APA News Digest

Aug. 22, 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 ...

• 9/11 Observances: We Will Never Forget
• Telephone Polling to Begin on Sept. 2: Your Input is Vital
• Pilot Groups Collaborate in Advance of Section 6
• Hotel Committee: Overage and Pop-Up Market Hotels for September
• Safety Committee: SAFE Flight – eAML eMIC Attachments
• Aeromedical Committee: Our Recommended Reading List
• Membership Committee: APA Welcomes New Pilots
• Membership Committee: APA Welcomes Leadership Class
• APA Medical Minute – Weight-Loss Medications
• Domicile Elections
• Domicile Events
• Week in Review
• Are You Willing to Serve?
• Notice to Former Envoy Pilots With 401(k) Accounts
• Professional Standards FAQ
• Free Admission to 9/11 Memorial & Museum
• If You’re 50, Join The Grey Eagles
• Pilot Job Fair and Future Pilot Seminar

9/11 Observances: We Will Never Forget

FO Ken Hagan was among the pilots who placed flags in Sandy, Utah, last year.

APA President FO Nick Silva, Secretary-Treasurer FO Philip Johnson, LGA Domicile Chair CA Mark Lokey, and LGA Domicile Vice Chair CA Jim Scanlan will conduct a wreath-laying ceremony at 1400 Eastern on Sept. 10, at the 9/11 Memorial & Museum in New York. The APA representatives will depart from the New York Marriott Downtown and walk to Ground Zero with a delegation from the Association of Professional Flight Attendants. All APA members are welcome to join the APA and APFA representatives after the ceremony at nearby O’Hara’s Restaurant and Pub at 120 Cedar Street.

On Sept. 11, APA will participate in a ceremony at the 9/11 Flight Crew Memorial in Grapevine, Texas. The ceremony will begin at 0740 Central.

Other observances and related events:

• New York: As part of National Aviation Week, the 9/11 Memorial & Museum in New York has invited active and retired flight crewmembers, passenger service members, and their guests to visit for free during regular operating hours (Aug. 18-25). You may reserve tickets here.
• Boston: The BOS Domicile representatives and committee volunteers will join members of the APFA, CWA, and TWU for remembrance ceremonies on the morning of Sept. 11 at Logan. Meet-up will be in operations. The BOS Domicile encourages pilots to participate in full uniform. More details to follow.
• Sandy, Utah: Pilots and their families are invited to help place more than 3,000 American flags at the Sandy Healing Field at 1700 Mountain on Tuesday, Sept. 9. The United ALPA MEC is organizing this event and has invited APA to participate. The MEC requests summer uniforms with hats. Flag removal will begin at 1730 on Monday, Sept. 15, no uniforms necessary. If you plan to be on hand either day, please notify CA Dave Bernard, Dave.Bernard@alpa.org, or text 801-647-8335.
• Shanksville, Pa.: The Flight 93 National Memorial will host a public ceremony on Sept. 11 beginning at 0945 Eastern.
• Yardley, Pa.: The Garden of Reflection 9/11 Memorial in suburban Philadelphia will host a public ceremony beginning at 0830 Eastern on Sept. 11.

As we become aware of additional opportunities to honor and remember the thousands of innocent men, women, and children who died on Sept. 11, 2001, we will share that information with you.

We will never forget.

Telephone Polling to Begin on Sept. 2: Your Input is Vital

In accordance with Section 4.07.A. of the APA Policy Manual, APA will be conducting telephone polling beginning on Tuesday, Sept. 2, through Monday, Sept. 15. University of New Hampshire (UNH) Survey Center employees will conduct the polling, interviewing randomly selected pilots from across the system.

Your input is vital. If you receive a call, please take the time to answer the call and respond to the questions. All responses will be anonymous. Of note:

• All calls will originate from 603-397-0660.
• Caller ID on landlines will indicate "UNH Surv Ctr.”
• Caller ID on cell phones will indicate “NH Call.”
• Calling times are between 0900 and 2100 (time zone appropriate).
• Interviewing a total of 900 randomly selected pilots.
• UNH will try calling you back if they have not met their sampling quota.

As carriers continue adding spam-blocking technology, you may receive a warning message that reads “spam likely” when the call comes through depending on your service provider. The large volume of calls we make triggers these warning messages. You may want to consider adding 603-397-0660 to your contact list to prevent this from occurring.

The UNH Survey Center employs a small number of remote interviewers. While the interviewers make every attempt to minimize background noise, there may be occasions when respondents hear a barking dog or other ambient sounds.

APA will continue polling the membership through a combination of telephone polling and web surveys to generate reliable and relevant results. Thank you in advance for your engagement.

Pilot Groups Collaborate in Advance of Section 6

FO Nick Silva, CA Adam Rutherford, Delta MEC Negotiating Committee Chair CA Bill Finlay, and Delta MEC Chair CA Eric Criswell

APA President FO Nick Silva and APA Negotiating Committee Chair CA Adam Rutherford visited the Delta ALPA Master Executive Council (MEC) in Atlanta this week. Delta pilots are expected to be the first to pass early openers to a major airline’s management team in the next round of Section 6 negotiations. The focus of Thursday’s discussion was collaboration in upcoming negotiations, pilot sentiment, and potential bargaining priorities. FO Silva and CA Rutherford will be in Chicago next week for a similar discussion with the leadership of the United MEC.

Overage and Pop-Up Market Hotels for September

This is a new message from the APA Membership Committee.

