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The union representing American Airlines pilots has reportedly raised concerns about the new cockpit procedures, claiming pilots are not given enough time or training.
In a Jan. 2 statement, the Allied Pilots Association said American Airlines Flight Operations management is trying to force safety-related pilot training by unilaterally implementing operational changes using handouts.
According to USA Today, APA spokesman Capt. Dennis Tajer said they also received an update to the operations manual and a short video outlining the changes, which American pilots said were not specific to the aircraft they were flying.
“While APA is not opposed to fleet alignment, we remain committed to ensuring that pilots are properly trained before operating with passengers. This training must be fostered in a safety culture of stakeholders who acknowledge and address the concerns raised by APA. To date, this has not happened.” , the union said. “Attempting to train with a bulletin risks seriously breaching security boundaries while ignoring serious security concerns and well-established best practices.”
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American Airlines planes sit on the tarmac at Reagan National Airport on December 23, 2022 in Arlington, Virginia. ((Photo by MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images) / Getty Images)
“Simply put, management’s actions are unwise and dangerous,” he said, adding that the operational changes will change how pilots perform, coordinate and perform flight safety duties during the most “high-threat flight times.”
| Ticker | Security | End | Change | Change % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AAL | AMERICAN AIRLINES GROUP INC. | 14.18 | +0.19 | +1.36% |
The statement accused the airline of “putting revenue before people, including passengers,” and said it filed a complaint with the Federal Aviation Administration’s Inspector General of Operations “without results or relief by this deadline.”
They urged pilots to thoroughly review operational and manual changes and discuss any concerns before performing safety tasks.
American Airlines planes park at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday, Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2022, in New York City, U.S. (Photo: Michael Nagle/Bloomberg via Getty Images / Getty Images)
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“Our commitment to safety is unwavering, which is why we regularly update our Aircraft Operating Instructions to ensure they reflect the latest and safest information for our pilots. These changes reflect industry best practice and ensure crew coordination and consistency across fleet types. Pilots they can easily switch between different aircraft if they choose,” American Airlines told FOX Business in a statement.
“These updates are being implemented starting in 2021 and are a coordinated effort with the APA’s Training Committee. In addition, our approach to pilot familiarization has been approved by the FAA.”
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 10: An American Airlines plane taxis along the runway at Laguardia Airport in Queens, New York on November 10, 2022. ((Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) / Getty Images)
However, Tajer claimed that there was no partnership with the APA regarding these particular changes, and that the union requested a delay in their implementation and was denied by American Airlines.
The pilot said the FAA’s request to intervene was also denied.
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“The FAA requires airlines to have robust safety management systems that allow employees to raise safety concerns,” the FAA told Fox Business in an email. “The agency reviews those employee reports daily to ensure the safety of the airline’s operations.”
A Jan. 1 letter from management, shared by Tajer with USA Today, advised pilots that “the changes during this learning period are so minor that mixing the new ones with our current calls and procedures will not pose an undue risk.”
“On a flight deck, messing with procedures that are no longer valid is reckless,” Tajer said.