Boz
Well-known member
- Joined
- Nov 25, 2001
- Posts
- 176
Curious about what regional airline pilots think of this idea. I know and have flown with many regional airline pilots that among the most qualified to conduct Part 121 flying.
I also, think that the regionals are no longer regionals as they fly aircraft that have entered a new category that remains unnamed as the rgionals now fly bigger and more comparabile aircraft to the majors.
By ERIC TORBENSON / The Dallas Morning News
AMR Corp. has offered to combine the seniority lists between American Airlines and its regional affiliate, American Eagle, a change American pilots have wanted for years.
The proposal – part of ongoing contract talks between the Fort Worth-based carrier and the Allied Pilots Association – would represent a significant change in how AMR operates.
In exchange for combining the seniority lists, AMR would gain far more flexibility in using its fleet of regional jets and turboprop planes. The current contract limits how many AMR can use if American pilots are furloughed.
Under the proposal, AMR's regional jet fleet could grow to as many as 448 aircraft from its current 286. That's significant because the airline believes the smaller regional jets can make more money in the difficult economy than its larger jets on many routes.
One pilots' union official said the combining of the seniority lists was an encouraging start.
"This is our proposal – this was our initiative," said Steve Blankenship, chair of the communications committee for APA. "Our negotiating committee will be in the process of evaluating the proposal."
Eagle's pilots' union officials also saw the proposal as noteworthy.
"The fact that AMR wants to talk about combining the airlines is significant because it's a new position for them," said James Magee, a spokesman for the Air Line Pilots Association chapter representing the Eagle pilots.
AMR would only confirm that talks are continuing.
"American Airlines and the APA have been in negotiations for some time on scope issues and have exchanged proposals," said Bruce Hicks, a spokesman for the airline.
The APA represents 13,000 pilots at American Airlines. Of those, 1,015 are currently on furlough.
At Eagle, the Air Line Pilots Association represents 2,100 pilots, about 250 of whom are on furlough. Under the proposal from AMR, the APA would negotiate with ALPA to settle a host of issues related to merging the lists.
If the proposal were to become part of a ratified contract, pilots from Eagle could, in theory, "flow" through the seniority list, giving them the chance to fly American's larger planes as they gained seniority.
Previously, AMR executives have strongly opposed integration of the mainline carrier and its regional partner, saying it would be too costly.
Combining the seniority lists might not add much cost to AMR. Eagle's lower contract wage rates would stay in place, for example.
However, the proposal would accomplish a long-held goal of APA: to have all flying done by AMR under one group of pilots.
A pilot's career is based on his seniority; his or her pay, job and job security are linked directly to how long they've been at a particular airline. Seniority isn't portable. Once a pilot chooses to work for one airline, rarely will that person leave to fly for another because they start at the bottom of a seniority list.
APA says AMR can solve its revenue problems by completely merging Eagle into American, cutting out the extra layer of administration and creating a more nimble airline that can fly any type of aircraft anywhere without contract limitations currently in place.
The airline has said before that it can't run Eagle profitably using American contract rates and work rules.
AMR reported a $529 million fourth-quarter loss and a $3.5 billion year-end loss on Wednesday, and said its losses were "unsustainable."
Its shares closed down 11 cents to $3.66 on Thursday.
I also, think that the regionals are no longer regionals as they fly aircraft that have entered a new category that remains unnamed as the rgionals now fly bigger and more comparabile aircraft to the majors.
By ERIC TORBENSON / The Dallas Morning News
AMR Corp. has offered to combine the seniority lists between American Airlines and its regional affiliate, American Eagle, a change American pilots have wanted for years.
The proposal – part of ongoing contract talks between the Fort Worth-based carrier and the Allied Pilots Association – would represent a significant change in how AMR operates.
In exchange for combining the seniority lists, AMR would gain far more flexibility in using its fleet of regional jets and turboprop planes. The current contract limits how many AMR can use if American pilots are furloughed.
Under the proposal, AMR's regional jet fleet could grow to as many as 448 aircraft from its current 286. That's significant because the airline believes the smaller regional jets can make more money in the difficult economy than its larger jets on many routes.
One pilots' union official said the combining of the seniority lists was an encouraging start.
"This is our proposal – this was our initiative," said Steve Blankenship, chair of the communications committee for APA. "Our negotiating committee will be in the process of evaluating the proposal."
Eagle's pilots' union officials also saw the proposal as noteworthy.
"The fact that AMR wants to talk about combining the airlines is significant because it's a new position for them," said James Magee, a spokesman for the Air Line Pilots Association chapter representing the Eagle pilots.
AMR would only confirm that talks are continuing.
"American Airlines and the APA have been in negotiations for some time on scope issues and have exchanged proposals," said Bruce Hicks, a spokesman for the airline.
The APA represents 13,000 pilots at American Airlines. Of those, 1,015 are currently on furlough.
At Eagle, the Air Line Pilots Association represents 2,100 pilots, about 250 of whom are on furlough. Under the proposal from AMR, the APA would negotiate with ALPA to settle a host of issues related to merging the lists.
If the proposal were to become part of a ratified contract, pilots from Eagle could, in theory, "flow" through the seniority list, giving them the chance to fly American's larger planes as they gained seniority.
Previously, AMR executives have strongly opposed integration of the mainline carrier and its regional partner, saying it would be too costly.
Combining the seniority lists might not add much cost to AMR. Eagle's lower contract wage rates would stay in place, for example.
However, the proposal would accomplish a long-held goal of APA: to have all flying done by AMR under one group of pilots.
A pilot's career is based on his seniority; his or her pay, job and job security are linked directly to how long they've been at a particular airline. Seniority isn't portable. Once a pilot chooses to work for one airline, rarely will that person leave to fly for another because they start at the bottom of a seniority list.
APA says AMR can solve its revenue problems by completely merging Eagle into American, cutting out the extra layer of administration and creating a more nimble airline that can fly any type of aircraft anywhere without contract limitations currently in place.
The airline has said before that it can't run Eagle profitably using American contract rates and work rules.
AMR reported a $529 million fourth-quarter loss and a $3.5 billion year-end loss on Wednesday, and said its losses were "unsustainable."
Its shares closed down 11 cents to $3.66 on Thursday.