Chicago Defender

United Airlines names first Black Chief Pilot

United Airlines, the world's largest airline, has named an African-American chief pilot of one its five U.S. regions. 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. He is a member of the board of directors of the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals. Before his promotion, Simons was assistant chief pilot for the Northeast Region since 2007. Photo: Special to the Defender