Flights Cancelled Because Of Pilot Shortage According To Union

Northwest Airlines says business growth and employee attrition is forcing it to recall "hundreds" of furloughed pilots through the end of this year and next.

Northwest's pilot's union says the airline furloughed too many pilots to begin with, and poor work conditions and pay are driving more to leave. It says the airline is cancelling more flights because of the pilot shortage.

According to Bureau of Transportation Statistics, Northwest cancelled 693 flights in September compared with 492 the year before.

Aviation consultant Robert Mann told the St. Paul Pioneer Press, "Two things are happening: They're seeing retirements, which are part of the normal process, but some folks are leaving because the job or the work conditions or the compensation is no longer something that interests them. So they're migrating to other economic opportunities, and that's happening throughout the seniority list, not just at the most senior level."

In a letter to its pilot union obtained by the Pioneer Press, Northwest says it's sent 425 recall notices to its furloughed jet pilots so far. But half of those notified either declined to return, or asked for a three-month deferment. The carrier says it plans to recall 150 pilots in the first half of next year.

Industry observers note that fewer than 70-percent of recalled pilots offered their old jobs back are returning to work. Union reps blame that on the steep pay and benefits cuts many pilots took to keep their airlines flying over the past few years.

Northwest pilots in particular accepted a 24-percent cut just this year.

Northwest's union says if the airline recalls 25 pilots per month it could exhaust the furloughed list by February. At that point it will have to go to the list of pilots who've asked for a deferment.

There is no telling how many of those will be willing to give up the jobs they currently have. Some of them have already been furloughed twice -- union reps say that's a powerful negative incentive to return to the airline.

FMI: www.nwa.com