EEOC Is Suing United Because They Won’t Let Alcoholic Pilot Fly Without Attending AA

by Gary Leff

Jul 21 2020

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission filed suit Monday against United Airlines arguing that they violated a pilot’s religious liberty by insisting he attend Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, arguing he should be permitted to substitute a Buddhist alternative.

In 2018 the entered an alcohol treatment facility and lost his pilot’s license. There’s a process to regain his license. This includes completing a substance abuse treatment program geared towards pilots. At United Airlines that includes attending Alcoholics Anonymous meetings and completing “at least the first five steps of AA’s 12-step programme.”

Continue Reading »

Passengers Fight On A Plane, Then Take It Up A Notch Back Inside The Terminal

by Gary Leff

Jul 21 2020

On Monday two passengers got into a fight on their plane departing the San Juan airport. The pilot decided to turn back around but things really escalated once everyone was back inside the terminal.

With fewer people traveling, and a sense that ‘we’re all in this together’ during a global pandemic, is it naive to have thought we’d see fewer inflight altercations?

Continue Reading »

Other Airlines Will Furlough Thousands While Southwest Got 28% Of Staff To Take Leaves Or Retire

by Gary Leff

Jul 20 2020

With United warning of possibly furloughing up to 40% of employees and doing something similar it’s worth underscoring just how successful it appears Southwest Airlines to be as it works to reach a goal of not furloughing anyone at all.

Southwest Airlines has made the most generous offer to its employees to take an ‘early out’ or an extended leave.

Continue Reading »

As U.S. Airlines Cut, Air Canada Introduces Celebrity Chef Meals In Coach

by Gary Leff

Jul 20 2020

Airlines are differentiating their approaches to the pandemic. Offering a better experience is a key strategy to winning business away from other airlines.

For U.S. consumers who do not live in an international gateway city, a connection is required. And as Air Canada brings U.S. flights back online, this matters because they’ve historically been the foreign carrier serving the most U.S. destinations – making the one-stop required for an international trip just as easy via Canada as via many U.S. cities. Air Canada is a direct competitor of U.S. airlines for U.S. passenger international trips.

Continue Reading »

Marriott Will Require Guests To Wear Masks Indoors Starting July 27

by Gary Leff

Jul 20 2020

Masks seem to have some effect limiting the spread of Covid-19. Even if their efficacy is overblown that shouldn’t be a reason not to use them. They’re something easy and low cost we can do, and they’re one of the few things within our own control besides staying completely isolated.

U.S. airlines now require masks. And Marriott has become the first to announce a mask requirement for all guests in on-property indoor spaces and not just for employees. This requirement goes into effect July 27. I expect the other major chains will follow.

Continue Reading »

How Close Did American Airlines CEO Come To Losing His Job Last Year?

by Gary Leff

parker talking to somebody
Jul 20 2020

Before the pandemic American Airlines underperformed the industry. They had more debt and lower profit margins. They had managed to alienate customers, employees, and investors alike. Their own data shows they had chased away frequent flyers.

When American Airlines lost their LATAM partnership last fall the floodgates of criticism finally opened. People were openly asking how the Board of Directors could abide a plummeting share price and broken operation at an airline which seemed strategically adrift?

Continue Reading »