AA Gets Creative (rolling the dice?)

[Coool Hand Luke]

Press Release Source: American Airlines, Inc.


American Airlines Amends Its Dallas/Fort Worth-China Application
Friday December 8, 3:03 pm ET


FORT WORTH, Texas, Dec. 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- American Airlines
today asked the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to approve a
modification of its application for authority to serve the
Dallas/Fort Worth- Beijing, China, market. American is applying to
operate the U.S. to China segment as a through flight from
Dallas/Fort Worth to Chicago and then Beijing. The return flight will
be operated nonstop from Beijing to Dallas/Fort Worth as originally
proposed. American will fly nonstop in both directions as soon as it
is able to do so.

"Even with the modification, it bears repeating that American's route
request will offer the maximum public benefits for the valuable and
limited opportunity available in the U.S.-China market and will
provide much-needed competitive balance," said Gerard Arpey, Chairman
and CEO of American Airlines. "American is thankful that it has the
continued support for its China application from North Texas
officials, as well as thousands of employees, business and civic
leaders, and elected public officials."

The modification is necessary because the Dallas/Fort Worth to
Beijing segment is longer than allowed under the collective
bargaining contract between American and its pilots union. The return
segment falls within the contract time limits because of prevailing
tailwinds. Today's proposal allows American to operate the service
within the existing terms of its labor contracts.

"We support American's modification request because it will provide a
creative solution so that the people of North Texas will have the
opportunity to fly to Beijing on the world's largest airline," said
Dallas Mayor Laura Miller.

Fort Worth Mayor Mike Moncrief echoed Mayor Miller's
sentiments: "It's important to keep in mind that American's proposal
to fly from DFW to Beijing and back -- even with a stop in Chicago on
the outbound leg -- will provide the greatest positive impact to the
economies of Texas and the southern United States and should be
awarded by DOT."

"DFW Airport stands firmly behind American Airlines and its modified
application for DFW-to-Beijing service," said Jeff Fegan, CEO of the
DFW Airport. "Even with through service to China, it's a far better
proposal than offered by the three airlines that are competing for
the next China route."

If DOT does not award the route to American with the authority to
operate on a through-service basis, American will resubmit an
application for China authority in the next DOT proceeding.

 

[aa73]

DENIED!

UAL will get the route, hands down.

 

[AA717driver]

That's what they get for d1cking around. Now, they'll blame the pilots. TC

 

[bravodude]

The pilots and or the company messed this one up.

 

[BigMotorToter]

What a bunch of idiots!

 

[BigMotorToter]

Here is the APA's response:




FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
Captain Denis Breslin (APA)
817-302-2350/619-980-8941
Gregg Overman (APA)
817-302-2250/817-312-3901


ALLIED PILOTS ASSOCIATION ISSUES STATEMENT ON AMERICAN AIRLINES’ AMENDED DFW-BEIJING ROUTE APPLICATION


Fort Worth, Texas (Dec. 8, 2006)—The Allied Pilots Association (APA), collective bargaining agent for the 13,000 pilots of American Airlines (NYSE: AMR), issued a prepared statement today regarding American Airlines’ decision to amend its application for authority to operate DFW-Beijing flights.


The carrier’s management is applying with the U.S. Department of Transportation to operate the service as a through-flight from DFW to Chicago and then to Beijing in order to comply with the current APA-American Airlines Collective bargaining agreement.


APA’s statement reads as follows:


“As we emphasized on Nov. 16 when we presented management with our signed letter of agreement, APA recognizes how valuable DFW-Beijing service would be to American Airlines and the passengers we serve and we are pleased to be part of our airline’s effort to secure the route authority. We likewise support American Airlines management’s decision to amend its application to operate the service as a through-flight from DFW to Chicago and on to Beijing. Expanding American Airlines’ international reach is in the long-term best interests of our airline, its employees and our passengers.”


That is the full text of the union’s statement.


Founded in 1963, APA is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas. There are currently 2,852 American Airlines pilots on furlough. The furloughs began shortly after the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks. Also, several hundred American Airlines pilots are on full-time military leave of absence serving in the armed forces. The union’s Web site address is www.alliedpilots.org. American Airlines is the nation’s largest passenger carrier.

 

[frog_flyer]

That was a LONG 3 sentences. damn.

 

[Diesel-9]

What a way to informally announce you have withdrawn your application.

 

[aa73]

The pilots and or the company messed this one up.

