Category Archives: APA

Allied Pilots Association: “Time for Gulf Carriers to Open the Books” (vote in the poll)

Allied Pilots Association (APA), representing the 15,000 pilots of American Airlines and US Airways, has issued this statement as the verbal war between western, mainly U.S. carriers and the fast-growing Big Three Gulf carriers (Emirates, Etihad Airways and Qatar Airways) intensifies. Interestingly American Airlines and Qatar Airways are Oneworld Alliance partners. Here is the statement:

Allied Pilots Association President Capt. Keith Wilson issued the following statement as the chief executive officers of Qatar Airways, Etihad Airways and Emirates Airline gather in Washington, D.C. this week:

“The massive government subsidies that have flowed to these Gulf carriers have tilted the playing field, posing a serious threat to U.S. jobs and the long-term viability of our nation’s airline industry. Government subsidies have enabled Gulf carriers to dump product into the marketplace irrespective of demand or profit-and-loss considerations. It’s time for Gulf carriers to open the books.

“The U.S. airline industry represents a vital national asset — one that generates hundreds of thousands of middle-class jobs and indirectly supports many more. We deserve a level playing field.

“Full and equal compliance with Open Skies agreements is the responsibility of all participating parties.”

What do you think?

APA meets with American Airlines CEO Doug Parker and will not agree to any Scope concessions

Allied Pilots Association-APA (Dallas/Fort Worth), representing the pilots of American Airlines (Dallas/Fort Worth) has issued this statement about its meeting with CEO Doug Parker and its concern about any Scope concessions:

The newly expanded APA board of directors — with duly designated chairmen and vice chairmen from CLT, PHL and PHX — is convening this week for the first time.

As a board, we are united concerning Scope. We understand and share your concerns prompted by senior management’s recent comments about our industry-standard 76-seat limit on regional affiliate aircraft. Management has indicated a desire to dilute that limitation and obtain a below-industry-standard Scope Clause in the ongoing joint collective bargaining agreement negotiations.

This afternoon (October 8), the full APA board met with American Airlines CEO Doug Parker. Our conversation with Mr. Parker was frank and cordial and covered a wide range of items. Foremost among them: We informed him that APA will not agree to any Scope concessions. Our actions now concerning Scope will help define the profession for the balance of our careers and for the next generation of aviators, and we are committed to securing industry-leading pay and work rules.

With the merger of American Airlines and US Airways succeeding beyond the most optimistic forecasts, management needs to address APA’s priorities concerning quality of life, work rules, and pay and benefits. Our pilots’ sacrifices, our efforts on the merger’s behalf and the vital role we play in the airline’s success must be appropriately acknowledged.

APA backs AA management for an American-US Airways merger

The Allied Pilots Association (APA), representing the 10,000 pilots of American Airlines (Dallas/Fort Worth) has also backed management and issued this statement:

The president of the Allied Pilots Association (APA), certified collective bargaining agent for the 10,000 pilots of American Airlines, reiterated the union’s commitment to seeing the proposed merger of American Airlines and US Airways through to its fruition.

“Approving the merger is in the best interests of all concerned,” APA President Capt. Keith Wilson said. “We are disappointed that the U.S. Department of Justice has challenged the merger and look forward to the opportunity to highlight the merger’s many benefits.”

The Justice Department, six state attorneys general and the District of Columbia filed a civil antitrust lawsuit today challenging the proposed merger of the two carriers.

“The pilots of American Airlines remain fully committed to merging with US Airways, which will provide for a more secure future for the 100,000 men and women who work for the two airlines,” Wilson said. “As for the notion that the merger would be anti-competitive, the two airlines’ route structures are highly complementary with very little overlap. Combining the two carriers would significantly expand the choice of travel destinations available to consumers.

“Also, the combination of American Airlines and US Airways would create a network carrier comparable to Delta and United in terms of revenue and reach, establishing an important competitive counter balance to those two airlines.

“Consolidation has enabled our industry to stabilize after a round of Chapter 11 bankruptcies that were the result of various exogenous shocks, including terrorist attacks, fuel price spikes and pandemics. It makes no sense for the Justice Department to conclude now that airline industry consolidation is somehow undesirable.”

US Airways’ CEO Doug Parker vows to fight the decision by the DOJ. Now the real negotiations will begin on what AA-US are willing to give up, especially at Washington Reagan National. Read the interview in Forbes: CLICK HERE