Airlines, the TSA have struggled with staffing as demand for travel has jumped.
How to find the best deals as prices for travel skyrocket
How to find the best deals as prices for travel skyrocket Joe Raedle/Getty Images
Hundreds of American Airlines flights have been canceled this weekend and Monday because of significant staffing and maintenance issues.
As of Sunday afternoon, 123 flights were canceled Saturday, 178 on Sunday and 97 were canceled for Monday – largely the result of a high number of sick calls, combined with maintenance and other staffing issues.
American told ABC News that most of the cancelations are on A320 and 737 aircraft, but that it may continue to cancel at least 50 to 60 flights per day for the rest of June and 50 to 80 flights per day through July.
"We made targeted changes with the goal of impacting the fewest number of customers by adjusting flights in markets where we have multiple options for re-accommodation," according to an American Airlines statement.
American said it will attempt to notify customers far in advance of their flights and provide an opportunity for customers to rebook on alternative flights through its app.
All U.S. airlines and the Transportation Security Administration have struggled with staffing as air travel has rapidly jumped from historic lows to approaching pre-pandemic levels.
When air travel came to a halt in March 2020, thousands of employees were offered early retirements and buyouts, but now the airlines are desperate to fill these positions again.
American is also dealing with a staffing shortage with their catering contractor and wheelchair operators.
United Airlines is desperate for baggage agents.
And at one point over the Memorial Day weekend, Delta Air Lines' automated service told customers the wait time to talk with a reservation agent was more than 21 hours.
Earlier this month, acting TSA Administrator Darby LaJoye asked office employees to volunteer at airports for up to 45 days. The volunteers would handle non-screening functions such as on-boarding for new hires and management of security lines.
In its attempt to hire 6,000 new officers to handle the summer travel boost, the TSA was offering recruitment incentives, such as $1,000 to officers who accept employment within the agency.
VulgerUlcer on June 20th, 2021 at 22:48 UTC »
My flight was cancelled this morning due to our pilot not showing up. Later they told us “he called in sick”. Second time this trip our flight was cancelled
Thought_Ladder on June 20th, 2021 at 22:38 UTC »
I worked there. Made 9.10 an hour. Was offered a manager position for 11.10 an hour. They get you with, "but you can fly for free!". Its all stand by and they teach you to oversell flights so the whole flying for free is kind of a pain. I really did love that job though, and as a kid thats a job you'd assume would be a career. Its the equivalent of working at Subway pay wise, but takes more time for training as you have to travel weeks at a time for the training. No airline should ever be bailed out. Any problem they have has been self inflicted from the lack of care for people. Fuck them.
PleaseTreadOnMeDaddy on June 20th, 2021 at 20:41 UTC »
Is there a strike going on?