An American Airlines Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner approaches for a touchdown on the Miami International Airport on December 10, 2021 in Miami, Florida.
Joe Raedle | Getty Images
The union that represents American Airlines’ pilots sued the provider in federal courtroom Thursday to dam a program that encourages aviators to assist with simulator coaching, an initiative the provider launched because it races so as to add workers and meet robust journey demand.
The Fort Worth, Texas-based airline requested line pilots to return into one in every of American’s coaching facilities on their days off to take part in pilots’ simulator classes, which is generally dealt with by specifically educated examine pilots. A examine airman would nonetheless conduct the analysis.
“As demand continues to develop and we proceed to rent, we have to develop our pilot-training capabilities to a traditionally unprecedented stage,” stated Lyle Hogg, vice chairman of flight operations coaching, in a be aware to pilots.
But the Allied Pilots Association argued in its go well with, filed in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas, that the coaching classes would represent a change in work guidelines, which might require negotiation with the union.
“Management proper now’s making up guidelines as they go alongside,” stated Dennis Tajer, spokesman for the union, which represents some 14,000 American Airlines pilots. “They’re in a disaster to get pilots by way of coaching. They’re underwater attempting to get as many pilots by way of as potential.”
The lawsuit comes as American and different carriers are scrambling to rent as many pilots as potential as passengers return in droves.
Correction: American Airlines pilots have been requested to take part in simulator classes on their days off. A earlier model of this story mischaracterized the pilots’ function within the trainings.