Aug. 15--American Airlines Inc. is calling back 460 furloughed flight attendants, nearly a fourth of the 2,069 laid-off flight attendants still on its recall list.
However, the 2,069 number doesn't include hundreds of ex-Trans World Airlines Inc. flight attendants who lost their recall rights when they passed the fifth anniversary of their layoff.
All the flight attendants affected by Wednesday's recall are former TWA flight attendants who went on the bottom of American's seniority list after American took over TWA's assets and took over its operations in April 2001.
Wednesday's recall is only the second in nearly three years. In May, American said it would bring back up to 200 furloughed flight attendants, including the first recalls of the ex-TWA flight attendants.
American said flight attendants "who accept the recall and meet all requirements will be eligible to return to service in either November or December," and said that it has contacted more than 1,900 furloughed flight attendants in five recalls since 2003.
"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 of onboard service. "We are pleased to welcome our former TWA flight attendants back and are looking forward to their return to service."
In a message to members, 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."
She said the first group of up to 260 employees will report to their bases on Nov. 13, and the second group will report Dec. 18. The returning flight attendants will be assigned to bases in Boston, Washington, New York and Chicago.
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