[Arubalisa]

Originally Posted by cindyo

Anyone reading the news out there...AA is laying off 200 pilots....

"AMR To Cut 200 Pilot Jobs In Previously Planned Downsizing

July 15, 2008: 04:54 PM EST

CHICAGO -(Dow Jones)- AMR Corp. (AMR) parent of American Airlines, said Tuesday it will cut 200 pilot jobs as part of a previously-announced plan to reduce its overall workforce by 8%. The Ft. Worth, Texas, airline has said it plans to cut flights and retire older, gas-guzzling aircraft in an effort to cope with rising fuel bills.

The job cuts, which total about 6,800, including 900 flight attendant positions, come as the U.S. airline industry is losing money after two years of profits. American said layoffs will begin after Labor Day.

As with its other unions, AMR said it is working with the Allied Pilots Association to limit the number of involuntary layoffs. Early retirement of older pilots would also help the airline by cutting the ranks of the airline's highest-paid employees.

"If accepted by the APA, this agreement could significantly minimize the number of pilot furloughs," the airline said in a statement. "It would also provide the company with the flexibility to recover from heavy retirement periods and greater ability to manage the short-term operational demands we are facing."

While the company didn't reveal specific plans, it is offering incentives to workers 50 years of age or older, and with significant seniority.

The airline is also offering programs for leaves of absence and job-sharing.

Spokesman Tim Wagner said that "any pilot reductions are regrettable." But, under the proposal to the APA pilots, "eligible senior captains would have the opportunity to separate with additional money, junior pilots could move upwards to higher-paying positions and some, or even all, of the bottom 200 pilots [on the seniority list] may not need to be furloughed."

Just last year, the airline industry was worried about a worldwide shortage of pilots due to strong growth of airlines in Asia and the Middle East.

Recently, U.S. airlines have announced plans to shrink, cutting back on flying that has been made unprofitable by the high cost of fuel.

-By Ann Keeton, Dow Jones Newswires; 312-750-4120; ann.keeton@dowjones.com

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(END) Dow Jones Newswires 07-15-08 1654ET Copyright (c) 2008 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. "