This is the union it represents American AirlinesThursday’s lawsuit by pilots against the carrier was filed in federal court to stop a program encouraging aviators help with simulator training. This initiative was launched during a race to increase staff to meet high travel demand.

American Airlines, Fort Worth, Texas, asked its line pilots to visit one of American’s training centres on their off days to oversee pilots during simulator sessions. This is usually handled by highly-trained check pilots. The evaluation would be conducted by a check pilot.

“As demand continues to grow and we continue to hire, we need to expand our pilot training capabilities to a historically unprecedented level,” said Lyle Hogg, vice president of flight operations training, in a note to pilots.

The Allied Pilots Association argued that the suit would be a modification in work rules and would need to negotiate with the union.

Dennis Tajer spoke on behalf of the union that represents approximately 14,000 American Airlines pilots. It’s a difficult task to find pilots for training. They have to rescue as many pilots possible.

American airlines and others have been scrambling for pilots to fill the demand as passenger return numbers increase.