Presidential Grievance Filed Over Holiday Pay

On Tuesday, APA President CA Ed Sicher filed Sicher Expedited Presidential Grievance No. 23-017, which addresses the Company’s failure to properly pay pilots for Holiday Pay as described in LOA 22-01. Management has failed to pay pilots for the Holiday Pay provisions in LOA 22-01 in a timely fashion as described in JCBA Section 3.F, which requires the Company to pay pilots on the 15th and 30th of each month. Pilots should have been received Holiday Pay in their December paychecks for the Thanksgiving 2022 operations, and in January for the Christmas 2022 operations. The Company did not timely or properly compensate the pilots for Thanksgiving or Christmas flying. APA has proffered arbitration dates to the Company, and we are waiting for their response.

PHL Domicile Grievance No. 23-010, which was filed on Jan. 17, will be merged into Sicher Expedited Presidential Grievance No. 23-017. All affected pilots listed on PHL Domicile Grievance will be transferred to the Sicher Expedited Presidential Grievance.

Pilots who believe they were harmed by this contractual breach should submit a Grievance Form. Pilots who have previously submitted a Grievance Form on this matter do not need to resubmit.

APA Board of Directors to Meet Next Week

DFW Domicile Chair CA Jon Sherrell spoke at a Pilot Unity Building event in DFW last year.

The APA Board of Directors will be in Fort Worth next week for a special meeting that is scheduled to begin at 0900 Central on Tuesday, Feb. 7, and continue through the afternoon of Thursday, Feb. 9. Click here to review the agenda.

APA leadership and National Committee Members will be at the Atrium Hotel & Suites between 1630 and 1900 Central on Feb. 7 for a meet-and-greet with the membership. If you will be in DFW that day, please make plans to stop by.

Meet With APA Leadership in DCA

MIA Domicile Vice Chair CA Anne Witcher (second from left) was among the attendees at a
Pilot Unity Building event in DFW last year.

If you won’t be in DFW next week, mark March 8 on your calendar. That’s when we will host a Pilot Unity Building event in Alexandria, Va., in conjunction with a special Board of Directors meeting in that city.

Listen to Last Week’s Town Hall Meeting

APA President CA Ed Sicher hosted a national town hall meeting last week, the bulk of which was dedicated to a question-and-answer session with subject-matter experts such as Negotiating Committee Chair CA John Owens and Scheduling Committee Chair CA Drew Coleman. If you missed it, click here to listen to a recording.

The monthly town hall meetings that the National Officers host via Zoom will resume at 1630 Central on Feb. 15. Click here to register for that meeting. While registration is not required, doing so in advance will provide you with a link to the meeting and call-in numbers, as well as a reminder one hour prior to the meeting.

At 1100 Central on Feb. 15, APA Vice President CA Chris Torres and the Compass Project will host a “YOUnion 101” meeting on Zoom that will primarily be geared toward pilots hired in June, July, and August of 2022. They will focus on what is available to Probationary Members as they transition to Active Members of the union. Click here to register for YOUnion 101.

Delta Pilots’ Leadership Honors CA Johnathan Benton

Days after we lost Government Affairs Committee Chair CA Johnathan Benton, the Delta ALPA Master Executive Council approved a resolution identifying him as “a true champion for unionism and the pilots he represented as well as all U.S. airline pilots.” Delta MEC Chair CA Darren Hartmann sent a condolences letter addressed to all APA members, and ALPA President CA Jason Ambrosi sent a similar letter to APA President CA Ed Sicher.

Updates to Hotel Webpages Paused This Month

This is a new message from the APA Hotel Committee.

Your Hotel Committee has been working with APA’s Information Technology Department to develop new and improved Hotel Webpages. All of the existing Hotel Webpages will be static (not updated) this month while we transfer data to Hotel Webpages 2.0.

APA IT expects to release Hotel Webpages 2.0 in early March. The new and improved Hotel Webpages will have enhanced features, including the option for pilots to give a thumbs up or thumbs down on food/activity suggestions. There will also be more links to websites for restaurants and activities.

All Hotel Webpages feedback received over the next 30-plus days will be reviewed and integrated into the new product.

We look forward to letting you know when our project of updating more than 400 Hotel Webpages is complete.

TDY Bidding Considerations

This is a new message from the APA Hotel Committee.

Bidding for March TDY assignments opens this weekend on Sunday, Feb. 5. When you bid for a TDY, you have the option to request a short-layover (airport) hotel or a long-layover (downtown) hotel. If you bid and/or are assigned a TDY and have not indicated a preference, American will ask you – via your AA.com email address – to confirm your preference for a short or long hotel. Respond ASAP, or AA will assign you the airport hotel. Additionally, if you are TDY to a base with satellite flying, indicate which airport you will predominantly operate out of (i.e., JFK, LGA, or EWR).

