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American Airlines Says It Repaired 42 Planes Because Seats Could Come Loose

Oct. 5, 2012 11:57pm
American Airlines Says It Had to Fix Seats on 42 Planes Because They Could Come Loose

An American Airlines plane is seen at John F. Kennedy International Airport April 27, 2012 in the Queens borough of New York City. (Credit: Getty Images)

American Airlines says it has repaired 42 of 48 planes that were pulled aside and inspected because the seats could come loose.

The airline said Friday that all seat repairs on its Boeing 757 airplanes should be done by Saturday.

American canceled 44 flights Friday after it scrapped 50 flights Thursday because of the seat problem. It said no flights had been canceled for Saturday.

Based on the number of canceled flights, the size of the planes, and American’s typical occupancy or “load factor” for September, it’s likely that about 14,000 passengers were inconvenienced.

American declined to say how many passengers were affected. A spokeswoman said the airline would put them on later flights or give refunds.

“We sincerely apologize to our customers for any inconvenience this may cause with their travel plans,” said spokeswoman Andrea Huguely.

American Airlines said crews inspected the planes earlier in the week and thought they had fixed them. Then on Thursday American said it discovered the real reason the seats weren’t staying in place β€” a pin that locks them into the aircraft floor could pop out because of wear and dirt in the floor tracks.

The seats were removed and reinstalled during renovations intended to provide more legroom for some seats, which can then be sold for an extra charge.

American Airlines Says It Had to Fix Seats on 42 Planes Because They Could Come Loose

In this photo provided by WBZ-TV seats from an American Airlines 757 are carried before receiving "Main Cabin Extra Refurbishment" Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2012, at Logan International Airport in Boston. American Airlines says passenger seats on a third flight came loose as the plane was airborne Tuesday, and it's continuing to inspect other jets with similar seating. The airline acknowledged Tuesday that seats came loose on a flight last week from Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport to Vail, Colo., and the same thing happened aboard the same plane Monday and a second plane Saturday, according to the airline. (Credit: AP)

American officials said this week that the removal and reinstallation process didn’t cause the problem but might have made it appear sooner.

They added that seats are also removed during heavy maintenance overhauls called D-checks, which are performed about every five years, and when carpeting is replaced or wiring installed. The seats are checked for looseness roughly every 6 months when undergoing a so-called B-check, they added.

The seat fiasco comes as American is still scrambling to recover from widespread delays and flight cancellations in September.

Further, American Airlines was faced with another potential public relations nightmare when one of the airline’s flight attendants treated conservative media mogul Glenn Beck horribly during a flight — and he made sure the world heard about it by announcing it on his radio show earlier this month. Beck said he was treated as if he were “subhuman,” presumably for his conservative views.

β€œNever once did he look me in the eye. Never once did he offer a kind or even a neutral word to me,” Beck said of the incident. β€œI had service unlike I have never had ever before in my life, and I have had rude service before. I lived in New York City.”

Needless to say, Beck vowed to never use the airline again.

Watch Beck detail his experience with American Airlines via TheBlazeTV below:

 

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Comments (70)

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  • SoundofMadness
    Posted on October 6, 2012 at 5:23am

    A picture is worth a thousand words, Those mechanics offloading a row of seats in BOS are not AA employees. They are employees of Timco Aviation Services. They may or may not even hold Aircraft mechanic licenses. BOS is where seat repitch Mods are being done. The first flight that had loose seat problems was from BOS to MIA. Do the math on that one. This is a new problem that has just started since the outsourcing of maintenance has begun. This is not a union labor problem this is a safety problem being magnified by these seat incidents. Union labor is not touching these seats this is all outsourcing to the lowest bidder. Yes AA is in a labor war with its employees, But it is extremely offensive that anyone would ever suggest an aircraft mechanic would ever compromise safety to prove a point. There is only one way seats can become dislodged, that is they were installed incorrectly. It can be done, if you don’t know what you are doing. Seat tracks have been disgusting for years, those seats have been in service for years, overhauled every six years and completely inspected and repaired every 15 months. 20 year old airplanes with 20 year old seats, and low and behold they are now sliding out of the tracks? Some coincidence. As a GBTV subscriber and a union aircraft mechanic please don’t rush to judgement and blame union labor. Believe it or not most aircraft mechanics are conservatives.

