APA News Digest

Aug. 15, 2025

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In This Edition ...

Defending Our Scope Protections

In his Aug. 4 remarks to the APA Board of Directors and an Aug. 11 message to the membership, APA President FO Nick Silva addressed a recently filed Scope grievance protesting management’s plans to launch an unprecedented trilateral venture with Alaska Airlines and Japan Airlines.

“Alaska Airlines recently announced even more new European routes, which prompted my request to meet with senior management,” FO Silva wrote. “In those discussions, management revealed plans to ignore our contract by codesharing on Alaska Airlines’ new long-haul international routes.”

That message to the membership inspired a Forbes article published today under the headline “American Airlines Battles Pilots Over Alaska’s New Boeing 787s.” That article includes commentary by APA spokesperson CA Dennis Tajer about the significance of the Scope clause in our contract.

“Scope is a religious issue to pilots,” CA Tajer said. “It’s about our current and future jobs that our families count on. There are few, if any, issues around which our pilot group will unite more than an attack on our Scope protection.”

Committee Chair Caucus: Preparing for Contract Next

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

During the past nine months, the Strategic Planning Committee has concentrated its focus on preparation for the next round of Section 6 Negotiations. As part of the 2025-26 Strategic Plan the APA Board of Directors approved in May, the committee convened the inaugural committee chair caucus on Aug. 7-8 to help drive adoption and execution of the Strategic Plan at the committee level. Four main themes highlighted the two-day event:

  • Committee alignment of efforts and resourcing.
  • Task and event calendar integration.
  • Key performance indicator and metric development through artificial intelligence.
  • Establishment of APA business rules.

During the caucus, committee chairs participated in a series of workshops focused on collaboration and objective alignments while driving Strategic Plan implementation. The chairs also received an introduction to AI tools to help close committee and organizational feedback loops, and the Strategic Planning Committee formalized business rules to drive efficiency and collaboration.

This caucus was among the varied initiatives now underway to ensure readiness for early openers. We encourage all pilots to provide feedback on your priorities for our next contract. Whether via polling, surveys, or sending SoundOffs to union leadership, the future of our pilot group depends on your engagement.

Click on the 2025-26 focus areas graphic below to view a larger version.

Voting Underway in PHX Domicile Election

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

These PHX candidates’ resumes are posted on the Elections page on AlliedPilots.org:

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

Each eligible PHX pilot should have received a notice in the mail containing a unique Voting PIN and voting instructions. It is important that you retain this letter, as you will need the same Voting PIN for all rounds of the election. Each eligible PHX pilot should have also received his or her unique Voting PIN and voting instructions via an email from APA’s elections vendor, Sequent.

For more details, see APA Secretary-Treasurer FO Philip Johnson’s recent message to PHX pilots.

Positive Rate Episode 61: Scheduling Committee

In the latest episode of our “Positive Rate” podcast, Communications Committee Deputy Chair CA Chris Ferguson talks with Scheduling Committee Deputy Chair FO Mikael Landau about how the Scheduling Committee and Scheduling Department address a broad range of scheduling-related issues for pilots involving PBS, DOTC, TTS, vacation, Mutual Base Exchange, TDYs, vacancies, and pairing analysis.

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.

One-Time Supplemental Payment and Ratification Bonus

This is a new message from the APA Negotiating Committee.

Please note: The information below may apply to you only if you fit all five of these requirements:

  1. You retired or left the Company in 2020, 2021, 2022, or in 2023 prior to CBA ratification.
  2. You have not already confirmed your address with APA.
  3. You did not take voluntary early retirement.
  4. You have not received the One Time Supplemental Payment or Ratification Bonus.
  5. You had eligible earnings during the years 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023, regardless of your status on the date the 2023 CBA was ratified (e.g., retired in 2022, prior to the 2023 CBA ratification).

Pilots who fit the above categories have been sent emails and letters regarding their possible eligibility to receive the One-Time Supplemental Payment (OTSP) and/or Ratification Bonus (RB) that were included in the 2023 Collective Bargaining Agreement. These emails and letters were sent to each pilot’s contact information on file with APA.

