Alaska Airlines to cut as many as 165 pilots
09-01-2008, 05:31 PM
#1
Administrator
Thread Starter
Joined APC: May 2006
Position: C-172
Posts: 8,024
Alaska Airlines to cut as many as 165 pilots
From KING5:
SEATTLE - We're learning this Labor Day weekend that as many as 165 Alaska Airlines pilots will lose their jobs.
High fuel prices have put the nation's airlines in a jam. After charging extra for baggage and cutting out meals, employees are next. Alaska Airlines is cutting flights and crews.
Alaska Airlines says it may cut up to five percent of its flights this fall and winter, and perhaps another five percent early next year.
“Fortunately, I missed it, so for now at least, I'll be safe,” said David Campbell, Alaska Airlines pilot. “But I am the typical guy who's getting furloughed. It's mid 30s, generally starting a family. I had a guy in my office last week who just moved here from Texas and was about to close on his house, and is thinking he should probably back out of the deal.”
Campbell is an Alaska pilot and spokesman for the union, the Airline Pilots Association. During our interview, he was also caring for his four-year-old son. He's been an Alaska pilot for six years. The union says those with two years and less seniority are vulnerable.
“What we are really hopeful about in the Airline Pilots Association that we can reduce the number of needed furloughs,” said Campbell.
“What we are doing with the union is offering them three different options to minimize that number. We are offering to work with them on one and two year leaves of absence, as well as early retirement,” said Paul McElroy, Alaska Airlines spokesman.
Just how many flights Alaska ends up cutting and just how many pilots take advantage of these special offers could greatly influence the number of pilots who have to sit on the ground without a paycheck.
It could have been worse. Alaska is adding flights to Hawaii and Minnesota, but it's the flights around the fringes that are getting cancelled, such as red-eyes and some weekend flights that lose too much money.
The airline is also trying to figure out how many other jobs it will need to cut, such as flight attendants and gate personnel.
SEATTLE - We're learning this Labor Day weekend that as many as 165 Alaska Airlines pilots will lose their jobs.
High fuel prices have put the nation's airlines in a jam. After charging extra for baggage and cutting out meals, employees are next. Alaska Airlines is cutting flights and crews.
Alaska Airlines says it may cut up to five percent of its flights this fall and winter, and perhaps another five percent early next year.
“Fortunately, I missed it, so for now at least, I'll be safe,” said David Campbell, Alaska Airlines pilot. “But I am the typical guy who's getting furloughed. It's mid 30s, generally starting a family. I had a guy in my office last week who just moved here from Texas and was about to close on his house, and is thinking he should probably back out of the deal.”
Campbell is an Alaska pilot and spokesman for the union, the Airline Pilots Association. During our interview, he was also caring for his four-year-old son. He's been an Alaska pilot for six years. The union says those with two years and less seniority are vulnerable.
“What we are really hopeful about in the Airline Pilots Association that we can reduce the number of needed furloughs,” said Campbell.
“What we are doing with the union is offering them three different options to minimize that number. We are offering to work with them on one and two year leaves of absence, as well as early retirement,” said Paul McElroy, Alaska Airlines spokesman.
Just how many flights Alaska ends up cutting and just how many pilots take advantage of these special offers could greatly influence the number of pilots who have to sit on the ground without a paycheck.
It could have been worse. Alaska is adding flights to Hawaii and Minnesota, but it's the flights around the fringes that are getting cancelled, such as red-eyes and some weekend flights that lose too much money.
The airline is also trying to figure out how many other jobs it will need to cut, such as flight attendants and gate personnel.
09-01-2008, 05:50 PM
#2
First Rule of Fight Club
Joined APC: Jan 2007
Position: My seat smells like cat pee
Posts: 1,536
What a load of B.S. People say I was stupid for leaving Horizon, but even though I am furloughed I still have my sanity!! The Air Group drove me crazy. And look at them now.
09-01-2008, 10:38 PM
#4
On Reserve
Joined APC: Feb 2007
Position: 737 FO
Posts: 14
If they furlough 165, that's to seniority number 1440. In ANC that would be 53 (55%) of the FOs. That's ETOPs training as well a fair amount $$ for moves to ANC unless they significantly decrease the domicile. I suspect the 165 number has more to do with contract negotiations/mediation than to do with 5% reductions.
09-02-2008, 05:41 AM
#5
Line Holder
Joined APC: Sep 2007
Position: F/O on the Eskimo
Posts: 75
Originally Posted by BoredwLife
What a load of B.S. People say I was stupid for leaving Horizon, but even though I am furloughed I still have my sanity!! The Air Group drove me crazy. And look at them now.
09-02-2008, 07:38 AM
#8
Guest
Posts: n/a
I don't think Alaska will end up furloughing anyone as it will cost them too much money. Right now from what I'm hearing they want to furlough out of seniority due to a number of MD80 pilots waiting to be trained on the 737. Once they finally figure out that most of their furloughs will come from the ANC base and their ETOPS qualified pilots, I don't think they will carry through with the threat. Besides, Alaska's in contract negotiations and what a better way to try and keep the pilots in line.
09-02-2008, 08:33 AM
#9
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Apr 2006
Position: 737 FO
Posts: 260
Originally Posted by FR8Dingo
If they furlough 165, that's to seniority number 1440. In ANC that would be 53 (55%) of the FOs. That's ETOPs training as well a fair amount $$ for moves to ANC unless they significantly decrease the domicile. I suspect the 165 number has more to do with contract negotiations/mediation than to do with 5% reductions.
09-02-2008, 08:34 AM
#10
First Rule of Fight Club
Joined APC: Jan 2007
Position: My seat smells like cat pee
Posts: 1,536
Originally Posted by captnmajic
I don't think Alaska will end up furloughing anyone as it will cost them too much money. Right now from what I'm hearing they want to furlough out of seniority due to a number of MD80 pilots waiting to be trained on the 737. Once they finally figure out that most of their furloughs will come from the ANC base and their ETOPS qualified pilots, I don't think they will carry through with the threat. Besides, Alaska's in contract negotiations and what a better way to try and keep the pilots in line.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
B727DRVR
Cargo
14
08-22-2008 02:23 PM
Atreyu
Regional
16
08-11-2008 10:10 AM