If you are at a short hotel, the hotel normally provides transportation. If they do not, or if you are located at a long hotel, you are responsible for securing your own transportation, and AA will reimburse you. Submit one reimbursement claim for all transportation expenses at the end of the month with a photo of each receipt. Remember, just like any sequence, if you are staying at a short hotel and the provided transportation is not timely, you can arrange and expense your own transportation.

Additionally, the company requires your transportation expense be related to a reserve block or a trip. If you travel to your TDY location and do not sit reserve or operate (think Miami Beach vacay!), your ground transportation for that trip to and from your TDY hotel may not be covered by AA. Any transportation to the hotel to rest before or after a trip, or to sit reserve, should be covered by the company.

For more information, see Section 7 of the QRH – Quick Reference Hotels document, which should answer 99 percent of all hotel and transportation questions while providing helpful solutions.

Extending the Replacement Flying Window

This is the latest in a series of Q&As from the APA Contract Compliance Committee.

Q: I am a Lineholder and experienced a Misconnect, Illegality, or Cancellation (MIC). Is Crew Tracking contractually permitted to assign Replacement Flying (RO) outside of the Replacement Flying Window (RFW)?

A: Yes, via JCBA Section 4.C.2.c.(2). However, the RFW may only be extended if the pilot flies or is deadheaded on the first available flight(s) to base. The “first available flight(s) to base” is the flight(s) that arrives at the base the earliest. The flight(s) may be direct or indirect. In the event no further flight(s) exist to return the pilot within the confines of their duty day, the pilot would then require an FAR117 compliant rest period – a minimum of 10 hours – prior to recommencing duty outside of the RFW.

An extension of a sequence has the potential to create FAR 117 implications with your follow-on sequence(s). Any illegalities created must be resolved in conjunction with the Section 4.C.7. language. If Crew Tracking fails to assign you Replacement Flying that constitutes the “first available flight(s),” then the assignment is not contractual RO. If the Replacement Flying does not comply with the Section 4.C. language, it should be recoded as a Reassignment (AF). If that Reassignment during Replacement Flying creates an Illegality with your next sequence, the sequence you are now illegal for should be removed “OP” with pay, no credit, and no RO (JCBA Section 4.C.7.c.).

Contract Compliance Town Halls: If your schedule allows, please register to join us via Zoom at 1000 Central on Feb. 6 or 1700 Central on Feb. 7.

Mark Your Calendars for Sun ’n Fun

This is an updated message from the APA Family Awareness Committee.

The Sun ’n Fun Aerospace Expo, the biggest and best airshow in the southeastern United States, is a celebration of all things aviation. The 2023 edition is scheduled from March 28 through April 2 in Lakeland, Fla. APA has reserved an air-conditioned pavilion with private restrooms, and we plan to serve lunch on March 30 and 31 plus dinner on April 1. Please bring your family!

Click here to buy tickets. Use code APA442 to get a $5 discount on daily admission or a $30 discount on a week’s pass.

We will also be securing a campsite to host daily happy hours and a catered dinner on an evening to be determined. The site we select will be based on the estimated size of our group, so if you are interested in camping during Sun ’n Fun, please contact Deputy Chair CA Jerry Gemma via jgemma@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.

On Grief & Grieving: Finding the Meaning of Grief Through the Five Stages of Loss

Ten years after the death of Elisabeth Kübler-Ross, this commemorative edition of her final book combines practical wisdom, case studies, and the authors’ own experiences and spiritual insight to explain how the process of grieving helps us live with loss.

Kübler-Ross’s On Death and Dying changed the way we talk about the end of life. Just as On Death and Dying taught us the five stages of death – denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance – On Grief and Grieving applies these stages to the grieving process and weaves together theory, inspiration, and practical advice, including sections on sadness, hauntings, dreams, isolation, and healing. On Grief and Grieving has been described as “a fitting finale and tribute to the acknowledged expert on end-of-life matters.”

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.

Pig 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.

The right engine thrust reverser on B737 aircraft 3HG has been written up 24 times since May. This was last signed off on Jan. 31. The aircraft has a TAC restricting the routing to Class 1 or 2 maintenance stations.

APA Welcomes New Pilots

This is a new message from the APA Membership Committee.

The APA Membership Committee planned to host a barbecue dinner on Jan. 31 to welcome the following pilots, but the icy conditions in DFW forced a cancellation: Samuel Adamson, Austin Allen, Ramez Amine, Mirto Barcelo Ricardo, Steven Bayer, Nigel Beek, Ricardo Bendek Vergara, Christopher Bernardo, Christopher Campbell, Andrew Carlson, Yosmani Castillo Valdes, Andrew Conroy, Adam Danenberg, Vinicius De Melo, Jacob DiFrank, James Dougan, Kevin Drewett, Carson Elliott, David Foster, Geovannie Francis, Gedion Gebremedhin, Ryan Gordon, Bryan Guidry, David Hall, Butrus Hasso, Michael Henley Jr., Christopher Herron, Luke Hoehn, James Huntley, Erol Kelter, Bryan Kibler, John Land, Sterling Layman, Bradley Lemoine, Thomas Lofton, John Marks II, Harrison Matteau, Samuel McIntyre, Salvador Mejia-Sanchez, James Mitchell, Jeffrey Nelson Jr., Cristobal Orsini Montero, William Perkins, John Pierce, Scott Richards, Timothy Roland, Joseph Soldin, James Turner, Phillip West, John Williams, Kyle Wilson, Kevin Wood, Zachary Wood, and Neil Wright.

