This is a great opportunity for lifers and senior guys to make the jump.



Kimball Stone
Vice President– Flight

David Seymour
Senior Vice President– Integrated Operations



April 26, 2017


Good afternoon,

Tomorrow morning the company will share our first quarter earnings. As leaders in the operation, you played a large role in running a safe and reliable operation. Thank you for your professionalism and your leadership.

Today also brought news with Doug Parker and Robert Isom sharing information about building trust at American. Although we are only midway through our current pilot contract, we have approached the APA with a request to increase base pay rates for our pilots. While Doug and Robert offer more on the philosophy behind this unprecedented adjustment (see Jetnet for a short video featuring both of them), we want to share additional details on what today’s news means for you.

When we first merged, we made a commitment to all team members that their base pay would be in line with top of industry rates. That was true as we negotiated new joint agreements, and it remains true today for all groups except two. Pilots are one of those groups.

We’ve heard many pilots say that American’s base pay rates have fallen too far below those of our major competitors. What’s worse, with more than two years left on the existing contract, it’s simply too long to wait. In this new world where building a culture based on trust at American is at the forefront, we agree.

None of us anticipated other airlines increasing their rates so much higher than ours with so much time left before our contract becomes amendable. This is why we have asked the APA to allow a base pay rate adjustment of approximately 8 percent on average (increases will range from 7 percent to 8.7 percent depending on seniority and equipment) for our pilots. If agreed, this adjustment would immediately put you on par with our competitors.

Today’s news is not simply a pay adjustment. And we know you can’t buy trust. Rather it is indicative that the time has come for all of us at American to begin to trust each other. It is time to look forward and work together to build a culture where trust and support permeate all we do for each other and for our customers.

One pay adjustment won’t undo all of our history, nor is it intended to. But this is a new American, and when combined with initiatives such as restoring profit sharing and awarding two positive space roundtrip travel tickets after becoming ATW’s Airline of the Year, we are on the right track. There’s still more to do, and we will continue to work closely with the APA on improvements in crew scheduling and administration, and on behalf of the Flight Department, we’re excited about the opportunities ahead.

From a logistics standpoint, these increases can become effective as early as the May bid period if the APA agrees. You’ll see a full list of the proposed pay scales attached to this letter.

Thank you for your continued professionalism and commitment to safety, and for all you do as leaders in our operation. Congratulations on these well-deserved increases. It is a new day for American and for all of us fortunate enough to be a part of this team.


Kimball David