Q – We’ve been reading stories of American Airlines pilot shortage and the likely inability of the airline to fly many of its flights over the coming Holidays. Is it time to switch to another carrier if we can find space? I really don’t want a “substitute, part-time pilot.”
A – No, this isn’t like elementary school. American has agreed with the pilots union to pay pilots double what they would normally earn for flights they take on during their previously, and erroneously, scheduled vacation time over the holidays. The initial offer was 150% but AA has agreed to a 200% bonus. This seems to have worked well and it now appears that all flights will be fully piloted. This was all the result of a glitch in the computer program that assigns flights to American’s pilots so there may be an opening in the computer scheduling department. Nothing at all to worry about at this stage except for the normal Christmas airport chaos. Holiday flying requires “twin reconfirms” – one 24 hours prior to scheduled departure and the second three or four hours prior to departure. If you fail to do this you may be spending your Holidays at a terminal Cinnabon.
