The Allied Pilots Association (APA), certified collective bargaining agent for the 11,500 pilots of American Airlines /quotes/comstock/13*!amr/quotes/nls/amr (AMR 6.35, +0.04, +0.63%) , expressed strong support for a proposal put forth by the pilots of Continental Airlines and United Airlines to end outsourcing of flying to regional partners.

"We commend the pilots of Continental and United for their efforts to end the practice of outsourcing flying to regional airline partners by mainline carriers," said APA President Captain David Bates. "It is our hope that executives at those two carriers will see the wisdom behind this proposal and embrace it as part of a successful merger."

Captain Jay Pierce, head of the Continental Airlines Master Executive Council for the Air Line Pilots Association, was quoted in recent news reports that he is confident a new pilots' deal can be put together with Continental and United management by year-end, in line with the airlines' merger schedule. According to the same news reports, Pierce also said he believes management throughout the industry has become stuck in a mindset where they feel they have to subcontract more flying--a mindset that he and his colleagues are now challenging at the bargaining table.

"United and other airlines must stop outsourcing to the lowest subcontractor bidder, and instead avail themselves of the experienced pilots who find themselves out on the street," said Captain Wendy Morse, United Airlines Master Executive Council Chairman. "We cannot afford for airline management to place dollars ahead of safety."

Captain Morse characterized outsourcing as "the ultimate bait and switch" and emphasized that passengers "deserve to have United Airlines pilots at the controls" when they buy a ticket from United.

"The pilots of American Airlines are likewise well acquainted with the widespread practice of outsourcing to regional carriers," Bates said. "A considerable amount of flying that American Airlines pilots once did is now performed by commuter affiliates. We are also keenly interested in reversing this trend and will be watching developments at Continental and United closely.

"The APA leadership believes an excellent case can be made for the consolidation of all flying under the banner of well-established mainline airline brands and we intend to pursue the same approach in our own negotiations with American Airlines management," Bates said.

Founded in 1963, the Allied Pilots Association--the largest independent pilot union in the U.S.--is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas. APA represents the 11,500 pilots of American Airlines, including 1,988 pilots on furlough. The furloughs began shortly after the September 11, 2001 attacks. Also, several hundred American Airlines pilots are on full-time military leave of absence serving in the armed forces. The union's Web site address is www.alliedpilots.org. American Airlines is the nation's second-largest passenger carrier and fifth-largest cargo carrier.