APA News Digest

May 30, 2025

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In This Edition ...

Collaboration Leads to Collective Success

This is a new message from the APA Strategic Planning Committee.

The 2025-2026 APA Strategic Plan was presented at the Board of Directors’ spring meeting and received unanimous approval. This is a significant milestone, representing the second iteration of a formal strategic plan for the Association and reflecting the hard work and dedication of the Strategic Development Group.

This biannual plan is not just a document; it’s a roadmap designed to build upon the successes achieved under the previous plan, with a distinct and renewed emphasis on effective implementation. The goal is to translate the strategic vision into concrete actions and results that benefit every member. The 2025-2026 Strategic Plan clearly defines APA priorities from now until the commencement of Section 6 openers for the next contract. These core priorities are:

  1. Implement and Enforce the Current Contract: The Association will vigilantly ensure that all provisions of the current collective bargaining agreement are fully realized and defended.
  2. Prepare APA Leadership and Members for the Next Contract: APA will equip leadership and engage the membership to ensure we are prepared, informed, and unified and that we enter the next negotiations cycle from a position of strength and solidarity.
  3. Continue Building External Relationships: APA will strengthen its connections with other labor groups within American Airlines, with fellow airline pilot unions and trade associations across the industry, and with key stakeholders on Capitol Hill.

These priorities are not merely statements; they serve as the guiding principles for resource allocation. They define where the Association will strategically invest its time, financial resources, and the efforts of APA staff and volunteers. A noteworthy advancement in this planning cycle is that, for the first time ever, the strategic plan aligns directly with the APA budgetary cycle. This synchronization ensures that financial planning is directly tied to APA’s strategic objectives, maximizing efficiency and impact.

The success of this plan hinges on collaboration and communication. It emphasizes the need for cross-functional teams from committees and departments across APA to work together to achieve shared goals. The plan also provides greater fidelity on team actions and incorporates specific metrics and performance indicators. This commitment will lead to increased accountability for achieving the tasks and milestones needed to propel the Association toward Section 6.

The 2025-2026 Strategic Plan provides a clear and robust framework for the Association’s activities in the coming two years. For those who wish to delve deeper into the specifics, details can be found on the Strategic Planning Committee page on AlliedPilots.org. This plan, developed for the membership, aims for a collective success. Working together, guided by these strategic priorities, will allow for the continued advancement of the interests of all APA members.

In Unity,

Your Strategic Planning Committee

FO Philip Johnson Elected as APA Secretary-Treasurer

Congratulations to FO Philip Johnson, who prevailed in the Runoff Round balloting that concluded on Thursday, earning 1,303 votes versus CA Andrew O’Hara’s 1,210. His three-year term as APA Secretary-Treasurer will begin on July 1. FO Johnson will serve alongside APA President FO Nick Silva and APA Vice President CA Chris Torres, who won their respective seats in the Election Round that wrapped up on April 30.

FO Johnson has been a member of the APA Information Technology Steering Committee for eight years, including a five-year stint as its Chair. One of his achievements during that time was overseeing the development of the APA Pilot app, which has been downloaded by more than 90 percent of the membership.

FO Johnson became an American Airlines pilot via the merger with US Airways; he was hired by Trans World Airlines in 1999 and America West Airlines in 2005.

Negotiating Committee Chair Addresses Mutual Problem-Solving

In this new video, Negotiating Committee Chair FO Adam Rutherford talks with Communications Committee Deputy Chair FO Melissa Monahan about how “company problems” are often problems for our pilots as well, detailing how APA has used a data-driven approach to address operational deficiencies while delivering value for the membership.

Pilot Fulfills Childhood Dream of Buying Stinson Reliant

As part of a continuing series of highlighting what “Life Off the Line” is like for our members, Communications Committee Deputy Chair FO Shay Marchetti profiled CA Mark Riedl, who owns a 1937 Stinson Reliant that he helped restore when he was a teenager.

You can read about CA Riedl and his plane on Medium.

Positive Rate Episode 54: Pilot Mental Health

In the latest episode of our “Positive Rate” podcast, Communications Committee Deputy Chair FO Melissa Monahan talks with Aeromedical Committee Chair CA Rondeau Flynn about pilot mental health. CA Flynn details how APA’s robust peer-support network helps our members navigate situations that can affect their mental health, and he emphasizes that mental health should be considered in the same light as physical health, with both existing along a spectrum.

