Dizel8
Douglas metal
- Joined
- Feb 27, 2003
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But the airline's biggest problem is labor unrest.
Pilots from the old US Airways -- referred to internally as the "East" part of the system -- are furious over a new seniority list created by an arbitrator that merges lists from the old US Airways and America West. They say the new list favors the West pilots, and they have appealed the decision to the Air Line Pilots Association's executive council, which is expected to consider their complaints Monday.
East pilots wanted a list based on date of hire because they are, on average, older and more experienced than West pilots. The list instead blended the seniority status of pilots at the two airlines, pushing some veteran East pilots below West pilots with less experience.
Seniority is crucial to pilots because it determines when pilots are promoted, where they fly and when they can take vacation.
Some pilots have already been refusing to do extra work to help the airline run on time as part of a "Do Your Own Job" campaign, which is designed to call attention to a lack of a combined contract in the new airline. That could spread to more intense protests, such as flying slow or calling in sick. That could disrupt the airline -- and passengers.
"It's a big concern of ours," said Parker after the speech. But he added that because of an agreement signed with ALPA in fall 2005, the airline has to accept whatever seniority list is presented to it.
Parker also said he still favors industry consolidation, though he doesn't see any airline merging this year, despite a weakened economic outlook in the business. Parker tried unsuccessfully to buy Delta last November while it was in bankruptcy court, but his offer was rejected by the airline's creditors.
Pilots from the old US Airways -- referred to internally as the "East" part of the system -- are furious over a new seniority list created by an arbitrator that merges lists from the old US Airways and America West. They say the new list favors the West pilots, and they have appealed the decision to the Air Line Pilots Association's executive council, which is expected to consider their complaints Monday.
East pilots wanted a list based on date of hire because they are, on average, older and more experienced than West pilots. The list instead blended the seniority status of pilots at the two airlines, pushing some veteran East pilots below West pilots with less experience.
Seniority is crucial to pilots because it determines when pilots are promoted, where they fly and when they can take vacation.
Some pilots have already been refusing to do extra work to help the airline run on time as part of a "Do Your Own Job" campaign, which is designed to call attention to a lack of a combined contract in the new airline. That could spread to more intense protests, such as flying slow or calling in sick. That could disrupt the airline -- and passengers.
"It's a big concern of ours," said Parker after the speech. But he added that because of an agreement signed with ALPA in fall 2005, the airline has to accept whatever seniority list is presented to it.
Parker also said he still favors industry consolidation, though he doesn't see any airline merging this year, despite a weakened economic outlook in the business. Parker tried unsuccessfully to buy Delta last November while it was in bankruptcy court, but his offer was rejected by the airline's creditors.
