American Airlines has asked pilots to conserve fuel, citing supply shortages at downline stations that may soon lead to refueling stops on select routes.
American Airlines To Pilots: Please Conserve Fuel
Already battling operational difficulties around pilot availability, American Airlines has asked pilots to conserve fuel when possible to avoid further delays. Even with diligent conservation of fuel, however, supply shortages may soon force technical stops on many AA routes. American cites three reasons for the potential additional stops:
- truck drivers
- trucks
- fuel supply
All are in short supply and that has meant many smaller stations simply do not have the fuel to support operations.
In a memo to pilots, John Dudley, Managing Director of Flight Operations, noted this has spread from a western issue to nationwide issue:
“American Airlines station jet fuel delivery delays initially affected mostly western U.S. cities, but are now being reported at American stations across the country. Delivery delays are expected to continue through mid-August.”
To compensate, American Airlines will carry extra fuel into impacted airports (“tankering”) or add fuel stops. Dudley also asked pilots to taxi with one engine in order to conserve fuel.
“As our country continues to face multiple challenges, let’s work together as a team to operate reliably, safely and as efficiently as possible…
Our team continues to work around the clock to monitor the situation and minimize the impact on our customers.”
While the fuel shortage issue is not unique to American Airlines, Delta, Southwest, and United Airlines have not warned of similar fuel stops nor reported extended operational difficulty around fuel.
CONCLUSION
For at least the next month, your American Airlines flight from a smaller station could foreseeability have an extra stop. During this summer in which domestic U.S. skies are packed, be sure to plan plenty of time to make connections in case of unforeseen delays or stops enroute.
image: American Airlines
Disappointing that one-engine taxiing isn’t universal… didn’t QR fire some pilots for two-engine taxiing a few years ago?
One of the no-pain ways to save fuel is to not be early if you can avoid it. Too many times, a flight will arrive early only to need to wait for a gate, which could have been avoided with better planning.
I have heard this is an issue as well. Reno seems to be particularly hard hit since their runway work will prohibit airlines from flying ‘heavy’ into the airport since only the shorter runway is operational right now. Trucking across-the-board is becoming a real issue (not just for jet fuel but for all sorts of commodities). Ironically, it’s not that people are not going into trucking as a career. It’s that junior drivers are given such bad treatment by the trucking companies, that they leave after a year—the first year turnover is tremendous. If the issue is to be solved, some of the scheduling and other pay guarantees need to be improved dramatically to reduce that turnover.
How about coming to the bargaining table? AA Pilots have not had a contract in 2 years and AA MGT refuses to negotiate with the union. Recently we have been denied crew meals, which is contractural. Company has also wired cargo doors to mess with our pay. Put on a late bag and loose your out time. It is amazing how we are all in this together when they need something.