In an announcement on Friday, American Eagle indicated that it may furlough up to 233 Pilots and Flight Attendants. The regional affiliate of American Airlines (who’s parent company AMR, recently filed for bankruptcy protection) stated that this was an initial effort to help contain costs as the company goes through reorganization.
119 pilots and 104 flight attendants from the Dallas Forth Worth (DFW) area could lose their jobs as soon as February 13, 2012 and the regional airline also indicated that it is likely to return turbo prop aircraft back to the leasing company as a further cost cutting measure.
I suspect this is the initial salvo and that additional cuts to staffing and equipment will be forthcoming as the company navigates it’s corporate restructuring.
To help combat the potential loss of passengers to competing airlines, American has launched a very aggressive marketing promotion awarding double the Elite Qualifying Miles one would earn on a standard trip. This applies to the entire American Airlines Timetable and will be valid until January 31, 2012.
For those already ticketed on American Airline Flights, it is extremely unlikely that you will notice any major disruption in service. If anything, you may see the airline be even more passenger friendly to help keep their customers coming back.
One more… One more… US airlines simply gave up on Service, years ago. From the FAs on down, if one does not have some elite status, they just don’t give a [fill-in favorite word]. Yup, even on long-haul international flights. Want a good experience, fly a foreign flag. For domestice travel, drive as often as possible or consider it a flying Greyhound Bus. They just don’t give a crap!
I never like to see anyone lose their jobs. Perhaps the AA FAs will withdraw their Presidential Grievance regarding adding turn down service in first class.
I know those weren’t eagle FAs who were grieving, but it is indicative of the overall attitude by the unions…the slightest change too often prompts a grievance. The right answer was, “Great, this new service will help us compete better with many of the foreign carriers.” Labor need only look in the mirror when they wonder about AA’s troubles. While labor isn’t the only challenge facing the carrier, no one considered AA’s pre-filing labor position to be a competitive a’advantage!
http://boardingarea.com/blogs/onemileatatime/2011/09/03/american-airlines-flight-attendant-union-files-grievance-over-first-class-turndown-service/
“even more pax friendly to keep customers coming back”
And just why isn’t this normal operations??? For all airlines, it is a service business after all, with alternatives for most of us most of the time.