    Report this comment

    SoundofMadness  
    • Wool-Free Vision
      Posted on October 6, 2012 at 9:03am

      Thanks for the enlightenment, SoundOfMadness. In my mind, I had already chalked this up to lazy, lackadaisical union workers. As a matter of fact, I posted as much when this story first appeared, but my post was apparently rejected (probably because of my use of the term “slacka55es” or some other offensive term I employed).

      In that post, I called BS on the whole “gunk” argument, claiming instead that this seat debacle should be blamed on two things: the union goldbrickers (your comment corrected me on this point) and the airline’s decision to sacrifice customer comfort and safety for a few extra bucks per flight (your comment backed me up on this point).

      Witness the poor judgment of the decision-makers at American Airlines. In this new era when air travel is more upsetting, unreliable, and uncomfortable than ever, these jerks opted to make their passengers even MORE uncomfortable and probably less safe by cramming another row of seats into an already cramped cabin, almost certainly violating the original design’s safety specifications. These are not the actions of a company that values its customers or their return business. It’s shortsighted and self-destructive, and AA deserve all the bad press they can get.

      Report this comment

      Wool-Free Vision  
    • jetmech568
      Posted on October 6, 2012 at 12:24pm

      I think it is unfortunate that you think just because they are not union that they are inferior mechanics. I have worked in the aviation field 30 plus years never been in a union shop. Mechanics are mechanics if they are any good they would take pride in their work. I know mechanics that have worked for Timco and they are some of the best mechanic I have known. Yes some have seemed to got their A&P from a ******* Jack Box but it is unfair to say that just because they are not union they are bad mechanics. I have also met some union mechanics that got their A&P the same way.
      Union/Nonunion Who ever signed off and inspected the seat install should answer for it. It would not take much to unlock a seat in the track so be careful where you lay the blame.

      Report this comment

      jetmech568  
  • Pucci
    Posted on October 6, 2012 at 4:23am

    This a lie. American is having labor issues. I got to tell you that “gunk” does not cause this issue. Bolts secure the seats into a seat track. “Gunk” does not loosen bolts.

    Report this comment

    Pucci  
  • blackyb
    Posted on October 6, 2012 at 2:52am

    Now that toilet seat could cause a problem as well.

    Report this comment

    blackyb  
  • blackyb
    Posted on October 6, 2012 at 2:41am

    If and when Obama gets old and passes away, the Demon crats will dig him up and preserve him in the Union Hall like a saint. Obama has ruined that party and they still do not see it.

    Report this comment

    blackyb  
  • blackyb
    Posted on October 6, 2012 at 2:39am

    Dirt build up caused this? Sweep the freaking airplane floors and disinfect them, you nasty bums. Maybe you can realize that filth causes diseases.

    Report this comment

    blackyb  
    • Bluebonnet
      Posted on October 6, 2012 at 11:57am

      Decided a few years ago, if I want to fly, I’ll grow some wings.
      The TSA are thieves, don’t like paying extra for my take-on bag. don’t want to go through radiation screening, don’t appreciate the invasive pat-downs. (the touch-feely freebees). I’ve had a few incidences that really pizzed me off, but had to fly if I wanted to travel to foreign places. Here in the states, I’ll drive before I take any airline. That way, I can carry my own water bottle, nail clippers, stop when I want to, etc. and carry a knife for self defense.

      Report this comment

      Bluebonnet  
  • blackyb
    Posted on October 6, 2012 at 2:37am

    If Obama wins there may be investment in tombstones for all Americans.

    Report this comment

    blackyb  
  • blackyb
    Posted on October 6, 2012 at 2:36am

    I think if Romney wins, there may be potential for investment in Beck U.S. gas, oil and fossil fuels.

    Report this comment

    blackyb  
  • blackyb
    Posted on October 6, 2012 at 2:33am

    That could be good for a Blaze Airlines, but with extra security because of the Demon crats, the jihadists, the disgruntled Union workers, the ticked of Hollywood crowd, the ticked off Panthers and ethnics who want to blame the worlds problems on the rich, there would be no money left for fuel. Then there would be the hugh insurance premiums against lawsuits, mandatory health insurance, and screening of employees. How can anyone run an airline? Just rent you a private jet, or even buy you one from John Travolta. He may have one for sell if he keeps trying to feel out his massage therapists, (if he in fact did) because his days as a leading man could be numbered.

    Report this comment

    blackyb  
  • blackyb
    Posted on October 6, 2012 at 2:25am

    Where was quality control? Did you perhaps think they were doing the Muslim prayers and the seats just went on by their prone bodies?

