Wed, Jun 25, 2008
Carrier Hopes To Entice Pilots To Retire Early
It's another sign of the times, as airlines look to cut back
their working ranks. Continental Airlines reached an agreement with
representatives of the airline's branch of the Air Line Pilots
Association this week, on voluntary incentives to entice pilots to
retire or otherwise leave the carrier.
The Houston Chronicle reports the agreement includes terms on
schedule modifications and leaves of absence, all part of the
union's effort to curb the threat of furloughs as Continental
slashes capacity due to record fuel prices.
As ANN reported, Continental will cut domestic
mainline capacity by 11 percent after the summer travel season. The
airline also plans to cut 3,000 jobs across its entire
workforce.
Mark Adams, head of ALPA's communications committee at
Continental, said the agreement should ease the sting for many
pilots who might have otherwise been handed their walking
papers.
"If we get the levels of participation we are hoping for, it
would have a significant impact on the involuntary furloughs of our
junior pilots," he said. ALPA spokeswoman Amy Flanagan added the
airline hopes to convince pilots already eligible for retirement to
leave the carrier.
"These are for senior pilots, who already are eligible to
retire," Flanagan said. "It is a way for them to retire a little
earlier than they might have otherwise with a little extra
cash."
As for younger pilots, if they chose to leave the airline
voluntarily they will retain benefits over a minimum of 18
months.
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