Without Pay or Benefits, Aloha Pilots Continue to Fly
Pilots haven’t received pay or health care coverage, yet continue to support Aloha’s cargo operations
HONOLULU—Enduring weeks without pay or healthcare coverage and with enormous hardship on their families, Aloha Airlines pilots continue to fly cargo to help their airline deliver on its commitment to its customers. Despite no objection from any party during a bankruptcy hearing last week, funds have not been released to pay pilots who have made tremendous sacrifices to keep the airline in operation.
The Aloha Airlines pilots, represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l, have not been paid the wages they have earned since mid- April, and they received notices of termination of medical coverage as of March 31.
“The Aloha pilots are dedicated employees who have always made the necessary sacrifices to keep Aloha in the air,” said Capt. John Riddel, Aloha Airlines Master Executive Council secretary-treasurer. “This time is no different. Our pilots are flying without pay, without any guarantee when and if they will receive compensation, and having received notices of termination of medical coverage. They are going above and beyond for a company that is no longer in Chapter 11 and for a new company that doesn’t want to hire them. And yet, they still continue to provide the service Hawaiians have come to trust.”
Saltchuk Resources, Inc., which has offered to buy the cargo division, has refused to agree to abide by the pilots’ contract, and only yesterday began meetings with the pilots union to try to negotiate a contract and deal with ALPA’s demand to keep the pilots flying for the airline. Aloha’s cargo division continues to operate, though Aloha is under Chapter 7 bankruptcy liquidation and awaiting court review of the proposed sale of the cargo division to Saltchuk.
Aloha filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy on March 20, 2008, and abruptly ceased its passenger service on March 31, after 61 years of service. On April 28, the cargo division was shut down, and the company and its lender, GMAC, supported conversion of the case to a liquidation under Chapter 7 of the Bankruptcy Code. Three days later, Saltchuk renewed its offer to buy the cargo assets, and the Chapter 7 trustee received authorization from the court to continue operation of the cargo division until the sale was finalized.
Founded in 1931, ALPA is the world’s largest pilots union and represents more than 56,000 pilots at 41 airlines in the U.S. and Canada. ALPA represents the more than 300 pilots who flew for Aloha Airlines.

Amazing. That's dedication and loyalty; if they don't get paid, its a crime.

Admirable yes. Smart, No. Sends the wrong message to every airline management out there. I can not believe the union is allowing it without guarantees of future pay. Oh wait, its ALPA. Yes I can believe it.

Aloha's pilots are both admirable and smart. If you spent any time in Hawaii you would know how much Aloha meant to the islands.

Aloha was founded as a local carrier and has always had more of a local flavor than Hawaiian. Back when Aloha started there was discrimination against native Hawaiians and the multicultural ethnic stew that most Hawaiians possess as their heritage. Aloha was started with the intent to serve Hawaiians and they did so for many years. Hawaiian Airlines has not neglected the local market by any means but they have always flown to the mainland and other destinations outside Hawaii. Aloha until recently had limited service outside Hawaii. Aloha was regarded as the tough little brother, the scrappy one.

The Aloha spirit is what drives these pilots to save their jobs and their company. Aloha Cargo is a necessity for interisland shipments of time sensitive freight. The Aloha pilots see their task as protecting their Hawaiian O'hana (family). I have a great deal of respect for these guys and we could all learn a lesson about sacrifice for the greater good.

But, hey, some guys would rather burn the house down, the house they never owned.

Hey CactusMike,

It sounds like you spent some time in the Islands and understand the Aloha (and Aloha Airlines' spirit) spirit. As a "haole-boy" that grew up in HI, I echo your sentiments.

By the way, I'm sorry about what's happened to the West (and East, actually) guys with the new union. I hope to see you back with ALPA soon, maybe sooner than later with the new merger talk. I know that it's a different story with my smaller airline compared to US Airways situation, but ALPA was the best thing that ever happened to my pilot group. I only have to look at all the licenses and medicals that were saved after ALPA came on the property to know that we did the right thing to organize. It was day and night the day after we became ALPA, when it comes to how we were treated by the Company and even the FAA. And now, even as we are in Chapter 11 like Aloha, they continue to fight for us...

I realize that I got off the thread a little, but I have seen many of your posts and feel for you guys.

Hang in there and good luck, Cactus, Aloha pilots, and all pilots everywhere. We really are all in this together, because when even one pilot, anywhere, is unemployed (or worse, paying for training or to work), it allows Management to say "hey, we have people who will PAY to do your job......"

Take Care,

B727DRVR

They are good people for doing that, at least better than me. NO WAY IN HELL I would fly for free. I'm in debt (college loans) up to my neck, don't even have a house, I rent an apt....I try to do my best at work, keep everything safe and profesional, and I believe I have a strong work ethic, but it doesn't come for free. If I'm in that airplane, I promise I'll do a good job, but you are going to have to pay me or its "adios".. That's just me

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Yeah but what does all of that have to do with them flying for free right now? Would paying the flight crew the combined $200 or so per flight hour make the cargo operation impossible to operate? This whole deal is total BS and is not admirable in any way.

My heart goes out to those guys trying to save their company. This is no time to be out of work, trust me.

Trying to save a bankrupt company by working for free? Why not take it a step further and PAY to work? What they are doing is not admirable, but flat-out embarrassing to professional pilots everywhere.

Easy for you to say with your safe and secure job.. How about they try to save the job they have first, and then they can pound their fist for pay! What do you think they are, stupid?