2nd UPDATE: American Airlines & Pilots Reach Settlement To Staff December Flights

Friday update:

NEW YORK (AP) — American Airlines has reached an agreement with its pilots’ union to avoid canceling thousands of flights during the holiday season.

A scheduling glitch had left thousands of flights without a captain, co-pilot or both between Dec. 17 and Dec. 31 at dozens of airports. The airline and the Allied Pilots Association had disagreed how to overcome the problem.

American said Friday that the two sides “have put that worry to rest to make sure our flights will operate as scheduled.”

The union said it withdrew a grievance after reaching an agreement in principle. Union spokesman Dennis Tajer said details will be released after pilots see the deal.

American, the world’s biggest airline, expects to operate more than 200,000 flights in December.

Thursday update:

News release from the Allied Pilots Association:

The Allied Pilots Association is able to view in real time December flight crew assignments for American Airlines.

That data does not support management’s statement regarding December flights that “only a few hundred are currently unassigned to pilots.”

In fact, thousands of flights are still listed as unassigned.

We remain seriously concerned about the potential for significant schedule disruption for our passengers, pilots, and fellow employees during the critical holiday travel season.

Thursday update from an American Airlines news release:

Out of the 200,000 flights American will operate in December, only a few hundred are currently unassigned to pilots.

That number of open flights continues to decrease thanks to our pilots who are stepping up to the plate and picking up trips to ensure customers are taken care of.

It’s another example of why we are thankful to have such an incredible team.

In addition, we have more reserve pilots on hand in December than normal months and they provide us with the ability to fly many of the trips that are currently uncovered.

We have not canceled any scheduled flights in December and will continue to work to ensure both our pilots and our customers are cared for.

Original story:

DALLAS (AP) _ American Airlines is scrambling to find pilots to operate thousands of flights over the busy Christmas holiday period after a glitch in the system used to schedule crews.

A spokesman for the airline said Wednesday that American expects to avoid canceling flights by paying overtime and using reserve pilots.

American isn’t saying how many flights are affected, but the pilots’ union says that about 15,000 flights were scheduled without a captain, a co-pilot or both.

A union spokesman calls it a potential crisis.

American is the world’s biggest airline. It has about 15,000 active pilots and expects to operate more than 200,000 flights in December.

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