AA Pilots: ‘The New American Airlines Is Outright Embarrassing’

Pilots’ union accuses American Airlines of springing “negative surprises” on pilots and passengers.

Pilots flying for American Airlines are calling out their new chief executive with accusations of continuing policies that have fostered a “toxic environment.” On March 4, 2016, the Allied Pilots Association (APA) sent an open letter to American CEO Doug Parker outlining their concerns in words.

“Delta [Air Lines] and United [Airlines] management have been finding ways to partner with their pilots,” states the letter. “Delta’s CEO has lauded his employees as the key for Delta’s success. Meanwhile, we see managers at our airline clinging to their old ways.”

The pilots accuse Parker and his leadership team of creating an environment that is hostile toward both passengers and employees. The letter signed by the union’s board of directors alleges the airline scheduling policy conflicts with the labor contract, while payroll experiences discrepancies with compensating pilots. As a result, the APA accuses the airline of lagging behind their competitors in both in-flight experience and labor relations.

“Candidly, the new American Airlines product is outright embarrassing and we’re tired of apologizing to our passengers,” the pilots’ letter reads. “The often-repeated excuse that ‘we need more time’ won’t cut it. Our pilots and passengers deserve better.”

Although the letter offers no solutions, the pilots give three demands of the fully merged airline. First, the union requests the company stop “contractual/legal abuses,” effect implemention of all of the terms of the five-year agreement after the merge with US Airways, and facilitate “lasting and durable cultural change.”

In a response to the Dallas Morning News, a spokesperson for American said they “fully understand” the position of the union and are working to improve labor conditions. The airline claims they are in the midst of a $10.5 billion investment, including dedicating $3.5 billion to raise salaries.

“It’s important to realize we are two years into a five-year integration process,” American spokesperson Casey Norton told the Dallas Morning News. “Everyone wants it to go fast, faster than it is, but we’re also committed to getting it right.”

[Photo: Tim Boyle/Newsmakers]