APA News Digest

April 25, 2025

Editor’s note: Some links in this message will work best if you log in to AlliedPilots.org before clicking them.

In This Edition ...

• Be Sure to Vote by April 30
• APA Board of Directors’ Spring Meeting Set for May 5-9
• Investor Relations Committee: American Posts First Quarter Pre-Tax Loss of $530 Million
• Jumpseat/Non-Rev Committee: AA Travel Policy: Jumpseat Listing
• Hotel Committee: Overage and Pop-Up Market Hotels for May
• Compass Project Committee: New York Paid Family Leave
• More Ramp Rides for APA Safety Operations
• Positive Rate Episode 50: Critical Incident Response Program
• APA Contract Minute – Clearing Sick Via ECS
• APA Medical Minute – Testosterone Replacement Therapy
• Membership Committee: APA Welcomes New Pilots
• Membership Committee: APA Welcomes Leadership Class
• Domicile Events
• Week in Review
• Are You Willing to Serve?
• Professional Standards FAQ
• If You’re 50, Join The Grey Eagles
• Pilot Job Fairs and Future Pilot Seminars

Be Sure to Vote by April 30

Voting in the Election Round of the National Officer elections will be open until 0001 Central on April 30. For those pilots based in LAX, the Runoff Round for the Chair and Vice Chair elections will also conclude at 0001 Central on April 30.

Visit the Candidate Information page on AlliedPilots.org to review their resumes and campaign emails.

The links for the respective voting sites can be found below. The Voting PIN previously provided to you for the earlier rounds of the election will be the same for this round of the election. If you are LAX-based, you will again have separate PINs, one for the national election and one for the domicile election. As a courtesy, PINs were emailed to all eligible voters on Monday. That email came from vote@votegrity.net.

As with all prior rounds, electronic and mail voting will be permitted during these elections. Any voter who is unable to vote electronically, or would prefer to vote by mail, can request a mail ballot by visiting this website: https://electiontrust.com/apabod. Alternatively, you may request a mail ballot by calling 1-888-454-3230. If you request a mail ballot in one round of the election, you will receive a mail ballot for all subsequent election rounds. Requesting a mail ballot does not preclude you from voting electronically. However, if you submit both an electronic and a mail ballot, only the electronic ballot will be counted.

For the National Election Round, you will log on to this website to vote electronically: https://apa-national.sequent.vote.

For the LAX Runoff Round, you will log on to this website to vote electronically: https://apa.sequent.vote.

To enter either voting page, you will need your AA Employee ID Number and your Voting PIN.

If you do not receive or misplace your Voting PIN, do not receive a mail ballot, and/or are experiencing difficulties casting your ballot, please call the Voting Support Call Center at 1-888-454-3230.

To verify your identity, the call center will ask you for your APA Unique Identifier Code, which can be retrieved by logging into AlliedPilots.org and selecting “Member Update.” Your APA Unique Identifier Code will be at the bottom of the page.

The Support Call Center is staffed by APA’s election vendor from 0900 to 1700 Central on every day of the voting period for each round of the election. On the last full day of each round, the call center will remain open until 2200 Central. You may direct any additional questions about the election to APA’s Election Coordinator, Kathy Lazenby, at 817-302-2175, or at elections@alliedpilots.org, between 0800 and 1600 Central.

APA Board of Directors’ Spring Meeting Set for May 5-9

The APA Board of Directors will convene at union headquarters in Fort Worth on Monday, May 5, for its regularly scheduled spring meeting. As reflected in the agenda, the meeting is scheduled to continue through Friday, May 9.

The meeting agenda will include a Membership and Guest Hour on the first day immediately following the APA President’s report. Policy stipulates that “Any APA member(s) in good standing or, with the consent of the Board, a guest of a member shall be allowed to address the board. Allocation of time will be 60 minutes divided by the number of members/guests desiring to speak; however, no individual will be afforded more than 10 minutes, including any questions/ answers by the Board. Members and guests must advise the meeting Chair of their desire to address the Board.” Please email asmith@alliedpilots.org if you wish to address the Board.

