Many of us at some of the smaller carriers have a limited jumpseat policy with American Airlines. American is by far the worst with regards to reciprocal agreements among the small carriers and any change is unlikely due to our small size and impact to Americans operations.

This will be our biggest obstacle to overcome in this situation. But the fact remains; change needs to occur and it will be us(not them) that will bring about that change. When putting this whole Mesaba, Colgan and Pinnacle situation into perspective, their success was based on their combined sheer size and scope.

My belief is that in order to excite rapid change, we need to work with other carriers on this. Many airlines share our sub par limited jumpseat policy with American. I think that if we associated with as many carriers as possible in our same boat, this would send a clear picture to Americans management that their unbalanced and frankly unethical policy would not be tolerated. With the current staffing situation at American, we need to act fast. A loose association should exist among limited carriers and a specific date is set in which we enact one of two things;

1) We reciprocate Americans policy to the letter. Limit our aircraft to only one American jumpseater and only if there are no other jumpseaters present. American will not be permitted to jumpseat internationally, this includes Canada and Mexico.

2) A total ban of American jumpseaters on any of the associated airlines jumpseats.

I would not like to see either of these ideas come to fruition, but a date in which they would in the case that American management fails to reciprocate an unlimited jumpseat policy with the associated airlines.

The American pilot group has attempted to rid themselves of this limited jumpseat policy that has been in place for some time. They have made little or no progress in the process. I believe this a case of American management stiff arming the pilots and not a lack of desire from APA. The only way to make a point to Americans management is to simply create a major headache for them.....i.e. guys not showing up for work.