APA News Digest

May 16, 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 ...

“A Moral and Professional Obligation to Protect You”

With all of the recent headlines about the problems at Newark Liberty International Airport, APA has been a go-to source for media outlets seeking a pilot’s perspective. APA spokesperson CA Dennis Tajer has sought to assure the public that it’s safe to fly while reaffirming our belief that the air traffic control system needs improved technology, staffing, and funding.

“This is not to downplay the seriousness of this issue, but it sure should give you comfort that, man, we’re ready to roll with this,” he told NewsNation. “We’re trained for it if it should happen – and it’s happening at Newark frequently – so you’re gonna be safe. You know, we have a moral and professional obligation to protect you no matter what, and we’ve got the tools to do it.”

Here’s a roundup of recent articles and interviews featuring APA:

On May 12, APA issued a press release voicing our support for modernizing the nation’s air traffic control system and boosting air traffic controller staffing.

“For too many years, our controllers have been saddled with the limitations of 20th-century technology,” APA President FO Nick Silva said in the release. “An investment in the future of air travel – a critically important investment that will enhance aviation safety – is long overdue.”

Apply to Serve on Merger Negotiation Committee

Last week, the APA Board of Directors voted to approve R2025-05 Rev 5, APA-ALPA Merger Negotiation Committee. The committee will consist of up to five members whom the Board will elect at a meeting next month.

If you are interested in serving on the committee, please email a copy of your cover letter (one page) and resume (two pages maximum) to AAMNC@alliedpilots.org no later than May 23. Please CC your Domicile Officers on that email.

Runoff Round of National Officers Election

Runoff Round voting for APA Secretary-Treasurer will close at 0001 Central on May 29, and ballots will be tallied that day. Resumes for the candidates may be found here: Candidate Information.

Each eligible pilot should have received a notice in the mail containing a unique Voting PIN and voting instructions for the National Officers Election. It is important that you retain this letter, as you will need the same Voting PIN for all rounds of an election.

You should have also received your Voting PIN and voting instructions via an email from APA’s elections vendor, Sequent. To ensure you receive your voting credentials, please verify your contact information via the Member Update page on AlliedPilots.org.

The ballots for the National Officers Election are found at this website: https://apa-national.sequent.vote

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

To verify your identity, the call center will ask you for your unique APA Unique Identifier Code. Your APA Identifier Code can be found at the bottom of the Member Update page on AlliedPilots.org.

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/apaoff. Alternatively, you may request a mail ballot by calling 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.

The Voting 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 to APA’s Election Coordinator, Kathy Lazenby, at 817-302-2175, or at elections@alliedpilots.org, between 0800 and 1600 Central on weekdays.

TV Report Highlights CLT Runway’s Lack of Lights

A $1 billion project to add a new runway at Charlotte Douglas International Airport is underway, but the plans do not include runway status lights, apparently for financial reasons. This week, WSOC-TV aired a report in which CLT Domicile Vice Chair FO Hickory Ham talked about how such lights can prevent catastrophes.

“On a clear, blue day, maybe this seems kind of redundant, but when you’re in bad weather [and] it’s super foggy, I mean, there’s times where air traffic control can’t even see out of the tower,” FO Ham said. “It’s just an extra layer of safety, and it’s a little peace of mind to know, ‘Hey, it’s unsafe to enter the runway.’”

The report also included commentary from Anthony Schifano, CLT Local President for the National Air Traffic Controllers Association: “We have to have the safety systems in place to make sure that ... we are able to do our jobs and do our jobs safely.”

Positive Rate Episode 52: Flight Operations Quality Assurance (FOQA)

In the latest episode of our “Positive Rate” podcast, Communications Committee Deputy Chair FO Melissa Monahan talks with Safety Committee Deputy Chair CA Casey Ronayne about how FOQA works to improve safety in two primary ways – through crew contacts to discuss variance events, and through aggregate data analysis to identify trends and emerging threats. CA Ronayne notes that unstable approaches, late configurations, and long landings are among the most common events the program addresses, and he emphasizes FOQA’s non-punitive nature.

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.

Scheduling Experts Put Heads Together

This is a new message from the APA Scheduling Committee.

a group of pilots in a conference room

Click the image for a closer look.

The APA Scheduling Committee and Department hosted their counterparts from the Southwest Airlines Pilots Association on Thursday. These periodic meetings provide opportunities for collaboration and assistance.

The hosts include Scheduling Committee Chair FO Chelsea “CJ” Page, FO Landon Foster, CA Ryan Gertz, CA Jordan Miller, CA Andy Weingram, and Director of Scheduling Vicki Dillivan.

SWAPA pilots at the meeting were Scheduling & Analytics Committee Chair CA Scott Plyler, FO Stephen Anders, CA David Cox, FO Eric Gavin, CA Matt Markillie, and FO Patrick Russell. They were joined by Scheduling Research Manager Meagan Nelan and Scheduling Research Analyst Robert Lewis.

