American Airlines said this week it will begin hiring again for the first time in over a decade, seeking to acquire 1,500 pilots over the next five years. The carrier is not yet out of bankruptcy, and has been involved in restructuring for nearly two years now, but began recalling pilots late last year. It now says it is hiring to address attrition rates (it currently employs almost 500 pilots who are over the age of 60 who must retire within the next five years) and new federal regulations that may require more pilots on the line at any given time. American expects the pace of its hiring to run at close to 50 pilots per month for the next year. Many may come from one source.
American Airlines was required by a 2010 arbitration ruling to hire a number of pilots from American Eagle into each hiring class. The company has been in bankruptcy court reorganization since November 2011 and reported to the court a profit of more than $70 million for the month of August. Year over year, from 2012 to 2013, total revenues have increased by more than 5 percent for August. But the company is still seeking approval for a merger with US Airways that was held up by an antitrust suit filed by the U.S. Department of Justice. And, according to a spokesman for American’s pilots union who spoke with the Star-Telegram.com, that the merger is “the best way to secure a long-term future at American Airlines.”
