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American cancels flights as pilots call in sick
NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- American Airlines has canceled more than 300 flights since Sunday and will cut back on the number of flights through the end of October, because pilots, unhappy with their labor contract, have started to call in sick, the airline said Wednesday. (money.cnn.com) More...Sort type: [Top] [Newest]
I don't usually comment on this forum because most people here are predisposed to their opinions and it doesn't really matter what I say to them...even if it is the truth. But at some point the truth has to be leveled to everyone with an opinion...even if there is disagreement. I am an AA 767 Captain and very proud to hold the position. I know how I got here and I know what is expected of me. I can see that the hardest part of this job right now is overcoming the media frenzy over the recent performance of American Airlines. Reading the comments on this forum, one would think that the pilots were the main reason that flights are being delayed/cancelled for vindictive reasons. You folks couldn't be more wrong. I have read that we should be happy to have a job, we are getting what we deserve because some ATC guy went on an illegal strike and we didn't support him in the 80's. DOES ANYONE LOOK AT WHAT THE COMPANY HAS DONE TO US IN THE LAST 10 YEARS AND DRAW THE CONCLUSION THAT THEY SCREWED UP!!!! Just to capsulize (if you are still in this conversation) the pilots agreed to a 35% reduction in pay to help the company, OUR company, avoid bankruptcy. In the intervening years (that contract ended in 2008) there have been no pay raises or working improvements...but our expenses (as well as most of yours) have gone up exponentially. But guess what, management figured out a way to reward themselves for doing an abysmal job...to the tune of hundreds of millions of dollars. Trust me when I say, you are looking at the wrong target of your angst. I make sure that my airplane is safe for the carriage of passengers. I heard a commentator on television complaining about writing up a loose screw on the wing...I know most on this forum are aviation savvy...would you take an airplane that had a loose screw on the wing? Anyone? The FAA recently fined AA 162 million dollars for maintenance discrepancies... the largest fine in aviation history...seems to me that the pilots are on the passenger's side. All it takes is one deadly accident and everyone will be saying - the pilots knew there was a problem, why didn't they do anything about it? You don't want to be sitting on the airplane that got out 'on time' because the pilots cut some corners, do you?
Yes, the ongoing reduction in pay/benefits is a lousy deal. It is not, however, limited to pilots at American...or even airlines in general. I read, below, a comment that people were being asked to do more with fewer people. Welcome to the 21st century. The question one must ask is whether there were inefficiencies that allowed a bloated workforce to form. (I don't know, nor do I have enough insight to form an opinion.) I have to say, however, it does feel like the unions involved in these actions are a bit behind the times.
I was affected by these problems last week. On Sunday, I received an automated call from American telling me that my flight on Monday was canceled. But, not to worry--they'd booked me on another flight. In their mind, all was great. Never mind the fact that my new arrival time was 2.5 hours past what I'd originally booked. Then, on my way to the airport on Monday morning, I received a text message from TripIt telling me that my flight was canceled. (No call from American this time.) So, I called American. Sure enough, the flight was canceled. I was then booked on yet another two flights, as my whole itinerary had to be changed. On my return flights two days later, the first took off two hours later than usual, due to a "mechanical issue." This caused me to have to run to catch my connecting flight, as it was 15 minutes before it left. I should note that this was after I changed the return flights to allow for more time between flights--2.5 hours--because I didn't have the confidence that I would arrive on time.
The bottom line for me? I don't really care what is behind the poor operational issues. I have business commitments I must meet, and travel is a big part of those commitments. I called and canceled my next three trips on American, and moved them to other carriers. This is the reality that all employees at American should understand before putting customers in the middle of labor issues. Most of us (customers) don't really care what's behind the issues. We care about getting to where we need to go, when we planned to get there. If enough of American's customers get fed up and go to another carrier, that is a direct revenue impact. Less revenue/fewer passengers translates to even tougher decisions.
Between mechanical delays, and the "our gate isn't open" problems (when I landed, we waited 20 minutes on a taxiway because the gate wasn't open, my tolerance is gone.
I was affected by these problems last week. On Sunday, I received an automated call from American telling me that my flight on Monday was canceled. But, not to worry--they'd booked me on another flight. In their mind, all was great. Never mind the fact that my new arrival time was 2.5 hours past what I'd originally booked. Then, on my way to the airport on Monday morning, I received a text message from TripIt telling me that my flight was canceled. (No call from American this time.) So, I called American. Sure enough, the flight was canceled. I was then booked on yet another two flights, as my whole itinerary had to be changed. On my return flights two days later, the first took off two hours later than usual, due to a "mechanical issue." This caused me to have to run to catch my connecting flight, as it was 15 minutes before it left. I should note that this was after I changed the return flights to allow for more time between flights--2.5 hours--because I didn't have the confidence that I would arrive on time.
