APA News Digest

July 11, 2025

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In This Edition ...

Oshkosh is Just 10 Days Away

This is an updated message from the APA Family Awareness Committee.

There’s been a slight change to our events schedule for EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, the world’s largest aviation gathering. The happy hour on July 21 has been replaced by a Sub Night, courtesy of CA Jason Sharp and the APA Safety Committee.

If you plan to attend any of the dinners or happy hours on the schedule above, 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.)

Slide and Vex Without Delay

This is a new message from the APA Scheduling Committee.

If you received an award in the December vacancy bid, are expecting training, and were awarded vacation in the training months (September, October, November) to include the associated OE period, please slide and vex your vacation without delay.

Summer Climate Control

This is a new message from the APA Hotel Committee.

It has been a very warm summer in many markets, particularly Europe, and we have seen an increase of climate control debriefs.

One of the things that both AA and APA look at when we conduct a hotel site review is the type of climate control system the hotel utilizes. While newer buildings have modern HVAC systems that can heat and/or cool rooms on demand, older buildings tend to have two-pipe climate control systems. A two-pipe climate control system utilizes one pipe for heating and another pipe for cooling. This system circulates hot or chilled water through radiators or fan coils to regulate indoor temperatures. There are several constraints with these systems. The primary drawback of a two-pipe system is its inability to provide heating and cooling simultaneously. Additionally, maintaining consistent temperatures across multiple rooms or zones can be challenging. Different spaces may have varying exposure to sunlight, occupancy levels, and insulation quality, leading to uneven heating or cooling. This can result in hot or cold spots within a building.

Many hotels in Europe and some of our markets in the Northeast have two-pipe systems. When we are sourcing the market, we try to avoid contracting with hotels that have two-pipe systems; however, this can be difficult in markets where they are more prevalent. Additionally, European governments often set regulations on heating and cooling of buildings, and pilots are not able to cool their rooms to desired temperatures based on these regulations. Most hotels in the EU are restricted to certain temperature ranges due to government energy efficiency directives. This often results in rooms much warmer than we are accustomed to, and there is nothing the hotel can do, nor we can do, to make the rooms cooler. This is an EU initiative to reduce energy imports, costs, and emissions. AA Hotel Contracts communicates regularly with our European hotels that manage climate control systems. Some hotels are better at managing this than others, and we use your Hotel Survey data to determine whether the hotel is doing a good job. If they are not, and pilots are reporting uncomfortable stays, we ask AA to source the market.

When you find a room is too warm for you, there are a few things you can do to mitigate discomfort. Ask for rooms on the east side of the building if you are sleeping during the afternoon/night, and the west side if you are a day sleeper. Keep your window shades drawn during the day to prevent sunlight from warming the room. Many hotels will deliver fans to your room to assist in keeping the room cooler.

If the temperature is ever excessively warm or cold, please reach out to the front desk to see whether there is anything the hotel can do to better accommodate you. You also can debrief the issue after your stay; however, if the issue is regulatory in nature, we unfortunately may not be able to do anything about the temperatures.

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.

APA Welcomes Leadership Classes

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 July 9, the Membership Committee hosted a casual dinner for the following pilots who were in Fort Worth for American Airlines’ Professionalism, Leadership, and Mentoring class: Christopher Barrow, Adam Benfield, Quincy Brown, Audrey Bryant, Giovanni Cannavo, Louis DAntonio, Marie Davis, Jordan Diedrick, Erick Estevez, Cody Ferguson, Pablo Janka, Gokhan Kaluc, Frederick Kuehn, Douglas Marchesseault, Kenneth McNeill, Whitney Miller-Harris, David Modler, Richard Nanneman, Harry Pitts, Terry Puckett, Charles Rosenstein, Ryan Scheffer, Gustavo Soares, Scott Spires, Andrew Stephan, William Stilson, Daniel Tereba, and Nebojsa Visic.

a group of pilots in a lobby

On July 2, the APA Membership Committee hosted a similar dinner for a smaller group of pilots: Jack Averitt, Mary Frances Cloe, Nathan Green, Collin Martoia, Whitney Miller-Harris, and Edwin Slocum.

