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]
Key Takeaways:
An American Airlines computer error inverted a planned shutdown of its Trip Trade with Open Time (TTOT) system, allowing approximately 2,000 pilot trip sequences to be dropped and potentially disrupting 12,000 flights for the July 4th weekend.
The airline quickly resolved the issue by unilaterally reversing the error and automatically paying pilots double time for their reinstated trips, thus averting widespread cancellations.
However, this unilateral action constitutes a contractual violation, leading the Allied Pilots Association (APA) to file a grievance, which may be used as leverage in their protracted contract negotiations.
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?
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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.
