Robert Isom: American Airlines Won’t Bow to Pilots Looking to Dodge the COVID19 Vaccine

American Airlines President Robert Isom said on Friday that the airline won’t give in to pilots who are looking to dodge the COVID19 vaccine. After announcing the vaccine mandate, the pilots’ union requested the airline to provide “alternatives” to mandatory vaccination.

In an interview with the Miami Herald, Isom said that “The (Biden) executive order doesn’t allow for that”. He also added that American Airlines’ vaccine mandate is simply in compliance with the executive order. As a federal contractor, American Airlines need to require all their employees to complete their vaccine doses by December 8. Unlike large businesses, federal contractors can’t offer a testing alternative to vaccination.

Employees Can’t Dodge the COVID19 Vaccine

Isom said that “Our team members need to be vaccinated”. He also emphasized that “It’s really important for our business, for our company, to get the pandemic under control”. Isom reiterated that “We want every one of our team members to be vaccinated and, equally important, we want every one of our team members to have a job and continue to work at American”.

For employees who are looking to dodge the COVID19 vaccine, it seems that there isn’t much time. The airline will start checking for proof of vaccination starting November 24 for all employees. Isom said that most of their employees already completed their vaccine doses, however, he didn’t offer the exact numbers.

The union that represents American Airlines pilots canceled their scheduled protest on Tuesday at Miami International Airport. The union cited more immediate challenges over the carrier’s vaccine requirement.

In its email to members, “Rescheduling this event will enable your union to better focus on the short term challenges related to the vaccine mandate”. The pilots’ union president Eric Ferguson said that they proposed “alternative means of compliance” to the vaccine mandate. The union proposed weekly testing and wanted those who recovered from COVID19 to continue working for the airline.

Flying is The Safest Form of Transportation

Robert Isom also commented on the recent claims by the cruise industry executives that cruising is safer than flying. Isom said that “The safest form of transportation out there is absolutely flying”. He also added that the industry has proven this “over and over and over again”.