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Air France Pilots Strike over Change in Age 60 Rule!

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Eagle757shark

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 31, 2006
Posts
575
Four-day pilots strike could cost Air France €100 million

Friday November 14, 2008
The four-day strike called by French pilot unions to protest a potential change in the retirement age is expected to cause "severe disruption" to Air France's schedule beginning today and could cost the carrier up to €100 million, AF KLM Chairman and CEO Jean-Cyril Spinetta said.
The work stoppage, set to start Friday at 12:01 a.m. local time, will result in approximately half of AF's medium- and long-haul flights leaving Paris today being cancelled, with further cancellations to the long-haul program expected as the strike progresses. AF's normal daily schedule comprises 760 medium-haul flights from all airports and 73 long-haul flights from the capital. It said a flight schedule during the strike "is difficult to forecast as it will have to be adjusted each day." It said the impact on approximately 800 flights operated by Brit Air, CityJet, Regional, CCM and Airlinair "should not be as great".
In an open letter to pilots, Spinetta called the strike "unnecessary and dangerous" because the extension of the retirement age to 65 from 60 being discussed by French Parliament would be optional, allowing pilots to retire at 60 if they wished. He said EASA will increase retirement age to 65 in the coming months in line with an ICAO directive.
Spinetta said unions have asked AF to modify its labor agreement to maintain age 60, which would be illegal as age limits for retirement in France "may only be set by law." Those retiring at 60 will have access to current pension conditions and severance, he promised, adding that AF "is prepared to negotiate the measures accompanying this reform."
He also warned that the strike could impact the company beyond the four days. The loss of €100 million in revenue would hinder AF's "capacity to invest at a time when. . .banks are reticent about financing businesses," he claimed.
The airline is allowing passengers to postpone trips without penalty up to March 28 except for long-haul flights scheduled for Dec. 20-Jan. 4 and Feb. 14-March 1. Destinations can be changed with the value of the original ticket deducted from the new one, and refunds or vouchers will be offered if a flight is cancelled or delayed for more than 5 hr. Vouchers also will be offered for those who do not wish to travel during the strike.

by Cathy Buyck
 
Geez, you read the pilot rhetoric, you'd think they're being forced to work to 65!

You can walk at 60, and still have your pension and severance.

Get on with it!
 
Those French pilots have no idea what they're doing, they need to follow ALPA's lead and start Takin' It Back!!!

/sigh
 
Perhaps in a few years the next move will be to have reduced benefits with retirement at 60. Time value of money says the old guys should retire! If not, the seniority list stagnates and the younger guys don't advance as quickly. Now buying a home in your 20s is more difficult, kids are less affordable till your 30s, and you're working closer to the day you expire. Hope you didn't want as much time with your grandkids...

This is called foot in the door. The french ain't stupid, they see how badly their American counterparts have had it and they're standing up for themselves.
 
Have you guys ever had a drink with the French pilots or even the British pilots on an overnight?

Ever notice how young and health the captain looks?

If not, next time your standing behind them in a customs line take a look at the entire crew. The pilots look like pilots should look. And the flight attendants look like stewardess once looked like in America.

American pilots and flight attendants are embarrassing to look at. They look like an old folks home buffet line.
 
Have you guys ever had a drink with the French pilots or even the British pilots on an overnight?

Ever notice how young and health the captain looks?

If not, next time your standing behind them in a customs line take a look at the entire crew. The pilots look like pilots should look. And the flight attendants look like stewardess once looked like in America.

American pilots and flight attendants are embarrassing to look at. They look like an old folks home buffet line.



That is spot on. The USA is a disgrace. An obesse nation, with 70 year old F/A and pilots who paid their way to their jobs.

I will be moving out as soon as my kids get out of school.

M
 
That is spot on. The USA is a disgrace. An obesse nation, with 70 year old F/A and pilots who paid their way to their jobs.

I will be moving out as soon as my kids get out of school.

M

And evidently, illiterate...


stlflyguy
 

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