FMLA/Paternity
12-28-2025 | 06:31 PM
#1
Thread Starter
On Reserve
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
From: 135 PIC
FMLA/Paternity
AA WO Captain that will be flowing in 2026…
Can anyone help me explain how FMLA/Paternity leave works at AA? Didn’t know if anything was different since I am from a wholly owned and part of AAG.
My wife and I are having the kids talk, and we don’t want to plan to have a child during a time where I’m potentially unable to take more than a week or two off. Anyone been through this, or know how AA handles it?
Didnt really see an applicable thread so started this one.
Thanks!
Can anyone help me explain how FMLA/Paternity leave works at AA? Didn’t know if anything was different since I am from a wholly owned and part of AAG.
My wife and I are having the kids talk, and we don’t want to plan to have a child during a time where I’m potentially unable to take more than a week or two off. Anyone been through this, or know how AA handles it?
Didnt really see an applicable thread so started this one.
Thanks!
12-28-2025 | 07:02 PM
#2
Line Holder
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 246
Likes: 3
Paid paternity leave is 2 weeks, anytime except Christmas and maybe another holiday....unless birth is within 4 days.
But...
FMLA is 12 weeks off, use it after birth, up to 1 year after. No blackout dates. But have to use it in 1 chunk, can't spread it out. Use as little or as much (up to 12 weeks).
Welcome to the fAAmily!
But...
FMLA is 12 weeks off, use it after birth, up to 1 year after. No blackout dates. But have to use it in 1 chunk, can't spread it out. Use as little or as much (up to 12 weeks).
Welcome to the fAAmily!
12-29-2025 | 03:13 AM
#3
Line Holder
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,551
Likes: 152
AA WO Captain that will be flowing in 2026…
Can anyone help me explain how FMLA/Paternity leave works at AA? Didn’t know if anything was different since I am from a wholly owned and part of AAG.
My wife and I are having the kids talk, and we don’t want to plan to have a child during a time where I’m potentially unable to take more than a week or two off. Anyone been through this, or know how AA handles it?
Didnt really see an applicable thread so started this one.
Thanks!
Can anyone help me explain how FMLA/Paternity leave works at AA? Didn’t know if anything was different since I am from a wholly owned and part of AAG.
My wife and I are having the kids talk, and we don’t want to plan to have a child during a time where I’m potentially unable to take more than a week or two off. Anyone been through this, or know how AA handles it?
Didnt really see an applicable thread so started this one.
Thanks!
12-29-2025 | 03:19 AM
#4
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 2,267
Likes: 136
NY based pilots get access to NY Paid Family leave, after 6 months on property. Long story short, you can use it one day at a time. Typically 50-60 days to use over the 1st year. It allows you to drop an entire year of line flying or work very little on reserve.
CA and MA have paid family leave. No idea if they allow the one day at a time thing.
AA is very accommodating even if they not so secretly grumble about it
CA and MA have paid family leave. No idea if they allow the one day at a time thing.
AA is very accommodating even if they not so secretly grumble about it
12-29-2025 | 06:12 AM
#5
Thread Starter
On Reserve
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
From: 135 PIC
Thanks everybody. When does the FMLA become eligible? Is it 6mo/1 year or let’s say we are pregnant when I start and we have a baby 5 months in?
Does any of that change since I’ve been with a wholly owned ?
Does any of that change since I’ve been with a wholly owned ?
12-29-2025 | 06:16 AM
#6
Prime Minister/Moderator
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 45,167
Likes: 803
From: Engines Turn or People Swim
If you commute, it's also possible that your state of residence might require AA to comply with their rules.
12-29-2025 | 06:21 AM
#7
Prime Minister/Moderator
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 45,167
Likes: 803
From: Engines Turn or People Swim
As to whether coming from a WO counts for that purpose is something you'd need to get from the union, that's a pretty nuanced legal thing and we don't know all of the ins and outs (unless somebody here happens to have personal experience). But I'd suspect the union has seen it before, lot of people flow.
If I had to guess, I suspect being owned by the same holding company does not count as the same employer but AA might also grant flows benefits that they're not strictly legally obligated to.
12-29-2025 | 06:50 AM
#8
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 2,267
Likes: 136
if you have a baby at 5 months. You can take the company 2 weeks paid leave, get Emergency Leave from a CP or call out sick for the next 2 weeks. Then at the 6 month mark go out on state leave.
12-29-2025 | 07:40 AM
#9
Line Holder
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,327
Likes: 77
APA’s family leave committee is actually really good. I’d reach out to them on your first day of indoc. They’ll walk you through everything and make it as easy as possible. If you’re a line holder when you go out on FMLA, there are some techniques you can do to benefit your schedule in your favor and retain non-rev/jumpseat privileges etc… without even being NY based.
12-29-2025 | 08:44 AM
#10
On Reserve
Joined: Jan 2022
Posts: 94
Likes: 10
NY based pilots get access to NY Paid Family leave, after 6 months on property. Long story short, you can use it one day at a time. Typically 50-60 days to use over the 1st year. It allows you to drop an entire year of line flying or work very little on reserve.
CA and MA have paid family leave. No idea if they allow the one day at a time thing.
AA is very accommodating even if they not so secretly grumble about it
CA and MA have paid family leave. No idea if they allow the one day at a time thing.
AA is very accommodating even if they not so secretly grumble about it
