APA News Digest

April 19, 2024

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In This Edition ...

Expedited Presidential Grievance: Enforcement of PBS MOU

In response to management’s mishandling of the May PBS awards, APA President CA Ed Sicher filed Expedited Presidential Grievance 24-083 today seeking enforcement of the PBS Memorandum of Understanding, financial compensation for pilots who are monetarily impacted, and penalties for not complying with the MOU timelines. APA is also seeking enhanced penalties to deter any future noncompliance with the timelines.

Expedited Presidential Grievances are filed at the arbitration level and determined by a five-member System Board. APA has proposed three options for scheduling the arbitration.

As CA Sicher acknowledged in his Wednesday update to the membership, management has previously failed to comply with the MOU timelines, but “this is far and away the most egregious instance.” CA Sicher likewise affirmed that APA “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.”

“Please Listen to the Pilots”

Last Saturday, the APA Safety Committee published a message called “The Strongest Link in the Safety Chain” that highlighted a significant spike in safety- and maintenance-related problems in our operation. 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).

That message warned pilots not to feel rushed or pressured into doing something that doesn’t pass the “smell test.” Just because it’s legal doesn’t make it safe.

In a follow-up message on Monday, APA President CA Ed Sicher affirmed “we now have management’s full attention” regarding our safety concerns. “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.”

The Safety Committee message also got the attention of the news media. Thanks to articles by Bloomberg News and the Associated Press, APA’s concerns received worldwide coverage.

On Tuesday, CBS Mornings aired a story featuring APA spokesman CA Dennis Tajer: “We’re telling our pilots slow down, take your time, and watch for these potential errors, because they’re starting to increase across the system.” Before moving on to an unrelated story, CBS anchor Gayle King said this: “Please listen to the pilots.”

CA Tajer had another opportunity to share our concerns during a Thursday interview with WGN-AM in Chicago. Host Lisa Dent punctuated that interview with this: “It’s people like him that I want flying my planes when I board.”

APA Contract Minute – Reserve Pilots Moving Days Off

This is a new message from the APA Contract Compliance Committee.

CA Jason Saxer is back with another edition of the APA Contract Minute. This time around, CA Saxer discusses the two options Reserve pilots have for moving their days off within their schedules.

Register for Contract Training at ORD

This is a repeated message from the APA Contract Compliance Committee.

The Contract Compliance Committee wants to do everything we can to ensure that all APA members are well acquainted with the 2023 Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Join us on May 2 in ORD for a full day of training on the new CBA. This training will be conducted in hybrid fashion, with members welcome to participate in person at the Doubletree Hotel in Rosemont from 0900 to 1630 or virtually via Zoom. Additionally, in-person IMAX training is scheduled for May 1 from 0900 to 1200 at the Doubletree. If you plan to attend either session, RSVP so we have an accurate headcount for the food orders. Breakfast and lunch will be provided.

Please take a few moments before the training to familiarize yourself with the Electronic Document Index. You must be logged in to AlliedPilots.org for the links to be accessible. This Index connects you to a vast array of APA documents that we will reference. It is equally useful in the daily operation as a line pilot, so we recommend you retain the Index for future reference. During the training, it may be helpful to have two screens; one to run Zoom and one to reference these documents.

Help us help you! The Contract Compliance Committee’s goal is for you – the membership – to be informed, educated, and knowledgeable. Every single pilot should strive to be a contract expert or, at the very least, strive for continued learning and engagement. Knowledge is power, and it will assist you in employing and being a watchdog of your negotiated work rules.

Two Issues to Keep on Your Radar

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

We have become aware of two issues affecting pilots:

1. Last night, we received several reports of pilots unable to secure a jumpseat reservation at 2000 Central, eight days prior to departure. The new Jumpseat Reservation System (JRS) responded with a “could not be confirmed for this pass type” alert. Pilots reported being able to make a listing about 15 minutes later in several cases. We have forwarded this information to be investigated. Please provide a Jumpseat Debrief if you encounter this or any other issues with the new JRS.

2. Several pilots have reported their non-revenue travel listings do not include the FDJ AA designation in the remarks section. Agents have been trained to never issue a 1W/2W, etc., if FDJ AA is not in the remarks. The company is investigating the source of this issue and working on a resolution. If this happens to you, please ask the agent to look at your travel profile to confirm eligibility to occupy the FDJ. If they are unable, then kindly ask the agent to contact the SSC desk to get the FDJ AA added back in.

Finally, the JRS is a new system for pilots and agents, and there have been changes to the system since implementation this week. If an agent is unfamiliar with how to find the “FDJ list,” please advise the list appears in CTRL F3 Option 3, as described in the “Sunset of pilot IVR system” Airport Excellence Advisory.

New Jumpseat Reservation System (JRS)

The following is excerpted from a Joint Implementation Action Committee message published on April 10.

The new Jumpseat Reservation System went live on Tuesday in the Jetnet Travel Planner. Please take time to review the three-page User Guide on AAPilots > Resources > Forms/User Guides and in Comply365 > Pilot User Guides.