President Invited to Wall Street Conference

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

three men in chairs on a stage

APA President FO Nick Silva was invited to speak at Bank of America’s Industrials, Transportation & Airlines Key Leaders Conference in New York this week. FO Silva and research analyst Andrew Didora were joined by CA Dennis Tajer, who chairs the Investor Relations Committee. Additionally, they met with several institutional investors during requested one-on-one meetings to discuss APA’s perspective on AAL and the industry.

After the conference, Mr. Didora provided the following commentary via a note to investors:

On APA:

  • “The APA confirmed that there are no true safety concerns with Newark, with redundancies built into the system and Pilots and Air Traffic Controllers are prepared for any outages.”
  • “The Association is fully supportive of Secretary Duffy's initiatives to both modernize Air Traffic Control technology and hire more people.”
  • “In future negotiations with AAL, the APA will be focused on increasing total pilot pay (inclusive of profit sharing) to a level that's commensurate with other network carriers and improving overall benefits for Pilots (PTO, staffing, etc.).”
  • “Leadership indicated that AAL management has done a good job fixing operational issues, but now needs to focus on improving profit margins (largely unit revenues) and building a clear longer-term strategy for the airline.”

On AAL:

  • “Demand has definitely stabilized and feel comfortable with the 2Q guide. With stable demand, AAL sees 2025 as profitable.”
  • “Premium demand continues to hold strong. Leisure demand could take some time to turn up as economic uncertainty eases.”
  • “Government demand has stabilized at low levels.”
  • “AAL’s corporate share recovery remains on track with the plan outlined on the earnings call.”
  • “AAL wanted to grow 2025 capacity in line with GDP, so any capacity cuts from the carrier this year will be more modest than its network peers.”
  • “The $3.5B of 2025 capex would be able to drive mid-single digit capacity growth if needed. Planned growth will be below this, but AAL’s younger fleet does not have as many potential retirements as other carriers.”

Raymond James’ perspective: Last week, Raymond James airlines analyst Savanthi Syth visited APA headquarters after a meeting with AAL senior management. She was accompanied by investors as she sat down with FO Silva, CA Tajer, and Economic & Financial Analysis Committee Chair FO Scott Slater. Click here to read excerpts from her subsequent note to investors.

Oneworld Cockpit Crew Coalition Gathers in D.C.

This is a new message from the APA International Alliance Committee.

a group of pilots

APA President FO Nick Silva and Vice President CA Chris Torres helped host the Oneworld Cockpit Crew Coalition’s biannual meeting this week at the Coalition of Airline Pilots Associations headquarters in Washington, D.C. Other APA members in attendance included International Alliance Committee Chair CA Shawn Gray, Aeromedical Committee Chair CA Rondeau Flynn (who holds the same title with CAPA), and Oneworld Cockpit Crew Coalition Treasurer FO Rick Brown.

You’re Never Alone – The Power of Calling 848-APA-CREW

This is a new message from the APA Aeromedical Committee.

As airline pilots, we are trained to manage complexity, navigate pressure, and stay cool under challenging conditions. But we experience stress, fatigue, anxiety, and emotional strain just like anyone else.

Because this is Mental Health Awareness Month, we would like to spotlight a powerful yet often-underutilized tool in a pilot’s toolkit: talking to a fellow pilot. If you call 848-APA-CREW, you will be able to connect with a peer volunteer from one of these Aeromedical subcommittees:

  • Option 1: Project Wingman
  • Option 2: Human Intervention Motivational Study (HIMS)
  • Option 3: Critical Incident Response Program (CIRP)
  • Option 4: Pilot Occupational Health
  • Option 5: Disabled Pilots Awareness
  • Option 6: Sudden Grief Response Program

Why a Call to 848-APA-CREW Matters

Flying can be isolating. Long hours, irregular schedules, and time away from home can take a toll on your mental and emotional well-being. While pilots often prioritize safety, checklists, and technical performance, mental health can get pushed to the background—until it becomes too much to ignore.

That’s where our volunteers come in. Talking to a fellow pilot who understands the pressures unique to aviation can provide validation, comfort, and perspective. Whether it’s about workload stress, personal challenges, or lingering anxiety, a conversation with a fellow pilot can offer a union-safe and stigma-free space to open up.

7 Reasons Why Reaching Out to APA Peer Support Helps

  • Instant Understanding: No need to explain the 4 a.m. callout or the weight of split-second decisions. Fellow pilots get it.
  • Reduced Isolation: Mental health struggles often thrive in silence. A simple, honest conversation can be enough to break that silence and remind you: You’re not alone.
  • Normalized Emotions: When another pilot says, “I’ve felt that way too,” it helps humanize the job we do and the person that you are.
  • Clarity: Saying your thoughts out loud helps organize them. A conversation with a fellow pilot often brings clarity to confusion.
  • Proactive Support: Our volunteers will tell you that it’s OK to seek professional help – hopefully before a crisis hits. We are not here to diagnose; we are just here 24/7 to listen and support.
  • Strengthened Cohesion and Culture: Open, empathetic communication fosters a culture of care, trust, and safety – both in and out of the cockpit.
  • Resilience: Talking about challenges doesn’t make you weak. It builds emotional resilience and allows you to bounce back stronger, with your mental and emotional wellness intact.

