FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Capt. Dennis Tajer, 847-902-8481/Gregg Overman, 817-302-2250 Allied Pilots Association Urges “Timely Approval of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024” FORT WORTH, Texas (May 2, 2024) – The Allied Pilots Association (APA), representing the 16,000 pilots of American Airlines, lauded Congress for its work on the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 and urged the legislation’s prompt passage. “Timely approval of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 is in the best interests of the traveling public,” said APA President Capt. Ed Sicher. “The United States leads the world in commercial aviation. The U.S. market isn’t just the world’s largest — it’s also the world’s safest — and enacting this vitally important legislation will help ensure our nation’s airlines can continue meeting unprecedented demand while upholding the highest standards of safety. “We also urge lawmakers to refrain from including any language that would raise the mandatory retirement age for pilots from 65 to 67,” he said. “Data supports maintaining mandatory retirement at age 65, consistent with International Civil Aviation Organization standards. The Department of Transportation and airline labor groups likewise support maintaining the current requirement.” 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.

Presidential Grievance: PBS Awards Error As the Scheduling Committee affirmed in its membership update yesterday, we became aware that not all pilot Vacation Extension (VEX) days were respected upon publication of the PBS awards, with hundreds of trips issued in error. In related discussions with management this afternoon, the Scheduling Committee conveyed APA’s position that pilots who were affected by this error should have the option to drop the trips and be paid. Management refused, claiming they don’t have to issue PBS awards until the 18th of the month and indicated they would be rerunning and publishing the awards this evening. The Bidding Timeline in the PBS MOU clearly states that “PBS Bidding Closes” on the “13th day of month prior @ 12:00 HBT” and that "PBS Award Official Publication" is “NLT 16th day of month prior @ 12:00 HBT.” The PBS MOU also states the following: “A pilot’s final bid award shall be available for review in PBS upon award publication.” In response to management’s incorrect interpretation of the language in the PBS MOU, I am filing an Expedited Presidential Grievance seeking enforcement of the MOU, along with relief in the form of financial compensation for pilots who are monetarily impacted and penalties for not complying with the MOU timelines. We will also seek enhanced penalties to deter any future noncompliance with the timelines. While management has previously failed to comply with the MOU timelines, this is far and away the most egregious instance, and we will not permit management to reinterpret binding contract language at will simply because it’s easier for them to do so. Instead, we will aggressively insist on full compliance. CA Ed Sicher APA President

Safety First. Safety Always. By now, I trust most of you have had an opportunity to read the membership update the APA Safety Committee issued on Saturday detailing the adverse safety trends APA has been tracking. In response to my request, we met with senior management earlier this month to discuss the operational hazards we have identified. Thanks to the diligent efforts of the APA Safety Committee and Maintenance and Technical Analysis Committee, we now have management’s full attention. We secured management’s commitment to involve the union earlier in the safety risk assessment (SRA) process, and we are likewise seeking a commitment that APA will have a seat at the table for the entire quality assurance process. APA is squarely focused on finding solutions – which will require collaboration between the union and management – and management’s initial response to our concerns was encouraging. As APA presses forward with its efforts to protect and enhance the margin of safety at American Airlines, we will keep you apprised of our progress. In turn, thank you for continuing to keep us informed of safety- and maintenance-related issues by documenting them via an ASAP Report or Maintenance and Technical Analysis Debrief – your feedback is vital. The data you provide cannot be ignored or dismissed. We have a responsibility to ensure a safe operation, and it is a responsibility your union takes seriously. Thank you for you continued vigilance in protecting our passengers and crews. CA Ed Sicher APA President

The Strongest Link in the Safety Chain APA has been tracking a significant spike in safety- and maintenance-related problems in our operation. While United Airlines is currently under public and government scrutiny, it could just as easily be American Airlines. Among the problematic trends we’re seeing: Tools left in wheel wells. An increasing number of collisions between aircraft being tugged or towed. Improperly closed out maintenance actions with repeat writeups (sometimes 20 or more in a row). The removal of overnight maintenance checks unless the aircraft is written up or due scheduled maintenance. Pressure to return aircraft to line service to maintain on-time performance due to a lack of spares. Improperly issued Engineering Authorizations for damaged aircraft repositions. The absence of proper Special Flight Permits on international maintenance ferry flights. The abbreviation of Functional Check Flights when aircraft return to service after heavy maintenance or long-term storage. Increased intervals between routine aircraft inspections. An increasing number of items left in the safe area near jet bridges. Remember: Don’t rush, don’t be intimidated, and don’t be pressured into doing something that doesn’t pass the “smell test.” Just because it’s legal doesn’t make it safe. Be mindful of the hazards while operating on the ramps and taxiways in congested airports staffed with inexperienced controllers and ground personnel. Ferry flights and maintenance repositions have become especially problematic. Notably, the Flight Operations Manual, Chapter 22 under Non-Scheduled Flights, warns that “More than one quarter of turbine aircraft accidents happen during functional check, ferry and exhibition flights” (Source: SAFO 07-006). The Flight Safety Foundation echoed that statistic in an article . The FOM is clear: Captains must comply. In instances where foreign authorities may intercede, any pilot conducting Non-Scheduled Flight Operations must be able to vouch for proper documentation, including Engineering Authorizations, the application of MELs, and the tracking of repeat write-ups/troubleshooting. In certain categories of these flights – such as those operated under a Special Flight Permit – crews must physically possess and present the required documents confirming adherence to country and ICAO procedures, including proper Overflight Authorizations. While noncompliance in the United States presents certain risk to your career, noncompliance outside the United States presents a clear and present danger to your personal freedom. Recently, one of our crews had an in-flight emergency and recovery back into a foreign country. The foreign authorities gathered all documentation and meticulously inspected the aircraft status paperwork, interrogated the crew, and demanded they explain and justify the checklist procedures they conducted. Whenever you encounter a safety- or maintenance-related problem, document it via an ASAP Report and Maintenance and Technical Analysis Debrief . We all understand that aviation accidents are the result of a chain of events – often a series of errors – and catching just one of those errors could prevent a tragedy. As the last link in the safety chain, our passengers and crew depend on us to be the strongest link in that chain.