American Airlines pilots’ union sues carrier over request to help with training on days off

The union that represents American Airways’ pilots sued the service in federal courtroom Thursday to dam a program that encourages aviators to assist with simulator coaching, an initiative launched because the service races so as to add workers and meet sturdy journey demand.

The Fort Value, Texas-based airline requested line pilots to come back into considered one of American’s coaching facilities on their days off to oversee pilots’ simulator classes, which is generally dealt with by specially-trained verify pilots. A verify airman would nonetheless conduct the analysis.

“As demand continues to develop and we proceed to rent, we have to broaden our pilot coaching capabilities to a traditionally unprecedented degree,” mentioned Lyle Hogg, vice chairman of flight operations coaching, in a notice to pilots.

However the Allied Pilots Affiliation argued in its swimsuit, filed in U.S. District Court docket for the Northern District of Texas, that it might represent a change in work guidelines, which might require negotiation with the union.

“Administration proper now’s making up guidelines as they go alongside,” mentioned Dennis Tajer, spokesman for the union, which represents some 14,000 American Airways pilots. “They’re in a disaster to get pilots by means of coaching. They’re underwater making an attempt to get as many pilots by means of as attainable.”

The lawsuit comes as American and different carriers are scrambling to rent as many pilots as attainable as passengers return in droves.