APA News Digest

July 25, 2025

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In This Edition ...

• Fun and Fellowship Continue at Oshkosh
• American Reports 2Q25 Results, Forecasts 3Q25 Loss
• Executives’ Excuses Perceived as Whining
• Summer Board Meeting Set for Aug. 4-7
• National Town Hall Scheduled for Aug. 11
• Appeal Board Issues Article VII Decision
• Project Wingman: Supporting Teen Mental Health – What Pilots Can Do
• Membership Committee: APA Welcomes Leadership Class
• APA Medical Minute – Sleep Apnea
• Domicile Events
• Are You Willing to Serve?
• Professional Standards FAQ
• If You’re 50, Join The Grey Eagles
• Pilot Job Fair and Future Pilot Seminar

Fun and Fellowship Continue at Oshkosh

Despite a bit of wet weather during EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, our National Officers, the ORD Domicile Officers, and volunteers from various national committees have enjoyed visiting with APA members this week while hosting happy hours and dinners at the world’s largest aviation gathering.

A pizza party is in the works for this evening, followed by a Tex-Mex dinner on Saturday. Both events will happen between 1700 and 1900.

Click the image for a closer look.

American Reports 2Q25 Results, Forecasts 3Q25 Loss

On Thursday, American Airlines management disclosed their financial performance for the second quarter. Here are select excerpts from American’s press release:

• “American produced record quarterly revenue of $14.4 billion.”
• “American saw continued strength in premium cabin demand in the second quarter, particularly to long-haul international destinations.”
• “All international entities delivered positive unit revenue growth year over year, with Atlantic passenger unit revenue up 5%.”
• ”American continues to see strong engagement with its industry-leading AAdvantage loyalty program with active accounts up 7% year over year.”
• “Spending on co-branded credit cards increased 6% year over year as customers continue to value earning rewards for future travel with American.”
• “The company’s operating cash flow of $3.4 billion and free cash flow generation of $2.5 billion in the first half of 2025 enabled further strengthening of its balance sheet.”
• “The company ended the second quarter with $38 billion of total debt and $29 billion of net debt.”
• “The company ended the second quarter with $12 billion of total available liquidity, comprised of cash and short-term investments plus undrawn capacity under revolving credit and other facilities.”
• “Based on its current booked revenue, expectations of future demand trends and fuel price, and excluding the impact of special items, the company expects a third-quarter 2025 adjusted loss per diluted share to be between ($0.10) and ($0.60).”
• “Based on recent booking trends, American expects its full-year adjusted earnings (loss) per diluted share to be between ($0.20) and $0.80, with a mid-point of $0.30. The company believes the top end of the range is achievable if demand in the domestic market continues to strengthen and only expects to be at the bottom end of the range if there were to be macro weaknesses that are not seen today.”

Here’s how American’s second-quarter results compare to those reported by Delta and United earlier this month:

Sources: Companies’ SEC filings
*Excluding special items
**EPS = Earnings per share estimates provided by each company.
(#.##) denotes a loss.
Diluted weighted average shares (millions): DAL = 652, UAL = 327, AAL = 660.

Executives’ Excuses Perceived as Whining

This morning, Brian Sumers of The Airline Observer published an article called “American’s Whiny Earnings Call” that says CEO Robert Isom pointed to two predominant reasons why American’s results lag those of Delta and United: higher labor costs and “a network that we’re proud to say is more oriented to domestic.”

Here was Mr. Sumers’ take on the first of those factors:

“None of this labor stuff is a big deal. Sometimes your airline has favorable labor rates compared to others because of the timing of contracts or negotiations or because one airline has a smaller unionized workforce. It is not an unfair advantage for one carrier over another, nor is it something to whine about. I’m constantly talking to people in the industry about the margin gap, and not one person has ever identified labor arbitrage as a key reason why American is behind. (Some of them have identified poor leadership at American, however.)”

Mr. Sumers closed his column with this: “If you can tell me why Robert Isom still has a job, email me privately.”

Summer Board Meeting Set for Aug. 4-7

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 scheduled to receive briefings from the following during the meeting: 

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

The Board may also consider these resolutions during the meeting:

• R2025-21, “PUIF Clarification”
• R2025-22, “Committee Election Procedures”
• R2025-23, “Scheduling Committee Updates”
• R2025-24, “Committee Election Stalemate”
• R2025-25, “AdMan Reporting Requirements”
• R2025-26, “APA Staff 401k Fund Change”
• R2025-27, “Resolving Election Stalemates”
• R2025-28, “Authorization of Monetary Obligations”
• R2025-29, “Quarterly Domicile Meetings & Resolutions”
• R2025-30, “Apprentice Membership Dues Rate”
• R2025-31, “Instructor Evaluator Committee”
• R2025-32, “Committee Realignment”
• R2025-33, “Executive Advisor to the President”
• R2025-34, “Conversion of Pay to Max to Hourly Stipend”
• R2025-35, “Pay to Max DEA Changes”

National Town Hall Scheduled for Aug. 11

APA President FO Nick Silva, APA Vice President CA Chris Torres, and APA Secretary-Treasurer FO Philip Johnson will host a national town hall meeting at 1600 Central on Aug. 11. Click here to register for the meeting. Registering in advance will enable email reminders.

