Union: American Airlines glitch leaves 15K flights without pilots in December

ORLANDO, Fla. — A scheduling glitch could leave American Airlines passengers stranded for one of the busiest travel times of the year.

Multiple media outlets are reporting that American Airlines is blaming computer issues that allowed all pilots to take vacation from Dec. 17-31.

The union was notified last week that there was an issue with the system through which pilots request and are granted time off, CNBC reported.

Because of the problem, an estimated 15,000 flights were left without a pilot, officials with the union that represents the pilots said..

Traveler Biff Swenson couldn't believe that such a serious glitch went unnoticed for so long.

"You think something that's on this grand of a scale would be more put together, so it kind of strikes some fear in your heart when it comes to traveling," he said. "Especially at this time of year, it's just completely unacceptable."

Tamimka Harris was waiting with her two children for an American Airlines flight at Orlando International Airport Tuesday.

She hoped the airline would be able to fix the problem in time for the Christmas holiday travel season, but didn't think it was likely.

"I hope they fix it, but that doesn't sound feasible," she said.

American Airlines said it was offering pilots 150 percent of their normal hourly rate to pick up the unassigned flights.

American Airlines released the following statement:

"We are working diligently to address the issue and expect to avoid cancellations this holiday season. We have reserve pilots to help cover flying in December, and we are paying pilots who pick up certain open trips 150 percent of their hourly rate – as much as we are allowed to pay them per the contract. We will work with the APA to take care of our pilots and ensure we get our customers to where they need to go over the holidays."

The Allied Pilots Association had filed a grievance, saying that the offer violates the labor contract between the union and company, The Tribune reported.

There are flights without either a captain, first officer or both, with itineraries from or to Dallas-Fort Worth, Boston, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, Salt Lake City and Charlotte, Bloomberg reported

Cox Media Group