The following resolutions have been submitted for consideration at this meeting:

• R2025-05, “APA-ALPA Merger Negotiation Committee”
• R2025-06, “Member Investigations”
• R2025-08 Rev 2, “IFALPA budgeting”
• R2025-09, “Prime Directive”
• R2025-10, “PU for Recruitment Events”
• R2025-11, “Advanced Aircraft and Flight Systems (AAFS) Subcommittee”
• R2025-12, “Deferred Dues Collection”
• R2025-13, “BOD Meeting Updates”
• R2025-14, “NO-BOD Polling Review”
• R2025-15, “Officer Election Timelines”
• R2025-16, “Adjustment to Financial Reserves”
• R2025-17, “Social Media Addition to the Code of Ethics”
• R2025-18, “Jumpseat Reservation System”
• R2025-19, “National Committee Chairs and Deputy Chairs”

The meeting will also include these agenda items as required by policy:

• 2 Hours of Domicile Issues Discussion
• Action Taken on Previous Motions and Tasking Orders
• List of Grievances Above a Step 2
• Negotiating Priorities
• Budget Update
• Budget Variance Reporting
• Update on General Reserve Fund Balance, Maximum and Minimum
• APA Emergency Relief and Scholarship Fund Report
• Daily Expense Allowance Review/Approval
• Committee Budgets
• National Committee Recommendation List
• Approval of Newly Appointed National Committee Members
• Approval of Annual Strategic Plan
• Michael Michaelis Safety Award for Excellence (committee recommendations and vote)
• Annual Contract Compliance Training

American Posts First Quarter Pre-Tax Loss of $530 Million

This is a new message from the APA Investor Relations Committee.

On April 23, American management released first quarter results and conducted a call with analysts and the news media. The following are excerpts from the company’s Securities and Exchange filing:

• Pre-tax loss (excluding special items) -$530 million, with a -4.2 pre-tax margin.
• “American produced first-quarter revenue of $12.6 billion. Total unit revenue was up 0.7% versus the first-quarter of 2024, driven by continued strength in international unit revenue, which was up 2.9% year over year on 0.8% lower capacity year over year, and continued growth in premium and loyalty revenue.”
• “These efforts were offset by a number of factors, including economic uncertainty that pressured domestic leisure demand and the tragic accident of American Eagle Flight 5342.”
• American generated free cash flow of $1.7 billion in the first quarter, which enabled further strengthening of its balance sheet. In the quarter, American reduced its total debt by $1.2 billion, contributing to total debt reduction of $16.6 billion from peak levels in 2021.
• “The airline has positioned its balance sheet well for the current environment and remains committed to reducing total debt (currently 37.4 billion) to less than $35 billion by year-end 2027.”
• “The airline ended the first quarter with $10.8 billion of total available liquidity, comprised of cash and short-term investments plus undrawn capacity under revolving credit and other facilities. American has available borrowing capacity of more than $10 billion in unencumbered assets and more than $13 billion in additional first-lien borrowings allowable by its existing financing arrangements.”
• Passenger enplanements (1Q24 vs. 1Q25) – Mainline: -4.3%, Regional: +14.3%, Total: +3.7%

Analyst on American’s Results

Melius airline analyst Coner Cummingham provided this review on American’s results immediately after the conference call with analysts and the media.

• “The 1Q was hugely impacted by the tragic accident on American Eagle flight 5342 on January 29 ($200 mm to revenue), then consumer and business confidence stepped down due to growing uncertainty in the economy.”
• “The revenue environment has quickly deteriorated, while larger airlines like American, Delta and United are opening up inventory of basic economy early to stabilize bookings: positive for volumes, negative yields and bad for the lower end of the US airline industry dependent on price-sensitive travelers.”
• “American is still seeing gains in loyalty (card acquisition +6%, spend +8%) and remains on track to regain corporate share (gained 2 pts in 1Q with another 2 pts expected in 2Q), but given the rapid change in the environment and low margin output to start, many of the gains were quickly washed away.”
• “2025 remains foundational for American to prove they can start to keep pace with Delta and United, so the goals likely won't change much, but progress is now even more important during times of economic uncertainty.”

As additional analysts release investor notes regarding American’s results, APA will provide more color in future editions of the News Digest.

