AA to furlough pilots

[jimntx]

Press Release:

8:08 AM Fri, Jan 22, 2010

American Airlines said Friday it will furlough as many as 175 pilots, beginning at the end of February.

Here's AA's statement:

"American announced today the unfortunate need to furlough up to 175 of our pilots in the first half of 2010, beginning at the end of February. The impact of the economy and reduction in capacity over the last 18 months, coupled with lower than expected pilot attrition, has resulted in a pilot surplus. This was a painful but necessary decision, as this staffing adjustment will better align the size of our pilot organization with the size of our current operation. The company has been working with the Allied Pilots Association to develop possible furlough mitigation solutions to ease this transition and will continue to do so. We are also pleased that we were able to work with the APA to move up the furlough date by one day to achieve eligibility for subsidized COBRA medical benefits for the first group of furloughed pilots. American values and respects the professionalism, commitment and contributions of our pilots and regrets having to make this difficult decision."

Most of those being furloughed have just been recalled within the past year.

 

[DarkSnowyNight]

This is terrible. Well, I guess if you get furloughed, thank a Flight Attendant, and don't forget about that solidarity!

 

[Harry Callahan]

I'm sorry to hear of this. What is the seniority of these pilots ?

 

[Mach85ER]

This is terrible. Well, I guess if you get furloughed, thank a Flight Attendant, and don't forget about that solidarity!

Huh?




Don't know the exact numbers. Most of the recent recalls were former TWA, it's their second furlough.

 

[TWU informer]

Unless of course the Pilots will agree to more concessions in current negotiations. Then AA will be able to keep the Pilots.

At some point the Union's on the property are going to have to call this bluff and say enough is enough.

When it comes to furlough mitigation, it means cave to management demands.

 

[nbmcg01]

Unless of course the Pilots will agree to more concessions in current negotiations. Then AA will be able to keep the Pilots.

At some point the Union's on the property are going to have to call this bluff and say enough is enough.

When it comes to furlough mitigation, it means cave to management demands.

If I'm not mistaken none of the unions negotiated snapbacks during the RPA fiasco. Why on earth would anyone expect AA to negotiate in good faith as long as the concessions remain in place?

 

[jimntx]

This is terrible. Well, I guess if you get furloughed, thank a Flight Attendant, and don't forget about that solidarity!

Do enlighten us. How the heck is a flight attendant responsible for a pilot getting furloughed?

 

[Hopeful]

Aren't there flight increases due come spring/summer? I know at JFK alone, we are getting a few including international destinations.

 

[FWAAA]

Even with all the announced new flying, AA forecast that mainline capacity would increase 0.9% for 2010 over 2009:

http://aa.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=2833

Domestic capacity down 0.5% and international up 3.2%. The new ORD-PEK flight accounts for a substantial portion of the international increase.

I assume that any furloughs took into account the small increases in planned capacity.

 

[Bob Owens]

Even with all the announced new flying, AA forecast that mainline capacity would increase 0.9% for 2010 over 2009:

http://aa.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=2833

Domestic capacity down 0.5% and international up 3.2%. The new ORD-PEK flight accounts for a substantial portion of the international increase.

I assume that any furloughs took into account the small increases in planned capacity.

Zero point nine percent? You have to figure that normal attrition would be several times that.
AA just loves to announce layoffs, especially during negotiations, half the time they dont lay off anybody.

 

[Hopeful]

Zero point nine percent? You have to figure that normal attrition would be several times that.
AA just loves to announce layoffs, especially during negotiations, half the time they dont lay off anybody.

I wonder how many retirements will take place between now and then.

 

[jimntx]

Zero point nine percent? You have to figure that normal attrition would be several times that.

The company specifically said that one of the reasons for the furloughs was lower than expected attrition. It right there in the initial post.

AA just loves to announce layoffs, especially during negotiations, half the time they dont lay off anybody.

That will be such a comfort to the 228 flight attendants who lost their jobs last September, or the 335 (IIRC) who were furloughed last April. We can tell them that they weren't really laid off. It was just a bluff by the company. In fact, considering that we have 1410 f/as on furlough that is a BIG bluff by the company.

 

[Bob Owens]

The company specifically said that one of the reasons for the furloughs was lower than expected attrition. It right there in the initial post.



That will be such a comfort to the 228 flight attendants who lost their jobs last September, or the 335 (IIRC) who were furloughed last April. We can tell them that they weren't really laid off. It was just a bluff by the company. In fact, considering that we have 1410 f/as on furlough that is a BIG bluff by the company.

Probably not but they also told us there would be a massive layoff in the Fall of 2008 and last year they told us we were going to lose at least 60 guys in the Northeast, niether materialized. IIRC the numbers that they announced for the FAs was much much higher than what actually occurred.

 

[FrequentFlierCA]

And yet APA continues to push hard for raises from a company that can't afford pilot staffing at current pay rates? How does that make any sense?

 

[Flyboy4u]

And yet APA continues to push hard for raises from a company that can't afford pilot staffing at current pay rates? How does that make any sense?

It makes sense because the bean counters make "it " make sense...Can we please look at the " Common sense folks" AA is an airline, Right?...The last time I looked at what an "airline" does is "FLY" ..This Airline continues to reduce flights, and capacity...Why? If we are not flying then what are we? Hmmm...Please Ellaborate?