Welcome to Flightinfo.com
- Register now and join the discussion
- Friendliest aviation Ccmmunity on the web
- Modern site for PC's, Phones, Tablets - no 3rd party apps required
- Ask questions, help others, promote aviation
- Share the passion for aviation
- Invite everyone to Flightinfo.com and let's have fun
Alaska management verbally announces furloughs for
- Thread starter kingair1
- Start date
Welcome to Flightinfo.com
- Register now and join the discussion
- Modern secure site, no 3rd party apps required
- Invite your friends
- Share the passion of aviation
- Friendliest aviation community on the web
ImbracableCrunk
Unregistered Un-User
- Joined
- Feb 5, 2003
- Posts
- 1,481
Deadalus
Painting the grass green
- Joined
- Mar 30, 2006
- Posts
- 399
The number I originally heard was 200. Commercial aviation sucks.
mach none
wishin I was on a boat
- Joined
- Jan 5, 2002
- Posts
- 669
dashtrash
Well-known member
- Joined
- Mar 27, 2002
- Posts
- 170
Get ready to lose a Franklin.
Old School 737
NG's now and it is A OK!!
- Joined
- Jun 13, 2005
- Posts
- 986
Mamma
Well-known member
- Joined
- Mar 29, 2005
- Posts
- 2,802
More from rumor-ville. We are going to park about 7-9 planes for a year. Trying to sell them would take some time and when they want to ramp up again it would take too long to get the planes back. I don't know why they can't wet lease them to anyone. The 11% reduction in capacity for 2009 is resulting in fewer flights thus fewer pilots are needed. Our management will reduce us to the max they can and then 5 more just to be safe. I think the 200 number is to whittle away the senior guys as much as possible. I'll bet few if any takers because they are not offering to reduce the early out penalty. Typical window dressing offer from management.
Parking airplanes is the only way to justify furloughs over here.
With that said, how much are they going to spend keeping 7 to 14 airplanes on the property and not flying them? Airplanes don't make money when they are not flying.
With that said, how much are they going to spend keeping 7 to 14 airplanes on the property and not flying them? Airplanes don't make money when they are not flying.
Going2Baja
Well-known member
- Joined
- Dec 2, 2005
- Posts
- 1,258
Old School 737
NG's now and it is A OK!!
- Joined
- Jun 13, 2005
- Posts
- 986
Hear is the latest from the co.
Work force reductions
September 12, 2008
The effect of a smaller schedule on Alaska Airlines’ work force includes a management headcount reduction of 80 positions that was largely completed in August. Slightly more than half the reduction involved layoffs, while the remainder was achieved by eliminating open positions.
All told, Alaska is shrinking its work force 9 percent to 10 percent to about 9,000 people. The last company-wide layoffs and furloughs (other than normal seasonal reductions and voluntary departures) were in 1992 and ’93.
“We deeply regret having to take these steps and recognize the hardship on these employees and their families,” CEO Bill Ayer said. “This difficult action is particularly frustrating because we’ve done everything possible to avoid furloughs and our great people are the reason Alaska Airlines is renowned for our customer service.”
Ayer cited this year’s consistently high customer satisfaction marks over the busy summer months, when survey scores usually dip. He also noted numerous initiatives and a concerted effort by employees across the company that have “dramatically improved” Alaska’s on-time rate over previous years.
“I couldn’t be more proud of your work to fly our customers safely, reliably and with Alaska Spirit,” he told employees in a company-wide message. “Alaska’s industry-leading service has always been vital to our survival, and I wish it were enough as we grapple with the severe economic, cost and competitive challenges that are fundamentally changing our business.”
In response to the current environment, the company has undertaken a variety of measures to improve profitability and protect its cash balance. These include raising fares, increasing fees and instituting a charge for a second checked bag, taking steps to reduce fuel consumption, and deferring or eliminating numerous projects and capital spending.
“These steps, when combined with the recently completed transition to an all-Boeing 737 fleet, improve our viability, but are not enough to eliminate the need to reduce the number of our employees,” Ayer said.
Pilots, flight attendants, aircraft technicians, and reservations, customer service and ramp agents are being offered early-out packages or six-month to two-year leaves in lieu of furloughs. In addition, the company and the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) are discussing contract provisions covering reductions in bid block hours.
The process for early-outs, leaves and furloughs will be completed for most employees, except pilots, in early November. More information and request forms for the early-out and leave-in-lieu-of-furlough programs are available here.
Horizon has been reducing its work force, as well. The carrier expects to cut capacity 20 percent in the fourth quarter compared to a year ago, which would represent a 9 percent reduction for all of 2008. So far, the effect on Horizon’s work force includes:
• A reduction of 75 management positions, in large part through attrition and voluntary layoffs.
• A reduction of 94 pilot positions through attrition, early-out packages and leaves, and a furlough of about 40 pilots this November.
