Untrue, the minute the transaction closed, TWALLC became a wholly owned company of AA. Besides, the arbitrator told all parties to work it out, he has a very narrow scope of authority and there is a very good chance that he crossed the line. Additionally Supp W is very clear on when flowthroughs are allowed to occupy 50% of the newhire classes, it specifically says that it cannot happen until all AA pilots(AA and TWA) are recalled.
This last arbitration, even if implemented means that after the TWA buyout, it triggered the right of EAgle pilots to get an AA seniority number(read after all TWA pilots). The next arbitration is whether the Eagle pilots that have numbers already but have never been on property are allowed to be recalled in seniority order. That is the big one, this last one even if it works against AA, has no bearing on TWA pilots as the seniority numbers triggered are all after the TWA buyout and hence junior to all TWA and AA pilots currently on furlough.
If Eagle pilots win the arbitration regarding recalls, then so be it, I believe the arbitrator will have gotten it wrong, but so be it. In any case, whether those pilots will actually flowthrough is a big question anyways as how many of them are willng to go back to 1st year pay at AA, it would be about a 60k/yr hit, and it would take them quiet a while to get back to that level, especially considering that most of them are very senior and in their last 40s and 50s.

Xtwapilot

well ALPA is assisting Eagle management in providing financial analysis and "bridge" loans as a possible cost reduction program for the flowthroughs and senior captains. pathetic.

even though TWA LLC, became a wholly owned company, these pilots NEVER went to "berlin" for "dark side training". this is what the arbitrator based his decision on (again i'm only reading his words). i'm sure the apa spin machine is churning out information as ralphie needs to save his job. no more "working together" i guess. :rolleyes:

I thought 'Ralphie' was the University of Colorado mascot----a Buffalo!

Is that who's running for APA president?

he is the APA president. he likes to "work together".

http://www.unity2007.com/Resumes.html

Hi!

So, what's the latest update on the recalls???

cliff
YIP

Cliff,
I know there's at least a July class. I guess thery're going to continue it until they at least see how many guys will stay around past 60. They will be looking for a trend. If they can slow it up, or even stop, they will. The July class is 40 pilots, so for now, good news.

AA is still in the process of recalling instructors and getting the schoolhouse "spooled up" for recalls. Rumor has it that the recalls may increase to 50 or 60 a month by the end of the year. The recall process is very expensive and time consuming and there is no way it will come to a halt unless something drastic happens. If the retirement age is raised to 65, it will take at least 12-18 months to implement. Until then, the retirements will continue and the recalls will also continue. I expect to see recalls through at least 2008.

I thought with the 65 rule re-introduced in a bill, and trying to fast-track it by this fall, it would change to 65 within 30 days after that bill is eventually signed by Jorge W. But if recalls continue, and go to that higher rate you heard about, it'll be a pleasant surprise.

Tone,

That's what I thought as well regarding the fast track. Seems to me that the rule could be in place by year's end if the reauthorization stands as is and is not set aside for a continuance policy of funding the FAA for 2008.

But don't you guys think that a change to 65 will result in a fairly rapid increase in attrition off the top at AA? Won't the guys nearing 60 want to get out with their full pensions at 60 before management can pressure the contractual requirement to stay 'til 65 for full bennies? The pension there is anything but assured for the future...

not only that, but how is normal retirement age defined in the AA pilots pensino plan? does it state "age 60" or does it reference the governments mandatory retirement age? if it is simply "age 60" then this would need to be negotiated as a change to the pension plan, while in the meantime people could still retire at 60 and after with unreduced benefits.