Carrying Less Is OK, As Long As Nothing Goes Wrong, Pilots Say

A disagreement over the amount of fuel to carry has American Airlines pilots and manager at odds, with managers saying it's an efficiency issue and pilots saying their argument is about safety.

Both side agree that, under normal circumstances, it is not a problem to load up with less fuel. But should a flight be diverted enroute due to weather or other considerations, the pilots say it could affect the safety margin for the aircraft and the passengers.

United Press International reports that, according to the Chicago Tribune, American is looking at ways to stretch every dollar by not only buying less fuel, but making the airplane more efficient by putting less on board. The airplanes still would carry a 90 minute reserve, according to the report, but that would be reduced over the course of the year. FAA-required reserves are 45 minutes.

But ALPA's American Airlines spokesperson Dennis Tajer said the corporate efficiency goes too far. "It has the ability to affect the margin of safety," he said.

FMI: www.alpa.org, www.aa.com