Generally speaking, once you start your AP, you enter into pending status and then autmatically lose your H1B status as AP is issued based upon your pending of whatever I-140 or I-485. I am struggling about that answer recently as I may have to use AP to travel with I-485 pending and I am in my first year of H1B and I don't want to lose my H1B as a principal petitioner of I-485 petition fopr the whole family. Can I get back to my H1B and how as I have to surrender my H1b based I-94 at exit port and get a new AP based I-94 at entry port when I travel back. More inputs are appreciated!