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Computer Glitch Causes Mass Vacation for American Airlines Pilots

NIGHTMARE BEFORE XMAS

More than 15,000 scheduled flights in December no longer have an assigned pilot.

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Eduardo Munoz/Reuters

A computer glitch led to all American Airlines pilots being assigned leave over the Christmas holiday week, leaving more than 15,000 flights without an assigned pilot. According to the liner’s pilot union, the glitch occurred in the airlines’ computer system that bids for pilots’ vacation time based on seniority. The airline initially offered pilots extra pay to work that week (Dec. 17-31) but the union countered that such an offer violated the group’s contract.

Read it at Reuters