African-American Pilot Will Head Region for United Airlines

by Frederick H. Lowe
United Airlines, the world's largest airline, has named an African-American chief pilot of one its five U.S. regions, a move that signals the carrier continues to open up opportunities for minorities and women.

Captain James Simons, Jr., a United Airlines pilot for 22 years, will manage 1,450 pilots for the Chicago-based airline's Northeast Region, which is headquartered at Dulles International Airport in Dulles, Va.

Captain Simons will manage pilots at Dulles, John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City, LaGuardia Airport in New York City, Newark Liberty International Airport, Baltimore/Washington Thurgood Marshall Airport, and Reagan National Airport in Washington D.C.

The chief pilot also is responsible for preparing the Northeast Region's budget and adjusting pilots' schedules.  In addition, he works with the region's airport station chiefs and interacts with the Federal Aviation Administration. He also makes sure problems, such as airplane deicing, are resolved.

Captain Curt Hughes, United Airlines' system chief pilot, announced Simons' promotion from assistant chief pilot for the Northeast Region, a job he had held since 2007, to its chief pilot on Jan. 3, more than a week before Simons' 57th birthday, which was Jan. 11.

“I got my birthday present early, but some people have sent me their condolences,” Simons said jokingly.
 
He succeeds Captain Walt Clark, who took a new position at United's headquarters. “He was a great mentor, who believed in providing equal opportunity and a diverse environment," Captain Simons said.

United Airlines’ other regions are Denver, Los Angeles, Chicago and the Northwest Region.

Captain Simons' promotion follows United's merger last year with Continental Airlines. Until an agreement is reached with Continental pilots that integrates them into United Airlines' pilot's seniority system, only United's legacy pilots in the Northeast region will report to Simons.

He told The NorthStar News & Analysis that his promotion was a major honor, and he praised other black pilots who opened the doors for him to move into management at United Airlines.

“This is a humbling experience. I learned a lot from Louis Freeman and Bill Norwood,” Captain Simons said.

Captain Freeman, former chief pilot for Southwest Airlines, was the first African American named to that position at a major U.S. carrier. Norwood was the first African-American captain hired by United Airlines. He retired from United in 1996 after career of more than 30 years.

Captain Simons is United Airlines' second African-American chief pilot. Captain Alfonzo "Rick" McCullough was the first. Captain McCullough was chief pilot for United Airlines' Los Angeles Domicile beginning in 2007 through the end of 2008.  He  left the job following a reorganization in which the airline reduced the number of chief pilots, Captain McCullough told The NorthStar News & Analysis.

He congratulated Captain Simons on his promotion. "I know James, and I know that he has worked very hard," said Captain McCullough, who added that United Airlines began hiring black pilots in large numbers following Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Consent Decrees.

In 1994, a federal judge ordered United to hire 83 new pilots and pay $1.7 million in back wages after the airline failed to live up to a 1976 court decree, ordering the carrier to stop discriminating against minority- and women-pilot applicants.

Captain McCullough said things have changed in the airline industry since that time. "United and other airlines have moved away from the practices of the 40s, 50s, and 60s and have opened up opportunities for minorities and female pilots," he said. Captain McCullough, who is 57 years old, flies the Boeing 777 for United Airlines out of San Francisco.

Captain Simons, the son of an Air Force veteran, graduated in 1978 from the United States Air Force Academy with a bachelor of science degree in international affairs. While in the Air Force, he was an instructor pilot and an evaluator pilot at the Combat Training School. In 1989, United Airlines hired him as a pilot. Norwood assisted him in getting through United's front door.

Captain Simons is a member of the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals (OBAP), which is based in Westchester, Ill. 

“I appreciate OBAP,” he said. “And I want to get more African Americans into management.”

Captain Simons’ office is located in Dulles, where he starts to work at 7 a.m. His day ends at 4 p.m., but he carries a Blackberry that keeps him in touch 24 hours a day.

“I only turn it off when I am on the plane,” he said, “by the time I arrive at my destination I will have more than 30 emails.” During an interview on Tuesday, he said he had 1,400 emails in his inbox.

Captain Simons lives in Virginia five days a week, arriving on Sunday evening and leaving every Friday evening to return to Houston, where his wife, Judith, lives. The couple has two daughters and a grandson.

The chief pilot's position is not just a desk job. In order to keep his currency, he must make three landings every 90 days. He is qualified to fly the Boeing 767 to Europe, Africa, South America and across the U.S. “I have to find a flight once a month,” he said.