It's possible that had fuel prices not almost doubled last year, the airline might have made money. Consumer groups criticized airline consolidation immediately after news of American's planned deals became public earlier this week, and the American Society of Travel Agents said the result would be higher prices and lower customer service. American could face labor trouble digesting the large acquisitions. Pilots held a costly sickout to protest the carrier's purchase of much-smaller Reno Air in 1998. The airline must integrate TWA and US Airways pilots on American's seniority list, which can threaten the carrier's current pilots.
Seniority determines pilots' schedules and whether they fly as captain, co-captain or navigator.
Allied Pilots Association represents American's 10,700 pilots. Philpot said that the pilots wouldn't automatically oppose the TWA and US Airways deals. Copyright 2001 by The Associated Press . All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.