More SFO / San Francisco cuts: AA closes pilot base
Oct 13, 2011, 9:21 am
#1
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More SFO / San Francisco cuts: AA closes pilot base
The nail on the coffin for the return of AA non-hub SFO flights: AA is closing its pilot base there.
Source: http://aviationblog.dallasnews.com/a...close-pil.html
Source: http://aviationblog.dallasnews.com/a...close-pil.html
The San Francisco base has been deemphasized in recent years as American has adopted a "cornerstone" strategy focused on its Dallas/Fort Worth, Chicago and Miami hubs and Los Angeles and New York.
Oct 13, 2011, 10:02 am
#2
Join Date: Apr 2006
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The nail on the coffin for the return of AA non-hub SFO flights: AA is closing its pilot base there.
Source: http://aviationblog.dallasnews.com/a...close-pil.html
Source: http://aviationblog.dallasnews.com/a...close-pil.html
IIRC, all the other SFO routes are hub routes.
Oct 13, 2011, 10:06 am
#3
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I don't think AA flies nonstop from SFO to AUS.
Oct 13, 2011, 10:15 am
#4
Join Date: Jun 2003
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Cheers,
LBBZman
Oct 13, 2011, 10:51 am
#5
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Until recently there was SFO-BOS and SFO-HNL. Eagle also flew SFO-SNA and maybe SAN?
Oct 13, 2011, 11:28 am
#6
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I'm surprised its lasted this long. Another blow to AA's SFO area operations.
Bloomberg: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-1...ilot-base.html
Bloomberg: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-1...ilot-base.html
Oct 13, 2011, 11:36 am
#7
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Apa information hotline
APA INFORMATION HOTLINE
This is APA President Captain Dave Bates with the APA Information Hotline for Thursday, Oct. 13.
SFO BASE CLOSURE: APA has been informed that American Airlines management plans to close the San Francisco crew base. This regrettable development will adversely affect hundreds of American Airlines employees and their families, including more than 300 SFO-based pilots. APA is disappointed that management could not find a way to maintain the San Francisco base as part of the airline’s network.
In consultation with APA’s general counsel, we have reconfirmed that there are no contractual limitations on management decision-making with respect to crew bases, and no status quo implications associated with a base closure during Section 6 negotiations. In our airline’s history, there have been a number of cities where airline management once maintained crew bases, only to decide later to close those bases.
Rest assured that your APA leadership will engage management to explore ways to mitigate the impact of this unfortunate situation on our SFO-based pilots and their families. We intend to do everything feasible to protect the interests of the pilot families that will be affected. We are keenly aware of the hardship that results from a base closure.
I remain convinced that the best course of action in our present situation is to conclude negotiations expeditiously. While we cannot necessarily influence management decision-making with respect to where to locate crew bases, a contractual agreement that is good for our pilots and good for the operation will help move American Airlines in a more positive direction.
Thanks for checking this hotline.
This is APA President Captain Dave Bates with the APA Information Hotline for Thursday, Oct. 13.
SFO BASE CLOSURE: APA has been informed that American Airlines management plans to close the San Francisco crew base. This regrettable development will adversely affect hundreds of American Airlines employees and their families, including more than 300 SFO-based pilots. APA is disappointed that management could not find a way to maintain the San Francisco base as part of the airline’s network.
In consultation with APA’s general counsel, we have reconfirmed that there are no contractual limitations on management decision-making with respect to crew bases, and no status quo implications associated with a base closure during Section 6 negotiations. In our airline’s history, there have been a number of cities where airline management once maintained crew bases, only to decide later to close those bases.
Rest assured that your APA leadership will engage management to explore ways to mitigate the impact of this unfortunate situation on our SFO-based pilots and their families. We intend to do everything feasible to protect the interests of the pilot families that will be affected. We are keenly aware of the hardship that results from a base closure.
I remain convinced that the best course of action in our present situation is to conclude negotiations expeditiously. While we cannot necessarily influence management decision-making with respect to where to locate crew bases, a contractual agreement that is good for our pilots and good for the operation will help move American Airlines in a more positive direction.
Thanks for checking this hotline.
There you have it-they have no recourse if the company decides to close the base.
Oct 13, 2011, 12:01 pm
#8
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 467
at what point to the SFO people just plain realize AA isn't coming back there and move their business to wherever they think the grass is greener?
Oct 13, 2011, 12:14 pm
#9
Join Date: Apr 2010
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I'm surprised its lasted this long. Another blow to AA's SFO area operations.
Bloomberg: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-1...ilot-base.html
Bloomberg: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-1...ilot-base.html
Also, one thing people here keep forgetting is that this is one company's decision. AA is not the bellwether corporation that knows which market is good and which is bad.
Also, AA is still in the Bay Area. We all know that AA sees SFO a spoke. I will continue to fly AA because other than getting to SNA (which I can take WN on), it gets me to where I need to be. And the benefit of flying SFO-LAX-wherever means that I'll trump anyone originating in LAX for upgrades.
Last edited by Xero; Oct 13, 2011 at 12:21 pm
Oct 13, 2011, 12:18 pm
#10
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 5,630
How many (and what are they) non 5 corners crew bases are remaining?
BOS is one (for now), is it next?
What else?
BOS is one (for now), is it next?
What else?
Oct 13, 2011, 12:21 pm
#11
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I don't think it's a blow. We all knew it was going to happen.
Also, one thing people here keep forgetting is that this is one company's decision. AA is not the bellwether corporation that knows which market is good and which is bad.
I will continue to fly AA because other than getting to SNA (which I can take WN on), it gets me to where I need to be.
Also, one thing people here keep forgetting is that this is one company's decision. AA is not the bellwether corporation that knows which market is good and which is bad.
I will continue to fly AA because other than getting to SNA (which I can take WN on), it gets me to where I need to be.
Oct 13, 2011, 12:22 pm
#12
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SFO I think still has an FA base, but I am not sure if they announced a closure for that. They recently did close the international crew base after SFO-HNL was cancelled.
Last edited by Xero; Oct 13, 2011 at 1:24 pm
Oct 13, 2011, 12:25 pm
#13
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its EXP phone and other service (compared to UA 1Ks, who like EXPs secure status by virtue of 100K miles per year), SWU upgrade availability at time of booking and SFO-based EXP's scoring complimentary upgrades compared to UA 1K's. That last advantage stems from far fewer AA than UA elites here, a trend that I imagine may even accelerate. And the terminal AA now occupies at SFO is even nicer than the rest of the airport.
Now, having said this, my own domestic flying patterns make sticking with AA easier than it will be for many SFO-based folks. And ironically, my reliance on UA earlier in the year before its FF deterioration became clearer and my flying less than usual later in the year means that I'll retain 1K and lose EXP for 2012. But barring some unexpected changes in my travel or in UA's or AA's programs, I aim to reverse that for 2013.
[removed deleted quote and response - moderator]
Last edited by magic111; Oct 13, 2011 at 1:09 pm Reason: removed response to deleted quote
Oct 13, 2011, 12:28 pm
#15
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 1
That's too bad. I recently started flying more for business and tried to keep on AA, primarily because the SFO-HND flight is convenient...looks like I should just give up, accept that I have to fly into NRT and switch to UA...