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 June: Bruce Craig, 90, on March 29, 2024; Tom Sams, 93, on June 29, 2024; Curry Lawler, 83, on March 6, 2025; Dick Hallahan, 87, on March 29; Pat Delgado, 92, on April 17; Jack Cunningham, 89, on April 18; Rooks Turner, 79, on April 26; Steve Booras, 91, on May 4; Hugh Reynolds, 71, on May 5; Zygmunt “Ziggy” Szuber, 72, on May 14; Dave Laughlin, 96, on May 18; Al Austgen, 76, on May 20; Steve Wengryn, 69, on May 24; Dale Istwan, 80, on May 27; Sheldon “Skip” French, 90, on June 1; Keith “Bubbah” Hall, 67, on June 3; Ken Meyer, 93, on June 4; Michael Holehouse, 67, on June 8; Larry Owsowitz, 68, on June 10; Ken Robinson, 80, on June 14; Greg Girard, 73, on June 17; Jim Wisehart, 76, on June 19; and Charlie Burch, 75, on June 24.

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.

Bigger Leaner Stronger: The Simple Science of Building the Ultimate Male Body

Bigger Leaner Stronger is one of the most popular bodybuilding books of all time, with more than 800,000 copies sold in 16 languages, and it has helped tens of thousands of men of all ages and abilities transform their body composition, fitness, and health. More than 300 peer-reviewed scientific studies support the book’s system of eating, training, and recovering for losing fat and building muscle and strength.

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 Spokesperson: “It’s Safe Out There”

On July 4, President Donald Trump signed the “One Big Beautiful Bill” into law. This week, WTTW-TV aired a story about how the budget legislation includes $12.5 billion to modernize the air traffic control system. One of the sources interviewed for that story was APA spokesperson CA Dennis Tajer, who told Chicago’s PBS affiliate that the FAA’s shortcomings are a result of “plain, poor planning” that’s been handed off from one administration to the next.

Despite those shortcomings, CA Tajer tried to put passengers at ease about air travel. “It’s safe out there,” he said. “Professional pilots and air traffic controllers don’t deal in unsafe environments. When it’s like that, we get out of it.”

CA Tajer was interviewed by other news media outlets this month:

  • On July 1, Fox Business published an article about a notorious hacker group setting its sights on the airline industry. CA Tajer said having two trained and experienced pilots on board is still the biggest safeguard against cyberattacks that could threaten an airliner’s safety. “What protects lives when technology goes bad or is attacked are other lives known as professional pilots,” he said.
  • On July 3, Forbes published an article regarding American’s new policy that calls for holding the final flight of each night (or bank) at certain hubs for connecting passengers. CA Tajer said APA has long pushed for more sensitivity to such passengers’ needs. “Pilots like being part of taking care of all our passengers – both the ones on the airplane and the ones struggling to get on it,” he said. “There is no better time to try to humanize air travel.”

Positive Rate Episode 57: Sudden Grief Response Program

In the latest episode of our “Positive Rate” podcast, Communications Committee Deputy Chair CA Chris Ferguson talks with Aeromedical Committee Deputy Chair FO Vern Reaser about how the Sudden Grief Response Program assists APA members and their families in the event of sudden death. FO Reaser emphasizes the importance of having a checklist to ensure you and your family are appropriately prepared. The Aeromedical Committee’s peer-support programs also include the Critical Incident Response Program, Disabled Pilots Awareness Subcommittee, HIMS Subcommittee, and Project Wingman, with each one standing ready to help members and their families navigate a range of challenging circumstances.

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.

Summer Board Meeting Set for Aug. 4-8

The APA Board of Directors will convene at union headquarters in Fort Worth on Aug. 4 for its regularly scheduled summer meeting.