    I have heard; once is an accident, twice is a coincidence, and three times is a conspiracy. What 42 appears to be is down and out a terrorist attempt. If it is not, then those airlines who are so careless in the ‘small’ things cannot be trusted with the bigg(ies.)

    Report this comment

    blackyb  
    • statutoryape
      Posted on October 6, 2012 at 2:48am

      “What 42 appears to be is down and out a terrorist attempt.”

      To call it a terrorist attempt is, I think, kind of a stretch unless Al Qaeda has recruited “special needs” mentally handicapped terrorists. If any terrorist network has THAT much time to loosen all the seats in 42 planes then I think they should re-evaluate their jihad.

      Report this comment

      statutoryape  
  • The-Monk
    Posted on October 6, 2012 at 2:13am

    “American Airlines says it has repaired 42 of 48 planes that were pulled aside and inspected because the seats could come loose.”

    Did they bother to check the pilot’s seats?

    I guess those other 6 planes were OK? When I was in Costa Rica the mechanics couldn’t read the “English only” manuals so they used “duct tape” to make a repair. Talk about a scary ride home….

    Report this comment

    The-Monk  
    • blackyb
      Posted on October 6, 2012 at 2:51am

      The Pilots seats? That would take a new work order and another 15 or so stamps of approval. They may have overlooked that as well. Lord help us all.

      Report this comment

      blackyb  
  • sparkyrules
    Posted on October 6, 2012 at 1:34am

    statutoryape

    Bite ME

    Report this comment

    sparkyrules  
  • sparkyrules
    Posted on October 6, 2012 at 1:00am

    Glenn,your always welcomed in West Michigan!!!
    I’m really sad about your experience with ******* American Airlines.Lets BUY IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Report this comment

    sparkyrules  
  • sparkyrules
    Posted on October 6, 2012 at 12:53am

    I’ll never forget this story from Glenn Beck.EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Lets BUY AMERICAN AIRLINES………..

    I’m so sorry you were treated this way.

    Report this comment

    sparkyrules  
  • statutoryape
    Posted on October 6, 2012 at 12:52am

    There is DEFINITELY an agenda here and Glenn Beck is behind it. Glenn, you feel you were treated subhuman while flying AA; I get it, okay. I wish you would have moved on after you told your story. But you just can’t let it go for some reason, so you tell the staff on The Blaze to basically harass AA for revenge. This is what….the 20th story on AA? Please, Glenn, let it go. There are more important things in life.

    Report this comment

    statutoryape  
    • Wool-Free Vision
      Posted on October 6, 2012 at 1:01am

      You’re nutty as a fruitcake. This story has been all over the news all week long! The Blaze had nothing to do with it. Get a grip. If you think this story originated at The Blaze, you need to pull your head out of your butt.

      Report this comment

      Wool-Free Vision  
    • statutoryape
      Posted on October 6, 2012 at 1:11am

      Hey Wool,

      I have been a long time supporter of Glenn Beck (and The Blaze) but I actually think he (and his staff) are going way out of their way to harass a company. I’m not the conspiracy theorist type of person but I think this has turned into a personal agenda.

      Report this comment

      statutoryape  
    • sparkyrules
      Posted on October 6, 2012 at 1:32am

      Your name says it all.

      Report this comment

      sparkyrules  
    • statutoryape
      Posted on October 6, 2012 at 2:23am

      “your name says it all”

      What are you talking about?
      What does my name say about me?

      Report this comment

      statutoryape  
    • nzkiwi
      Posted on October 6, 2012 at 3:40am

      @ Statutoryape

      You say that you have been a long time supporter of GB and the Blaze, but you only signed up to the Blaze yesterday…

      Report this comment

      nzkiwi  
    • Rajabear1
      Posted on October 6, 2012 at 4:27am

      @ ape-you are aware that this story was originally written by AP so beck didn’t sick the hounds of he!! on them like you seem so convinced of, that other news sources have been reporting on this story all week—blaze is late to the party and that AA is/has been under a big microscope for their pilot strikes that have already created thousands of flights to be cancelled because of it in a short period of time on top of the astronomical amount from the seats issue.
      AA is also having serious passenger issues that do not include beck’s issue. All you have to do is bing it and you will get a ton of recent horrible press that they have been getting and beck/blaze has nothing to do with it.
      Sorry you’re having a bad first day of posting, but you have to step back and look at the entire situation before posting tons of accusations on one subject that can be easily debunked by just reading the entire story.