The bottom line for me? I don't really care what is behind the poor operational issues. I have business commitments I must meet, and travel is a big part of those commitments. I called and canceled my next three trips on American, and moved them to other carriers. This is the reality that all employees at American should understand before putting customers in the middle of labor issues. Most of us (customers) don't really care what's behind the issues. We care about getting to where we need to go, when we planned to get there. If enough of American's customers get fed up and go to another carrier, that is a direct revenue impact. Less revenue/fewer passengers translates to even tougher decisions.
Between mechanical delays, and the "our gate isn't open" problems (when I landed, we waited 20 minutes on a taxiway because the gate wasn't open, my tolerance is gone.
Joel, I totally understand your comments and your decisions regarding flights on AA. It only makes sense, from a business standpoint, to minimize your risk. I am just amazed at how many people look at what is happening at American Airlines and only point the finger at the pilots or the union. We tried to fix this problem in 2003 when we voluntarily (in a spirit of company pride) gave up 35% of our pay and additional other work rule concessions to keep the company out of bankruptcy. The company squandered the opportunity and, to make matters worse, decided that they should reward the management team hundreds of millions of dollars in performance bonuses (in spite of posting losses every quarter). A very real slap in the face...welcome to the 21st century. As a business man (I honestly would like to know) is this a practice that you would encourage if you were the CEO? Maybe all businessmen think that the employees are just part of the machine. I have seen otherwise and believe we can have leaders with integrity. It is interesting that instead of complain to the judge because we are perceived to be hurting business, they have decided to schedule more negotiations. I will continue to ensure that my airplane complies with the standards established by the FAA and the company and never compromise yours, or my, safety...even when I am the highest paid pilot in the industry.
Hope your next experience is more satisfactory.
Hope your next experience is more satisfactory.
There are several comments here that put the Union at the root of all this. They can't be at all of it or they would have an out and out revolt from people such as yourself that just happen to give a damn about things. That said, one or 2 well placed hotheads can have a domino effect through the whole system. AA was once at the top of the heap and was truly America's Airline. It was the model that other's tried to emulate. For what ever reason, it is now on a downhill slide with the PAX caught in the middle. I was kinda like Joel on flying as a PAX. I scheduled my business and meeting times around thoses arrival/departue times that the airline had posted. Some us those folks had my company tied to a 99.5 OT service. I expected no less from anyone else and that included the airline.
All that said, there is a problem somewhere, with all our instantaneous communication, it is being exploited, AND SOMEBODY NEEDS TO FIX IT WHILE THERE IS SOMETHING LEFT TO FIX!!!!
All that said, there is a problem somewhere, with all our instantaneous communication, it is being exploited, AND SOMEBODY NEEDS TO FIX IT WHILE THERE IS SOMETHING LEFT TO FIX!!!!
I sat on those thin cushions while the pilot was playing the "maintenance" game and if you want proof the pilots are playing a game, for half an hour he couldn't find the supervisor who had to sign off the ticket, this after over 2.5 hours of waiting while supposedly maintenance talked to some other city about a seal on a wing tip that didn't need to be replaced.
I'm on Social Security and scrimped on a AA flight to my 50th class reunion, so excuse me if I don't feel terribly sad that you are taking home a 767 captain's pay and while you may think you deserve twice as much, there are a whole lot of unemployed people who have been through 4 years of college and the school of hard knocks and would love to take home even half what you do.
Be thankful you haven't been laid off and pushed aside for a younger guy who will work cheaper.
I'm on Social Security and scrimped on a AA flight to my 50th class reunion, so excuse me if I don't feel terribly sad that you are taking home a 767 captain's pay and while you may think you deserve twice as much, there are a whole lot of unemployed people who have been through 4 years of college and the school of hard knocks and would love to take home even half what you do.
Be thankful you haven't been laid off and pushed aside for a younger guy who will work cheaper.
I know I am probably wasting my time trying to 'talk you down' from this ledge but for whatever reason I feel compelled to do it. You seem like a nice person and my ONLY point is that your anger and frustration at your experience are misdirected. Pilots don't furnish the planes (we sit on the same cushions that management purchased). You may have missed my earlier point about the mechanics being unhappy at their reduction in force...they are now asked to do the job with far fewer personnel. We have no choice than to wait for a mechanic when there is a discrepancy to be signed off. This example is not proof of pilot 'games' but rather mismanagement by an obviously incompetent company. I'm sorry, but I can't just 'excuse' you for making statements that are derived from misinformation. Although a 767 Captain's salary sounds like it should be a big deal, I am making far less than I was making in 1999, as a first officer. I don't expect you to feel sorry for me. I also have 4 years of college, and a US Navy career ( there may have been some hard knocks there) and a work culture that has kept me away from my family for at least half of every month for the last 20 years.