In other work groups, furloughs are being minimized through early-out programs, unpaid leaves and attrition.
“Right now, Air Group’s fuel cost is exceedingly high, making it very challenging to fly profitably,” said Andrew Harrison, Alaska Air Group’s managing director of planning. “When the economy turns around, though, we will judiciously replace some capacity in our schedule. This industry is cyclical — and over the long term we expect to continue growing at Alaska and Horizon.”
Work force reductions
September 12, 2008
The effect of a smaller schedule on Alaska Airlines’ work force includes a management headcount reduction of 80 positions that was largely completed in August. Slightly more than half the reduction involved layoffs, while the remainder was achieved by eliminating open positions.
All told, Alaska is shrinking its work force 9 percent to 10 percent to about 9,000 people. The last company-wide layoffs and furloughs (other than normal seasonal reductions and voluntary departures) were in 1992 and ’93.
“We deeply regret having to take these steps and recognize the hardship on these employees and their families,” CEO Bill Ayer said. “This difficult action is particularly frustrating because we’ve done everything possible to avoid furloughs and our great people are the reason Alaska Airlines is renowned for our customer service.”
Ayer cited this year’s consistently high customer satisfaction marks over the busy summer months, when survey scores usually dip. He also noted numerous initiatives and a concerted effort by employees across the company that have “dramatically improved” Alaska’s on-time rate over previous years.
“I couldn’t be more proud of your work to fly our customers safely, reliably and with Alaska Spirit,” he told employees in a company-wide message. “Alaska’s industry-leading service has always been vital to our survival, and I wish it were enough as we grapple with the severe economic, cost and competitive challenges that are fundamentally changing our business.”
In response to the current environment, the company has undertaken a variety of measures to improve profitability and protect its cash balance. These include raising fares, increasing fees and instituting a charge for a second checked bag, taking steps to reduce fuel consumption, and deferring or eliminating numerous projects and capital spending.
“These steps, when combined with the recently completed transition to an all-Boeing 737 fleet, improve our viability, but are not enough to eliminate the need to reduce the number of our employees,” Ayer said.
Pilots, flight attendants, aircraft technicians, and reservations, customer service and ramp agents are being offered early-out packages or six-month to two-year leaves in lieu of furloughs. In addition, the company and the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) are discussing contract provisions covering reductions in bid block hours.
The process for early-outs, leaves and furloughs will be completed for most employees, except pilots, in early November. More information and request forms for the early-out and leave-in-lieu-of-furlough programs are available here.
Horizon has been reducing its work force, as well. The carrier expects to cut capacity 20 percent in the fourth quarter compared to a year ago, which would represent a 9 percent reduction for all of 2008. So far, the effect on Horizon’s work force includes:
• A reduction of 75 management positions, in large part through attrition and voluntary layoffs.
• A reduction of 94 pilot positions through attrition, early-out packages and leaves, and a furlough of about 40 pilots this November.
In other work groups, furloughs are being minimized through early-out programs, unpaid leaves and attrition.
“Right now, Air Group’s fuel cost is exceedingly high, making it very challenging to fly profitably,” said Andrew Harrison, Alaska Air Group’s managing director of planning. “When the economy turns around, though, we will judiciously replace some capacity in our schedule. This industry is cyclical — and over the long term we expect to continue growing at Alaska and Horizon.”
Going2Baja
Well-known member
- Joined
- Dec 2, 2005
- Posts
- 1,258
Aren't they talking about Horizon's furloughs of 94+40? Not Alaska's? I don't think they have any numbers since the Early-out and LOA's aren't in yet.
Baja.
“Right now, Air Group’s fuel cost is exceedingly high, making it very challenging to fly profitably,”
This is the same Air Group that likes to boast about having the 2nd best fuel hedges in the industry.
ALK wants to furlough 150-190 pilots, while American is cancelling theirs and Delta is getting ready to hire by the end of this year.
Don't tell me that American & Delta are paying less
for their fuel than AAG.
Maybe AAG should furlough its high-level management for not having the competence to
make a profit with the 2nd best fuel hedges in
the airline industry.
This is the same Air Group that likes to boast about having the 2nd best fuel hedges in the industry.
ALK wants to furlough 150-190 pilots, while American is cancelling theirs and Delta is getting ready to hire by the end of this year.
Don't tell me that American & Delta are paying less
for their fuel than AAG.
Maybe AAG should furlough its high-level management for not having the competence to
make a profit with the 2nd best fuel hedges in
the airline industry.
Yes.
---------------------------------------
"So far, the effect on Horizon’s work force includes:
• A reduction of 75 management positions, in large part through attrition and voluntary layoffs.
