Stalled Again With AA Pilots

There’s been plenty of press over the last few months about possible progress between the pilot’s union and American Airlines.  At times the pilots have seemed delusional but recent reports seemed to indicate things were moving closer.

Oddly, it seems we may be all the way back at the beginning now.  Recent reports indicate the talks have stalled over the same two issues that have existed for quite some time, pay and the ability for AA to outsource regional jet routes to third parties.

The article is entitled “American Airlines, pilots hit snag on contract.”  I guess you could phrase it that way, but the pilots have never agreed that they’re okay with contracting out jobs on regional jets.  The current contracts limit AA’s (and subsidiary American Eagle’s) ability to fly regional jets on routes that currently are flown by AA narrow body jets.  So, it’s hard to say things hit a snag when the pilots have always been opposed to this issue and don’t show any signs of giving in.

Oh, and they want more money.  All this after a bankruptcy judge already deemed their existing contract (and all their leverage) isn’t worth squat.

Every time I think this might end positively, I get reminded how crazy these union/management relationships really are.