Pilots Question Capital Cargo Int'l 757 Program

Pilots who fly for Capital Cargo Int'l Airlines (CCIA) question management's effectiveness with respect to new aircraft integration, says the Air Line Pilots Association.

ALPA tells ANN CCIA management announced the implementation of a new Boeing 757 program in mid-2007 with the assurance of operating the new aircraft in February 2008. Over three months past the date promised, the 757 is still not producing revenue. Pilots -- who are working under a contract that came up for review in 2004, and have since voted out three tentative agreements on a new one -- worry about the airline's lost productivity, inefficient use of pilots, and customer dissatisfaction which may impact the company's future.

"When the company announced its 757 plans, the Air Line Pilots Association, Int'l (ALPA) was quick to offer its resources to work with management to ensure a successful and timely launch of the new aircraft," stated Captain CJ Johnson, chairman of the Capital Cargo unit of ALPA. "To our amazement, our offer of assistance and ALPA's resources were rejected by CCIA management. We remain available to assist with ensuring proper manuals for the FAA or in any other way needed since the delays are costing hundreds of thousands of dollars per month in lost revenue and overhead costs."

ALPA notes management stated publicly at an investor's conference in February the aircraft was in proving runs and at the ABX Holdings shareholders' meeting this month that the aircraft would be on the operating certificate as of last week. The union says thay's not a cost-effective measure in the cargo freight industry, because delays equate to loss of revenue.

"The B-757 program is a great opportunity to provide success for our airline," said Captain Johnson. "But how much of that opportunity is lost to the crewmembers and shareholders alike because of our management's lack of accountability? We can only wonder if this behavior is being mirrored in our contract negotiations as stall tactics are being utilized on management's side of the table."

Crewmembers trained to fly the B-757 since January would also like to see the issues holding up revenue services resolved soon, as they have been unutilized for months and most crewmembers in the program will need retraining due to currency issues.

FMI: www.capitalcargo.com/, www.alpa.org