AE Pilots Protest Regional Outsourcing

Citing recent safety concerns at Trans States Airlines, an American Connection, the American Eagle pilots' union, a unit of the Air Line Pilots Association, Int'l., said it is concerned about the possible loss of quality control if AMR Corporation allows further outsourcing of its regional airline service to...

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Citing recent safety concerns at Trans States Airlines, an American Connection, the American Eagle pilots' union, a unit of the Air Line Pilots Association, Int'l., said it is concerned about the possible loss of quality control if AMR Corporation allows further outsourcing of its regional airline service to non-owned regional airline contractors. The union, however, said nothing of the thousands of flights forced into cancellation by the quality control at American resulting from similar FAA audits. Pilots are also protesting the proposed sale of American Eagle announced by parent-company AMR last November. Related Story
The concern comes over statements made by Trans States Airlines management about safety, said the pilots. The St. Louis-based commuter airline recently grounded 24 of its Embraer ERJ 145s because it did not meet safety standards after an internal audit found certain electrical equipment that controls steering on the nose wheel of some planes did not meet specifications. Pilots cited a quote by Trans States management saying that electrical equipment controls steering the nosewheel of the ERJ 145 was not a safety-of-flight problem. "The nosewheel is not used in flight,” management was quoted in the St. Louis Post Dispatch. “It's used only for taxiing. This does not involve the safety of flights."
“While every airline is undergoing intense FAA scrutiny recently, American Eagle pilots are very concerned about Trans States management's underlying attitude toward safety,” said Captain Herb Mark, of the American Eagle unit of ALPA. "Eagle pilots are dumbfounded at such an attitude towards something as critical as a nose wheel steering system. Exactly how would a nose wheel steering failure at 100 knots during the takeoff or landing not involve the safety of the flight?"
ALPA contends that Trans States' remarks demonstrate exactly why it is in AMR's best interest to retain American Eagle as a wholly owned subsidiary. Safety and quality control is best maintained with an operator who is closely tied to the safety and quality standards of the mainline carrier over the long term, they said.
Despite expectations that the schedule would return to normal on April 17, Trans States continued to cancellations that day and the following day. The inspections of the nose gear affected about half of its 50-aircraft jet fleet. Spokesperon Bill Mishk cited the airline’s mistake in failing to comply with inspections.