American Is *Finally* Dropping Their Controversial Uniform Supplier

@Lucky...surprised you haven't commented yet on Qatar looking to buy 10% of American

I heard the Uniforms had formaldehyde in them and a lot of the crew got rashes or felt ill when wearing them. Though this is just what an AA flight attendant told me.

From Twin Hill's comment it seems like they no longer want to be part of this partnership. So is this a one-sided move?

To be sure, AA isn't 'dropping' these actual uniforms till 2020. They are just not going to renew the deal with current vendor.

Furthermore, the problematic uniforms will remain in place for another 3 years at least. The seeking of a new vendor 'immediately' isn't supposed to take any less than 2-3 years. Delving into the article you linked attests to that.

I just think this leaves scope for the 7% employee number to increase till the actions are actually executed and that leaves AA vulnerable to any lawsuits.

I have no information specific to AA, however many uniforms (and other cheap but formal-looking attire) are treated for wrinkle-resistance. The most common way of accomplishing this is by incorporating in the fabric a resin that releases formaldehyde. For a minority of people, formaldehyde will cause allergic contact dermatitis. This could be exacerbated by the dry-air conditions of an airplane (causing chapped skin) and/or the use of skin moisturizers that are, themselves, preserved with formaldehyde.

Of course, 4 years (yes 4 years) after the merger with US Airways was completed, they still can't mix US Airways crews and planes with AA crews and planes which result in significant operational complexities and inflexibility. This demonstrates the level of management incompetence and union intransigence at AA. Their big accomplishment was having the same uniforms and they botched that.

Good. Maybe they can use this as a chance to make the uniforms actually look good and fashionable and cutting edge. What is it with US carriers and their need for these matronly, dark-blue business/pantsuit combinations? Dark blue everything, white shirt, red-ish neckerchief. So avant garde! :-/ I get it that many (most?) FAs have less-than-stellar physiques or are legitimately fat, but surely something better than these quasi-caftans can be designed? Lane Bryant has a lot of good stuff for larger ladies. Why not get one of those designers.

And while I'm ranting, let's just stop with the 100 variations of the uniform. Have ONE uniform for all women and another for all men. Skirt, undershirt, neck doodad, coat (jaunty hat?) for women. Slacks, undershirt, vest, tie, coat for men. It really is that simple. Then they can adjust for portion of flight - boarding/deplaning, meal service, mid-flight non-meal service. Coat off, serving apron on. Serving apron off, service vest on. Service vest off, coat back on. There, I just solved their uniform problem.

/rant

Dont forget another airline had problems with Twin-Hill uniforms and dropped them.