The new JRS:

  • Automatically creates a PNR in the Jetnet Travel Planner that simultaneously reserves your spot on the jumpseat list (by time of reservation), while also creating the accompanying non-rev listing.
  • Allows an unlimited number of pilots to list for the flight deck jumpseat.
    • If a pilot ahead of you on the jumpseat list deletes his or her listing, you automatically move up on the list.
    • Fixes the “time of check in” issue that pilots currently face when a “Primary” cancels a listing within 24 hours.
  • Provides visibility of mainline jumpseat availability and listings, including full names of listed pilots directly in the Travel Planner.
    • Name visibility and jumpseat availability are restricted to mainline pilots only.
  • Introduces the functionality to reserve the jumpseat using a D1 to improve your position on the non-rev list.
    • If accommodated in the cabin, normal D1 pass deduction rules will apply.
    • If accommodated in the jumpseat, no D1 pass will be deducted.
    • Your position on the jumpseat list will continue to be by “time of reservation”; D1 status does not have an impact on your position on the jumpseat list.
  • Allows for a “PNR rollover” during a cancellation scenario that preserves your time of check in, maintains your pass status (D1/D2), and retains the “FDJ AA” note in your listing (so that you are automatically considered for the jumpseat).
    • The pre-existing jumpseat reservation(s) are retained for the pilot(s) on the flight to which you are being rolled over; this ensures predictability and assurance when a pilot makes a jumpseat listing.

Calling for Your Transportation

This is a new message from the APA Hotel Committee.

We are seeing an increasing number of airports that are not allowing hotel shuttles and third-party transportation to idle curbside while waiting for aircrew. Unfortunately, this is driving a higher number of debriefs because crews are understandably frustrated that they are having to wait for their pickup.

Often, the response to the debrief is that the van did a “drive-by” when they thought the crew would be in place for pickup, and the crew was not there yet, so they had to circle back around. At large airports during peak hours, this can take a long time.

We recommend that you call for pickup when all crew members taking the transportation to the hotel are off the aircraft and walking toward the exit. Tell the dispatcher you are on your way and try to give an accurate time for pickup if asked. If you are uncertain how long it will take, let them know that. While it’s tempting to try and arrange for the driver to beat you to the curb, giving them accurate information is often the quickest way to get to the hotel.

Remember to check the APA Hotel Webpages for detailed information on transportation pickup for each airport. Please provide feedback on the webpage if you have details to add that could help fellow pilots.

For more information, check out the recently updated QRH – Quick Reference Hotels document. This resource answers 99 percent of all hotel, transportation, and layover questions while providing helpful solutions. Suggestion: Download this QRH document to your AA iPad for easy access in the future.

APFA to Conduct Systemwide Picketing on May 9

This is a repeated message from the APA Strike and Tactical Operations Planning Committee.

The Association of Professional Flight Attendants will conduct systemwide picketing on May 9. We encourage you to show your solidarity with our flight attendants in their efforts to secure a suitable contract by joining them on the picket line. As we receive additional information about the picketing, we will pass it along.

Pigs 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.

  • Since March 14, B777 aircraft 7AD has been written up 10 times and out of service four times for an ELMS (electrical load management system) P110 fault. It was most recently signed off on April 14.
  • Since March 9, B737 aircraft 3FJ has been written up 10 times and been out of service nine times for a fuel imbalance. It was most recently signed off on April 18 and is restricted to Class 1 or 2 maintenance stations.
  • UPDATE: Between Jan. 30 and Feb. 6, B737 aircraft 3RF had been written up and out of service three times for speed trim fail. On Feb. 6, it entered an MBV (main base visit) at an MRO (maintenance, repair, and overhaul). It returned to service on March 6, but an FCF (functional check flight) was not accomplished. It has since been written up another 14 times and been out of service 11 times. After an FCF with an NRFO2 management crew, it was signed off for this issue on April 17 and is restricted to Class 1 maintenance stations.

APA Welcomes New Pilots

This is a new message from the APA Membership Committee.

Click the image for a closer look.

The APA Membership Committee welcomed the following pilots during a casual dinner on April 16: Aldo Alvarez Jr., Randall Atkinson Jr., Ruben Azambuja Filho, Ryan Bachman, Jordan Benedict, Robert Benton, Aaron Bruns, Chelsea Carlin, Nathan Cave, Ryan Crum, Joshua Dolan, Gregory Evans, James Fraser, Nelson Gaker, Jordan Goodman, Nore Habib, Charles Hildebrant, Joseph Jasiel Jr., Brantley Johansen, Myles Kleinfelter, Kyle KonKolics, Tavis Lipp, Joel Locke, Julius Mc Pherson, Aaron Miller, James Morris, Fabian Pallares, Callan Phillott, Javier Quintero Ruiz, Joshua Reborchick, William Rice, Juan Rivas, Jesus Rojas, Kenneth Sause, Juan Schick, Jesus Shafer, April Smail, Andrew Stetler, Christopher Stewart, Anna Timberlake, William Wilhite, and Edward Wolfe.

