To: All Pilots
RE: Crew Reductions
Last November, the Company announced that, based on projected operational needs, approximately thirty-five (35) West and one hundred sixty-five (165) East pilots would have to be furloughed. The reductions were slated to occur (over time) beginning in early 2010, and the Company indicated that more information on exact staffing and timelines would be made available once we had a more definite 2010 schedule.
Since the original pilot reduction announcements, the Company has been able to add block hours to the 2010 schedule and adjusted planned attrition assumptions to provide improved crew staffing in general. In addition, the delayed Airbus deliveries will necessitate a period of increased training.
As a result of these changes, we are pleased to report that West pilot reductions have been lowered from the thirty-five (35) and we already have enough EVLAs so there will be zero involuntary furloughs on the West.
On the East side of the operation, the new analysis lowered the planned pilot reductions from one hundred sixty-five (165) we had previously projected to fifty (50). We also can report that we have received eleven (11) East EVLA applications for the April bid, which once awarded should offset the reductions at East to thirty-nine (39). For the May bid, which will close on or about March 1, we plan to again offer EVLA; and, consistent with the terms of LOA 93, we will also offer Early Retirement in Lieu of Furlough (ER) in an effort to offset the need for involuntary East pilot reductions. We are hopeful that these voluntary programs will generate sufficient interest that we will also have no involuntary furloughs on the East. If we do not receive enough volunteers, we will work with USAPA in an effort to reach a solution with zero involuntary furloughs.
Captain Ed Bular
Senior Vice President
Flight Operations/InFlight