Pilots protest airline

Nearly 100 American Airlines pilots picketed at John Wayne Airport and nearby Taco Bell headquarters to put pressure on the airline to fix its problems with flight delays.

The group of about 90 pilots and others in their union walked in circles in front of the airline’s check-in terminal holding signs that read, “AA ranked worst in canceled flights,” and “Help us fix it.” They are worried that if the company doesn’t clean up its act soon they’ll be out of jobs.

They say staff cuts, low salaries and a lack of spare parts at airports nationwide all contributed to the recent grounding of thousands of American Airlines planes across the country.

The local protests were part of a nationwide series of demonstrations organized by the Allied Pilots Assn., the union that represents the airline’s 12,000 pilots. Union officials want the company to spend more money on staff and service.

In 2007, American had more canceled and excessively delayed flights than any other U.S. airline, according to a report from FlightStats, an airline statistics company.

“We’re concerned about the future of the airline,” said Jim Cable, a local pilot who helped organize the demonstration. “If you continue to offer an inferior product, then the customers you have will no longer be your customers.”

Airline officials deny that poor management is the reason for the company’s problems. Bad weather at their hub in Texas delayed, rerouted or canceled flights, American executives said.

“It’s no secret that the Dallas/Fort Worth area has been hit by a lot of thunderstorms lately,” said airline spokeswoman Susan Gordon.

Some pilots who have worked for American for more than 20 years said changing companies is impossible in a system that heavily rewards seniority.

“The day you get hired you’re given a seniority number. Seniority determines where you’re based, where you live, what you’re paid, whether you fly the nice day trips or the all-nighters,” Cable said. “So once you’re hired by an airline, you’re married to that airline for the rest of your career.”

While pilots at the airport made their pleas to travelers, another group lined up in front of Taco Bell corporate headquarters to pressure the company, which has an exclusive contract for its employees to fly with American. The pilots hope Taco Bell pressures the airline to improve service, union officials said.

“The whole thrust of this thing is that American Airlines management won’t listen to us, so maybe they’ll listen to our corporate partners,” said John George, a 25-year veteran captain.

ALAN BLANK may be reached at (714) 966-4623 or at alan.blank@latimes.com.