You Don’t Have to Struggle in Silence

The stigma around mental health in aviation is slowly breaking down. These Aeromedical subcommittees are all union-safe spaces for pilots to be heard without fear. But sometimes, the most important conversations start with something as simple as: “Hey, how are you really doing?”

Let’s cultivate a culture in which pilots feel just as comfortable talking about their struggles as they do their schedules. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, don’t hesitate to dial 848-APA-CREW and select the most appropriate option for you. And if you notice a colleague who seems off, ask them how they’re doing, and encourage them to call this number as well.

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.

The Art of Self-Therapy

Are you happy with all of the outcomes your thoughts, beliefs, and behaviors create for you? Or do you frequently feel unstable, confused, lost, or out of control? Knowing yourself is one of the most difficult things in the world. The Art of Self-Therapy is a book that introduces you to yourself. It is designed to help you learn about why you do the things you do, and why you think the way you think.

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.

APA Welcomes Leadership Class

This is a new message from the APA Membership Committee.

a group of pilots in a lobby

Click the image for a closer look.

On May 14, 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: Ryan Behringer, James Carr Jr., Thomas Dodson, Jordan Glasner, Lee Glenn, Mathew Gross, Weston Hoeper, Michael Lepkowski, Carlos Lopes Jr., Charles McCarthy, Samuel McCrory III, Momcilo Mihailovic, Miguel Gaibor Pazmino, Hannes Roose, Adam Rutherford, and Jennifer Uptmor.

APA Medical Minute – Correcting Misinformation on Cardiac Calcium Score Testing

In the latest APA Medical Minute, APA Medical Advisor Kathy Parr addresses misinformation concerning cardiac calcium score testing.

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

Your APA Medical Advisors: Here for You

How exactly do the APA Medical Advisors serve our members?

  • Offer personal guidance on all medical issues, from completing MedXPress forms to supporting pilots during times of critical illness and everything in between.
  • Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with FAA physicians to help expedite and facilitate the certification process.
  • Establish connections with top medical specialists across the country to ensure pilots receive the highest standard of care.
  • Offer continuous follow-up and outreach to ensure each individual pilot is healing, supported, and has the resources they need throughout their recovery.
  • Provide expertise and advocacy for pilots involved in drug and alcohol-related cases, including ongoing support within the HIMS program.
  • Provide guidance through fitness for duty/Section 20 process.
  • Collaborate with key union partners and committees — including Benefits, Professional Standards, DPASC, Wingman, Compass, Training, and HIMS — to provide holistic support tailored to each case.

Here are some “fun facts” about your APA Medical Advisors:

  • Submit three FAA packets per day.
  • Submit 78 packets per month.
  • Take 1,200 phone calls per month.
  • Produce APA Medical Minute videos to go over different diagnosis and FAA reporting requirements.
  • Participate in five PRC meetings per month.
  • Speak to the FAA daily about pilot cases and general questions.

You will find additional information about the services the APA Medical Advisors provide here.

Attention, APA Expense Users: Download Version 3.0

The APA IT Department would like to remind everyone that APA Expense App 3.0 is now available. This service is for APA expenses only. All AA-related expenses should be submitted to the Company.

Important details:

  • Please uninstall APA Expense 2.0 from your device. You will receive an authentication error if trying to submit through 2.0.
  • Desktop access. Use your APA credentials to log in.
  • APA Expense 3.0 is also available in the APA Pilot app. From the side menu, it can be found under APA Website.
  • For issues accessing the site, please contact helpdesk@alliedpilots.org.
  • For questions concerning expense claims or general use, please contact Mark Lewin:  mlewin@alliedpilots.org.

We thank you for your support and patience as we transition to this new product.

Domicile Events

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

  • BOS: Boston Red Sox game on July 10
  • CLT: Domicile Meeting on June 12
  • DCA: Domicile Meeting on May 22
  • DFW: Pilots for Kids Golf Tournament on May 19
  • LAX: Pasadena Lunch on May 20; Temecula Lunch on May 21; Retirement Dinner on June 7; San Diego Padres game on July 28
  • LGA: Concourse Conversations at JFK on May 20; Concourse Conversations at LGA on May 21; New York Mets game on Aug. 31
  • ORD: Galt Fly-In and Pancake Breakfast on May 24
  • PHL: Philadelphia Phillies game on July 23

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 issues are not appropriate for Professional Standards?
Professional Standards will not normally address CBA disagreements, substance/alcohol abuse, and any immediate threat to safety of flight. The program is not designed to address issues related to security violations; legal, medical, or criminal issues; or gross negligence. Professional Standards is not able to address issues arising from “The Line” forums, nor should PS volunteers post to “The Line” forums. However, if you are in doubt about which APA committee is best suited to handle your needs, all Professional Standards volunteers are familiar with the vast network of support offered at APA and through the company. Call Your Union First!

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 Fair

The Future & Active Pilot Alliance’s next Pilot Job Fair is scheduled for June 13 at CLT. 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.

Connect with Us: Facebook | X | Instagram | YouTube
Contact Us: Phone - 817.302.2272 | Website - AlliedPilots.org