Pilots fight `by the book'
Some US Airways captains press for restored wages with strict line on rules
STEVE HARRISON
[email protected]
Frustrated US Airways pilots are mounting an informal "just do your job" campaign, with some refusing to help with routine tasks that keep planes on schedule.
Some are also going a step farther and flying "by the book," which means following rules exactly. That can also cause delays and missed connections for passengers and cost the airline money.
The actions are part of pilots' efforts to restore some pay cuts by escalating pressure on management during contract talks.
Pilots and other employees have grown increasingly frustrated with the pace of labor negotiations, especially after US Airways management launched its failed hostile takeover bid for Delta nearly three months ago. Employees said management should have made new contracts before attempting to buy Delta.
They have been staging informational pickets at several airports, but pilots say they will up the ante. More than any other employee group, pilots can impact whether flights depart or arrive on time.
They emphasize that safety won't be compromised, but pilots may no longer assist flight attendants in cleaning planes or alerting gate agents when two passengers have the same seat assignment.
"I would say that morale is at such a point that pilots just want to come in, fly the plane and go home," said Arnie Gentile, a US Airways pilot and spokesman for the Air Line Pilots Association.
Others say they could begin following rules precisely. That means pilots might taxi slowly or fly slower when approaching turbulence. That could add to delays, costing the airline money and creating ill will with passengers.
Pilots could also ask for more fuel, thwarting management's efforts to control that expense. US Airways and other airlines are trying to trim the amount of extra fuel planes carry because the extra weight makes planes less efficient.
US Airways pilot James Ray said he has been asking for more fuel to increase his comfort level during flights.
"We're doing what's safe," said Ray, of Charlotte.
So far, there is no concerted effort by the airline's pilots to fly by the book, union officials said, though some pilots have already become sticklers.
US Airways said the pilot actions are "typical" during labor negotiations. United pilots staged a slowdown six years ago during contract talks.
"Our pilots are consummate professionals and continue to perform safely and efficiently," US Airways said in a written statement. "This is typical talk meant to generate solidarity when in the midst of negotiating a new contract. We continue to diligently negotiate with them and hope to come to an agreement soon."
Data from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics show a slight increase in US Airways delays from October to December, the last month data was available. That doesn't compare apples to apples, however, because weather gets worse with the onset of winter.
ALPA must walk a fine line with any coordinated job action that could be seen as a contract violation. American Airlines pilots were fined $45 million by a judge seven years ago after staging a sickout. The union paid about $20 million of that fine. The airline agreed not to collect the rest if pilots agreed to wage cuts during restructuring.
US Airways was formed in fall 2005 with the merger of the old US Airways and America West. The airline has painted most of the old America West planes in US Airways liveries, but the carrier still operates as two airlines, including having two separate labor contracts for pilots and other employees.
Pilots from the old US Airways contend they are among the lowest paid in the industry, even though the airline was one of the most profitable carriers last year, with $558 million in operating income.
US Airways captains earn roughly $124 a flight hour. Southwest Airlines captains, who are the highest paid nationwide, earn $200 a flight hour, and the industry average is $150, according to US Airways union officials.
US Airways pilots generally fly about 85 flight hours a month, which is a heavier workload than most carriers.
First officers, or co-pilots, earn less.
Pilots say they don't expect all of their pay cuts to be restored, but they want to be paid more, especially since the airline is so profitable.
US Airways executives have said they want to have single labor contracts before the airline gets its single operating certificate from the federal government. But they have said that's not necessary, and they will keep labor groups on separate contracts if they can't get a good deal.
Some US Airways captains press for restored wages with strict line on rules
STEVE HARRISON
[email protected]
Frustrated US Airways pilots are mounting an informal "just do your job" campaign, with some refusing to help with routine tasks that keep planes on schedule.
Some are also going a step farther and flying "by the book," which means following rules exactly. That can also cause delays and missed connections for passengers and cost the airline money.
The actions are part of pilots' efforts to restore some pay cuts by escalating pressure on management during contract talks.
Pilots and other employees have grown increasingly frustrated with the pace of labor negotiations, especially after US Airways management launched its failed hostile takeover bid for Delta nearly three months ago. Employees said management should have made new contracts before attempting to buy Delta.
They have been staging informational pickets at several airports, but pilots say they will up the ante. More than any other employee group, pilots can impact whether flights depart or arrive on time.
They emphasize that safety won't be compromised, but pilots may no longer assist flight attendants in cleaning planes or alerting gate agents when two passengers have the same seat assignment.
"I would say that morale is at such a point that pilots just want to come in, fly the plane and go home," said Arnie Gentile, a US Airways pilot and spokesman for the Air Line Pilots Association.
Others say they could begin following rules precisely. That means pilots might taxi slowly or fly slower when approaching turbulence. That could add to delays, costing the airline money and creating ill will with passengers.
Pilots could also ask for more fuel, thwarting management's efforts to control that expense. US Airways and other airlines are trying to trim the amount of extra fuel planes carry because the extra weight makes planes less efficient.
US Airways pilot James Ray said he has been asking for more fuel to increase his comfort level during flights.
"We're doing what's safe," said Ray, of Charlotte.
So far, there is no concerted effort by the airline's pilots to fly by the book, union officials said, though some pilots have already become sticklers.
US Airways said the pilot actions are "typical" during labor negotiations. United pilots staged a slowdown six years ago during contract talks.
"Our pilots are consummate professionals and continue to perform safely and efficiently," US Airways said in a written statement. "This is typical talk meant to generate solidarity when in the midst of negotiating a new contract. We continue to diligently negotiate with them and hope to come to an agreement soon."
Data from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics show a slight increase in US Airways delays from October to December, the last month data was available. That doesn't compare apples to apples, however, because weather gets worse with the onset of winter.
ALPA must walk a fine line with any coordinated job action that could be seen as a contract violation. American Airlines pilots were fined $45 million by a judge seven years ago after staging a sickout. The union paid about $20 million of that fine. The airline agreed not to collect the rest if pilots agreed to wage cuts during restructuring.
US Airways was formed in fall 2005 with the merger of the old US Airways and America West. The airline has painted most of the old America West planes in US Airways liveries, but the carrier still operates as two airlines, including having two separate labor contracts for pilots and other employees.
Pilots from the old US Airways contend they are among the lowest paid in the industry, even though the airline was one of the most profitable carriers last year, with $558 million in operating income.
US Airways captains earn roughly $124 a flight hour. Southwest Airlines captains, who are the highest paid nationwide, earn $200 a flight hour, and the industry average is $150, according to US Airways union officials.
US Airways pilots generally fly about 85 flight hours a month, which is a heavier workload than most carriers.
First officers, or co-pilots, earn less.
Pilots say they don't expect all of their pay cuts to be restored, but they want to be paid more, especially since the airline is so profitable.
US Airways executives have said they want to have single labor contracts before the airline gets its single operating certificate from the federal government. But they have said that's not necessary, and they will keep labor groups on separate contracts if they can't get a good deal.
