Allied Pilots Association

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The APA Communications Department responds to media inquiries and requests for background information and interviews.


phone 817-302-2272
email APA Email Address

WHAT'S HAPPENING

APA Public Statements

Defending Our Scope Protections

Defending Our Scope Protections In late 2023, Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines announced their intent to merge. Alaska Airlines also announced plans to take delivery of new Boeing 787 aircraft ordered by Hawaiian Airlines to introduce long-haul international routes. Our Scope Committee and counsel kept a close eye on how those plans would unfold, and fragments of information began coming from Alaska Airlines’ headquarters in Seattle. These included growth in the OneWorld alliance, more real estate for Alaska Airlines in Terminal 8 at JFK , and news in March that American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, and Japan Airlines intended to enter into a trilateral codeshare agreement for flying in the Pacific . Alaska Airlines recently announced even more new European routes, which prompted my request to meet with senior management. In those discussions, management revealed plans to ignore our contract by codesharing on Alaska Airlines’ new long-haul international routes. The Alaska Airlines codeshare permissions granted by Section 1.G of our contract never contemplated codesharing with a domestic airline to destinations across East Asia and Europe. Moreover, the widebody aircraft Alaska Airlines plans to operate on these routes all belong to Hawaiian Airlines and are thus subject to the limits on codesharing with Hawaiian Airlines or its successor.  So, why is this so harmful to the pilots of American Airlines? The introduction of American Airlines’ code onto Alaska Airlines’ international network will provide another way for American Airlines to farm out widebody flying to other airlines — flying that pilots on our seniority list could and should be performing. Earlier this summer, I filed an Expedited Scope Grievance — which automatically expedites the arbitration — against this unilateral action by the Company. The Grievance is set to be heard in late October and I will update you further as we get closer to the hearing date. In addition, I filed a separate Expedited Scope Grievance challenging the Company’s wrongful placement of the American Airlines code on Hawaiian Airlines flying outside the Hawaiian islands. Our Scope Committee, Legal Department, outside counsel, subject-matter experts, and I will continue preparing for the arbitration and defending our contract’s Scope protections. It’s the first section for a reason. In Unity, FO Nick Silva APA President

APA Urges Approval of “Mental Health in Aviation Act of 2025” and “Aviation Medication Transparency Act of 2025”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Capt. Dennis Tajer, 847-902-8481/Gregg Overman, 817-312-3901 Allied Pilots Association Urges Approval of “Mental Health in Aviation Act of 2025” and “Aviation Medication Transparency Act of 2025” FORT WORTH, Texas (June 16, 2025) – The Allied Pilots Association (APA), representing the 16,000 pilots of American Airlines, is proud to endorse the bipartisan “Mental Health in Aviation Act of 2025” and the “Aviation Medication Transparency Act of 2025.” APA would like to thank Ranking Member Rick Larsen (WA-02), Rep. Pete Stauber (MN-08), Rep. Sean Casten (IL-06), and Rep. Kristen McDonald Rivet (MI-08) for their leadership on these critical issues. We urge timely Congressional approval of both bills. “The ‘Mental Health in Aviation Act’ is a significant breakthrough in getting pilots and air traffic controllers the mental health care that they deserve,” said APA President First Officer Nick Silva. “Our industry has long perpetuated a culture of silence when it comes to mental health. Thanks to Ranking Member Larsen, Congressman Stauber, Congressman Casten, and Congresswoman McDonald Rivet, this bill will significantly improve mental health care access for pilots and air traffic controllers by requiring the FAA to eliminate barriers to care, improve the special issuance process, and ensure that we have access to help should we need it. “Additionally,” First Officer Silva said, “the ‘Aviation Medication Transparency Act of 2025’ also provides pilots and their medical providers with much-needed transparency by requiring the FAA to publish a comprehensive list of medications that can and cannot be prescribed to airmen with first-class medical certificates. This takes the guesswork out of the equation and empowers airmen and their providers to seek treatment and care of ailments with full knowledge up front of how their medications will affect their FAA medical certificate.” 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 16,000 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 AlliedPilots.org.

APA Opposes Efforts to Delay Secondary Barriers

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Capt. Dennis Tajer, 847-902-8481/Gregg Overman, 817-312-3901 Allied Pilots Association Opposes Efforts to Delay Installed Physical Secondary Barriers: “Enough is Enough” FORT WORTH, Texas (June 6, 2025) – The Allied Pilots Association (APA) expressed its firm opposition to airline industry efforts to delay implementation of installed physical secondary barriers. Congress approved legislation in 2018 requiring secondary barriers in all new commercial airliners to enhance flight deck security. Following that law’s passage, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) presided over a rulemaking process to solicit feedback and finalize the regulation. “We urge the FAA to proceed as planned with implementation of installed physical secondary barriers. It’s unconscionable for the industry to petition for a two-year delay — enough is enough,” said APA President First Officer Nick Silva. “Contrary to what proponents claim in the request to delay implementation, improvised secondary barriers are not a suitable substitute for the real thing. The airline industry needs to do what’s right and comply with what Congress has wisely mandated.” APA has been advocating for secondary barriers for years. A few examples: 2021: We posted a video featuring Tom McGuinness Jr. , whose father was one of the pilots killed on 9/11. 2022: We urged lawmakers to act on the Saracini Enhanced Aviation Act of 2021 . 2024: Our Government Affairs Committee applauded the barriers’ inclusion in the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 . 2024: Our Government Affairs Committee published a white paper about secondary barriers being one of our legislative priorities. Founded in 1963, the Allied Pilots Association – the largest independent pilots union in the United States – has its headquarters in Fort Worth, Texas. APA represents the 16,000 pilots of American Airlines, including members on full-time military leave of absence serving in the armed forces. The union’s website is AlliedPilots.org.

Allied Pilots Association Welcomes Upgrades to Air Traffic Control

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Capt. Dennis Tajer, 847-902-8481/Gregg Overman, 817-312-3901 Allied Pilots Association Welcomes Upgrades to Air Traffic Control FORT WORTH, Texas (May 12, 2025) – The Allied Pilots Association (APA) voiced its support for modernizing the nation’s air traffic control system and boosting air traffic controller staffing. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has announced plans to modernize and expand the system’s infrastructure in four key areas: communications, surveillance, automation, and facilities. The secretary also said he intends to boost hiring of new air traffic controllers through incentives. “For too many years, our controllers have been saddled with the limitations of 20th-century technology,” said APA President First Officer Nick Silva. “An investment in the future of air travel – a critically important investment that will enhance aviation safety – is long overdue. “One of APA’s core objectives, as laid out in our constitution and bylaws, is ‘to safeguard, with ceaseless vigilance, the safety of scheduled air transportation,’” First Officer Silva said. “We applaud President Trump and Secretary Duffy for kickstarting this initiative, and we stand ready to assist in any way we can.” Founded in 1963, the Allied Pilots Association – the largest independent pilots union in the United States – has its headquarters in Fort Worth, Texas. APA represents the 16,000 pilots of American Airlines, including members on full-time military leave of absence serving in the armed forces. The union’s website is AlliedPilots.org.

Inquiries and Requests

Contact Information

Pilot Spokesperson

Captain Dennis Tajer

phone 847-902-8481 email APA Public Email Address

Director of Communications

Gregg Overman

phone 817-302-2250 email APA Public Email Address

Communications Editor

Dan Koller

phone 817-302-2251 email APA Public Email Address

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