It's Official-aa To Start Pilot Furlough's(jan.05)

JXCAP

Newbie
May 26, 2004
4
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From President Ralph Hunter - American Airlines Announces Furloughs
Yesterday's announcement of the 3rd quarter losses was not pleasant news for any of us. You can blame fees, fares, or fuel for the losses but the bottom line is that forces external to our control have resulted in a financial condition that required the company to reevaluate its 2005 fleet plan. In addition to the announced 15 aircraft that will be parked, it is our understanding that American will also leave an additional 20 aircraft in storage that they had previously planned on returning to revenue service for a net decrease of 35 aircraft from the original 2005 fleet plan. After accounting for increased utilization of the remaining aircraft and planned pilot retirements, Management is currently projecting the need to furlough between 350 and 450 pilots. The first furloughs are planned for January 6th, and will include 125 pilots, with additional pilots likely to be furloughed over the following four months.

Obviously this is bad news for pilots who face the prospect of furlough. It is additionally difficult news for the 2591 pilots currently on furlough because it means conditions conducive to their recall clearly do not exist and do not seem to be on the horizon. Due to the extreme volatility present in the industry, these plans are subject to change.

When further information including dates and numbers become available, we will post them in this forum. We expect to have that information verified and finalized by Friday afternoon. It is always difficult to accept bad news about furloughs. Our hearts go out to our fellow pilots with the hope that the sacrifices they make will lead to a stronger company and a quick return.
Furlough Committee, CA Rusty McDaniels - Furlough Information
The APA Membership/Furlough Committee is committed to doing everything possible to assist you during your furlough. We want to make sure you have the information you need to make plans prior to your furlough.
All pilots furloughed will be eligible for flowback to AE. The deadline for submitting bids for flowback to AE will be approximately 15 days prior to furlough (the deadline will be announced on AAPilots.com and APA e-mail). Bidding for flowback to AE is accomplished on AAPilots.Com under furlough information. Please note that the number of CJ Captain bid statuses available for bid at Eagle has increased from 6 to 7 with the addition of the CRJ in ORD.