Middle finger to AA Managment

[maxcackel]

http://biz.yahoo.com/n/y/y0002.html
FORT WORTH, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
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.”
Founded in 1963, the Allied Pilots Association—the largest independent pilot union in the United States—is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas. APA represents the 10,000 pilots of American Airlines, including 649 pilots not yet offered recall from 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 international passenger carrier and fifth-largest cargo carrier.


This otta sell some tickets!

 

[XR650R]

All the best to AA pilots, but with the exception of the "partial flight control failure" and a fuel leak from a wing, all of these squawks are pretty routine and not news worthy. I get what the press release is trying to do but I guess the mx angle is not working for me. How about a release that tells the story of the utter disregard management has shown to APA for any kind of solution to this mess. Explain how the pilots of AA are now beyond caring and the frustration level is now immeasurable. THAT would buy some sympathy with the public.

 

[OCP]

But to the general public ALL of these are terrifying things to hear about.

 

[Ops check good]

But to the general public ALL of these are terrifying things to hear about.

Agreed, PAX get freaked out when MX needs to change a tire, sometimes even a light bulb. That was a bad move by the APA. Im guessing a lot of people who are scared to fly will now pick another carrier in the belief that AA A/C are not maintained well. But thats probably what the APA wants, hurt the company more. So stupid.

 

[mesaba13]

Excellent pr job on the part of the union. No job action because American was having mx issues already. This same situation could help us at pinnacle when management blames us in court for frivolous write-ups and we can respond the same. Bankrupt airlines equate to poor mx.

 

[Raoul Duke]

I love the "no job action" when every AA guy I know is all on the same page regarding write ups and being fit for duty. Classic

 

[Blue Dude]

Universal anger <> illegal job action. AA pilots are under a microscope and the FAA is crawling all over their operation. I'd be extra careful to do everything by the book too.

 

[aa73]

^^^^^ SHACK, Blue Dude ^^^^^

 

[aa73]

Agreed, PAX get freaked out when MX needs to change a tire, sometimes even a light bulb. That was a bad move by the APA. Im guessing a lot of people who are scared to fly will now pick another carrier in the belief that AA A/C are not maintained well. But thats probably what the APA wants, hurt the company more. So stupid.

AMR only understands drastic action... when the bookings start falling off due to AMR's gross mismanagement of the operation, THEN they will get serious about negotiating.

I find it interesting that you are falling for their lies blaming APA. Have you forgotten AMR's record FAA fines in the last few years due to their incompetence? And now you're blaming the pilots for that??? All the pilots are doing is being extra meticulous now that we no longer have the protection of a contract and the FAA is literally CRAWLING over every aspect of the operation. If we happen to miss something and get a violation, care to guess what will happen? Hint: it won't be "off with pay."

 

[Dizel8]

But thats probably what the APA wants, hurt the company more. So stupid.

Just a suggestion, but maybe you should direct your anger towards Mr.Horton.