American Airlines is trying to stop a popular app used by flight attendants (paddleyourownkanoo.com)

Article summary

American Airlines is trying to stop a popular iPhone app, Sequence Decoder, used by its flight attendants to manage their rosters and work lives. The app relies on bots to scrape data from AA's computer systems, which the airline is now protecting with bot detection software. The app's developer claims AA has refused to collaborate or communicate with him. The airline's actions have made it difficult for the app to function, affecting the flight attendants who rely on it.

Main themes

• airline-employee relations
• data ownership and control
• workplace technology and efficiency
• corporate power and individual access
• security and privacy concerns
• innovation and disruption in the airline industry

What commenters say

• The airline's actions are seen as an attempt to exert control over its employees and make their lives more difficult.
• The app provides a valuable service to flight attendants, making it easier for them to manage their schedules and work lives.
• Some commenters believe that the airline's internal systems are outdated and inefficient, leading to the need for third-party apps like Sequence Decoder.
• Others argue that the app's reliance on scraping data from AA's systems is a security risk and that the airline is justified in trying to stop it.
• The issue highlights the tension between the need for individuals to access and use data to improve their work lives and the desire of large companies to control and protect their data.
• Some commenters think that the airline should focus on creating its own app or improving its internal systems rather than trying to block third-party apps.
• The use of bot detection software to block the app is seen as an overly aggressive move by the airline.
• The incident raises questions about data ownership and the balance between individual access to information and corporate control.