American Eagle Pilots Won't be Bumped by American Airlines Pilots, Mostly

Richard Kasher, in his arbitrator's decision made Wednesday, pretty much gave American Eagle pilots what they wanted: assurance that they would not be bumped by furloughed American Airlines pilots.

American Airlines, in a concession-getting move to avoid having to file Chapter 11 a few months ago, had made that basic promise to its front-seaters, who approved most of the proposed concessions. Where that leaves the faith between American's pilots and management is yet to unfold, and will depend largely on what happens next.

The 18-page ruling was more complicated than the above paragraphs would indicate; some Eagle positions will certainly go to some American pilots; but the bulk of the thousand or so First Officers at American Eagle won't have to wait (until what would seem like their 59th birthdays) to move up.

Putting Kasher's ruling into practice will still take cooperation among AMR's various unions and management; just how that ballet will be coreographed is anyone's guess, at this point.

FMI: www.alliedpilots.org; www.amrcorp.com