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AMR will announce a time period when TWU members can elect to leave, he said.

As a result, it's possible some Texas workers could move to Tulsa to take jobs left open by those taking advantage of the exit program.

Along with the closing of Alliance, there's another action that will hit Tulsa before American emerges from bankruptcy. The carrier has said there will be layoffs outside of what's been announced for its unions.

In Tulsa, where there are 7,000 total employees, there could be several hundred more jobs cut beyond the mechanics and clerks. Officials have declined so far to be more specific.

Overall, it means there could be close to 1,000 people locally looking for aerospace-related work next year.

Tulsa recently has enjoyed a boom in the industry, with firms such as Lufthansa Technik adding significant jobs.

The TWU's Hewitt said he has heard about interest in American employees.

"I think the other companies out there in Tulsa realize the experience our workers have," he said.

TWU workers who survive the cuts will be working under a new contract that includes 15 percent wage increases over six years, improved health-care coverage compared with previous offers, market wage readjustment -- based on industry compensation -- after 36 months and the ability to reopen full contract negotiations after four years.

The contract, however, also permits the company to outsource up to 35 percent of aircraft maintenance now performed in-house. That worries union officials, who are trying to persuade American to take on more maintenance for other carriers.

"Third-party work, however, isn't currently part of American's plan to exit bankruptcy," Hewitt said. "That's a major concern to us because the company also is going to be buying new planes that don't need as much maintenance.

"We've done some contract work in the past and we're doing a little bit now. Everybody we do work for seems real happy with it." AMR Corp. in bankruptcy Key developments

Company filed for bankruptcy Nov. 29, 2011, after losing more than $10 billion in the last 10 years.

On Feb. 1, company announced a plan to cut 13,000 jobs, including 2,100 Transport Workers Union jobs in Tulsa. Since then, the estimates have been reduced to 9,740 jobs cuts companywide.

US Airways is actively pursuing a merger with American Airlines. In April, US Airways CEO Doug Parker reached tentative contract agreements with American's Allied Pilots Association, Transport Workers Union and Association of Professional Flight Attendants. The tentative agreements would become effective with the merger of American and Tempe, Ariz.-based US Airways. A merger would result in layoffs of 450 TWU members in Tulsa and 4,900 mechanics, baggage handlers and other ground workers companywide.

American negotiators have reached contract agreements with all seven TWU work groups. The Allied Pilots Association rejected its contract and faces terms being imposed on its members. The flight attendants are scheduled to complete contract voting by Aug. 19.

Key dates

On July 19, U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Sean H. Lane in New York approved AMR's request to extend its exclusive right to present a reorganization plan to the court until Dec. 28 and to extend until Feb. 28 of next year a deadline to solicit votes on that plan.

Key figures

860: mechanic/related and stock clerk job cuts planned in Tulsa, with up to several hundred other jobs in other categories also on the line in Tulsa.

$75 million: money AMR had spent through June on bankruptcy costs.

$10 billion: AMR's losses in the past 10 years.

$1.06 billion: the money AMR hopes to save in labor expenses on an annual basis.