They Keep Going, And Going...

After adjourning for nearly a month, on Tuesday talks resumed in Orlando between AirTran Airways and the National Pilots Association, which represents about 1,400 pilots at the carrier.

As has been the agreement since September 2005, a federal mediator kept an eye on things as the two sides began their latest attempts to hash out details of a new contract that pilots hope will lead to pay raises, more favorable schedules and job protection in case AirTran merges with another carrier.

Those talks -- without a mediator -- began in December 2004, and it appears unlikely the end is near.

"Now it's not quite a year later and we only have two [of 19] sections done," said NPA spokesman Brian Gaudet to the Associated Press. "We're not near the end, or any of the big stuff."

Recently published reports say an effort to reach a tentative deal in March ended with a flurry of accusatory emails between union president Allen Philpot and Steve Kolski, AirTran's vice president of operations. Both sides have made a habit of accusing the other of being less-than forthcoming in the talks.

Pilots at AirTran say all they're asking for are some slight upgrades in their current contract, as times have been good for the carrier of late. AirTran has grown over the last several years -- and, for the most part, has done so profitably -- as competing carriers such as Delta Air Lines have lost market share.

"These guys would like to see a minor increase in compensation," Gaudet added, saying the union has asked for annual raises "a few points" above inflation rates.

Now may not be the best time for pilots to ask for more pay, however -- as for the first time since 2002, AirTran posted a quarterly loss of $4.6 million for the first three months of 2006.

AirTran says they are opposed to any changes that would increase its pilots talks on a seat-mile basis.

According to Air Inc, captains at AirTran currently make $9,000 more annually than their counterparts flying similar planes at Delta. Pilots at that carrier are expected to vote on their new contract -- which would extend the 14 percent pay cut Delta pilots took in December -- this month.

Talks between AirTran and NPA are set to run through Thursday, with the next round of negotiations scheduled for Baltimore, MD at the end of the month.

FMI: www.airtran.com, www.npa-atl.org