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Inside the American Airlines Scheduling Disaster That Wasn’t

A former pilot for the airline explains how it happened, and how the day was saved.

American Airlines jet
The computer error could have led to cancellations and/or delays of about 12,000 flights over the July 4th holiday weekend. [Courtesy: American Airlines]
Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • American Airlines' "computer error" that dropped 2,000 pilot trip sequences before the July 4th weekend was actually an unintended reversal of a planned system shutdown, allowing pilots to drop flights.
  • The airline unilaterally restored pilots to their original schedules and offered automatic double pay, a move that constituted a contractual violation.
  • The pilot union filed a grievance over the contractual breach, likely using it as leverage in ongoing negotiations and highlighting broader issues in airline operations and pilot quality of life.
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Sometime in the wee hours of the morning on July 2, a computer error dropped approximately 2,000 pilot trip sequences, which could have led to cancellations and/or delays of about 12,000 flights over the Fourth of July holiday weekend. At least that was the public statement from American Airlines.  

What really happened?

Les Abend

Les Abend is a retired, 34-year veteran of American Airlines, attempting to readjust his passion for flying airplanes in the lower flight levels—without the assistance of a copilot.

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