APA Welcomes Captains’ Leadership Class

This is a new message from the APA Membership Committee.

Click the image for a closer look.

On April 17, 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: Matthew Baxley, Jonathan Bourne, Michael Chrzanowski, Michael Conrad, Jack Cronan, Roy Frazel III, David Gallas Jr., Christine Hamilton, Trevor Johnson, David Johnson, Kyle Lanthier, Anand Lulay, Robert Macdonald, Christopher Patrick, Matthew Schwartz, Robert Stadick, Robert Thompson, Bradley Toussaint, Binto Zacharias, and Jeffrey Ziemann.

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: John Nequist, 86, on Oct. 31; Steve Telepman, 83, on Dec. 2; Louis “Buck” Blake, 91, on Dec. 3; Robert Kozlowski, 75, on Jan. 25; George Vrla, 93, on Feb. 4; Charlie Kloac, 91, on Feb. 7; Rich Stofer, 75, on Feb. 7; Dan McLendon, 66, on Feb. 10; Harry Burchard, 85, on Feb. 11; Carl Huebner, 91, on Feb. 16; Ted Ramsey, 76, on Feb. 20; Bill Lynott, 95, on Feb. 23; Frank Lasota, 91, on Feb. 26; Ronald Oberhelman, 73, on March 1; Frank Ricketts, 75, on March 2; Ricky “TKO” Pierce, 58, on March 4; Gary “Inspector Clewseau” Clews, 71, on March 5; Kirk McFarland, 69, on March 6; Dave Harris, 89, on March 8; and Bill Spencer, 90, on March 17.

Presidential Constitutional Interpretation

Today, APA President CA Ed Sicher issued a constitutional interpretation as to the meaning of Article VII, Section 1.B.3 of the APA Constitution & Bylaws. That interpretation can be found here.

Domicile Events

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

  • BOS: Domicile Meeting on April 23
  • DCA: Retirement Party on June 29
  • DFW: Pilots For Kids Golf Tournament on May 20; Texas Rangers game on Aug. 6
  • LAX: Family Awareness event at Camas Airport on April 23; Family Awareness event at Boeing Museum of Flight on April 24; Family Awareness event at Rowland Freedom Center on April 25; Retirement Party on April 27; Family Awareness lunch in Thousand Oaks on May 8; Family Awareness lunch in Dana Point on May 9; IMAX and TTS Training at the San Diego Yacht Club on May 10; Family Awareness lunch in San Diego on May 14; Family Awareness lunch in Temecula on May 15
  • LGA: Refinery Rooftop Social on May 18; New York Mets game on Sept. 2
  • MIA: Air Dot Show at FLL on May 11 and 12
  • ORD: Domicile Meeting on May 1; IMAX Training on May 1; Contract Compliance Training on May 2; Galt Airport Fly-In and Pancake Breakfast on May 25
  • PHL: Philadelphia Phillies game on June 18

DFW Domicile Election

Electronic voting for the Runoff Round of the DFW Domicile Election closes at 1200 Central on April 30. For more infomation, visit the Elections page on AlliedPilots.org.

Week in Review

Here are several recent messages you may have missed.

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 (3)
    • Human Intervention Motivation Study Subcommittee (2)
    • Pilot Occupational Health Subcommittee (3)
    • Project Wingman Subcommittee (3)
  • Appeal Board (1)
  • Captain’s Authority Committee (2)
  • Communications Committee (0)
    • National Communications Network (7)
  • Flight Time/Duty Time Committee (1)
  • Grey Eagles Liaison Committee (1)
  • Scheduling Committee (5)
  • Training Committee (5)
    • Checkmate (1 on 777)

If you would like to serve on one or more of these committees, visit the Member Engagement Portal.

Professional Standards FAQs

What happens with a management referral?
When a Professional Standards volunteer and management member are both working the same issue, it is the responsibility of the volunteer to determine whether management intends to stay involved or is willing to hand the case over to Professional Standards. The volunteer and management will work together to determine if the issue could be completed through the Professional Standards process. If an agreeable resolution is not made, the parties are encouraged to elevate the issue to the national committee for resolution or guidance. In all cases, Professional Standards will not accept an issue if management remains involved.

To read all of the FAQs, click here.

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

Longtime APA Employee Gets Surprise Sendoff

After 10 years at APA, Administration Manager Natti Hogan will retire in May. During this week’s Board of Directors meeting, the National Officers, Domicile Officers, pilot volunteers, and staff lined the hallways of APA headquarters with long-stemmed roses to give her a surprise sendoff.

Free PGA Tour Tickets for Military Personnel

The PGA Tour’s Charles Schwab Challenge is scheduled for May 23-26 at Colonial Country Club in Fort Worth. All active, reserve, and retired military personnel can get free tickets, a parking pass, and access to a hospitality tent for one day of the tournament. Click here for more information.

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.

Pilot Job Fairs and Future Pilot Seminars

Future & Active Pilot Advisors’ next Pilot Job Fair and Future Pilot Seminar are scheduled for April 26 at ATL followed by May 18 at HNL. 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.

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