• A reduction of 94 pilot positions through attrition, early-out packages and leaves, and a furlough of about 40 pilots this November."
maxblast72
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jun 5, 2006
- Posts
- 931
Just for reference, we have 1500 active pilots on the senioirty list (170 on furlough) flying about 135-140 airplanes over at Airtran. You guys either have a great contract or are overstaffed.
AKMD80GUY
Angle Lakes Bitch
- Joined
- May 3, 2005
- Posts
- 200
I really think this is all just straight BS from the Ford and Harrison playbook. Look at the facts, 2nd best fuel hedge, over a billion in cash, single fleet etc... I do however think that the company will furlough to send a message even if it costs them more in the long run to do it.
With the MD gone we have become fat on pilots but until these pilots are trained you have to look at them as not being employed. That means on the 737 alone we are still understaffed according to everyone except TK and upper management. As these guys are trained they will fatten up the position list but at a rate that allows for the 1 to 1 aircraft transition.
That being said even if we shrink 10% we would be staffed at around 7 pilots per seat per aircraft. That's about where we are now. I also heard we have only had 7 pilots put in the paper work for EOB.
On a side note I saw Ayer is or is going to be CEO at PSE. I wonder if that means GS will be the new CEO.
With the MD gone we have become fat on pilots but until these pilots are trained you have to look at them as not being employed. That means on the 737 alone we are still understaffed according to everyone except TK and upper management. As these guys are trained they will fatten up the position list but at a rate that allows for the 1 to 1 aircraft transition.
That being said even if we shrink 10% we would be staffed at around 7 pilots per seat per aircraft. That's about where we are now. I also heard we have only had 7 pilots put in the paper work for EOB.
On a side note I saw Ayer is or is going to be CEO at PSE. I wonder if that means GS will be the new CEO.
Yes, he'll early-out to PSE, but his replacement will be just like him, if not worse.
ALK To Cut Capacity, Slash Jobs
Alaska Airlines to cut capacity, slash jobs
By SAMANTHA BOMKAMP, AP Business Writer
Friday, September 12, 2008
(09-12) 15:50 PDT NEW YORK, (AP) --
Alaska Airlines said Friday it will cut capacity by 8 percent this winter and slash up to 1,000 jobs, as high fuel costs and a weak economy provide a "one-two punch" to the carrier's bottom line.
The job cuts represent about 9 percent to 10 percent of the airline's 10,000 employees. The 850 to 1,000 positions on the chopping block include pilots, flight attendants and aircraft technicians, as well as reservations, customer service and ramp agents.
The carrier, a unit of Seattle-based Alaska Air Group Inc., says the capacity reductions and job cuts will start in November and continue throughout next year.
Alaska Airlines plans to cancel low-demand flights on Saturdays and holidays, reduce flights by about 1 roundtrip flight per day on major routes and end seasonal service on three Mexico routes. In total, the capacity cuts will reduce the airline's flights by about 15 percent.
Alaska Airlines said it is working with the unions that represent affected employees, and offering them "early out" programs and extended leave of absences to lessen the number of involuntary furloughs.
Alaska Airlines says the moves were needed because of "the one-two punch of record oil prices and a softening economy, on top of increased competition."
The company said it has taken steps to offset record costs, including increasing fees and adding charges, reducing fuel consumption and deferring capital projects.
"These steps, when combined with the recently completed transition to an all-Boeing 737 fleet, improve our viability, but are not enough to eliminate the need to reduce the number of our employees," said Alaska Air Group Chairman and CEO Bill Ayer.
Spokesman Stephen Gordon of the Machinists union, which represents more than 3,700 ticket and gate agents, ramp personnel and mechanics, said the layoffs weren't a surprise.
"Clearly we knew this was going to be coming ... it's an industrywide issue," he said.
But some other employees insist there are other ways to solve the carrier's problems.
David Campbell, an Alaska Airlines pilot and a spokesman for the Air Line Pilots Association, said that from his perspective, the layoffs were a "bad decision."
Capt. Bill Shivers, chairman of ALPA, said he is concerned the airline will cut its staff of pilots back too much and not be able to take advantage of opportunities for growth in the future.
"We are concerned that competitors such as Southwest, Virgin America or JetBlue will be in a position to capitalize on opportunities that our company has denied itself the ability to take advantage of," he added.
ALPA, which represents the 1,500 pilots at Alaska, is asking the airline to reduce the guaranteed number of flight hours — and therefore reduce their pay — instead of using furloughs.
Alaska Airlines to cut capacity, slash jobs
By SAMANTHA BOMKAMP, AP Business Writer
Friday, September 12, 2008
(09-12) 15:50 PDT NEW YORK, (AP) --
Alaska Airlines said Friday it will cut capacity by 8 percent this winter and slash up to 1,000 jobs, as high fuel costs and a weak economy provide a "one-two punch" to the carrier's bottom line.
