Welcome to Allegiant Pilot Assistance Network (A-PAN)

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Allegiant Pilot Assistance Network (A-PAN)

The Critical Incident Response Program (CIRP) and Peer 2 Peer are excited to announce a new name and new level of support to our pilots.

Allegiant Pilot Assistance Network (A-PAN) will be the network continuing to support you through experienced Critical Incidents (CI) and personal challenges via Peer Support (PS). This change reflects a more robust level of support as we all face many challenges that originate inside and outside the flight deck.

Unlike mentoring, the A-PAN program utilizes peers from a variety of backgrounds trained to help deal with grief, natural disasters, domestic challenges, longer-term stressors and flight deck related non-normal experiences. Many of these peer volunteers are involved in other committees, training centers and bases throughout our system.

We want to support you with whatever life brings your way and, all too often, life deals a lot at once. We are here to listen and provide context from the perspective we all share with both PS and CI support.

For those who have benefited, more is coming your way in late April as we train a full team of PS specialists. For now, Liana Hart and Gerry Merk are your PS points of contact.

A number of our volunteers are CIRP trained to support as we learn of incidents, so please continue to email notifications to our new address:
APAN@APA2118.org.

Relating to the Committee Page

The Allegiant Pilots Assistance Network (A-PAN) supports pilots in two distinct areas:

  • Critical Incident(s) (CI): to mitigate the impact of an accident or incident before stress reactions damage job performance, careers, family, and/or health
  • Pilot Peer Support (PS): support for personal challenges

Critical Incident Examples

  • Landing with flat tire or landing gear malfunction
  • Runway excursion
  • Diversion or air return for system failure or significant weather issues
  • Flight attendant injury or incapacitated crewmember
  • QRH / ECAM “LAND ASAP”
  • Aircraft damage of significant nature
  • Death on aircraft
  • Checkride failures

Peer Support Examples

  • Checkride failures
  • Training delays
  • Family troubles
  • Stressful experiences
  • Job performance concerns
  • Significant health concerns
  • Death or terminal illness within family or close friend group (grief support)
  • Anxiety or depressive concerns
  • Suicide or suicidal thoughts
  • Overwhelming feelings that don’t go away

What CIRP and Peer Support Are Not

  • Not therapy
  • Not procedure-focused
  • Not discipline
  • Not advising or fixing

In processing events in a timely manner, we recover more fully and completely. This is the aim of CI peer volunteers. In confidential sharing of personal stressors and challenges, we are able to conceptualize overwhelming feelings.

Volunteers use listening skills to assist their peers in processing events. This process reduces illness and anxiety and helps individuals continue performing long-term. All discussions are highly confidential and no notes are kept. It is best to contact A-PAN via phone to protect privacy.

Self-Care

Grounding techniques to reconnect with your body and remain present:

  • Breathing exercises
  • Sensory exercises (non-visual, visual, and movement-based)
  • Kinetic motion (cardio, yoga, tai chi, dance)
  • Artistic exercises (music, writing, coloring, sketching)
  • Visualization exercises
  1. Visualize a past success and the steps that led you there.
  2. Visualize a future moment where your aspirations are fulfilled.
  3. Visualize a near-present “happy place” and reflect on its meaning.

The more grounding techniques are practiced, the easier they become.

Confidant Care

Techniques with trusted individuals or Peer Support Volunteers:

  1. Apply self-care techniques first.
  2. Confirm availability, privacy, and trust.
  3. Maintain confidentiality.
  4. Share chronologically and express emotions honestly.
  5. Ask for feedback.
  6. Consider follow-up support.

Professional Care

Guidance for engaging professional support resources:

  1. Remain calm—this is a safe space.
  2. Prepare wisely and ensure privacy.
  3. Use sessions to talk openly without seeking diagnosis.
  4. Allow emotional processing.
  5. Follow up with self-care and peer support.

Always know there is someone who wants to help. If you experience overwhelming feelings of self-harm or suicide, call 988 or go to an emergency room.