8.15.25 – APFA ORD Base Brief – Friday, August 15, 2025

Friday, August 15, 2025

Hey Chicago,

Yesterday, under the direction of Bobbi Wells, Paul Tronsor, Steven Cowles, Deirdira Henderson, and Crystal Kgosimore, the Performance team issued the harshest possible discipline for a violation they have never enforced before.

The alleged violation? Posting a trip with an incentive to drop.

The discipline? The absolute worst outcome available.

The warning or conversation that should have come first under progressive discipline? None.

Our Attendance and Performance Policy is clear. Discipline is meant to be progressive, giving Flight Attendants a chance to correct behavior. Skipping those steps, especially on a rule they just decided to enforce, is a direct violation of just cause and due process.

This is not a one-off mistake. Since the AA and US Airways merger in 2013, our stock has fallen nearly 50 percent. In that same time, United’s stock has gone up about 200 percent, Delta’s about 175 percent, and Southwest’s about 150 percent. On August 14, with TSA screening over 2.8 million passengers, our stock closed at $12.82,  lower than it was at the height of the pandemic when only 121,000 passengers were screened nationwide.

Instead of solving the real operational issues, leadership is focused on punishing how someone drops a trip. Why not fix the 3 percent open time restriction, improve how PBS and OT work together, or deal with the sequences that constantly sit in open time and fall apart? Those changes would give more flexibility, improve trip coverage, reduce staffing shortages, and speed up recovery during IROPS.

When Robert Isom blamed July’s operational problems on “domestic consumer weakness” and weather with 5,500 cancellations in the first three weeks alone, more flexible scheduling could have helped. Flight Attendants ready to pick up trips could have supported the operation and reduced cancellations. Instead, many were Paid Withheld from Service (PW) or disciplined.

This leadership team’s priorities are wrong. They are focused on excessive discipline over supporting employees, improving the operation, or providing us the tools to provide better customer service.

Today, a base Notice of Dispute (NOD) was filed for violating our rights to just cause, due process, and progressive discipline. We will fight this because if it can happen to one of us, it can happen to any of us.

ETB Posting

If the message above wasn’t clear, the company has taken a heavy-handed, punitive approach to anything they think involves money or coded language in postings. Do not give them a reason to come after you for how you manage your schedule. Be mindful when posting anything on company platforms.

Alleged Pattern Sick Calls

In another waste of resources, the company has started reviewing what they consider “patterns” in sick calls and is questioning Flight Attendants. You are not required to share personal medical details with American. If you do not feel comfortable discussing your health with management, simply say so.

Contact APFA immediately if you are called in for this type of meeting.

UM Deplaning Procedures

Unaccompanied Minors have been leaving the aircraft before the crew escorts them. If you have a UM, the company is holding the lead Flight Attendant responsible for that UM once the paperwork is signed.

Coordinate with your crew on deplaning procedures. If possible, work with the agent to seat the child near a crew member so they can be monitored during deplaning.

Before landing, remind the UM they must stay onboard until deplaning with the crew.

Reserve Out of Base

On December 16, 2024, the company reiterated its expectation that when you are on reserve, you are within two hours of base. Do not travel to or from base while on a RAP.

APFA has information on Reserve not positioned for RAP. Read it and screenshot for reference.

If you commute or know someone who does and they serve reserve, have the conversation now. Do not give the company a reason to review your travel and question your integrity.

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]