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The American Airlines pilot union is warning that there has been a “significant spike” in both safety- and maintenance-related problems within its operation.  

Among the “problematic trends” the union has been tracking are tools left in wheel wells, an increasing number of collisions between aircraft being tugged or towed, and an increasing number of items left in the safe area near jet bridges, the Allied Pilots Association (APA) said in a warning to pilots Saturday.

In one instance, the APA Safety Committee received a phone call regarding a flight that departed Phoenix on March 25 concerning a tool in the wheel well. 

UNITED ASKS PILOTS TO TAKE UNPAID TIME OFF AS BOEING ISSUES PERSIST

During the pre-flight exterior inspection, a pilot discovered a hammer in the left wheel well. Maintenance personnel further inspected the aircraft and also discovered pliers and a screwdriver in the left wheel well.

“Just because it’s legal doesn’t make it safe. Be mindful of the hazards while operating on the ramps and taxiways in congested airports staffed with inexperienced controllers and ground personnel,” the APA said.

“While United Airlines is currently under public and government scrutiny, it could just as easily be American Airlines,” the APA said in a warning to pilots Saturday.  

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Last month, United CEO Scott Kirby made a public announcement reassuring flyers that the carrier is looking into the string of incidents that have recently involved its planes, from engine and structural issues to a wheel falling off during takeoff. 

At least eight unrelated incidents have occurred on planes operated by United since the end of February. As a result, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has increased oversight of the carrier to ensure, in part, that it is complying with safety regulations, according to the Air Line Pilots Association.

APA President Capt. Ed Sicher said they met with senior management earlier this month to discuss the “operational hazards we have identified” and that they now “have management’s full attention.” 

Sicher said APA “secured management’s commitment to involve the union earlier in the safety risk assessment (SRA) process, and we are likewise seeking a commitment that APA will have a seat at the table for the entire quality assurance process.” 

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American Airlines told FOX Business that its “robust safety program is guided by our industry-leading safety management system” which includes a “multitude of collaborative programs – and regular touchpoints – with the FAA and all our unions, including APA, to further bolster our strong safety record.” 

The FAA did not directly weigh in on the union comments. 

The agency told FOX Business that “sharing and analyzing large amounts of data is key to aviation safety” and that the agency requires “all U.S. airlines to have Safety Management Systems (SMS) through which they identify, monitor and address potential hazards early on before they become serious problems.” 

When some event occurs, the agency said it works with carriers to “ensure their systems take into account and mitigate the underlying factors.”

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Side hustles are becoming more common, particularly with younger generations who haven’t built up wealth. As of February 2024, 22% of workers in the U.S. had side gigs, a PYMNTS survey found.

The money earned through these side hustles isn’t used as discretionary income, or even for savings, but rather to meet the basic cost of living. Of the 22% of workers with side hustles, 53% are consumers living paycheck-to-paycheck. Additionally, about 30% of workers surveyed said that losing their supplemental income would mean a serious blow to their financial stability.

Even high-income earners rely on side hustles to fund savings and other financial goals. These high-income earners use both passive income streams, such as investments and active income streams like side gigs, to increase their income. About 22% of high earners received extra income via active side hustles while 20% received extra income from passive sources, the PYMNTS study found.

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HIGH DEBT IS CAUSING MORE CONSUMERS TO LIVE PAYCHECK-TO-PAYCHECK

The generation that takes on side hustles the most often is Gen Z. According to the PYMNTS survey, 32% of Gen Zers reporting having at least one side hustle.

Since Gen Zers are just starting out, many have lower-paying jobs than their older counterparts. In turn, they make ends meet with multiple jobs and gigs. Many members of the younger generation specifically turn to selling used items as a means of making extra money. About 47% of Gen Z consumers sold a used item within the last year, PYMNTS found.

Compared to older generations, Gen Zers have substantially lower net worth due to their lack of time in the working world. In 2022, the average young adult household had a net worth of $11,200, a Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis study found. For all adult households in the U.S., the average net worth was $192,100, the survey stated.

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Debt for all Americans is up across the board. In the fourth quarter, household debt increased to $17.5 trillion, a Federal Reserve Bank of New York study said.

Mortgage balances rose the most out of household debt and the total balance is now $12.25 trillion for the entire country. Credit card balances also rose substantially as credit card debt went up by $50 billion and is now $1.13 trillion. Auto loan balances continued to rise as well, increasing by $12 billion and now sit at $1.61 trillion.

And as debts rise, so do delinquency rates. About 3.1% of all debts were in some stage of delinquency as of December. Credit cards and auto loans lead the way in delinquencies.

“Credit card and auto loan transitions into delinquency are still rising above pre-pandemic levels,” Wilbert van der Klaauw, New York Fed economic research advisor, said. “This signals increased financial stress, especially among younger and lower-income households.”

Nearly 8.5% of credit card balances and 7.7% of auto loans transitioned into delinquency at the end of last year.

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CONSUMER SPENDING AND DEBT ARE UP AS US ECONOMY BEGINS REBOUND

Have a finance-related question, but don’t know who to ask? Email The Credible Money Expert at [email protected] and your question might be answered by Credible in our Money Expert column.

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