460 Former TWA FA's Now Eligible To Return To Active Service

American Airlines announced Wednesday it is sending recall notices to 460 furloughed flight attendants, nearly a fourth of the 2,069 laid-off attendants still on the furlough list, to address staffing needs and projected attrition through the balance of 2007.

This recall is comprised of former Trans World Airlines flight attendants and is in addition to the approximately 200 American Airlines and former TWA furloughed flight attendants contacted earlier this year, the carrier said. The TWA flight attendants were placed at the bottom of American's seniority list after American bought TWA's assets and took over operations in April 2001.

"Recalling a total of 660 flight attendants this year will help to ensure that American provides the best possible onboard experience for our customers," said Lauri Curtis, American's Vice President - Onboard Service.

"We are pleased to welcome our former TWA flight attendants back and are looking forward to their return to service."

According to the Dallas Morning News, the furlough list before Wednesday's recall doesn't include those flight attendants who lost any recall rights after their fifth anniversary of their layoff had passed. So far, 1,360 flight attendants have lost recall rights because they've been furloughed longer than five years.

Since 2003, American has conducted a total of five flight attendant recalls contacting more than 1,900 AA and former TWA furloughed flight attendants.

Association of Professional Flight Attendants spokeswoman Leslie Mayo said the union "is hopeful that AA will continue this trend and recall the remaining 1,500-plus flight attendants still on furlough once these flight attendants return to active status."

Those flight attendants who accept the recall and meet all requirements will be eligible to return to service in either November or December 2007.

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