AA Pilots, rumor control

[Flyer1015]

Heard a rumor that AA recall rights only extend to 10 years. So if all the pilots furloughed Sept 2001, will their recall rights expire this upcoming September (2011)?


On a sidenote, I can't believe it's been almost a decade!

 

[Jeff Helgeson]

The AA recall rights have been extended indefinitely. That was when Don Carty was CEO and the company has language stating this with the APA. I cannot remember if this was part of the 2003 contract of concessions or before.

 

[Flyer1015]

Hmm. Ok, thanks. I can't imagine how many would come back now that it has been 10 years. I'm sure most found employment elsewhere (another airline) or just left the industry entirely altogether. Of the 1800 or so, I'd be surprised if anything more than 1 in 20 accept. But, who knows?

 

[ACL65PILOT]

Many of those pilots are at regionals and due to the stagnation since 2001 have not been to move on to other majors. I know a bunch of guys that will take recall when offered. Not that they want to, but they have no other option.

 

[NuGuy]

Agree with ACL. This was one of those historic demographics where getting hired in 98 versus 2003 made a colossal difference.

Nu

 

[Flyer1015]

Many of those pilots are at regionals and due to the stagnation since 2001 have not been to move on to other majors. I know a bunch of guys that will take recall when offered. Not that they want to, but they have no other option.

What regional has 9/11 AA furloughees? I can't think of one at ours. Are you talking about Eagle and their flowback situation?

 

[Whydoitry]

Per several AA jumseaters, currently getting about 20% return when called.

 

[waveflyer]

Flyer1015-
I can personally name an AA furlough at almost every regional.
I think it's been so long they just don't advertise it

 

[DYLIN]

Just flew with a check airman at my place that, turns out, still has recall rights to American. Never knew.

 

[crashmbern]

I think you'll see a lot of guys defer at first. Why give up any seniority to come an be at the bottom of AA. When they get some people below them, then they can just undefer.

 

[Jeff Helgeson]

You are missing some of the major factors

• It was 1 out 10 last I heard, but for the most part about 20% - 30% have accepted recall.
• AA pilots have had an amendable contract for a number of years
• many of the work groups have amendable contracts.
• The AE flow up issue has further stagnated the recalls of furloughees and diluted their seniority even further.
• Furloughees can defer for 3 years after the bottom AA furloughee has been offered recall (Viele?)
• Length Of Service (LOS) or credit for the years on furlough has not been granted yet, but most likely will be forthcoming.
• AA management does not have or has not announced their battle plan to lead AA into a profitable future, business plan, aircraft orders, routes, etc.
• The 100-seat jet is still a variable. The APA owns the flying, but will it be given away to secure better benefits/retirement for the more senior pilots?????
• The unknown of any future mergers and how it will affect those on furlough. JBLU is the rumor now, from the JBLU side.
• The condition of the A and B funds and if they will still be available for the furloughees upon return vs. a new type of 401K or Direct Account Plan (DAP).
• F/O stagnation issue, higher pay for years of service beyond 12 or higher percentage of Captain's pay for years of service, etc.

That is just my short list and has been discussed among many of the fuloughees that I stay in contact with. Your over-generalizations lack a lot of forethought. "We are all stuck at the regionals, 911, we have no other choices, etc." Most of the ones that I know are on bigger equipment than at the regionals, flying Captain and making more money than they would make going back to AA. The Ex-Pats. are probably tired of living abroad.

With the above list of items still unknown, it would be foolish to leave a good job to go back at first recall opportunity. IMHO. Once the APA gets a contract and these variables become known entities, I feel you will see a much higher recall rate. I would venture to guess closer to 45% - 55%. If you do not have a job or have been in a different industry, then I could see returning at first opportunity.

 

[glasspilot1]

Well written message Jeff!

 

[HalinTexas]

AA might be the first airline to have all the FO's topped out at the top of their pay scale.

 

[TWA Dude]

Length Of Service (LOS) or credit for the years on furlough has not been granted yet, but most likely will be forthcoming.

I hate to be a downer but just because LOS credit has been gained for furloughees in the past doesn't guarantee it in the future. Consider that the last time AA furloughed in the '90s it was about 600 pilots for six years. This time it's over 2000 and approaching ten years. Big, big money. How much of a pay raise are the rank-and-file willing to give up to get LOS for the furloughees? I wouldn't count on it.

AA might be the first airline to have all the FO's topped out at the top of their pay scale.

US Airways in the mid 00's gets that claim.

 

[PuffDriver]

I hate to be a downer but just because LOS credit has been gained for furloughees in the past doesn't guarantee it in the future. Consider that the last time AA furloughed in the '90s it was about 600 pilots for six years. This time it's over 2000 and approaching ten years. Big, big money. How much of a pay raise are the rank-and-file willing to give up to get LOS for the furloughees? I wouldn't count on it.

US Airways in the mid 00's gets that claim.

You are incorrect.