AA Travel Policy: Jumpseat Listing

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

Your APA Jumpseat Committee has recently received several reports of pilots listing for the 'W' on more flights than allowed by our policy. Pilots have also checked in for more than one flight between city pairs, which likewise violates the AA Travel Policy. Both can result in loss of travel privileges, something we would prefer that all pilots avoid. Here are the policies:

JRS Listing Policy: 

1. Each pilot may make one listing per calendar day, per city pair (including co-terminals) when they hold the #1 position on the JRS list. The JRS list is accessed by selecting “Priority List” in JetNet Travel Planner “tools” for any AA Mainline flight.
2. Each pilot who holds a #2 or lower position on the original listing between city pair (including co-terminals) may make an additional listing for a different flight.
3. The maximum number of JRS listings between a city pair (including co-terminals) on a given calendar day is two.
4. A pilot may only check-in for one PNR at a time.

If you have questions or concerns regarding this or any other jumpseat, deadhead, or non-rev travel issue, please call, text, or email our committee or file a debrief.

Overage and Pop-Up Market Hotels for May

This is a new message from the APA Hotel Committee.

Here are the overage and pop-up market hotels American Airlines will utilize in May. If you are scheduled to stay at one of these properties, we recommend you review the Aug. 9, 2024, update from the Hotel Committee regarding non-contracted hotels.

New York Paid Family Leave

This is a new message from the APA Compass Project Committee.

New York Paid Family Leave (NY PFL) provides eligible employees job-protected, paid time off to bond with a newly born, adopted or fostered child, care for a family member with a serious health condition, or assist loved ones when a spouse, domestic partner, child, or parent is deployed abroad on active military service. This program provides 12 weeks of paid leave for eligible pilots and can be used in lieu of FMLA. To be eligible, a pilot must be based in LGA and employed by the company for at least 26 weeks (six months) on the date when PFL Leave is set to begin.

The LGA Domicile has established the LGA Family Leave Committee with a dedicated team of pilot volunteers available to provide comprehensive information and assistance regarding NY PFL as well as other state and federal leave options. You can find their contact information by visiting AlliedPilots.org > Domiciles > New York > Domicile Committees > Family Leave. For any questions regarding NY PFL, please contact lgafamilyleave@alliedpilots.org and/or familynav@alliedpilots.org for more information.
  
To ensure you are aware of the benefits available to you and your family, we encourage you to visit the Compass Family Navigation Webpage at alliedpilots.org/FamNav and familiarize yourself with all pertinent family leave documents.

The APA Compass Project is an industry-leading pilot mentoring and support program. Compass offers one-on-one support from experienced line-pilot sponsors, as well as tutorial videos and an extensive database of stage-based documents covering a number of helpful topics that are beneficial to all pilots. Click here for more information.

More Ramp Rides for APA Safety Operations

CA Mike Holland and CA Gavin Tade of the Safety Operations Subcommittee recently completed Ramp Rides at CLT and PHX. CA Holland worked with IAM Local 1903 in Charlotte and CA Tade worked with IAM Local 2559 in Phoenix. APA Safety Operations continues to place an emphasis on reducing tow bar breakage and increasing safety in ground operations through strict adherence to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and clear, concise communications.

Positive Rate Episode 50: Critical Incident Response Program

In the latest episode of our “Positive Rate” podcast, Communications Committee Deputy Chair FO Melissa Monahan talks with FO Ken Hagan, Aeromedical Committee Deputy Chair-Critical Incident Response Program (CIRP). CIRP’s mission is to lessen the psychological impact of on-the-job accidents and incidents on crewmembers and their families and to accelerate normal recovery from those events before harmful stress reactions damage job performance, careers, families, and health. FO Hagan details how the positive steps taken before and after a critical accident or incident will affect both short- and long-term physiological and psychological health.

Each episode of “Positive Rate” features APA subject-matter experts working on the membership’s behalf. The podcast is available through popular streaming services, including Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, and Spotify. You can search for “Positive Rate” or “Allied Pilots Association” on your platform of choice to subscribe and download. Your first opportunity to listen will be via AlliedPilots.org/Podcasts.

APA Contract Minute – Clearing Sick Via ECS

In this previously released APA Contract Minute, Contract Compliance Committee Chair CA Jason Saxer is back to answer a frequently asked question from Reserve pilots regarding clearing sick via ECS.