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 Benefits – Ready to Take Your Call

So far this year, the APA Benefits Department has responded to nearly 8,000 phone calls from members and has also replied to several thousand emails. Whenever you have a question about your company-provided benefits, the APA-sponsored benefits, or using APA’s Benefit Elect online enrollment system (which is available 24/7), the Benefits Department stands ready to help. Simply call 817-302-2140 between 0800 and 1700 Central Monday through Friday, or email benefits.sec@alliedpilots.org.

Help Us Help You!!!

  • Are your dependents current?
  • Are your physical and email addresses current?
  • Are your beneficiaries current?
  • For retirees and surviving spouses, have you provided your Medicare Number (every person with Medicare receives a randomly generated, 11-character alpha/numeric identifier) and Part D information so claims process properly?

“Booking in Progress” Guidance Has Not Changed

This is a new message from the APA Hotel Committee.

As we move into the summer months, many of you have felt the weight of putting our operation back together following multiple weather events.
 
We recommend that you do not depart on your last leg to a layover when “Booking in Progress” shows in your CCI Hotel/Limo information, unless you receive confirmation that you have lodging, or you are directed to depart by a Chief Pilot. “Booking In Progress” is a placeholder when no reservation exists. It does not necessarily indicate someone is actively working on booking you a room.

Crews who have waited to secure lodging have experienced lengthy waits after their last leg of the day. Some crews had the misfortune of arriving at a sold-out market only to learn that they were stuck with no hotel options. Had they insisted a room be booked prior to departure, this would not have happened.

Although it’s not required, you may want to advise the Company of the reason why you aren’t departing and advise that you will be prepared to depart as soon as lodging is confirmed. To expedite booking, we recommend you send an ECS message under the Hotel options stating, “I need a hotel” or “I have a more complicated issue (requesting call back).” You can also call the Hotel/Limo Desk or the duty pilot.

Either way, do not let the issue distract you from your preflight duties. Take care of yourself; take care of your crew!

For more information, check out the 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.

New “MOT At OUT” ACARS Alert and MOT Reminders

This is a new message from the APA Flight Time/Duty Time Committee.

Your Flight Time/Duty Time Committee has long advocated for an active MOT alerting system and has actively participated in the development of such a program. We are pleased to announce that a new MOT alert will soon be introduced to all fleets.

When an OUT time is registered, FOS will recalculate the MOT. If the new MOT is within 60 minutes, an ACARS message advising that MOT will be sent to the aircraft.

As is currently the case, automated MOT alerts will continue to be sent at 15, 10, and 5 minutes prior to MOT. These alerts are generated automatically and are NOT sent by your Dispatcher. At MOT expiration, a further message will be sent advising that the MOT has been exceeded and to contact Dispatch. Remember that the MOT is considered to be met if the aircraft is cleared to enter the runway, either to take off or to line up and wait. The purpose of this is to ensure that crew focus is not on the clock during this critical phase of flight, but rather on the safe operation of the aircraft. Because of this, it is always possible to receive a “MOT Exceeded” ACARS message after meeting the requirements of the MOT but prior to registering an OFF time. No action is required in this event.

Remember that ATC reroutes changing flight duration and other delays affecting ETO can change your MOT, even after blocking out. Adherence to FOM procedures regarding these issues will ensure that your MOT (and thus the alerting messages) is properly updated in the event of a change to either of these input parameters. As always, your current MOT remains available using the MISC81 command in the ACARS system.

Please direct any questions to your Flight Time/Duty Time Committee at FTDT-help@alliedpilots.org.

Make Plans to Join Us at Oshkosh

This is a new message from the APA Family Awareness Committee.

EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, the world’s largest aviation gathering, is scheduled for July 21-27. APA’s Family Awareness Committee will host gatherings on a daily basis. If you plan to attend any of these dinners or happy hours, please let us know via the RSVP links at AlliedPilots.org/Calendar.

(To see the Family Awareness events, you may need to adjust your preferences by clicking the gear icon at the top of the calendar. However, we have included direct links to each event below.)

Volunteers needed! If you are interested in volunteering a few hours from 1600 to 2000, we will reward you for your efforts:

  • If you agree to volunteer for one night, you will get a one-day pass to the airshow.
  • If you agree to volunteer for three or more nights, you will get a weeklong pass to the airshow.

If you are interested, please contact CA Jerry Gemma via jgemma@alliedpilots.org or 561-703-2219.

TSA Updates List of Prohibited Items

This is a new message from the APA Security Committee.

The Transportation Security Administration has updated the prohibited items on its “What Can I Bring?“ list. Please take a moment to review.

