AMR Recalls
#1
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Joined APC: Nov 2006
Posts: 393
AMR Recalls
With the recalls going so nicely at AMR (and growing), does anyone know just how AMR is staffed right now? With the retirement age changing will the recalls continue as some retire at 60 and even earlier anyway? Are these recalls due to FUTURE retirements only, or if the age were to change tomorrow to 65, would they still need 1000 or so pilots? Crystal ball anyone? Or better yet, inside info, anyone?
#2
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Joined APC: Oct 2006
Position: Ret AD, back to AA
Posts: 115
there is no crystal ball...
tone,
You pose many good questions, and honestly no one, even AA mgt, really has the real answer! Here's what I can definitely tell you about AA--we have upped our recalls to 40/month, and are scheduled to continue on that pace through the end of the year. Since we have no new equipment and won't be netting any gained aircraft probably for a long time (we will be getting new 737-800's in a few years, but retiring old MD-80s at the same time) we are really only hiring to offset actual retirements, which will be fairly heavy for the next few years. We are getting ready to have an ammendable contract next year, so the fact that the company is recalling is evidence that they really need recalls because they would not be throwing us a bone during this time otherwise...
As for age 65 passing, it's really anyone's guess how that would affect recalls at AA. They say it could take up to 2 years after passage to actually see the rule implemented and age 60 retirements actually stop being mandatory. I would guess that you would see recalls slow or even stop temporarily at that point, but probably not completely stop. Surveys at AA say that most folks nearing age 60 don't have a burning desire to continue to 65, but you never really know until you offer it to them.
As for your hopes to get on with AA, unless you are one of our 2,500 plus furloughees already, most speculate that there won't be any new hires until at least 2009, and that's if age 65 does NOT go through. If that timing works for you, great, but if qualified now I'd have all my other apps out way before thinking about a job at American.
Hope this helps...
You pose many good questions, and honestly no one, even AA mgt, really has the real answer! Here's what I can definitely tell you about AA--we have upped our recalls to 40/month, and are scheduled to continue on that pace through the end of the year. Since we have no new equipment and won't be netting any gained aircraft probably for a long time (we will be getting new 737-800's in a few years, but retiring old MD-80s at the same time) we are really only hiring to offset actual retirements, which will be fairly heavy for the next few years. We are getting ready to have an ammendable contract next year, so the fact that the company is recalling is evidence that they really need recalls because they would not be throwing us a bone during this time otherwise...
As for age 65 passing, it's really anyone's guess how that would affect recalls at AA. They say it could take up to 2 years after passage to actually see the rule implemented and age 60 retirements actually stop being mandatory. I would guess that you would see recalls slow or even stop temporarily at that point, but probably not completely stop. Surveys at AA say that most folks nearing age 60 don't have a burning desire to continue to 65, but you never really know until you offer it to them.
As for your hopes to get on with AA, unless you are one of our 2,500 plus furloughees already, most speculate that there won't be any new hires until at least 2009, and that's if age 65 does NOT go through. If that timing works for you, great, but if qualified now I'd have all my other apps out way before thinking about a job at American.
Hope this helps...
#4
One other note to add is Arpey saying that he would love to operate this airline with 1000 less pilots. He was quoted saying that and using Continental as the example. So if management throws the big bone of getting pay where it belongs and doing so by increased flying you'll be jerking gear for a long time if hired there when and if they start hiring.
#5
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Joined APC: Nov 2006
Posts: 393
One other note to add is Arpey saying that he would love to operate this airline with 1000 less pilots. He was quoted saying that and using Continental as the example. So if management throws the big bone of getting pay where it belongs and doing so by increased flying you'll be jerking gear for a long time if hired there when and if they start hiring.
#6
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Joined APC: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,889
One other note to add is Arpey saying that he would love to operate this airline with 1000 less pilots. He was quoted saying that and using Continental as the example. So if management throws the big bone of getting pay where it belongs and doing so by increased flying you'll be jerking gear for a long time if hired there when and if they start hiring.
#7
#8
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Posts: 2,889
Not sure I understand. I wasn't trying to be condescending - just pointing out that, to operate with 1000 less pilots, won't take that long at the rate our pilots are leaving.
I am very lucky to not have gotten furloughed - I was plug + 1 for two years. Totally out of my control.
I am very lucky to not have gotten furloughed - I was plug + 1 for two years. Totally out of my control.
#9
And, I'm sure you've heard about the AMR Eagle arbitration, claiming that their pilots with seniority numbers at AA should be 'hired' (not recalled, since they never were furloughed) before furloughed AA pilots who were ex-TWA? What are your thoughts on that?
#10
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Joined APC: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,889
The part I was referring to was when you said 'it doesn't worry me one bit'; because you're not furloughed, you won't suffer more years on the street because of AMR downsizing the pilot group, delaying recalls, and ceasing to grow.
And, I'm sure you've heard about the AMR Eagle arbitration, claiming that their pilots with seniority numbers at AA should be 'hired' (not recalled, since they never were furloughed) before furloughed AA pilots who were ex-TWA? What are your thoughts on that?
And, I'm sure you've heard about the AMR Eagle arbitration, claiming that their pilots with seniority numbers at AA should be 'hired' (not recalled, since they never were furloughed) before furloughed AA pilots who were ex-TWA? What are your thoughts on that?
Part 2: I don't agree with the arbitration one bit, and APA legal is fighting this one to the bone. Not sure how it will turn out. Essentially, AE pilots have seniority numbers through the Flowthrough agreement, which specifically states "new hire class", not "recall class." All AA/TWA pilots who were furloughed should be recalled before ANY AE pilot "flows through." If the arbitration stands, then we will probably see more stagnation with everyone coming back... i.e. 4-5 years instead of 2-3. We'll see.
Regards, 73
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