The Allied Pilots Association has reported a "significant spike" in safety- and maintenance-related issues at American Airlines, cautioning its members to be diligent and not succumb to pressure that compromises safety. The union highlighted various problematic trends, prompting the airline to respond by emphasizing its commitment to safety and engaging in discussions with the union. This comes in the wake of United Airlines facing scrutiny from the Federal Aviation Administration over safety compliance, indicating a broader focus on airline safety across the industry.
The Allied Pilots Association, representing pilots at American Airlines, has reported a "significant spike" in safety issues on flights, including incidents such as tools being left in aircraft wheel wells and collisions involving planes being towed on the ground. The union's safety committee has urged members to report problems and resist being rushed or intimidated, emphasizing the crucial role of pilots in the safety chain. American Airlines maintains that safety is its top priority and is committed to collaborating with the FAA and unions to enhance its safety culture.
The Allied Pilots Association (APA) has warned American Airlines pilots of a "significant spike" in safety- and maintenance-related problems, including tools left in wheel wells, increased aircraft collisions during towing, and pressure to return aircraft to maintain on-time performance due to a lack of spares. The union has raised concerns about these issues and secured management's commitment to involve the union earlier in the safety risk assessment process. American Airlines stated that safety is a shared mission and highlighted its safety management system, while the FAA requires all U.S. airlines to have Safety Management Systems. The APA urged pilots not to rush or be intimidated and emphasized the importance of prioritizing safety over speed.
The union for American Airlines pilots has warned of a "significant spike" in safety- and maintenance-related issues, including instances of tools being left in airplane wheel wells and an increasing number of aircraft collisions during towing. The Allied Pilots Association urged its members to prioritize safety and avoid rushing, emphasizing the need to address problematic trends. This comes amid heightened scrutiny on airline safety following recent incidents, with the union seeking to be more involved in safety risk assessments at the carrier. The Federal Aviation Administration has also increased oversight of United Airlines as part of a broad safety review, while Boeing Co.'s manufacturing and quality practices have been under intense scrutiny.
The union for American Airlines pilots has warned of a "significant spike" in safety and maintenance issues, citing instances of tools being left in airplane wheel wells and an increasing number of aircraft collisions during towing. The Allied Pilots Association urged its members to prioritize safety over rushing and not to succumb to pressure to perform unsafe actions.
Dennis Tajer, a pilot for American Airlines and spokesperson for the Allied Pilots Association, expressed heightened vigilance and concern about flying Boeing airplanes following recent incidents, including a 787 Dreamliner's rapid descent causing injuries. Tajer, who flew Boeing 707s during Operation Desert Storm, emphasized the impact of Boeing's ongoing quality-control concerns on airline operations, stating that it feels like the "enemy is within" as safety remains a top priority for pilots and airlines.
The Allied Pilots Association (APA) has rejected a possible merger with the Air Lines Pilots Association (ALPA), which represents 67,000 pilots at various US and Canadian carriers. The APA represents around 15,000 pilots at American Airlines and is the largest independent pilots union in the world. A small union committee had been exploring whether a merger with ALPA would benefit its members since last November. The committee was set up after a poll of members concluded that the majority wanted to explore a possible merger with ALPA.
American Airlines pilots have reached an agreement in principle on a new contract with their union, the Allied Pilots Association. The contract provides pay and profit sharing that match the top of the industry with improved quality-of-life provisions. The deal lasts four years with pay rates comparable to those secured by pilots at Delta Air Lines. The contract includes improvements on scheduling, a critical issue for pilots seeking better work-life balance.
American Airlines pilots represented by the Allied Pilots Association have picketed at 10 major airports across the US, demanding a new contract with the airline. The pickets come after the union voted overwhelmingly in favor of authorizing a strike if necessary. The APA has been negotiating with American Airlines for over four years, with talks centering on better schedules for pilots. Before a strike can occur, the National Mediation Board must decide that additional mediation efforts would not be productive and must offer an opportunity to resolve the contract through arbitration.
