The journalists that get paid to write about this stuff will tell you that American Airlines shouldn't be flying planes around. (The rhetoric looks good/attracts attention for headlines, leaders, Google hits, etc..) Based on recent (and, admittedly, dismal) on-time statistics alone, that conclusion is ridiculous, unsupportable and irresponsible conjecture.
If you were to accurately identify maintenance issues and their ensuing effects at the other major airlines, you would see a statistical tie, based on averages of aircraft hours and average passenger air miles flown or scheduled. Because American Airlines management is in the middle of a sizable labor dispute with the Allied Pilots Association, the pilot's union, every hiccup becomes newsworthy and the normally transparent components of running an international airline become opaque and, ultimately, distracting.
Every pilot can point to any piece of journalism (professional or otherwise) and pick out the fouled nomenclature and inaccurate recounting. Most of these journalists don't have the experience or patience to source the material in order to simply honor the truth. (Politicians seem to be equally as challenged...hence factcheck.org..but that is an enormous digression best saved for another rant..) Some get close and some just offer opinions, which cannot be rejected because it is, simply (and merely), opinion. As we know, opinions aren't necessarily encumbered with fact. Strictly speaking, opinions don't have to be. But, to respect an opinion, the reader should have a working knowledge of the truth and then decide if it's worthy of consideration (and changing their own opinion).
The truth here is that problems exist at all airlines. The issues at American have little to do with aviation safety or compromised public risk. As I tell my passengers, airline flying is a safe venture because we have very specific rules and procedures in place. These lines, in most cases, are clearly drawn and the consequences that follow are, essentially, binary. In all other cases, the outcomes are based on subjective evaluations, derived by experience and judgement and ending with the captain's decision. It is this very subjectivity that is getting so much attention.
Negotiations Resume
In an effort to move towards the mutual goal of running a thriving international airline with the newest fleet of jets (more than 500 on order from Boeing and Airbus), intense negotiations between management and the pilot union will resume this week. This 11th hour revelation is welcomed news for the company, the employees and, most importantly, the passengers.
My charge is to insure your safety, strive for your comfort and accomplish this in a timely way. This is what you asked of me when you traded your credit card number for an airplane ride. This is exactly what you will find on my jet.