      Report this comment

      Rajabear1  
    • statutoryape
      Posted on October 6, 2012 at 4:58am

      Yes, I followed Glenn on Fox, on his radio show, on GBTV aka The Blaze, etc. I followed The Blaze when it was first created. But people question my “loyalty” just because I just registered with the Blaze?? Has it ever occurred to you that A LOT of readers don’t create a user name because they don’t feel like talking in the comments section?

      Report this comment

      statutoryape  
    • statutoryape
      Posted on October 6, 2012 at 5:09am

      @Raj

      It’s just my opinion that Glenn is going after American Airlines. I’m not doubting that other news sites report on controversies within the company, but it feels like The Blaze is placing an emphasis on going after American Airlines coincidentally after Glenn has a bad experience with them.

      Report this comment

      statutoryape  
  • AlwaysAmazed
    Posted on October 6, 2012 at 12:41am

    Is American Airlines the only airline flying B-757s? If not, why are other carriers not experiencing similar maintenance problems? Is it a disgruntled union thing, or what?

    Report this comment

    AlwaysAmazed  
    • nzkiwi
      Posted on October 6, 2012 at 12:54am

      I don’t see how it could be a union thing, Always, but I think that its a good thing that the’re taking a financial hit and fixing the problem.

      And I agree with your question. Have the other airlines had a problem, and, if so, are they going to fix it? If not, then that brings up some other obvious questions…

      Report this comment

      nzkiwi  
    • statutoryape
      Posted on October 6, 2012 at 1:01am

      This is a “Glenn wants revenge on American Airlines so he will order The Blaze to keep harassing them” type of thing. I really like Beck but his recent actions make me question his Restoring Love event. I’m starting to worry that Scott Baker doesn’t get to choose a lot of the stories; instead, it’s Glenn’s ego so he can dictate the news, so when he wakes up every morning every story is what is important to HIM and not his readers and listeners.

      Report this comment

      statutoryape  
    • nzkiwi
      Posted on October 6, 2012 at 1:18am

      I really doubt that GB and his staff are vindictively attacking American Airlines, Statutoryape.

      Your hypothesis doesn’t make sense on a number of levels, but most obviously on the repair of the seats…

      Report this comment

      nzkiwi  
  • sparkyrules
    Posted on October 6, 2012 at 12:40am

    American Airline employee…your FIRED.There’s a NEW BOSS .

    Report this comment

    sparkyrules  
  • sparkyrules
    Posted on October 6, 2012 at 12:35am

    BUY American Airlines Glenn Beck! FIRE all current employees.
    Lets show them how to to do it.Make $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

    Report this comment

    sparkyrules  
  • sparkyrules
    Posted on October 6, 2012 at 12:29am

    Buy American Airlines Glenn Beck !
    You’ll be rich beyond your wildest imagination.We love you out here!Show people what it means t be 1st Class!

    Report this comment

    sparkyrules  
  • sparkyrules
    Posted on October 6, 2012 at 12:24am

    Go for it Glenn Beck.Lets show the World what 1st Class Air service is all about!
    Send me an application my freind!

    Report this comment

    sparkyrules  
  • Detroit paperboy
    Posted on October 6, 2012 at 12:23am

    Are thes people in a labor dispute ?????? Fishy

    Report this comment

    Detroit paperboy  
  • sparkyrules
    Posted on October 6, 2012 at 12:18am

    Glenn.Buy American Airlines.We’ll rock your World buddy!
    \
    TEA

    Report this comment

    sparkyrules  
  • this1can
    Posted on October 6, 2012 at 12:15am

    God works in mysterious ways. You don’t mess with God’s people it will comes back to you. Might call it
    Carma Love/pray

    Report this comment

    this1can  
  • ToddinVB
    Posted on October 6, 2012 at 12:06am

    It’s called Karma @&#%^es.

    Report this comment

    ToddinVB  
  • sparkyrules
    Posted on October 6, 2012 at 12:06am

    American Airlines.Nasty.And Bankrupt.

    I’d fly again on a Blaze Airlines.I know employees would care.

    Report this comment

    sparkyrules  
  • LeadNotFollow
    Posted on October 6, 2012 at 12:00am

    ….
    God is getting even with American Airlines for the way Glenn Beck was treated on a recent flight.

    Report this comment

    LeadNotFollow  
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