The job cuts represent about 9 percent to 10 percent of the airline's 10,000 employees. The 850 to 1,000 positions on the chopping block include pilots, flight attendants and aircraft technicians, as well as reservations, customer service and ramp agents.
The carrier, a unit of Seattle-based Alaska Air Group Inc., says the capacity reductions and job cuts will start in November and continue throughout next year.
Alaska Airlines plans to cancel low-demand flights on Saturdays and holidays, reduce flights by about 1 roundtrip flight per day on major routes and end seasonal service on three Mexico routes. In total, the capacity cuts will reduce the airline's flights by about 15 percent.
Alaska Airlines said it is working with the unions that represent affected employees, and offering them "early out" programs and extended leave of absences to lessen the number of involuntary furloughs.
Alaska Airlines says the moves were needed because of "the one-two punch of record oil prices and a softening economy, on top of increased competition."
The company said it has taken steps to offset record costs, including increasing fees and adding charges, reducing fuel consumption and deferring capital projects.
"These steps, when combined with the recently completed transition to an all-Boeing 737 fleet, improve our viability, but are not enough to eliminate the need to reduce the number of our employees," said Alaska Air Group Chairman and CEO Bill Ayer.
Spokesman Stephen Gordon of the Machinists union, which represents more than 3,700 ticket and gate agents, ramp personnel and mechanics, said the layoffs weren't a surprise.
"Clearly we knew this was going to be coming ... it's an industrywide issue," he said.
But some other employees insist there are other ways to solve the carrier's problems.
David Campbell, an Alaska Airlines pilot and a spokesman for the Air Line Pilots Association, said that from his perspective, the layoffs were a "bad decision."
Capt. Bill Shivers, chairman of ALPA, said he is concerned the airline will cut its staff of pilots back too much and not be able to take advantage of opportunities for growth in the future.
"We are concerned that competitors such as Southwest, Virgin America or JetBlue will be in a position to capitalize on opportunities that our company has denied itself the ability to take advantage of," he added.
ALPA, which represents the 1,500 pilots at Alaska, is asking the airline to reduce the guaranteed number of flight hours — and therefore reduce their pay — instead of using furloughs.
Last edited:
It sure is, once you've outsourced EVERYTHING! He's not quite there yet with ALK. Once Delta does all of our MX and a third party flies our routes, he'll be set.
Then, he can go to PSE and raise all of our energy prices.
QCappy
Left Coaster
- Joined
- Jan 9, 2005
- Posts
- 521
Read it again. It says he would be Chairman of the board at PSE, not CEO. Big difference.
Sure, as long as we get DOH, your pay scale, and work rules.
Oh yeah, fences around bases too. I don't think I'm
asking for too much.
Going2Baja
Well-known member
- Joined
- Dec 2, 2005
- Posts
- 1,258
Sure, as long as we get DOH, your pay scale, and work rules.
Oh yeah, fences around bases too. I don't think I'm
asking for too much.
Baze - Agreed. As long as the work rules don't include tons of ups n downs. I left the commuters for a reason.
Baja.
Yeah, I'm getting too old for a lot of ups & downs.
You're lucky that you don't have to deal with flying
SE trips.
It won't matter in 4-5 months anyways. I've
already updated my resume. I'll probably spend
part of today updating my logbook.
Once they show me the door, I'm probably never
coming back!!!!
Mookie
luckiest man alive
- Joined
- Sep 25, 2002
- Posts
- 879
seriously baze...ya need to chill...
I'm sure there are alot of people who helped you get on here that aren't too stoked to hear that...
this is called a business cycle folks. it sux right now, but we will outlast the bafoons in the long run. with some exceptions, every airline has it's ebbs and flows. it's not time to throw out the baby w the bathwater just yet.
Mookie
I'm sure there are alot of people who helped you get on here that aren't too stoked to hear that...
this is called a business cycle folks. it sux right now, but we will outlast the bafoons in the long run. with some exceptions, every airline has it's ebbs and flows. it's not time to throw out the baby w the bathwater just yet.
Mookie
Mookie,
One of the people who helped me get on here was
trying to steer me away from this place. He was
wondering why I didn't look elsewhere and that
I should have considered WN, etc.
So, it wouldn't hurt their feelings.
In any case, that's just how I feel.
I have enjoyed working with probably the best
employee group at Alaska. Unfortunately, I
expected some semblance of integrity from
the Anglers. What was I thinking?
They are so arrogant that they think the
furloughed pilots are all going to run back
when they are recalled. They may be dreaming.
Okay, I'll go chill now... there's some Fat Tire
in the fridge, but it's too early to drink right now.
No beer until after 12:00 PM.
Share this page
Latest resources
-
-
-
-
-
AC 90-89C - Amateur-Built Aircraft and Ultralight Flight Testing HandbookAmateur-Built Aircraft and Ultralight Flight Testing Handbook
- Neal
- Updated:
