What's the latest forecast on AA?

[Checks]

How are things looking there? Looking at Forlough's or recalls in the future?

 

[pilot141]

Let's see.....just sent a bunch of guys packing on April 1st.

Trips getting cancelled for lack of flight crews, but according to AMR it's not a manning problem: the pilots are calling in sick too much!

Management has looked at the summer schedule and in order to "ensure a reliable operation" they have threatened to REDUCE summer flying rather than recall enough people to man the schedule. By not recalling anyone they don't "reward the pilots for bad behavior".

Yep, things are pretty normal at AA.



Sorry for the rant, but I'm not a big fan of AMR management lately.

 

[aa73]

Pilot 141 pretty much hit it on the head.

To that I might add that:

-Furloughs are done with, and they actually reduced the total amount on April 1 due to voluntary leaves by guys fed up with this career,

-Recalls should start either in the fall or January '06, they plan on having all those furloughed in '05 back on the property by March '06. (about 250-300 pilots)

-Only about half of those furloughed are expected to accept recall, so out of about 3000 total furloughees only about 1500 will come back,

They did indeed reduce the summer schedule by 4500hrs, blaming the pilot group for excessive sick calls rather than just admitting that they furloughed too many.

That said, I think AMR is a survivor, and that we will be hiring between '08 and '10 again, to cover the huge #s of retirements coming up (not even counting the early retirements.)

Bottom feeder,
a.k.a. 73

 

[enigma]

Let's see.....just sent a bunch of guys packing on April 1st.

Trips getting cancelled for lack of flight crews, but according to AMR it's not a manning problem: the pilots are calling in sick too much!

Management has looked at the summer schedule and in order to "ensure a reliable operation" they have threatened to REDUCE summer flying rather than recall enough people to man the schedule. By not recalling anyone they don't "reward the pilots for bad behavior".

Yep, things are pretty normal at AA.



Sorry for the rant, but I'm not a big fan of AMR management lately.

Sounds like another airline I know. Rampant junior manning this month, furloughs next month. That'll teach those bratty pilots.

Good Luck to you AA boys.

engima

 

[FlyBoeingJets]

Isn't AA parking more aircraft by the end of the year?

That may be the real reason for the shortage and management acceptance of it. Management probably knew there would be a shortage but figured they would rely on overtime or, if needed, reducing the schedule instead of waiting to furlough some until after the summer. I wonder if that is costing AA serious money?? I wouldn't admit to that if I was AA management.

How long does the company plan for a furloughed guy/gal to be on the street before an anticipated recall? I think it only makes sense for a 12 month or longer furlough. Any folks taking furlough out of seniority?

I too anticipate hiring late in the decade. Unless more planes get parked, a big if, couldn't the recalls start summer '06? If that happens new hiring in '09 is my guess. I don't know who will resign seniority or how many eagle slots there are. That would make a huge difference.

 

[Checks]

I know a guy who was forloughed after 9/11 with 3 years senority at the time and was just curious, thanks

 

[aa73]

Isn't AA parking more aircraft by the end of the year?

That may be the real reason for the shortage and management acceptance of it. Management probably knew there would be a shortage but figured they would rely on overtime or, if needed, reducing the schedule instead of waiting to furlough some until after the summer. I wonder if that is costing AA serious money?? I wouldn't admit to that if I was AA management.

How long does the company plan for a furloughed guy/gal to be on the street before an anticipated recall? I think it only makes sense for a 12 month or longer furlough. Any folks taking furlough out of seniority?

I too anticipate hiring late in the decade. Unless more planes get parked, a big if, couldn't the recalls start summer '06? If that happens new hiring in '09 is my guess. I don't know who will resign seniority or how many eagle slots there are. That would make a huge difference.

BoeingJets,

Last year they announced they were parking 15 MD80s, other than that there have been no further announcements.

Usually, the company won't furlough unless it's for at least a year. According to everyone I've talked to at headquarters and the flight academy, recalls should start by January '06. There have been quite a few voluntary furloughs out of seniority, which is why yours truly is still just barely on the property. (thanks, guys!)

I also believe that hiring will resume beyween '08 and '10, main reason being that only half of those furloughed are expected to accept recall. ( they have all moved on to better jobs, or jus plain gotten out of this career.)

Good luck,
73

 

[Bobby Orr 4]

AA has about 400 retirements in 2k6 and 1200 pilots who have submitted early retirement forms with management.

 

[FlyBoeingJets]

Wow! 2008 looks good with that info.

 

[Hoot R. Hunter]

Welcome to the CRAAPA wimpline for Tuesday, 12 April. Man, it really is refreshing to hit the islands. I’m tanned, rested, and ready to take on the problems that confront us. Speaking of problems, I was over at the boss’ office just last week. After I got done cleaning the windows, we discussed the sick call issue.

I trust management’s numbers and I am in complete agreement that sick call usage is unacceptably high. It’s gotten to the point where it’s starting to impact the schedule. Generally, we are able to cover high spikes in sick call usage by working with the boys next door to shift the schedule towards our management domiciles at DFW, ORD, BOS, and DCA and be done with it. But since these bases also contain our best troughers, its getting harder and harder for these loyal subjects to continue to worship at the altar of the most righteous OT. I have referred this matter to our Minister of Pilot Discipline for immediate action. Just like I warned those junior pukes to look for other work, now I’m warning you folks who feel flying the full one hundred hours a month is beneath you to get with the program.

Remember, this is an ASSociation not a union. You whiners need to stop blaming the reserve system, stop blaming the old geezers, stop blaming your elected leadership, and start blaming your fellow pilots.

That’s all for today, please stop calling (in sick) and get flying.