Pact Would Boost Pilot Retention, Address Economic Concerns

The pilots of Endeavor Air, represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA), announced a tentative agreement with Endeavor management that addresses the pilots’ immediate economic concerns and also represents an attempt to stem pilot attrition in order to help secure a more promising future for the airline.

“During the past few weeks the company and pilot leaders have worked hard to develop a range of concepts designed to address attrition, particularly first officer attrition, which has recently risen to unsustainable levels,” said Capt. Jonathan Allen, master executive council (MEC) chairman of the Endeavor Air branch of ALPA. “The agreement would make total annual compensation of Endeavor first officers the highest among U.S. regional jet operators while bringing total pay for topped-out captains near the industry and Delta Connection averages.”

The proposed letter of agreement would include cash bonuses and a vacation buy-back program. In addition, the company will offer referral bonuses for employees who bring new pilots to Endeavor and longevity restoration for former company pilots returning to Endeavor. In recognition of pilots’ desire for career progression and in particular, Endeavor first officers’ desire for a job opportunity with Delta, all parties are currently involved in and dedicated to completing the development of a Delta interview program for first officers.

“This tentative agreement offers considerable financial gains to all pilots who choose to remain with Endeavor Air for the retention program duration” Allen continued. “While this deal does not accomplish all of our pilots’ strategic goals, it raises the bar in many areas that we believe will be desirable and beneficial to our pilots. We appreciate the collaborative process that has led to this arrangement, and we recognize that this deal would be impossible without Delta’s continued support.”

FMI: www.alpa.org