American Airlines pilots are lobbying the White House to seek an exemption from President Biden's vaccine mandates. Some airlines may decide to terminate unvaccinated pilots if they are forced to choose between vaccine and their jobs.
The worst-case scenario, according to the White House's Federal Aviation Administration and Department of Transportation of the Allied Pilots Association pilots at the Dallas Fort Worth-based carrier, could see the viability of the U.S. air industry in danger if a mandate for vaccines is imposed.
The union is asking the Biden administration for an alternate method of complying with any federal vaccine mandate. Regular COVID-19 testing and wearing a mask on the face, even if face-covering rules have been relaxed, could be an alternative method of compliance.
Captain Eric Ferguson, President of APA, wrote that APA had closely consulted infectious disease specialists throughout the pandemic. He also stated that APA is committed to finding solutions to the continuing challenges facing the industry.
The Executive Orders 60-day mandatory vaccination implementation period could lead to labor shortages, and cause serious operational problems for American Airlines (and its peers), the letter states.
Ferguson warns against the possibility that mass layoffs of pilots could be correlated with peak travel periods.
The letter warns that the airlines of our nations and the public traveling abroad cannot afford to experience significant disruptions in service due to labor shortages.
The unions' argument for a permanent alternative to compliance centers on the fact that pilots must meet unique physical fitness standards to be able to keep a FAA medical certificate. A FAA doctor could declare a pilot unfit and end their career.
Ferguson asserts that some pilots may be exempted from the COVID-19 vaccine because of medical reasons. However, Ferguson says some pilots are afraid about possible career-threatening side effects.
All those involved are still capable of performing their professional duties as pilots. Ferguson's harsh letter continues to force these pilots from their positions. Rather than offering viable alternatives, it will have negative consequences for their families as well as the entire industry.
Union members note that the FAA recognizes the unique problems the vaccine can cause to pilots. It requires a 48-hour break between the time a pilot receives the shot and the time he or she is allowed to fly a plane. This restriction is to address well-documented mild side effects, such as tiredness and flu-like symptoms.
American Airlines has encouraged pilots and other employees to get vaccinated. They advocate a voluntary approach, with incentives for employees who receive a COVID-19 jab. Doug Parker, chief executive of AA, encouraged workers to get vaccinated prior to a federal mandate being imposed in order to take advantage the incentives.
United Airlines has taken a different approach and will require that all employees show proof of their full vaccinations by September 27. Only a few pilots have been granted exemptions for religious or medical reasons. All employees must be paid unpaid time.
United will allow pilots and other frontline workers who have been granted a vaccine exemption to return to work only after United has determined that the threat from COVID-19 is sufficiently reduced.