While exemptions to the Liquids, Aerosols, and Gels Rule are unchanged for crewmembers in uniform, “the final decision rests with the TSA officer on whether an item is allowed through the checkpoint.” Do not hesitate to request a TSA officer supervisor if you have any questions or concerns.

Volunteers Needed for Smoke Odor and Fumes Subcommittee

The APA Safety Committee sent the following message to all members on Thursday.

The APA Safety Committee is seeking two line pilots to serve on our Smoke Odor and Fumes (SOF) Subcommittee.

We are looking for pilots who work well with others and are interested in helping their peers by assuring a safer working environment. This work will be rewarding to those who enjoy problem solving, identifying trends, and driving positive change through productive discussion.

The subcommittee members will collaborate with Engineering and MOC to ensure work cards are followed in a methodical manner. Because they will be addressing SOF events in real time, the subcommittee members will need to be accessible and responsive.

Eligible candidates should have a working knowledge of the current SOF procedures. They should also have strong interpersonal and problem-solving skills, excellent writing abilities, and solid deductive reasoning. Among the duties of our SOF volunteers:

  • Manage weekly, monthly, and quarterly meetings devoted to reviewing SOF data and events.
  • Attend the SOF Spring and Fall Summits.
  • Make OEM shop visits.
  • Monitor the SOF Hotline 24/7.
  • Coordinate with MedAire for crew support when SOF events occur.

If you are interested in serving, please send a cover letter with your resume to STSAP Coordinator Amber Thompson at athompson@alliedpilots.org. The Safety Committee will accept applications from interested pilots through Wednesday, June 11.

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 28, 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: John Bruno, Michael Cahoon, Ronald Chambers, William Cheeseman, Charles Copeland, Gustavo De la Cruz Davison, James Douvier, Matthew Pray, and Austin Shartle.

APA Medical Minute – FAA Form 8500-8

In this previously released edition of the APA Medical Minute, APA Medical Advisor Cassie Bien is back with a reminder about what pilots need to keep in mind when filling out FAA Form 8500-8 – Application for Airman Medical Certificate or Airman Medical & Student Pilot Certificate.

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

APA Contract Minute – Reassignments

In this encore edition of the APA Contract Minute, CA Jason Saxer touches on the reassignment premium that is available to all pilots, including reserves.

Dues Holiday Begins With June Flying

On May 8, the APA Board of Directors approved R2025-05 Rev 5, “APA-ALPA Merger Negotiation Committee.” This resolution included a “dues holiday” provision stipulating a moratorium on the collection of APA membership dues.

The dues holiday will begin with July 2025 paychecks (pay for June flying), i.e., dues will not be collected from July 2025 paychecks. Dues will be collected from June 2025 paychecks (pay for May flying).

The dues holiday does not have a confirmed end date. The dues holiday will continue until one of the following events occurs:

  • The APA-ALPA Merger Negotiation Committee decides it cannot come to an agreement on merger terms with ALPA.
  • The committee presents a proposed tentative merger agreement to the APA Board of Directors, but the Board does not approve it for submission to the membership.
  • The pilot group votes on a tentative merger agreement.
  • The APA reserves are depleted to an amount of $50 million.

PHL and PHX Domicile Elections

Pilots’ names can be submitted for nomination in this year’s PHL and PHX domicile elections between 0900 Central on June 9 and 0900 Central on July 1.

PHL pilots will elect a Chair and Vice Chair to represent their domicile for a three-year term beginning on Nov. 1, while PHX pilots will elect a Chair and Vice Chair to represent their domicile for a one-year term starting on the same date. This is in accordance with the realignment of APA election cycles, as stipulated by R2024-12 Rev 1, “BOD Term Length and Limits,” and R2025-02 Rev 1, “Election Category Modifications.”

For more details, visit the Elections page on AlliedPilots.org.

Domicile Events

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

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

Can a previous, resolved submission to Professional Standards be referenced in a future action?
No. A resolved issue cannot be used to support other disciplinary actions. An agreement exists with management that Professional Standards referrals are never part of an employee’s permanent record. Professional Standards volunteers will never be asked to relate any case information in the employee discipline process. Confidentiality rules apply to management also. Once an issue is released to the Professional Standards program, it is as if management “forgets” the issue ever occurred.

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 and Future Pilot Seminar

The Future & Active Pilot Alliance’s next Pilot Job Fair and Future Pilot Seminar are scheduled for June 13 and June 14 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.

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