Deal With Mechanics And FAs Final

Although it has reached a deal with its mechanics and flight attendants, Comair can't seem to reach accord with its pilots.

The deal with its mechanics comes just five days after one reached with flight attendants, but neither side is willing to release details just yet. We do know mechanics conceded pay and benefits to help keep the airline afloat.

Comair has been telling its unions it need concessions to make a successful bid for routes. Comair's routes and planes belong to its parent Delta. In order to keep them, it must bid for them.

Comair referred to its latest bid to keep the routes as lackluster blaming unsuccessful union negotiations.

Meanwhile, the company's attempts to get its pilots in line with its other unions continue to prove fruitless. Pilot's union representatives say the airline's latest offer wasn't good enough to warrant further negotiations.

Pilots say their vote to give over $17 million in January was contingent on the airline also collecting $9 million from flight attendants.

When that didn't happen, pilots demanded new terms. Comair is now asking for just under $16 million, but the pilots aren't biting.

Whatever happens with Comair's pilot's union, Delta is set to announce the bid winners for Comair's routes next month. If Comair's lackluster bid isn't good enough, it might lose its routes and up to 42 planes.

Delta is dealing with its own bankruptcy blues and can't afford to bail Comair out on this one. If that happens, all the labor discussions become moot, because Comair probably won't need so many pilots then.

FMI: www.comair.com