on May 24
• PHL: Philadelphia Phillies game on July 23

Week in Review

Here are some recent messages you may have missed:

• President: Silva Presidential Grievance 25-047: Processing of Month-to-Month Illegalities
• Secretary-Treasurer: National Officers Nomination Round Results
• Secretary-Treasurer: LAX Election Round Results
• Secretary-Treasurer: ORD Election Round Results
• Disabled Pilots Awareness Subcommittee: New Extended Sick Bank Verification and Request Process
• Information Technology Steering Committee: PBS Viewer Beta Added to APA Pilot App
• Jumpseat/Non-Rev Committee: Spirit Airlines Jumpseat Change Effective April 2
• Safety Committee: DGS With Wingwalkers: Frequently Asked Questions
• Scheduling Committee: September 2025 Preliminary Vacancy Award

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 (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)*
• 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.

Professional Standards FAQs

What if I have a challenge with a Check Pilot?
Professional Standards is a natural necessity for the Check Pilot community, just as it is for the line pilot. Make your union the first call in an attempt to assist in a solution with human interaction issues that arise on a daily basis. We have established a specialized “domicile” for the Check Pilot community. When you call the phone tree (817-402-2181), simply input “CKP” or say “Check Pilot” to be routed to the appropriate volunteer for handling your case.

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. Our next cruise, a nine-night excursion across the southern Caribbean, launches Oct. 9.

Pilot Job Fairs and Future Pilot Seminars

The Future & Active Pilot Alliance’s next Pilot Job Fairs are scheduled for April 25 at ATL followed by May 16 at ORD. The next Future Pilot Seminars are scheduled for April 26 at ATL followed by May 17 at ORD. 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.