I could go on...and I want to, if for no other reason than to make the point that you are angry with the wrong people. We have taken our pay cuts and career stagnation while our management 'team' has increased their 'take' 900%!! (saw that figure somewhere, not sure how accurate)...the point is that while we have contributed for the last 10 years, they have handsomely rewarded themselves during a period that resulted in losses. Wouldn't you think that performance bonuses would have something to do with the health and prosperity of the company? These guys have figured out how to make themselves feel good about their bonus, while they are staring at bankruptcy!
Oh well, good luck to you Bunnie, I hope I get to take you to your next reunion, and I'll make sure they double up the cushions for you. Oh yeah, almost forgot, I am thankful.
I could go on...and I want to, if for no other reason than to make the point that you are angry with the wrong people. We have taken our pay cuts and career stagnation while our management 'team' has increased their 'take' 900%!! (saw that figure somewhere, not sure how accurate)...the point is that while we have contributed for the last 10 years, they have handsomely rewarded themselves during a period that resulted in losses. Wouldn't you think that performance bonuses would have something to do with the health and prosperity of the company? These guys have figured out how to make themselves feel good about their bonus, while they are staring at bankruptcy!
Oh well, good luck to you Bunnie, I hope I get to take you to your next reunion, and I'll make sure they double up the cushions for you. Oh yeah, almost forgot, I am thankful.
@ David: hopefully they are through working on the page and this will go as a reply. I have one to you from last night that is sitting up there by itself 4-5 above.
At any rate, you are correct in that you are probably wasting time. I haven't seen her on here until this story came out. She has only been a member for 10 months and obviously had 1 bad experience and has drank the media Kool Aid, with no real interest in getting at the crux of the problem.
At any rate, you are correct in that you are probably wasting time. I haven't seen her on here until this story came out. She has only been a member for 10 months and obviously had 1 bad experience and has drank the media Kool Aid, with no real interest in getting at the crux of the problem.
I didn't drink any media Kool-Aid, I sat in that seat and waited and waited and waited and if you want MY proof they were goofing off, no one was in touch with the ONE person who had to sign off the maintenance log and they "spent" a half hour looking for him AFTER all the conversations were over about a wingtip seal that didn't need to be replaced.
I've very happy David says he will do what is right for the airline, we buy a ticket at whatever the price is on the screen and we expect to fly there without some union screwing up our trip because they are have issues with management. Let them picket outside the airport instead of screwing up our flights with union tactics.
This is 2012, not the 80s when ticket prices were high, meals were delicious, seats were comfortable and pay was luxurious. Newbie carriers with efficient planes have taken on AA and that is who you work for, gross management errors and all. If their BK plans don't make you happy, so will your unemployment check, be happy you still have a job.
Unions used to be to help the working poor and AA has gotten themselves into BK and if it was ALL or part bad management it doesn't matter to the people who TRUSTED that the planes and the PILOTS would be there to take them to their destination when they bought their tickets. The unions want a sickout and "replace a light bulb" maintenance to pressure AA and the union doesn't give a F about the people who bought the tickets in good faith.
Unfortunately with many unions, the people with the greatest degree of arrogance get elected and the members think they are being represented. Yeah, right, until they have no job.
I've very happy David says he will do what is right for the airline, we buy a ticket at whatever the price is on the screen and we expect to fly there without some union screwing up our trip because they are have issues with management. Let them picket outside the airport instead of screwing up our flights with union tactics.
This is 2012, not the 80s when ticket prices were high, meals were delicious, seats were comfortable and pay was luxurious. Newbie carriers with efficient planes have taken on AA and that is who you work for, gross management errors and all. If their BK plans don't make you happy, so will your unemployment check, be happy you still have a job.
Unions used to be to help the working poor and AA has gotten themselves into BK and if it was ALL or part bad management it doesn't matter to the people who TRUSTED that the planes and the PILOTS would be there to take them to their destination when they bought their tickets. The unions want a sickout and "replace a light bulb" maintenance to pressure AA and the union doesn't give a F about the people who bought the tickets in good faith.
Unfortunately with many unions, the people with the greatest degree of arrogance get elected and the members think they are being represented. Yeah, right, until they have no job.
