American and Southwest Pilots Seek Vaccine Mandate Exemptions

The debate over Covid-19 vaccine mandates has reached a new fever pitch with the unions representing pilots at two of the largest U.S. carriers seeking exemptions from President Biden’s new mandates. Both the Allied Pilots Association (APA), which represents crews at American Airlines, and the Southwest Airlines Pilots Association (SWAPA) have separately requested exemptions from the federal government citing the “unique” health standards commercial pilots are held to under U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations. And if the exemptions are not granted, APA President Captain Eric Ferguson warns that the busy holiday travel season many airlines are betting on for a year-end boost may not be as smooth as hoped if pilots are out getting their jabs. “We are not pro- or anti-vaccine, we are not anti-