UAL plays scrooge

[bigr]

Posted on Wed, Dec. 04, 2002

United to lay off 352 pilots
The airline also faces fines for using a duct-type tape to patch holes in planes' wings
By Dave Carpenter
ASSOCIATED PRESS

CHICAGO - United Airlines announced plans Tuesday to lay off another 352 pilots over the next two months as part of its plan to decrease its flying schedule next year.

The company said it will cut 220 pilots' jobs Jan. 6 and another 132 on Feb. 7, reducing its current total of 8,600 pilots by an additional 4 percent.

The actions will increase the number of pilots laid off to 1,196 from cost-saving measures the carrier announced last month, and 9,000 employees in all. United currently has about 83,000 employees.

"This is a very difficult announcement to make because of the impact it will have on our employees and their families," said Steve Forte, United's senior vice president for flight operations.

Also Tuesday, United said it will eliminate 8 management positions and reduce pay for remaining executives to save $60 million as the world's second-biggest carrier seeks to avoid a bankruptcy filing.

United will trim the number of officers to 36 from 44, said United spokesman Chris Brathwaite. Those remaining will have their annual compensation cut by an average of 11 percent over 51/2 years, the company said.

In addition, United may be fined $805,000 because workers used tape to temporarily fix holes in the wing panels of three Boeing Co. 757 jets.

The airline made the repairs last March after inspections found holes, the biggest measuring 2.6 inches in diameter, on wing panels that extend to slow the planes during landings, the Federal Aviation Administration said.

The agency said it prohibits the use of tape for those repairs because of the size or location of the holes. The regulator only allows the use of the tape, similar to duct tape, for certain temporary repairs. The planes made 193 flights before United permanently fixed the holes, the FAA said.

"We're going to fight" the proposed fine, said Joe Hopkins, a spokesman for Chicago-based United. The repair to a minor part didn't harm safety or place passengers and crews at risk, he said.

The announcement of pilot layoffs comes with United awaiting two crucial developments this week that will determine whether it is forced to file for bankruptcy court protection from its hefty debts.

On Thursday, its mechanics vote on whether to ratify a tentative agreement for 7 percent wage cuts, which the airline is counting on to preserve its $5.2 billion package of proposed labor cutbacks.

And a decision is expected any day on its application for a $1.8 billion government loan guarantee by the Air Transportation Stabilization Board, which is requiring steep cuts in exchange for federal assistance.

Shares in United's parent company UAL Corp. closed down 23 cents, or 7 percent, at $3.05 on the New York Stock Exchange.

Pilots' union spokesman Herb Hunter said the layoffs had been anticipated since the latest schedule reduction.

"It's very sad and disappointing for those affected, but basically we expected it," he said.


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Bloomberg News contributed to this story.

 

[EagleRJ]

For a government that is trying to help the major airlines survive, this fine sure seems like twisting the knife. The FAA finds discrepencies all the time, but it seems like they levy a fine to make a point only when there's some money to be made. They fine a certain amount "per occurrence" or per flight, so if a plane makes dozens or hundreds of flights before the discrepency is discovered, the fines add up quickly.
The publicizing of this doesn't help United's public image either. The fact that holes went too long without a permenant repair is insignificant, but the only thing the flying public will remember is "United Airlines fixes their wings with duct tape". I think the FAA could have used some discretion in giving this to the press.

 

[chawbein]

500mph Duct Tape

 

[banned username 2]

the only thing the flying public will remember is "United Airlines fixes their wings with duct tape."

Well.... They did!

Don't shoot the messenger... If UAL fixed them properly there would be no news story... They (UAL) caused their own headache on this one...

 

[EagleRJ]

Actually, duct tape is not used at all in aviation (except maybe for us regional pilots to hold our kit bags together). The mechanics call it "speed tape". It's made of stainless steel, and yes, it will stay on at 500mph.

It's still unfortunate for United that the FAA publicized the story, and the AP writer chose to call the stuff duct tape.

 

[banned username 2]

The article said "similar to duct tape"

Regardless, speed tape or not, it was prohibited to be used on those specific holes due to "the size or location of the holes"...

And 193 flights? even at 6 flights per day, that is over 30 days... give me a break...

"The agency said it prohibits the use of tape for those repairs because of the size or location of the holes. The regulator only allows the use of the tape, similar to duct tape, for certain temporary repairs. The planes made 193 flights before United permanently fixed the holes, the FAA said."

 

[bulldog]

Come on give the mechanics a break. Surely you can't expect them to do quality work with the current conditions. After all, when would they have time. They are simply too upset by the thought that they may have to take a 7% paycut to focus. God forbid they contribute to the team. Certainly if all other team members do their part they can simply ignore the fact they are going bankrupt!!!!!

Bulldog

 

[dogg]

Bulldog, you are way off base with your comments. You dont have a clue when it comes to 121 airline maintenance. The real truth lies far from where the "news reporter" put it.

 

[bulldog]

Dogg,

Guilty as charged. I was simply expressing a little frustration at the lack of teamwork exhibited by the mechanics. I do understand their frustration and believe they should have had their wages restored a long time ago. However, when the ship is sinking all parties need to put their greviences aside and do whatever it takes to stay afloat. The mechanics were the only group to fail to do this.

As far as "the real truth lies far from where the news reporter put it"

If you know the "real truth" why don't you elucidate it for all of us?

In this day and age all airline employees need to cross their T's and dot their I's. That certainly doesn't appear to be the case here. If I failed to perform my duties properly as a pilot I would expect to be called on the carpet and harshly.

Now is simply not the time for any of us to act in a manner where our actions could be questioned. We can't afford the possible public backlash.

Bulldog