Union Tensions Emerge over AMR-US Air Merger
AMR and US Airways expect merger “synergies” to extend to fleet types. In July American took delivery of its first Airbus A320-series narrowbody, some 270 of which US Airways already operates. (Photo: American Airlines)
AMR and US Airways expect merger “synergies” to extend to fleet types. In July American took delivery of its first Airbus A320-series narrowbody, some 270 of which US Airways already operates. (Photo: American Airlines)

While the Air Line Pilots Association has taken an unequivocal stance against the U.S. Justice Department’s attempt to block the merger of bankrupt American Airlines parent AMR and US Airways, at least one segment of the union–namely the unit representing the pilots of American’s wholly owned regional subsidiary–sees things a bit differently. In fact, American Eagle’s pilots might consider the department’s opposition to the merger something of a reprieve after US Airways management insisted on creating a so-called B Scale pay formula at Eagle in return for rights to the next batch of large regional jets the “new” American orders.