Logistics of AA dealing with groundings.

[mirrodie]

So if I am not mistaken, this is the second time in a few weeks that AA had to ground its MD80s based on the FAAs call, right?

And they have around 300 MD80s, right. Most of them in use every day, right?

Just wondering how difficult it must be to get all those planes looked at. I assume they all do NOT all have to be flown to TUL, can the inspections be done at STL, LGA, JFK? ORD?

Also, wondering how they do with yanking pilots off certain routes and getting the planes where they need to be.

The overall situation sounds like a bigger nightmare than dealing with weather delays.
Any input from those in the field on how such a feat is accomplished? (Or are you left, also scratching your heads, wondering how they are doing it?!)

[lijk604]

Mario, these are not "heavy maintenance" checks, so they can most likely be done where ever AA has line maintenance (LAX, ORD, DFW, MIA, JFK, LGA, STL) to name a few. Now, in this case hubs will probably have the larger amount of cancellations only because of how many MD80's fly into the hubs, means more aircraft to clear. They probably will fly any that are not at an authorized station on a regular route until its at it next authorized mx station, and check them out there.

[RDU-JFK]

Do AA's elite FF's get priority in terms of re-booking with other airlines if they were on an MD-80?

[mirrodie]

While your question is a bit off topic, I think if II Elites did NOT get preference treatement, there'd be an uproar as there'd be no value to being an elite. they get their own number to call to get rebooked, so ,yes they are taken care of.

back to topic

[Midnight Mike]

While your question is a bit off topic, I think if II Elites did NOT get preference treatement, there'd be an uproar as there'd be no value to being an elite. they get their own number to call to get rebooked, so ,yes they are taken care of.

back to topic

Hey Mario, check this out, good for your bambino!

http://www.planebuzz.com/american-retro ... ide-on.jpg


And for American Airlines

[mirrodie]

I might spring for that, since the MD-80 version was recently grounded. :mrgreen:

While your question is a bit off topic, I think if II Elites did NOT get preference treatement, there'd be an uproar as there'd be no value to being an elite. they get their own number to call to get rebooked, so ,yes they are taken care of.

back to topic

Hey Mario, check this out, good for your bambino!

http://www.planebuzz.com/american-retro ... ide-on.jpg


And for American Airlines

[RDU-JFK]

so the above post isn't off-topic but my legit question concerning logistics of getting re-booked for elites vs. non-elites isn't???? :roll:

[T-Bird76]

Do AA's elite FF's get priority in terms of re-booking with other airlines if they were on an MD-80?

Yes we do. All AA Elites go to the head of the line for priority rebooking, and standby. Plus all Gold, Plat, and Exc Plat have dedicated phone numbers to call for rebooking. These dedicated lines work rather well, I've used it a few times.

[mirrodie]

so the above post isn't off-topic but my legit question concerning logistics of getting re-booked for elites vs. non-elites isn't???? :roll:

So not only did I answer your question, I threw in a to show its no big deal and you're still :roll: ing your eyes away? Oy Vey.

I Like Mike's FAAIL but it's the FAA screwing the airline IMHO

edit: on second thought, and I don't know the full story, I am having a hard time trying to figure out why AA had to do this last week and AGAIN this week. Why didnt they resolve any issues once and for all?

[Midnight Mike]

Oy Vey.
I Like Mike's FAAIL but it's the FAA screwing the airline IMHO

I got your Oy Vey

But the airlines have only themselves to blame.....

[LGA777]

so the above post isn't off-topic but my legit question concerning logistics of getting re-booked for elites vs. non-elites isn't???? :roll:

edit: on second thought, and I don't know the full story, I am having a hard time trying to figure out why AA had to do this last week and AGAIN this week. Why didnt they resolve any issues once and for all?

Mario, from what I understand AA thought they got all the inspections done right the first time but then a few days ago the FAA came in to do their own inspections, when 15 of the first 19 MD80's they checked FAILED inspection the FAA said do it over but do it right this time. Bad month for a good airline, as a former front line counter and gate agent and supervisor I feel bad for those AA employees who are probably taking the worst of it.

Regards

LGA777

[DHG750R]

I would imagine this would be similar to a major snowstorm impacting Chicago or an Ice storm in DFW. It's just taking place over the span of several days rather than a single day. You have a bunch of aircraft out of position , crews out of postion. etc. There will be some cancellations into this weekend as they position everything back to where it needs to be for the fleet launch.

Most major airlines have contingencies for a major schedule interruption