More Layoffs?

crazyincanton

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Jan 10, 2003
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By Thomas Olson
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Tuesday, March 2, 2004



Automated ticketing at airports, plus automated boarding pass readers soon
to be installed by US Airways, will start costing jobs for gate and ticket
agents in the coming months, union officials said Monday.
Starting in June, US Airways plans to begin installing kiosks at aircraft
gates at its hubs in Pittsburgh, Philadelphia and Charlotte that will scan
the boarding passes of ticketed passengers, the company confirmed.

"I'd say within months, this could have an impact on jobs because you won't
need as many gate agents," said Chris Fox, president of Communications
Workers of America Local 13302, Green Tree. "Instead of two or three agents
at a gate, we'd have only one or two."

Her union represents the roughly 250 customer service and ticket agents that
US Airways employs at Pittsburgh International. The CWA also represents the
roughly 900 reservations agents the airline has at a complex in Green Tree.




It's too early to assess what effect this will have on staffing levels,"
said airline spokesman Dave Castelveter. "This technology is being used by
our competitors. Not having it places us at a competitive disadvantage."

US Airways kiosks at airport ticket counters already enable passengers with
credit cards to purchase tickets without standing in line for an agent.

The Arlington, Va.-based carrier plans to add more than 100 self-serve
ticket kiosks this year. US Airways has more than 450 at about 80 airports
currently. Last Friday, the airline expanded the self-serve kiosk capability
to many international flights as well.

"Ticket kiosks haven't affected that many jobs immediately because
passengers need (customer service agents) to help them," Fox said. "But
eventually, when people get more accustomed to it and don't need assistance
anymore, more ticket agents will lose their jobs."

One of the stated goals of management's revised business plan is to market
more directly to customers and minimize "middle men that add non-beneficial
costs," says an outline of the plan.

For example, US Airways also is encouraging more passengers to book
reservations online. During the fourth quarter of 2003, 24 percent of all US
Airways bookings were done online, management said last month in discussing
2003 financial results. That was up from 19 percent in fourth-quarter 2002.
 
i guess you haven't seen the robots they use in pit overnite....always on time,no sick time problems.....no FMLA...don't need any breaks....work for nothing.....do everything.....