Comair to officially furlough 300 pilots

[V-1]

Fortunately the quality of the leadership at Comair/Delta has been well known for years now. I'm confident anyone hired within the last five years should understand the high level of risk associated with counting on Comair/Delta to provide for the financial security of themselves and their family.

I hope everyone has acted appropriately, instead of allowing Comair/Delta to vector them into a thunderstorm.

 

[PA44Jockey]

You never know how it will turn out. I have noticed that previous hiring and furloughing numbers never seem to come to what is projected.

When it's hiring time, they want to get the best applicants they can. By announcing big hiring plans, they can attract better candidates. By announcing big furlough plans, they may encourage some of the higher paid pilots to move on. And I can't say that I would blame them for that. If it was up to me, I might do the same thing.

Or, it could just be wishful thinking on my part.

Doubt it. Where do you think these senior guys would go. For sure it wouldn't be to another flying job given the current environment. Think about it. If you had a great schedule and pretty good pay, would you leave to start a new career behind a desk? Even desk jobs are be cut. It may sound good to you, but I don't think it would ever happen. Sure there may be a few takers. Have you talked to any of our senior guys on the subject?

 

[flyboyike]

You never know how it will turn out. I have noticed that previous hiring and furloughing numbers never seem to come to what is projected.

When it's hiring time, they want to get the best applicants they can. By announcing big hiring plans, they can attract better candidates. By announcing big furlough plans, they may encourage some of the higher paid pilots to move on. And I can't say that I would blame them for that. If it was up to me, I might do the same thing.

Or, it could just be wishful thinking on my part.

Well, sure, it would make a lot more sense to get rid of the guy that cost 100k/year rather than the one that costs 22k/year. Doesn't mean that's how it will work out.

 

[scarlet]

It is sad day for many. Good luck guys, but DL is not just picking on you, they will spread the 15% out to other regionals as well.

 

[flyboyike]

It is sad day for many. Good luck guys, but DL is not just picking on you, they will spread the 15% out to other regionals as well.

That makes it all better, thanks.

 

[laserman2431]

I agree with what you're saying. I was just speculating on what might be going through mgmt's mind.

Speaking of speculation, anyone notice that the price of crude oil dripped $8.00 in the last two days.
<img src="http://msnbcmedia4.msn.com/i/msnbc/Components/Interactives/Business/Oil%20and%20energy/Gas_prices_080707.gif">

I think I see a trend.

 

[JumpJetter]

How many pilots on the list at Comair? Good luck to all.

jj

 

[USCtrojan]

I agree with what you're saying. I was just speculating on what might be going through mgmt's mind.

Speaking of speculation, anyone notice that the price of crude oil dripped $8.00 in the last two days.
<img src="http://msnbcmedia4.msn.com/i/msnbc/Components/Interactives/Business/Oil%20and%20energy/Gas_prices_080707.gif">

I think I see a trend.

I hope you're right on the oil. 2 days straight, I wouldn't consider it a trend yet, but it certainly is a start! :beer:

Trojan

 

[captainv]

No email for me at noon on 7/8.

Oh well, the left seat was fun while it lasted...

 

[USCtrojan]

Comair's Press Release

Here's the Press Release:

Comair to cut 520 crew members

July 8, 2008 10:37 AM ET
advertisementdap('&PG=INVNWS&AP=1089',300,250);
All bizjournals.com newsRegional carrier Comair expects to cut more than 500 of its crew positions after the summer, as it follows through with previously announced plans to ground 14 of its 50-seater jets.



The Erlanger-based airline estimates it will eliminate 300 pilot and 220 flight attendant positions. Comair employs roughly 6,400 in total, about 1,400 of whom are pilots.
In an e-mail, Comair spokeswoman Kate Marx said the carrier is still operating the 14 earmarked aircraft through the summer but that its flight schedule will decline significantly in September.
"We have steadily reduced non-crew staff since the beginning of the year," Marx said. "Because our pilot and flight attendant staffing is directly related to our flying, we need to adjust our crew complement for the fall."
Comair follows several other airlines that have been reducing their ranks as high fuel prices cause them to cut routes. AirTran on July 7 said it would eliminate 300 attendant and 180 pilot positions, and United Airlines recently announced plans to cut 150 customer service and ramp jobs.
Still, Ted Bushelman, spokesman for the Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport, was surprised by the number of expected reductions at Comair. The carrier and its parent, Delta Air Lines, control about 85 percent of the airport's traffic.
"That's a lot," Bushelman said of the 520 jobs. "They've been saying all along they were going to cut. I just didn't know how many."
Employees were notified July 7 through a memo by President John Selvaggio. In it, he described this year as a "roller coaster."
"We have continued to support Delta's efforts to address sky-high fuel costs by becoming more efficient and reducing our overall cost structure," the memo stated. "We have demonstrated that our strength lies in the people of Comair, and in the coming months, we must remain flexible to keep ourselves poised to take advantages of future opportunities."
Comair in January said it would ground 14 of its 50-seater jets in 2008, after Delta (NYSEAL) cut its own domestic capacity by 5 percent in favor of overseas business. At the time, Comair would not identify how many of its employees would be affected. The move will prune Comair's fleet to 116 from 130 by the end of the year.