An American Airways Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner approaches for a touchdown on the Miami World Airport on December 10, 2021 in Miami, Florida.
Joe Raedle | Getty Photographs
The union that represents American Airways‘ pilots sued the provider in federal court docket Thursday to dam a program that encourages aviators to lend a hand with simulator coaching, an initiative introduced because the provider races so as to add personnel and meet robust shuttle call for.
The Fortress Price, Texas-based airline requested line pilots to return into considered one of American’s coaching facilities on their days off to take part in pilots’ simulator periods, which is typically treated via specially-trained test pilots. A test airman would nonetheless habits the analysis.
“As call for continues to develop and we proceed to rent, we wish to amplify our pilot coaching functions to a traditionally extraordinary stage,” mentioned Lyle Hogg, vice chairman of flight operations coaching, in a notice to pilots.
However the Allied Pilots Affiliation argued in its go well with, filed in U.S. District Courtroom for the Northern District of Texas, that it will represent a transformation in paintings regulations, which will require negotiation with the union.
“Control presently is making up regulations as they cross alongside,” mentioned Dennis Tajer, spokesman for the union, which represents some 14,000 American Airways pilots. “They are in a disaster to get pilots thru coaching. They are underwater seeking to get as many pilots thru as imaginable.”
The lawsuit comes as American and different carriers are scrambling to rent as many pilots as imaginable as passengers go back in droves.
Correction: American Airways pilots have been requested to take part in simulator periods on their days off. A prior model of this tale mischaracterized the pilots’ function within the trainings.
