FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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Captain Dennis Tajer
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Gregg Overman
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ALLIED PILOTS ASSOCIATION CITES FLAW IN OVERSIGHT OF PROPOSED NOT-FOR-PROFIT ATC SYSTEM
FORT WORTH, Texas (Feb. 9, 2016) — The Allied Pilots Association, certified collective bargaining agent for the 15,000 pilots of American Airlines, expressed its opposition to a key element of the proposed not-for-profit air traffic control system Congress is now considering.
Under the proposed Aviation Innovation, Reform, and Reauthorization Act, the not-for-profit air traffic control system would be governed by a board of directors representing the aviation system and public interest. The Act specifies that the board would include a pilot member to be appointed by "the largest certified collective bargaining representative of airline pilots."
"It makes no sense to limit participation to pilots who happen to be represented by a particular collective bargaining agent. There are numerous organizations that speak for our nation's professional pilots, each with well-qualified subject-matter experts. All should be eligible to participate," said APA President Capt. Keith Wilson. "The pilots who fly for American Airlines, the world's largest passenger carrier, can bring to bear a wealth of relevant air traffic control-related expertise. The same holds true for fellow pilots who fly for other large carriers such as Southwest Airlines and United Parcel Service.
"APA is mobilizing its pilots who are represented by members of the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee to contact their legislators," he said. "It's essential that the lawmakers on this committee remedy this obvious flaw in the proposed ATC governance structure before the Act becomes law."
Founded in 1963, the Allied Pilots Association — the largest independent pilots union in the United States — is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas. APA represents the 15,000 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 www.alliedpilots.org. American Airlines is the world's largest passenger airline.