To ensure maximum participation, all members in good standing will receive a call from Telephone Town Hall Meeting, the vendor that assists APA with its town halls, at 1600 Central on Aug. 11. Pilots who are not in a position to watch the town hall meeting via Zoom will be able to listen via their phones. The number that will appear in your caller ID is 817-302-2171. We encourage you to add this number to your contacts.

To submit questions in advance, please send an email to TownHall@alliedpilots.org.

Appeal Board Issues Article VII Decision

This week, the Appeal Board issued a decision in two related cases:

• CA Michael Phelan v. CA Jeffrey Kerr and CA Brian Smith
• FO Jay Moss v. CA Heather Boulanger, FO James Funderburk, FO Hickory Ham, CA David Hines, CA Dan Scola, and CA Jay Wilhelm

That decision can be found here.

Supporting Teen Mental Health – What Pilots Can Do

This is a new message from Project Wingman.

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention offers a variety of resources.

As airline pilots, we are trained to manage complex emergencies, monitor dozens of variables, and respond calmly under pressure. Yet one of the most emotionally difficult situations we may face is when a child - our own or someone in our circle - is struggling with mental health challenges.

Teen suicide is now one of the leading causes of death among adolescents in the United States. According to the CDC, the rates of reported sadness, anxiety, and hopelessness in teens have reached historic highs. These aren't just numbers - they're our sons, daughters, nieces, nephews, and the kids next door.

Given the unique nature of our profession combined with these alarming trends, at Project Wingman we're encouraging all APA members to become familiar with the tools and resources offered by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

Read more on Medium.

APA Welcomes Leadership Class

This is a new message from the APA Membership Committee.

Click the image for a closer look.

On July 23, the Membership Committee hosted a casual dinner for the following pilots who were in Fort Worth for American Airlines’ Professionalism, Leadership, and Mentoring class: Buppachart Blue, William Cargill, James Cash, Kevin Cordes, Timothy Cummings, Edward Dieringer, Nicholas Hagemeyer, Jared Jones, Samuel Kahsai, Anna Lucke, Jose Molins, Richard Nanneman, Thomas Richardson, Aaron Seubert, Juan Torres, and Rex Weber.

APA Medical Minute – Sleep Apnea

In this encore edition of the APA Medical Minute, APA Medical Advisors Manager Marsha Reekie addresses sleep apnea, including signs and symptoms, diagnosis and treatment, risks associated with not treating it, and the FAA process for pilots who are diagnosed with this sleep disorder.

Domicile Events

Click the image for a closer look.

Dozens of DCA pilots and their families had a great time during the Washington Nationals’ 6-1 win over the Cincinnati Reds on Tuesday. You can see more photos on Facebook.

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

• BOS: Telephone Town Hall Meeting on Aug. 5; New England Summer Lobstah Bake on Aug. 23
• DCA: Kentmoor Fly-in/Drive-in/Boat-In on Aug. 19; Baltimore Orioles game on Sept. 24
• DFW: Texas Rangers game on Aug. 24; Retirement Party on Sept. 6
• LAX: San Diego Padres game on July 28; San Diego Lunch on Aug. 12; Dana Point Lunch on Aug. 14; Redondo Beach Lunch on Aug. 19; Domicile Meeting on Aug. 28
• LGA: Telephone Town Hall Meeting on Aug. 5; New York Mets game on Aug. 31
• MIA: Domicile Meeting on July 31; Tampa Bay Rays game on Sept. 1
• ORD: Telephone Town Hall Meeting on Aug. 5
• PHL: Telephone Town Hall Meeting on Aug. 5
• PHX: IMAX Training on Aug. 12

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

Will Professional Standards handle issues with Crew Scheduling/Crew Tracking?
Absolutely! As you should be well aware, every call to Crew Scheduling/Crew Tracking (CS/CT) is recorded from the time you are connected until you hang up – even when you are on hold. While cases with CS/CT are rare, they do occur. There is a protocol for handling issues that arise with our colleagues in CS/CT: Conversations are reviewed jointly by Professional Standards and the CS/CT manager for resolution.

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.