APFA: "A Bit Of News When That's In Short Supply"

American Airlines is bringing 390 lost lambs back into the fold, recalling flight attendants who were laid off as the world's largest carrier stared into the black abyss of bankruptcy. The FAs will be back at work on December 2.

American has signed a letter of agreement with the Association of Professional Flight Attendants (APFA), saying it plans to beef up flight schedules severely curtailed in the wake of the 9/11 attacks. The LOA indicates American will expand its schedule sometime in the spring.

"Although the future continues to be somewhat uncertain, this recall certainly represents a bit of good news when that's in short supply these days," John Ward, APFA president, said Thursday.

Although a good sign for the industry, the airline and for the 390 flight attendants, there are still almost 6,000 FAs on unpaid leave. Like many other major carriers, American's parent company, AMR Corp., has been steadily losing money ever since the terror attacks on New York and Washington.

Unlike United Airlines and USAirways, however, American was able to avoid bankruptcy at the last minute in a $1.8 billion concession deal with its labor unions, including the AFPA.

FMI: www.aa.com, www.apfa.org