A Bumpy Summer for American Airlines

We know: It's hard to scrape together much sympathy for airlines. Fares are up, service is down; they nickel-and-dime passengers over water and pillows; their flights are still too late too often.

But consider the plight of American Airlines this week.

Just as the oil market finally crested, bringing down the carrier's single biggest expense, jet fuel, it flew into a mess of flak over its policy of charging active-duty troops excess-baggage fees as they traveled to training camp or to serve overseas.

A quick 180-degree policy turn fixed that problem, even if it didn't do much about the bitter taste in potential customers' mouths.

American had scant time to worry about that, however, because a day later, the Federal Aviation Administration said it planned to fine the airline $7.1 million for a series of safety lapses.

The agency said American knowingly deferred repairs and maintenance on two airplanes, allowing them to fly 58 times after pilots had reported problems.

"In intentionally continuing to fly the aircraft," the F.A.A. said, "the carrier did not follow important safety regulations intended to protect passengers and crew."

The government also said the airline's drug- and alcohol-abuse program was "deficient," echoing a similar censure it made in May, when it imposed a $2.7 million fine on American.

The airline's response to the F.A.A. problem isn't quite as definitive as its repeal of excess-baggage fees for troops. It doesn't deny the allegations so much as take umbrage with how the agency portrays the airline and how much it's seeking in fines.

"We do not agree with the F.A.A.'s findings and characterizations of American's action in these cases," American said in a press release. "We believe the proposed penalties are excessive."

American has asked to meet with the F.A.A. "after we have had time to thoroughly review their findings, so that we may discuss the issues."

"Since these matters are ongoing with the F.A.A.," it adds, "we will not have any further comment at this time."

Is it fall yet?

by Mark Stein