I guess it must have been something much stronger than Kool-Aid. I'm not a mechanic, so I'm not sure from your version how important that wing tip seal might have been, but I am quite certain that I would have waited however long it took to find out for sure. I am assuming that you wanted to eventually get to your destination, even if it was later than planned. You seem convinced that we are using 'union tactics'. I am using FAA policy. Guess you missed the missive about the $162 million fine levied against AA for maintenance related problems, I guess as long as you get where you are going then those issues aren't important. I am sorry that in all your anger you have still missed the point of my joining the conversation in the first place. The company and the media (and now you) have made us the villain...we are not. If you think that all the problems would disappear if we just flew those damn airplanes, again, you have missed the point. I get that you are not a frequent flyer, which puzzles me why you would be on this web site in the first place, but these scenarios are not uncommon for a variety of reasons. I will restate, for the record, we are not staging a sickout and if the "light bulb" happens to say "FIRE" and it doesn't come on when it should...well, you probably get the picture. I will take an unemployment check over a company that doesn't value it's employees...or customers. Again, sorry for your experience.
Sorry you are taking this personal, I was not aiming at any one person. I used to fly often and now I don't, my partner died last October and for about eight years she was too sick to fly anywhere so this is my first trip in a long time and I simply paid what the screen said to pay for the only connection I could make with the other one prop, two pilot, eight seat plane to get back for my class reunion.
It is unfortunate that pilots are not getting the pay they either want or deserve, whatever the case, but the day after I was back the pilots were picketing outside LAX and calling in sick and flights were cancelled and that was the UNION in addition to whatever nitpicking the pilots could do in maintenance and as I understand it the reports shot up 500% over last month so not calling that a UNION action would be farfetched, it looks like a duck, it walks like a duck and it quacks. It might be different if the reports were up something but not five times.
I don't begrudge you an honest days living and maybe AA can pay it to you and maybe management has screwed up so badly that it is no longer possible, I am no judge of that, but I watched TV and I saw the screen of cancelled flights and the sick calls and that is your UNION screwing AA passengers so if they want to kill AA, then every pilot can quit at once and you can kill AA but unless that is going to happen, every pilot ought to show up for work and NOT screw the passengers through sick calls or fake maintenance and YOU know the difference between a screw missing on the dash and a fuel cap that won't close.
Capitalism says AA will live or die and every passenger the pilots chase away with their bully tactics is an exercise towards death of an airline. Deal with the Pension Guarantee Board, not nearly as generous as a going airline.
We could do this forever, but I'm going to stop and let you and anyone else have the last words.
Thanks, Bunnie
It is unfortunate that pilots are not getting the pay they either want or deserve, whatever the case, but the day after I was back the pilots were picketing outside LAX and calling in sick and flights were cancelled and that was the UNION in addition to whatever nitpicking the pilots could do in maintenance and as I understand it the reports shot up 500% over last month so not calling that a UNION action would be farfetched, it looks like a duck, it walks like a duck and it quacks. It might be different if the reports were up something but not five times.
I don't begrudge you an honest days living and maybe AA can pay it to you and maybe management has screwed up so badly that it is no longer possible, I am no judge of that, but I watched TV and I saw the screen of cancelled flights and the sick calls and that is your UNION screwing AA passengers so if they want to kill AA, then every pilot can quit at once and you can kill AA but unless that is going to happen, every pilot ought to show up for work and NOT screw the passengers through sick calls or fake maintenance and YOU know the difference between a screw missing on the dash and a fuel cap that won't close.
Capitalism says AA will live or die and every passenger the pilots chase away with their bully tactics is an exercise towards death of an airline. Deal with the Pension Guarantee Board, not nearly as generous as a going airline.
We could do this forever, but I'm going to stop and let you and anyone else have the last words.
Thanks, Bunnie
I wanted to let this conversation die with your last words, but I decided I wouldn't have accomplished my goal of rebutting the company and the media if I didn't make one last attempt to invoke the truth. I know I am being repetitive, but so have you been, so I guess that's the way it goes. By any quantifiable measure, there is not one shred of evidence to conclude that American Airlines pilots are staging a sick out. If that were the case, the company would have gone to the judge immediately and requested some form of relief...they never did. So, instead, they are waging a PR battle to try to deflect criticism from their mismanagement. Did I mention the mechanics weren't happy, either? Bunnie, none of what you are saying is personal to me. You have your opinion and I can't change it. Just wish you had been willing to listen to the reality of the situation and the back story. Oh well, they have a bigger PR budget, so it figures. Quack, quack...:)