AA Pilots call in sick?

[bonniejoy03]

I was on AA web page and saw a notice about many delayed and cancelled flights. I just heard on the news a headline that AA pilots are calling in sick. Does anyone know what is going on?

[kyshel]

Would not be a surprise at all. It's fairly common when there's a bankruptcy and pending merger and the guvmint gets involved...

[kyshel]

This might explain what is happening:
"By Roland Jones, NBC News
American Airlines has told over 11,000 workers they could lose their jobs as part of its reorganization in bankruptcy.
However, the U.S. airline, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in November, said it expects that fewer than 40 percent of those it sent notices to, or 4,400 people, will actually be laid off in November and December.
The job cut notifications come as a result of the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act, which requires workers to be told about major layoffs or plant closures 60 days in advance.
Jamie Horwitz, a spokesman for the Transport Workers Union, a representative for workers that received WARN Act notices said the layoff notices “will look worse than the actual layoffs.”
Horwitz said about 800 employees had agreed to leave American voluntarily, a move that will further reduce the number of expected layoffs. American said in February it planned to cut up to 14,000 jobs as part of a plan to slim down its operations in bankruptcy.
American also said it is cutting flights by one to two percent for the rest of September and October.
The cuts are partly due to an increase in pilot sick days and greater maintenance reports by flight crews led to flight cancellations and delays, Hicks said. American operates about 1,700 flights a day.
According to flight tracking service FlightAware.com, over the past two weeks American Airlines has canceled more flights than any other major U.S. airline.
Reuters contributed to this report."

[jmbklj]

A recent Wallstreet Journal article was recommending that you avoid booking fall flights with American Airlines because the pilot feud has made the airline unreliable. The flight delays have brought down its on-time results to a low of 48%, and 29% being "excessively late".

Book Away From American This Fall; Pilot Feud Has Made Airline Too Unreliable - The Middle Seat Terminal - WSJ


American Airlines cancels flights as labor talks drag on - USATODAY.com

This isn't the first time something like this has happened. I recall the same thing occurring when there were unresolved union contracts with Northwest Airlines. Due to their unofficial "sickout", many flights were delayed or cancelled.

[bonniejoy03]

I think they time this based on my existing and future trip plans. I am taking it personal! I am going to Argentina in December and I just booked Ecuador (right before the announcement was made.) Oh well........

[kyshel]

I think they time this based on my existing and future trip plans. I am taking it personal! I am going to Argentina in December and I just booked Ecuador (right before the announcement was made.) Oh well........

Maybe this is an elaborate test, set up by your employer. They are in cahoots w/AA--checking to see how well you handle stress before you get a big promotion!
You do "have the luck" with AA don't you--good and bad. December is a long way off. Fingers crossed!

[[email protected]]

I am using AA for my trip to Costa Rica in early November - hope this gets resolved - I do not need to have this trip canceled - I need my vacation so bad................

[bonniejoy03]

K-I agree with you. It is part of my "senior" stress test!!! They keep watching which flights I want to pick and then raise those prices or give me stinky times.

[jsattapr2]

sorry girls, I don't buy the 'scare tactics' involved...keep booking those AA flts.

[kyshel]

sorry girls, I don't buy the 'scare tactics' involved...keep booking those AA flts.

I don't understand what "scare tactics" you cite? It's obvious that AA has union issues and bankruptcy issues and crew issues and, yes, they are cancelling flights (300 this past week alone). The scary part is that it is real. This is industry reality, not a scare tactic. I agree to continue to book AA but be prepared for more than just schedule changes and be flexible.
I'll put my money on Bonnie and Denise to figure out to deal with any changes!