The Cliffs Hotel & Spa at SBP

Below is the list of overage hotels and pop-up market hotels that will be utilized in September. If you are scheduled to stay at one of these properties, we recommend you review our article about non-contracted hotels.

• ACT: Hilton Waco Downtown
• BUF: Hyatt Regency
• DFW: Holiday Inn South
• DRO: Doubletree by Hilton Durango
• GTR: Hyatt Place Columbus
• HSV: Element
• LAN: Crowne Plaza Lansing West
• LBB: Overton
• MDT: Hilton Garden Inn Hershey
• PVD: Courtyard PVD Downtown
• PVU: Provo Marriott
• SBP: The Cliffs Hotel & Spa
• SDF: The Brown
• SFO: Hilton SFO Union Square and Holiday Inn Golden Gateway
• SGF: University Plaza Hotel & Convention Center
• UVF: Marigot Bay

SAFE Flight – eAML eMIC Attachments

This is a new message from the APA Safety Committee.

As of Aug. 21, pilots can attach photos to SAFE Flight – eAML entries to enhance communication with Maintenance. This feature is especially helpful when describing the type and location of damage discovered during preflight inspections.

To add a photo, click the blue MIC number to expand the write-up, navigate to the “Attachments” tab, read and acknowledge the “WARNING” regarding official use, and then select “Upload Files.”

When entering a mechanical discrepancy and planning to attach images, ensure your write-up includes a detailed description of the issue. Avoid relying solely on statements like “see attached photo.”

APA strongly recommends reviewing any photo before uploading to ensure it does not contain unintended content such as inappropriate background elements or reflections. Pilots can also view photos uploaded by others to aid in understanding and resolution.

For more information, refer to Flight Ops Bulletin 25-005: SAFE Flight – eMIC Attachment Function.

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.

Becoming a Supple Leopard

Improve your athletic performance, extend your athletic career, treat stiffness and achy joints, and prevent and rehabilitate injuries – all without having to seek out a coach, doctor, chiropractor, physical therapist, or massage therapist. In Becoming a Supple Leopard, Dr. Kelly Starrett shares his revolutionary approach to mobility and maintenance of the human body and teaches you how to hack your own movement, allowing you to live a healthier, more-fulfilling life.

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 New Pilots

This is a new message from the APA Membership Committee.

Click the image for a closer look.

On Aug. 19, the Membership Committee hosted a casual dinner for the following new-hire pilots: Cody Bell, Jeremy Benford, Lance Bybee, Stephen Carr, Michael Colyar, Francesco Del Principe, Andrew Dossett, Idris Ekungba, Jean-Paula Ella, Joseph Fitzpatrick, Isaac Furutani, Roger Gaskins, Christopher Gawne, Justin Harttraft, Kyle Hayes, Terrill Herrera, Stephen Hubert, Adam Jackson, Sergio Justiniano Cuellar, Taepyungyang Kim, Franklin Maizner, William Mansfield, Florencio Maranan III, Roger Mason, Brian Mccray, Austin Miller, Curtis Nance, Marco Orozco, John Paluchowski III, Daniel Phenicie, Lawrence Sharpe III, Thomas Simko, Christopher Stisher, Ryan Taylor, Robert Terrinca, Mark Tobias Jr., Yoryi Tutiven Rodriguez, and Rachel VanTress.

APA Welcomes Leadership Class

This is a new message from the APA Membership Committee.

Click the image for a closer look.

On Aug. 20, the Membership Committee hosted a casual dinner for the following pilots who were in Fort Worth for American Airlines’ Professionalism, Leadership, and Mentoring class: Nathan Clarkson, Trent Keyes, Louis Lagro, James Mailliard, Grant Roberts, and Benjamin Wood.

APA Medical Minute – Weight-Loss Medications

In this encore edition of the APA Medical Minute, APA Medical Advisor Cassie Bien discusses FAA regulations regarding weight-loss medications such as Ozempic and Mounjaro.

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

Domicile Elections

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.

Domicile Events

DCA Domicile Chair CA Chris Wachter and his predecessor, CA Joe Collins, were among the DCA pilots who gathered at the Kentmorr Beach Bar & Grill on Tuesday.

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: 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; Concourse Conversations on Sept. 23
• LAX: Domicile Meeting at Topgolf on Aug. 28; San Diego Lunch on Sept. 9; Redondo Beach Lunch on Sept. 16; Temecula Lunch on Sept. 17
• LGA: New York Mets game on Aug. 31
• MIA: TPA Gathering at Yard House on Aug. 31; Tampa Bay Rays game on Sept. 1; Concourse Conversations on Sept. 19; IMAX Training on Sept. 24; Retirement Party on Oct. 4
• ORD: Northern Illinois Air Show on Sept. 6
• PHX: Arizona Diamondbacks game on Sept. 24

Week in Review

Here are some recent messages you may have missed:

• Government Affairs Committee: Your Voice on Capitol Hill
• Membership Committee: Potential APA Members

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

Is Professional Standards a step in the traditional discipline process (Section 21)?
No. The Professional Standards program is an APA volunteer committee that does not involve discipline. A call to domicile Professional Standards volunteers should be considered as the first step: First call? Union first! Resolved issues submitted to the Professional Standards Committee cannot be used by management to support other disciplinary actions at any time in the future. The objective is to facilitate a change at the lowest possible level to prevent the need for a traditional discipline approach.

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 through Aug. 25. 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. Those will be followed by events near DFW on Sept. 19 and 20. 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.