Scheduling Crewmen for Recurrent Training

This paper describes a computer-based model developed at American Airlines to schedule crewmen for recurrent training. Based upon contractual agreements, the crewman's training pay depends upon whether he is relieved of flying a trip or sent on his days off. The model determines, systemwide, the least cost recurrent training schedule consistent with the available capacity of training facilities.

The Recurrent Training System has now been in active use for three years, and the annual savings derived from its use have been conservatively estimated at $250,000. These savings result primarily from a decrease in the amount of training done on crew members' days off and an increase in the amount of training done by removing crew members from flying trips. Previous manual procedures, based primarily on intuition and experience, sought to schedule most of the training on crew members' days off.