Jason Whitaker v. American Airlines, Inc.

KRAVITCH, Circuit Judge:

Jason Whitaker, a former employee of American Airlines (“American”), and his union, Allied Pilots Association (“APA”), appeal the district court’s dismissal of their claim, pursuant to the Railway Labor Act (the “RLA”), to compel arbitration of Whitaker’s termination before a system board of adjustment. This appeal presents the issue of whether a system board of adjustment has the jurisdiction to hear the termination grievance of a probationary employee who asserts no substantive rights under the collective bargaining agreement.

I. Background

Whitaker was hired as a…