Tag Archives: american airlines pilots

US Airways makes a formal merger proposal to American Airlines

US Airways (Phoenix) has presented a formal merger proposal to American Airlines (Dallas/Fort Worth) according to a report by the Associated Press as reported by the Charlotte Observer. Under the proposal, US Airways’ CEO Doug Parker would head the new company which would retain the American name and the Dallas/Fort Worth headquarters.

Additionally American Airlines’ pilots have approved the new labor contract paving the way for AA to exit Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization and also a possible merger with US Airways. American’s CEO Tom Horton, who is likely to lose his job in any merger, has told his employees a decision on the merger proposal will be coming soon.

Read the full report: CLICK HERE

In other news, US Airways will launch daily nonstop service to Sao Paulo, Brazil from its largest hub at Charlotte, North Carolina beginning on May 5, 2013. The new route is US Airways’ second destination in South America and complements the airline’s existing nonstop service to Rio de Janeiro from Charlotte. US Airways will operate service to Brazil’s largest city on Boeing 767-200 ER aircraft with seating for 18 in Envoy, US Airways’ international business class, and 186 in the main cabin.

Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum. US Airways’ Boeing 767-2B7 ER N256AY (msn 26847) departs from the Charlotte hub. The additional long-range routes are extending the career for the wide-body type with US Airways. A merger with AA would end the US Airways name and brand. However with Doug Parker in control of a new American Airlines there will also be a new long-overdue brand for AA for sure.

American Airlines:

US Airways:

Allied Pilots Association issues the following statement regarding delays at American Airlines due to maintenance items

The Allied Pilots Association (APA), certified collective bargaining agent for the 10,000 pilots of American Airlines, issued the following response regarding recent media reports that pilots were disrupting flight schedules with trivial maintenance requests.

“American Airlines pilots are trained professionals who are responsible for flying their passengers safely around the world every day. The list of unresolved maintenance issues grows every day on each of the aging aircraft we operate, and we can’t ignore serious maintenance issues that could easily turn into safety risks. Our pilots will not compromise safety, ever,” said APA President Keith Wilson.

“American Airlines chose to reject our contract and the operational procedures and protections that go with it. Understandably, our pilots are taking a prudent and cautious approach in their operational decision-making process,” Wilson added.

Here’s a sampling of the substantive maintenance-related issues our pilots have documented in the past several days:

A left engine generator failed in flight
An aircraft sustained a lightning strike
The ground proximity warning system failed in flight
A partial flight control failure
Weather radar test inoperative
A fuel leak on right wing main tank
The left landing light was damaged
A wind shear warning failure
A brake anti-skid failure
The engine start valve failed to close

“During the past year, American Airlines has sustained record FAA fines totaling $162 million for improper aircraft maintenance procedures, a strong indication that management’s maintenance practices have raised concerns with regulators,” Wilson noted. “In addition, companies that own and lease American Airlines aircraft have formally complained to the bankruptcy court that AA management has neglected to perform routine maintenance on their aircraft.

“The maintenance situation is not going to get any better any time soon, since management announced plans to outsource many maintenance operations,” Wilson said. “When maintenance operations are shipped overseas, quality control and FAA oversight only become more difficult.”

American’s pilots to picket today at Chicago O’Hare

Allied Pilots Association (APA), representing the 10,000 pilots who fly for American Airlines (Dallas/Fort Worth), will be picketing today (September 20) to “signify American Airlines pilots’ determination to secure a contract commensurate with their status as professional aviators for a major U.S. carrier”.

The 16 members of the APA Board of Directors will also participate in the rally, along with rank-and-file pilots from American Airlines’ Chicago base and other locations.

The picketing will be conducted between Terminals 2 and 3 on the outside connecting sidewalk at O’Hare International Airport.

According to the union, “American Airlines management recently received bankruptcy court approval to reject the APA-American Airlines Collective Bargaining Agreement. Management is now unilaterally implementing new terms of employment that adversely affect pilots’ working conditions, compensation and retirement security. APA believes management is using Chapter 11 bankruptcy to extract far more value from the pilots than what’s needed to successfully restructure American Airlines.”

In addition, the APA issued the following statement today:

The Allied Pilots Association (APA), certified collective bargaining agent for the 10,000 pilots of American Airlines, issued the following prepared statement in response to recent reports alleging a decline in the airline’s operational performance:

“First of all, there is no job action of any sort that is organized, supported or sanctioned by the Allied Pilots Association.

“APA independently tracks the airline’s operational performance. We have verified that pilot sick rates have not deviated from normal historical rates. We have likewise verified that crew cancellations remain at normal rates.

“One area of increased operational unreliability we have observed is in mechanical delays, which isn’t surprising. Although American Airlines operates the oldest fleet of any major U.S. carrier, management has decided to furlough a large number of mechanics and close one of its largest maintenance facilities. Management also decided some time ago to reduce its inventory of spare parts.

“In addition, management halted the recalls of furloughed pilots late last year, which has resulted in an insufficient number of pilots to maintain the schedule properly.

“It’s also important to remember that management chose to reject the APA-American Airlines Collective Bargaining Agreement, which served as an operating manual for our pilots. Management’s action has generated significant uncertainty for our pilots with respect to employment protections and operating rules, which are now under management’s unilateral control.

“APA members are experienced professionals who conduct themselves as professionals under whatever circumstances they encounter. Any negative impact on our airline’s operational integrity is of management’s own making.”

American Airlines: