The pilots union at American Airlines is raising concerns about a “significant spike” in safety issues at the airline, citing fewer routine aircraft inspections and shorter test flights on planes returning from major maintenance work. The Allied Pilots Association’s safety committee has reported incidents of tools being left in wheel wells and items left in the sterile area around planes parked at airport gates.
Union spokesman Dennis Tajer emphasized the importance of catching errors to prevent aviation accidents, stating that even one error could lead to a tragedy. The union has urged its members to report any safety or maintenance problems they encounter.
American Airlines has not yet commented on the matter, but the union says it has raised its concerns with senior management at the company. The union is pushing for earlier involvement in assessing safety risks and is encouraged by the initial response from management.
With the increase in time between routine inspections and the elimination of overnight maintenance checks unless specifically required, the union is determined to ensure that American Airlines maintains strong safety standards. The focus is on preventing potential safety hazards and maintaining the highest levels of safety for passengers and crew members.