AA Recalling 200 Flight Attendants

American Airlines Inc. informed its flight attendants' union Monday that it will recall up to 200 furloughed flight attendants, including the most senior of the former Trans World Airlines Inc. flight attendants.

The recall, the first in two and a half years, will bring back flight attendants originally furloughed in July 2003, the Association of Professional Flight Attendants said.

The attendants will begin training in June and then be assigned to bases in Boston, Washington, D.C., and New York.

Of the new group, 97 were original American Airlines flight attendants hired April 7, 2001, and 103 were TWA flight attendants added to the bottom of American's seniority list effective April 9, 2001, the day American acquired TWA.

"APFA is hopeful that this recall will provide some relief for our active members in the field, albeit small," union president Tommy Hutto-Blake said in a hotline message to flight attendants.

"We will continue to work toward more recalls for our remaining 2,122 members still waiting to return to work."

American currently has about 16,500 active flight attendants and 1,100 who are inactive, the carrier said.

"American Airlines is very pleased to welcome back our furloughed flight attendants to service," said Lauri Curtis, American's vice president of onboard service.

"Each day, our flight attendants have an integral role in providing our passengers comfort and a positive experience on our airline, as well as ensuring their safety," she said.

"American is committed to remaining competitive in our industry, and our flight attendants help make this possible."

American began furloughing flight attendants soon after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, with the layoffs peaking at more than 6,000 in 2003.

It had previously announced recalls of 413 in April 2002, 40 in May 2002, 390 in December 2003, 233 in July 2004, and 610 in November 2004.

The recalls, plus retirements, resignations and the expiration of recall rights have reduced the list.

Most of the remaining furloughed employees originally worked for TWA.

American's contract with its union, the Association of Professional Flight Attendants, provides that furloughed flight attendants lose their right to be recalled by American after five years.

The ex-TWA employees, who were the first to be furloughed in October 2001, have been pressuring American to waive the five-year rule.

So far, more than 1,300 have fallen off the recall list.

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