AMR - Turns attention from Labor to Pillows!

[601Pilot]

American Pulls Pillows From All MD-80s To Save Cash
Aviation Daily

11/17/2004

American this week removed all pillows from its fleet of more than 300 MD-80s to save money and time cleaning the aircraft during turns. A spokesman noted that the planes are used on "relatively short flights." The MD-80 seats have adjustable headrests, and the carrier will still provide blankets.

 

[Midnight Mike]

Good move, short flights for the MD80's no impact to the passengers.....

 

[V-1]

The article states that the pillows will be moved from the md-88's to other aircraft in the fleet.

I guess it doesn't cost as much money to pick up a pillow in a 777?

Granted, that pillow will will be picked up fewer times on longer-haul aircraft.

How will United top this? I can see the headlines now:

UNITED FILES FOR FAA APPROVAL TO REPLACE COACH SEATS WITH MILK CRATES...FIRST CLASS PASSENGERS TO GET LAWN CHAIRS

 

[bravodude]

short flights hu i guess a 3 hr flight from dfw to ewr is a short one. oh well doesnt look like like they care about keeping loyal customers

 

[FlyFastLiveSlow]

short flights hu i guess a 3 hr flight from dfw to ewr is a short one. oh well doesnt look like like they care about keeping loyal customers

STL-LAX on an MD-80 is real short too. Only guarantee if you fly AA is getting treated like crap.

 

[737 Pylt]

short flights hu i guess a 3 hr flight from dfw to ewr is a short one. oh well doesnt look like like they care about keeping loyal customers

Right you are! The only thing that the legacy carriers care about any more is $$!
DAL has pissed more customers off by using rj's from DFW to the west coast.
737

 

[AA717driver]

WOW! That's great news. I better get busy dusting off my AA uniform and studying my Flight Manual... Recall's gotta be just around the corner! TC

 

[SDF2BUF2MCO]

Great Christmas presents

Wonder if they'll distribute the pillows to current AA employees wishing them a Happy Holiday Season and the best for 2005?!

 

[Heavy Set]

Good move, short flights for the MD80's no impact to the passengers.....

Speak for yourself. How do you define a short flight - 30 minutes? Guess what, there are MANY MD80 flights exceeding 2-3 hours. AA is uncomfortable enough now that they are reducing the "generous" space between rows. "No impact to the passengers" is an example of extreme arrogance - you must work for management... Sometimes the little things count and I bet SWA will continue to offer pillows.

Another sign of desperation from AA...

 

[PolarTwins55]

Bad day, eh? Ya know, I'm pretty sure he was just a *wee* bit sarcastic there.

 

[Stifler's Mom]

Right you are! The only thing that the legacy carriers care about any more is $$!
DAL has pissed more customers off by using rj's from DFW to the west coast.
737

737,

I also heard Delta is planning on removing all pillows from the MD-88/90s and moving them to ASA and Comair's RJ fleets. Something about your a$$ going numb on those west coast RJ flights.

What's next? Lavatories taking quarters to open the door?

 

[aa73]

Speak for yourself. How do you define a short flight - 30 minutes? Guess what, there are MANY MD80 flights exceeding 2-3 hours. AA is uncomfortable enough now that they are reducing the "generous" space between rows. "No impact to the passengers" is an example of extreme arrogance - you must work for management... Sometimes the little things count and I bet SWA will continue to offer pillows.

Another sign of desperation from AA...

Some of my recent MD80 trips:

ORD-SEA 5.1 included a 30min taxi and a 25min hold
DFW-SEA 4.4
STL-SAN 4.6
BDL-DFW 4.2

AA uses the MD80 more as a medium range aircraft than short. On top pf that, no entertainment in the cabin, although they are experimenting with personal entertainment devices.

I agree, the more they get rid of amenties, the bigger the hole they dig themselves. I flew BA last month from London to Barcelona, 1.5hrs and actually got a hot meal and great service, what a concept.

 

[General Lee]

Yeah, but what about the BA stews? Were their teeth all $crewed up? They actually look cute in their uniforms, at least the ones I have seen in Orlando...



Cheers-----General Lee

 

[iaflyer]

A spokesman noted that the planes are used on "relatively short flights."

Relative to what? Dallas-Narita?

Taking the pillows out just takes AA one step closer to the LCCs... eventually, there will be no difference. People will figure, why pay the premium for AA.

iaflyer

 

[bravodude]

i work for a fractional and airline 4 times a month. lately been ending up in dfw and having to airline to ewr used to be all on american. last minute tickets were around 6-700 dollars. finally couldnt take it anymore no movie dont even sell food and all on an md-80 called the travel dept. and they actually listened to me no more american and there are many more like me.

 

[PastFastMover]

Who cares if they remove the pillows. Does anyone actually use those disgusting things. I can only imagine where they have been or whats been touching them. ick! Now that reminds me of some of the really disgusting hotels we have had to stay at over the years.. triple ick!

 

[Neubyfly]

WOW! That's great news. I better get busy dusting off my AA uniform and studying my Flight Manual... Recall's gotta be just around the corner! TC

LOL!!! Where is that **CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED** uniform anyway??? Oh yeah... I gave it to the kids to play with!

Penny wise.................

 

[DIAMONDDD]

Friggin' American pilots. Bringing down the profession. APA should stand up to them.