APA Medical Minute – Testosterone Replacement Therapy

In this previously released edition of the APA Medical Minute, APA Medical Advisor Christopher Ryan is back with a reminder about what to keep in mind if you’re considering testosterone replacement therapy.

You can watch previous Medical Minute videos on APA’s YouTube channel.

APA Welcomes New Pilots

This is a new message from the APA Membership Committee.

Click the image for a closer look.

On April 22, the APA Membership Committee hosted a casual dinner for the following new-hire pilots: Marcel Allende, Peter Betrus, Kaitlyn Bussell, Brett Caraway, Margarita Cholakova, Marshall Clinkscales, Ross Cresswell, Ryan DeCarlis, John Dillon, Daniel Finnegan, Herbert Hutchison IV, Michael Koch, Sean Krueger, Bruce McDonald Jr., Matthew Mooney, Christopher Powell, Randal Reinhardt, Caroline Rincon, Eric Sapyta, Christopher Schmidt, Jacob Schomaker, and Frederick Schroeder Jr.

APA Welcomes Leadership Class

This is a new message from the APA Membership Committee.

Click the image for a closer look.

On April 23, 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: Brian Anderson, Jason Ashley, Richard Bargas, Ryan Bauer, Jesus Caballero, Craig Christensen, Christopher Cunningham, Drew Deleon, Paul Edmonds Jr., Jared Egli, Paul Falix, Lane Garman, Rodney Gisi, Maxwell Golding, Shawn Goodwin, Mark Grove, Jesper Holtenman, Robert Jacobs III, Kevin Kappel, Shawn Land, Bryan Lingle, Robert Lopez, Patrick Madden, Mohammad Majid, Michael Mayo, Oscar Minaya, Russell Osiol, Antonio Penaranda, Baron Perchard, Reid Savid, Dustin Scott, Michael Skoczen, Mark Speer, David Sproehnle, Denny Sun, Stephen Taylor, Zachary Tews, Merl Walker, and Mark Westerfield.

Domicile Events

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

• BOS: Boston Red Sox game on July 10
• DFW: Pilots for Kids Golf Tournament on May 19
• LAX: Retirement Dinner on June 7
• MIA: Air Dot Show on May 3; Domicile Meeting on May 15
• ORD: Domicile Meeting on May 14; Galt Fly-In and Pancake Breakfast on May 24
• PHL: Philadelphia Phillies game on July 23

Week in Review

Here are some recent messages you may have missed:

• Family Awareness Committee: Fini Flight Ceremony: ORD 2025
• Scheduling Committee: PBS Beta Testing Update

Are You Willing to Serve?

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

• Aeromedical Committee (0)
  • Critical Incident Response Program Subcommittee (2)
  • Disabled Pilot Awareness Subcommittee (3)
  • Human Intervention Motivational Study Subcommittee (1)
  • Pilot Occupational Health Subcommittee (2)
• Captain’s Authority Committee (2)
• Communications Committee (0)
  • National Communications Network (2)
• Grey Eagles Liaison Committee (1)
• Retirement and Benefits Committee (1)*
• Training Committee (0)
  • Checkmate (1 on 777)

* Seeking volunteer with financial services experience and possible AIF®, CFP®, or related designations.

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

Professional Standards FAQs

What if I have a challenge with a check pilot?
Professional Standards is a natural necessity for the check pilot community, just as it is for the line pilot. Make your union the first call in an attempt to assist in a solution with human interaction issues that arise on a daily basis. We have established a specialized “domicile” for the check pilot community. When you call the phone tree (817-402-2181) simply input “CKA” or say “check pilot” to be routed to the appropriate volunteer for handling your case.

To read all of the FAQs, click here.

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

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. Our next cruise, a nine-night excursion across the southern Caribbean, launches Oct. 9.

Pilot Job Fairs and Future Pilot Seminars

The Future & Active Pilot Alliance’s next Pilot Job Fairs are scheduled for April 25 at ATL followed by May 16 at ORD. The next Future Pilot Seminars are scheduled for April 26 at ATL followed by May 17 at ORD. 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.