7.09.25 – APFA ORD Base Brief – 787-9P Minimum Crew- Take ACTION Today!

787-9P Minimum Crew- Take ACTION Today!

Wednesday, July 9, 2025

While service on the new 787-9P is already suffering due to inadequate staffing—and passengers have taken notice—the recent FAA recertification now allows American Airlines to operate the aircraft with a minimum crew of just seven (7) Flight Attendants. In the event of an emergency, this reduced staffing level could leave a single Flight Attendant solely responsible for evacuating hundreds of passengers seated in the rear of the aircraft, across two aisles, with emergency exits located on opposite sides.

Last week, APFA National President Julie Hedrick sent a letter to American Airlines CEO Robert Isom and Vice President of Safety and Regulatory Compliance Cedric Wilson expressing your concerns regarding the reduction in minimum crew.

If you haven’t yet sent your letter to American Airlines management, please do so now by clicking the link in the image below. Every Flight Attendant should take part in this critical call to action. Whether you’ve been flying for forty years or just started your career, continued staffing cuts impact us all.

Hold each other accountable. Make sure every colleague you fly with has sent this email to management. Don’t let the company implement these changes without hearing from you directly. Expressing frustration on social media or during flights isn’t the same as telling management directly.

In Solidarity,

Justin Patterson
APFA ORD Base President
ORD Base Number: (773) 645-0809
Cell: (509) 720-0067
[email protected]

Dray Howard
APFA ORD Base Vice President
ORD Base Number: (773) 645-0809
Cell: (630) 215-8410
[email protected]