FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) - American Airlines is likely to cut more
than 6,000 more jobs as it hunkers down and tries to survive record
high fuel costs.
Fort Worth-based American notified its flight attendants union
yesterday that it'll cut up to 900 jobs starting Aug. 31st. But
that appears to be the tip of the iceberg.
But the job cuts disclosed so far are only a small fraction of
those needed if American is to cut its work force by the 8 percent
it says it expects to shed.
An American pilot and union spokesman says the airline brought
back 30 furloughed pilots in June. Karl Schricker also says those
pilots quit other jobs to come back -- and are now wondering if
they'll be out the door.
American hasn't given a total job cuts figure. But with about
85,500 workers, including those at sister airline American Eagle,
that would represent more than 6,800 jobs.
American plans to cut domestic capacity 11 percent to 12 percent
this fall. Overall, including international flying, that translates
to a pullback of about 8 percent for the nation's biggest airline.
American's unions have been waiting for grim news since
May.That's when the company announced it would sharply curtail U.S.
flying and retire 45 to 50 planes after the busy summer vacation
season.