1.26.26 – APFA ORD Base Brief – January 26, 2026 IROPS Update

Monday, January 26, 2026

Evening Chicago,

This email tonight is not to shame the company or highlight their failures; they do not need me to do that for them. Today, we have seen an epic meltdown of our operation, thanks to the weather across the country and the company’s continued failure to have resources in place to protect the operation.

Chicago is the most resilient base in the system, and yet again we are proving our resilience to this company, our passengers and most importantly, each other. You are not in this alone; everyone at APFA is working to bring issues forward to the company and help as it comes in.

We are aware this week has been challenging and will continue to be challenging. Thank you for always showing up and helping to hold management accountable. Continue to call them out via K19, Daily ops, or emails to management when you need help at your place of work.

I am sure that tomorrow, during the “State of the Airline,” the leaders at American will continue to pat themselves on the back for their efforts at a profit, while we continue to lag United and Delta in performance and profitability.

Here are links to helpful APFA hotlines in one place:

• Issues with your sequence? Click here for rescheduling information.
• Hotel/ Transportation Issues? Click here for more information.
• January 27, 2026 Incentive Pay information may be found here.

Key reminders:

• If you have reported and you are not able to sign in, ask management in K19 for assistance; they are there to support you.
• If your crew does not receive a hotel in a timely manner consistent with CBA Section 6.B.5, each impacted crew member needs to file a Direct Connect for Hotel Delay penalty pay.
• If you only need hotel assistance because you are being kicked out of your hotel room due to the company not booking it correctly, and the Hotel/Limo desk will not answer or ECS has gone ignored:
  • Call Inflight Operations Support (IOS): 682-315-7070
  • Call the K19 Service Center: 773-686-2615
    • Email the Base manager, Fashawna Whiteman at [email protected]
• Our rescheduling language is broken down into different scenarios, including:
  • Prior to Report: Full sequence cancellation
  • Prior to Report: The first leg(s) of your trip has cancelled, and your sequence has a deadhead or live segments remaining.
  • Prior to Report: First segment(s) cancelled, no notification from crew scheduling.
  • After Report but Prior to Origination: Sequence changes (prior to first flight).
  • After Origination: Sequence changes.
  • Last Sequence/ Last Series of Sequences for the month.

Click here to visit the Rescheduling and Pay Protections section of APFA.org for more information and examples.

Safe Travels!

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]