If you have not already confirmed your address or have not already received OTSP or RB payments, then you are REQUIRED TO CONFIRM YOUR ADDRESS WITH APA by sending conformation to addressconfirmation@alliedpilots.org. Please include your name, AA employee number, and address, which must be a street address in the United States or Puerto Rico; the address cannot be a P.O. box or international address.

If you know a retiree or other former pilot who is eligible for the OTSP or RB but has not received these payments, please urge them to immediately confirm their information to avoid losing out on these payments.

Thanks to Everyone Who Chatted in Charlotte

This is a new message from the National Communications Network.

We appreciate all of the pilots who made time to talk during our Concourse Conversations session at CLT on Thursday. We would also like to thank APA Vice President CA Chris Torres, CLT Domicile Chair CA Heather Boulanger, and CLT Domicile Vice Chair FO Hickory Ham for helping us field members’ questions and concerns.

Our next Concourse Conversations are tenatively scheduled for Sept. 19 at MIA and Sept. 23 at DFW.

The National Communications Network was created to facilitate two-way communication between line pilots and their elected leaders. Our volunteers relay the union’s objectives to the membership while also conveying members’ views to the Board of Directors.

Our goal is to have at least 10 percent of the membership trained as NCN volunteers. If you would like to join us, please complete our training modules.

MIA to Host Joint Fini Flight Celebration

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

a group of 13 pilots in uniform under 'congratulations' ballons

A joint Fini Flight celebration happened at ORD in June.

Attention, pilots who did not get a Fini Flight celebration on their last flight:

Maybe you took an early-out during the pandemic or turned 65 while on long-term disability. APA and American Airlines invite you to put your uniform on one last time and join us for a Fini Flight ceremony at MIA on Oct. 24. You do not need to be officially retired or age 65 to participate.

Following the ceremony, our photographer will take flight-deck photos with you and your family. The event will conclude with a group dinner.

a group of nine pilots in uniform in front of an APA banner

A joint Fini Flight celebration happened at DFW in January.

If you want to participate, please let us know by emailing finiflight@alliedpilots.org or by calling FO Tim Jackson at 847-809-8888.

APA Welcomes New Pilots

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 Aug. 12, the Membership Committee hosted a casual dinner for the following new-hire pilots: John Avery, Jesse Barnes, Davis Beaston, Dwayne Belson, David Berger, Steven Cole, Joshua Cope, Jon Dorsett, Kevin Falls, Matthew Fischl, Jason Foster, Steven Gebert, Brian Gilden, Emmanuel Igweh, Bryan Inzitari, Maurice Kemp, John Knoll, Alexis Mendoza, Steven Middleton, Timothy Murray, Jonathan Myers, Keith Norman, Joseph Nowell, Ryan O’Donnell, Donald Park, Andres Ramos, Jason Reed, Thomas Ringo, Kristyn Ringo, Brandon Seay, Gregory Smith, Jorge Sotomayor, Bradford Sullivan, Christopher Tilton, Ricardo Trevino, Ryan Walderman, Stephen Weaver, and Wesley Wiley.

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 Aug. 13, the Membership Committee hosted a casual dinner for the following pilots who were in Fort Worth for American Airlines’ Professionalism, Leadership, and Mentoring class: Roger Angel, Abdo Baaklini, Ryan Bishop, Terrence Davis, Thomas DeYoung, Kayode Fawusi, Greggory Hase, Michael Henson, Matthew Koerschner, Michael Mattison, Antonio Muia, and Kevin Tracy.

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 July: Kai Goodboe, 70, on May 17; Al Austgen, 76, on May 20; Christopher Austin, 69, on May 24; Gene McGlasson, 91, on May 26; Dale Istwan, 80, on May 27; Rob Bateson, 77, on June 17; Jim Banks, 93, on June 20; Bryce Menninga, 80, on June 21; Brantley Booe Jr., 94, on June 22; Charlie Burch, 75, on June 24; Harry York, 80, on June 26; Robert Rheintgen, 82, on July 1; Dave Damiani, 68, on July 19; and Tim Daley, 65, on July 26.