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 last month: Chuck Barnett, 62, on Jan. 22; Myron Batdorff, 89, on Dec. 28; Johnathan Benton, 53, on Jan. 16; Jim Buss, 59, on Jan. 17; Chuck Carpenter, 75, on Jan. 09; Larry Decker, 82, on Jan. 14; Vern Fox, 86, on Dec. 26; Ed Gaven, 80, on Dec. 10; Bill Hayward, 86, on Jan. 9; Will Herrera, 92, on Jan. 2; Aimee Hudson, 44, on Jan. 13; Bob Kwass, 87, on Dec. 23; Norm Motter, 84, on Dec. 11; Denny Parker, 73, on Jan. 14; John “Pete” Peters, 89, on Jan. 4; Sam Russ, 65, on Dec. 11; Lloyd Staats, 97, on Jan. 1; Barry van Wickevoort Crommelin, 63, on Dec. 7; and Bob Zembraski, 83, on Dec. 30.

Quote of the Week: American Airlines CEO Robert Isom

“Our flight attendants, mechanics, agents, and pilots are going to be in really well-paying positions because they have to be; these are skilled jobs. I am not disheartened by the prospect of paying what it takes to make sure that our team members are well taken care of and that we get the best in the business.” – American Airlines CEO Robert Isom in the February edition of Air Transport World

When we shared that quote on our Facebook page, it generated quite a lot of comments.

Domicile Elections

BOS, LAX, and ORD pilots will elect a Chair and a Vice Chair to represent each domicile on the APA Board of Directors. The elected pilots’ two-year terms will begin on May 1.

When there are four or more candidates for a domicile position, APA’s Constitution and Bylaws call for a Nomination Round that narrows the field to three. Nomination Round ballots listing the following candidates will be mailed on Feb. 7 and tallied on March 1.

LAX Vice Chair: CA Ed Cook, CA Tim Dick, FO Thomas Price Jr., FO Justin Swanson, and CA Juli Zabos
ORD Vice Chair: FO Zachary Blackburn, FO Thomas Hickson, FO Thomas Kovac, FO Chris Lawson, and FO Paul Meyers

Election Round ballots will be mailed on March 9 and tallied on March 30.

If necessary, Runoff Round ballots would be mailed on April 6 and tallied on April 27.

For more information, visit AlliedPilots.org/Elections.

Domicile Events

The DFW Domicile Officers hosted a Family Awareness event at the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo on Jan. 25. See more photos on the domicile's webpage.

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

MIA: In-person domicile meeting on Feb. 16; MSY commuter party on April 15
PHL: Domicile town hall meeting on Feb. 7
PHX: In-person domicile meeting with Contract Compliance training on Feb. 23; Family Awareness event at Mavrix on Feb. 25

Also, the national Family Awareness Committee plans to host a Super Bowl party at the Atrium Hotel & Suites. If you are scheduled to be in DFW for training on Sunday, Feb. 12, make plans to join us.

Are You Willing to Serve?

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

Aeromedical Committee (0)
- Disabled Pilot Awareness Subcommittee (2)
- Human Intervention Motivation Study Subcommittee (1)
- Pilot Occupational Health Subcommittee (2)
- Project Wingman Subcommittee (4)
Captain’s Authority Committee (3)
Communications Committee (0)

National Communications Network (7)

Compass Project (9)
Economic & Financial Analysis Committee (1)
Grey Eagles Liaison Committee (1)
Hotel Committee (1)
Professional Standards Committee (4)
Retirement & Benefits Committee (2)
Safety Committee (0)

Air Traffic and Procedures Subcommittee (3)
Environmental Sustainability in Aviation Subcommittee (2)
Flight Operations Quality Assurance Subcommittee (1)

Scheduling Committee (9)
Training Committee (3)
TUL/Tech Liaison Committee (1)

If you would like to serve on one or more of these committees, visit the National Committee Volunteer Portal.

Professional Standards FAQs

Can a previous, resolved submission to Professional Standards be referenced in a future action?
No. A resolved issue cannot be used to support other disciplinary actions. An agreement exists with management that Professional Standards referrals are never part of an employee’s permanent record. Professional Standards volunteers will never be asked to relate any case information in the employee discipline process. Confidentiality rules apply to management also. Once an issue is released to the Professional Standards program, it is as if management “forgets” the issue ever occurred.

To read all of the FAQs, click here.

Professional Standards’ 24/7 hotline: 817-402-2181

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