Southwest pilots to "fly more"
Southwest pilots to fly more
DALLAS (AP) — Pilots at Southwest Airlines will be flying 1-1/2 more hours each month after the pilot's union and the Dallas-based carrier struck an agreement, a newspaper reports.
That would save Southwest about $4 million annually, because the discounter won't need to hire as many pilots as it expands its schedule about 10% a year, the Southwest Airlines Pilots' Association said.
Carl Kuwitzky, a vice president for the union, said in an interview Wednesday with The Dallas Morning News that the union has been improving its partnership with Southwest.
"Our pilots have no problem working hard," he said.
Southwest spokesman Ed Stewart acknowledged the agreement, which has not been publicly announced. He declined to comment further because the carrier typically doesn't discuss its labor relations.
The airline's 4,700 pilots had about 67 hours of actual flying time a month before the latest agreement, reached Nov. 6, goes into effect.
Southwest pilots used to average about 70 hours a month a decade ago, the carrier's union officials say. But as the pilots have gained seniority, they've also earned more vacation.
After Southwest asked the union for the extra productivity, the two sides came to terms in a side letter separate from their current contract, the newspaper reports.
The two sides are set to begin formal talks next year on their contract, which can be changed starting Sept. 1.
This comes at a time when pilots at American Airlines are considering their options for improving productivity.
The Allied Pilots Association, representing 12,000 American pilots, is holding meetings with members this month to present research that identifies the productivity gaps between the world's largest carrier and its competitors.
Though the APA board has authorized its negotiating committee to begin dealing with the airline, no talks are underway.
The average number of hours that pilots at American Airlines Inc. produce per month is in the mid-40s.