APA Medical Minute – The CACI Program

In a new edition of the APA Medical Minute, APA Medical Advisor Kathy Parr talks about the Federal Aviation Administration’s CACI (conditions AMEs can issue) program and provides a list of all CACI-qualifying diagnoses. Ms. Parr recommends that pilots with a CACI-qualifying diagnosis provide the APA Medical Advisors an opportunity to review required documentation before submitting it to the FAA.

You can see previous editions of the APA Medical Minute on our YouTube page.

Domicile Events

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

  • BOS: New England Summer Lobstah Pier Picnic on Aug. 23
  • CLT: Domicile Meeting at Charlotte Knights game on Sept. 7
  • DCA: Kentmoor Fly-in/Drive-in/Boat-In on Aug. 19; DCA Memorial Golf Tournament on Sept. 10; Baltimore Orioles game on Sept. 24
  • DFW: Texas Rangers game on Aug. 24; Retirement Party on Sept. 6
  • LAX: Redondo Beach Lunch on Aug. 19; Domicile Meeting at Topgolf on Aug. 28
  • LGA: New York Mets game on Aug. 31
  • MIA: TPA Gathering at Yard House on Aug. 31; Tampa Bay Rays game on Sept. 1; IMAX Training on Sept. 24; Retirement Party on Oct. 4
  • PHX: IMAX Training on Aug. 12; Arizona Diamondbacks game on Sept. 24

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)*
  • 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.

Notice to Former Envoy Pilots With 401(k) Accounts

There is an opportunity to transfer your 401(k) account balance from the Envoy plan to the American Airlines Pilot Only 401(k) Plan. If you wish to have your account transferred, you must act quickly. Envoy must receive your completed transfer request by mail, delivery, or fax no later than Wednesday, Aug. 27.

Please submit your completed Voluntary In-Service Plan-to-Plan Transfer Election Form to the Envoy Air Inc. 401(k) Plan by email (Envoy.401k@AA.com) or fax (972-374-5609).

Management has provided the following schedule for the transferred amounts. (This will not apply to amounts in the AA Pilot Only 401(k) Plan.)

  • Aug. 27: Last day for elections to be received at Envoy
  • Sept. 16: Blackout notice mail date
  • Oct. 8: Self-directed brokerage account liquidation date
  • Oct. 20: Blackout period start date
  • Oct. 22: Valuation date
  • Oct. 23: Asset transfer date
  • Nov. 9: Blackout end week

If you have any questions about the Voluntary In-Service Plan-to-Plan Transfer Election Form prior to the transfer, please contact Empower Retirement at 1-800-345-2345. If you have questions after the transfer, please contact Fidelity Investments at 1-800-354-3412. You can also email Envoy.401k@AA.com with questions as well.

Professional Standards FAQs

Will the other person know it’s me who made the call?
Our cornerstones are: confidentiality, neutrality and transparency. We make every effort to protect the identity of the reporting party and, in most cases, anonymity is preserved. In a direct conflict between two parties there is little need for remaining anonymous. In a case involving observed behavior, maintaining anonymity is easier.

To read all of the FAQs, click here.

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

Free Admission to 9/11 Memorial & Museum

Coinciding with National Aviation Week, the 9/11 Memorial & Museum invite active and retired pilots and flight attendants – and their guests – to visit the museum for free on Aug. 18 or any day from Aug. 20 through Aug. 24. Free tickets can be reserved here.

On the day of your visit, you will be asked to show your flight crew credentials to receive your free tickets. As in years past, the museum will publish a blog post highlighting National Aviation Week and honoring flight crews’ commitment to safety. If you intend to place flowers at the memorial and wouldn’t mind your tribute being featured in the blog post, please let the museum’s Chris Mendoza know via cmendoza@911memorial.org.

The memorial is open from 0800 to 2000 daily, and the museum is open from 0900 to 1900 every day except for Tuesdays.

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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