Unions representing American Airlines pilots, American and US Airways flight attendants and US Airways ground workers have requested permission of the US District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly to file an amicus curiae brief that explains their support for the merger between the two airlines.
“The careers of the American and US Airways employees represented by amici depend heavily on the competitive success of the merged entity and the airline industry as a whole. Because of industry-wide seniority rules, pilots and flight attendants tend to stay with one carrier for their entire careers,” the unions’ motion stated.
“For instance, the average tenure of the current APA pilots is almost 18 years and on average flight attendants have worked for American for more than 20 years. Thus, it is fair to say that few interested parties care more than the amici’s members about the long-term survival and competitiveness of the new American Airlines,” it said.