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 Board is tentatively scheduled to receive briefings from the following during the meeting: 

  • Advanced Aircraft and Flight Systems Subcommittee
  • Aeromedical Committee
  • APA-ALPA Merger Negotiation Committee
  • Appeal Board
  • Communications Committee
  • Economic & Financial Analysis Committee
  • Internal Compensation and Expenses Committee
  • Investor Relations Committee
  • Joint Implementation Action Committee
  • National Communications Network
  • Negotiating Committee
  • Training Committee

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
  • Committee budgets
  • National Committee Recommendation List
  • Approval of newly appointed national committee members
  • Negotiating refresher training

APA Medical Minute – Prostate Health

In this encore edition of the APA Medical Minute, APA Medical Advisor Kathy Parr discusses prostate health, noting that it’s one of the most common topics members inquire about.

Domicile Elections

On July 7, APA Secretary-Treasurer FO Philip Johnson announced that the following PHL and PHX pilots have been submitted for nomination and have indicated a willingness to serve if elected:

PHL Chair
CA Paul DiOrio
CA Eric Friedman
CA Christopher Henshall

PHL Vice Chair
CA Eric Friedman
CA Christopher Henshall
CA Brian Sweep

PHX Chair
CA Richard Baker
CA William Price
CA Jeremy Ryder
CA Mitch Vasin

PHX Vice Chair
CA Nicholas Chaplin
FO Jadan Joyner-Fields
CA John McIlvenna
FO Adrian Osio
CA Jeremy Ryder

The candidates’ resumes will be posted on the Elections page on AlliedPilots.org on July 31.

When there are four or more candidates for a domicile position, the APA Constitution and Bylaws calls for a Nomination Round that winnows the field to three. The Nomination Round voting period will be open from 0900 Central on Aug. 6 until 0900 Central on Aug. 28. The deadline for receipt of mailed paper ballots is 1000 Central on Aug. 28.

The Election Round voting period will be open from 0900 Central on Sept. 9 until 0900 Central on Oct. 1. The deadline for receipt of mailed paper ballots is 1000 Central on Oct. 1.

If necessary, the Runoff Round voting period would be open from 0900 Central on Oct. 8 until 0900 Central on Oct. 30. The deadline for receipt of mailed paper ballots would be 1000 Central on Oct. 30.

The elected pilots will begin their terms on Nov. 1.

Domicile Events

a group of pilots and their families outside a market

Click the image for a closer look.

Dozens of BOS pilots and their families enjoyed a pregame meal at the Time Out Market on July 10 before watching the Red Sox pull out a 4-3 win over the Rays.

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

  • BOS: New England Summer Lobstah Bake on Aug. 23
  • DCA: Washington Nationals game on July 22; Kentmoor Fly-in/Drive-in/Boat-In on Aug. 19; Baltimore Orioles game on Sept. 24
  • DFW: Domicile Meeting on July 15; Texas Rangers game on Aug. 24; Retirement Party on Sept. 6
  • LAX: Redondo Beach Lunch on July 15; San Diego Padres game on July 28; Domicile Meeting on Aug. 28
  • LGA: New York Mets game on Aug. 31
  • MIA: Domicile Meeting on July 31; Tampa Bay Rays game on Sept. 1
  • PHL: Philadelphia Phillies game on July 23
  • PHX: Concourse Conversations on July 16; IMAX Training on Aug. 12

Week in Review

Here are some 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 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)*
  • Safety Committee (0)
    • Air Traffic and Procedures Subcommittee (1)
  • Training Committee (0)
    • Checkmate Subcommittee (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

Why isn’t management part of the Professional Standards Committee?
This is a peer-to-peer program. Correcting behavior through peer engagement and awareness offers a potentially permanent solution. Management fully supports the work of the Professional Standards Committee by providing vast resources and thoughtful input toward improving the process.

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 Aug. 23 at Aviation High School near LGA. 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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