Ahh, how exactly did the pilots mess this up? APA wanted, at a minimum, sequence protection for the trip. Do you realize that with our ORD-PVG(Shanghai) route, if we divert to LAX for a pax disturbance or whatever, the crew loses the whole sequence (25+ hours) of pay. No protection. That was the main thing we were asking for in the Beijing route, along with a couple of other minor no cost items. Do other airlines get sequence protection in this case? And we gave the Co contract approval for ORD-PVG and ORD-DEL for nothing in return.

The Co decided to biotch-slap us and rejected it outright, which tells us that they were never serious in wanting the route anyway. Plus, what a great opportunity to blame the pilot group during contract negotiations.

So I would say that the Co messed this one up bad. But keep believing the press.

 

[AAflyer]

The pilots and or the company messed this one up.

It's time to get back what we have given up, it's time to turn this profession around. Sacrafices will be made, however we will succeed. Thank so much for your support.

AAflyer

 

[AvroGuy]

Ahh, how exactly did the pilots mess this up? APA wanted, at a minimum, sequence protection for the trip. Do you realize that with our ORD-PVG(Shanghai) route, if we divert to LAX for a pax disturbance or whatever, the crew loses the whole sequence (25+ hours) of pay. No protection. That was the main thing we were asking for in the Beijing route, along with a couple of other minor no cost items. Do other airlines get sequence protection in this case? And we gave the Co contract approval for ORD-PVG and ORD-DEL for nothing in return.

The Co decided to biotch-slap us and rejected it outright, which tells us that they were never serious in wanting the route anyway. Plus, what a great opportunity to blame the pilot group during contract negotiations.

So I would say that the Co messed this one up bad. But keep believing the press.

Some would say the pilot group screwed up on the other two routes then. Don't get me wrong thought, I belive you should have pay protection for all of your trips. At Eagle we do. Well to a certain point we do.

 

[Coool Hand Luke]

Ahh, how exactly did the pilots mess this up? APA wanted, at a minimum, sequence protection for the trip. Do you realize that with our ORD-PVG(Shanghai) route, if we divert to LAX for a pax disturbance or whatever, the crew loses the whole sequence (25+ hours) of pay. No protection. That was the main thing we were asking for in the Beijing route, along with a couple of other minor no cost items. Do other airlines get sequence protection in this case? And we gave the Co contract approval for ORD-PVG and ORD-DEL for nothing in return.

The Co decided to biotch-slap us and rejected it outright, which tells us that they were never serious in wanting the route anyway. Plus, what a great opportunity to blame the pilot group during contract negotiations.

So I would say that the Co messed this one up bad. But keep believing the press.

Exactly AA73. I feel sorry for all the people they duped into supporting the AA bid, for they were wasting their time and efforts trying to help a company that really didn't care about it unless it was on their terms...much like how AA management approaches everything else....it's either thier way or the highway.

Seems nothings changed. Probably never will.

 

[GIII Instructor]

its really unfortunate... AA was actually gaining momentum for the route authority... they had an ally in the senate (minneapolis) which is ironic seeing how northwest had bid for the route as well. thank you aa73 for setting the record straight. i can't hardly think of another airline who IS NOT trip protected.

basic 101 stuff
oh well... bad time for AA (management that is) to attempt to make some point.

 

[aa73]

Business as usual over here!

Stand by for a monumental PUP (management bonus) this April... it's looking like $200M or better with the current stock price.

 

[GIII Instructor]

standby for AA to make a run at NWA; why would they "voluntarily" give up on highly coveted asian routes unless they were hoping for them from a merge with a carrier who already has a strong market presence over there.


i could be wrong...

 

[Flyby1206]

standby for AA to make a run at NWA; why would they "voluntarily" give up on highly coveted asian routes unless they were hoping for them from a merge with a carrier who already has a strong market presence over there.


i could be wrong...

Bingo, seems like AA has worked way too hard pocketing politicians and trying to gain support for this China route. And now they just give up? Coincidence NWA just recently hired a consulting group to help them create a merger with another company.

 

[AAflyer]

Bingo, seems like AA has worked way too hard pocketing politicians and trying to gain support for this China route. And now they just give up? Coincidence NWA just recently hired a consulting group to help them create a merger with another company.

There has been some talk about that, AA does not want to stay locked out of Asia. The DAL/NWA could be the smoke screen.

By the way, each airline POCKETED their own politicians.

AAflyer

 

[Coool Hand Luke]

Business as usual over here!

Stand by for a monumental PUP (management bonus) this April... it's looking like $200M or better with the current stock price.

PUP figures:

Mr. Arpey - $7,782,075.00
Mr. Garton - $4,833,945.00
Mr. Reding - $3,321,999.00