pilots

Tag Archives for pilots.

American Airlines Pilot Has Pay Docked For Insisting On Masks In The Cockpit

by Gary Leff on October 7, 2020

Oct 07 2020

American Airlines passengers have to wear masks throughout their journey – in all areas of the terminal controlled by the airline as well as on board (many airports require masks, too). Cabin crew have to wear masks as well throughout the flight. However pilots are allowed to take off their masks inside the cockpit.

Multiple pilots have reported being taken off of trips, forfeiting pay because they refuse to fly with another crewmember up front who won’t wear a mask.

Delta Furloughs 1,941 Pilots

by Gary Leff on August 24, 2020

Aug 24 2020

Delta has let employees know that they’re furloughing 1,941 pilots hired July 17, 2017 and later. That’s out of a remaining approximately 11,200 remaining pilots with the company, after accounting for voluntary early departures from the airline.

Furlough letters will be sent out this week.

Why United Is Planning A Second Round Of Furloughs – For Pilots Only

by Gary Leff on July 30, 2020

Jul 30 2020

United was first to publicly warn that a large number of its employees would be unneeded after CARES Act funding ends, because there’s less demand for travel so they’ll be running fewer flights. They were also first out with news of legally-required WARN Act notices for about 39% of employees, preparing to be able to furlough union workers once government subsidies end.

It turns out the airline isn’t done.

Over 30% Of Pilots Have Fake Licenses At The Worst Airline In The World

by Gary Leff on June 25, 2020

Jun 25 2020

In the aftermath of the May 22 crash of a Pakistan International Airlines flight from Lahore to Karachi a preliminary investigation attributed the cause to pilot error and lack of professionalism. Cockpit crew talked throughout the journey about COVID-19 and its affect on their families, while ignoring standard operating procedures. 97 of the 99 passengers and crew on board were killed.

The investigation further revealed that more than 30% of pilots at the airlines have fake licenses and aren’t qualified to fly.

Now British Airways Is Firing All Its Pilots

by Gary Leff on June 7, 2020

Jun 07 2020

British Airways charted a course of cost savings by firing all of its flight attendants and then offering to rehire about 70% of them back, in some cases for 60% less money.

Undeterred, British Airways is now saying that if their pilots don’t give them all the concessions they demand, they’ll just go ahead and fire them too and rehire back a portion at lower pay.

Today I Learned: Colt Manufactured A Special Gun Just For Pilots To Use In The Cockpit

by Gary Leff on May 23, 2020

May 23 2020

While the Federal Flight Deck Officer Program has had its scrapes and embarrassments, its record remains better than that of the Federal Air Marshal Program. Indeed frustrations with the air marshals are the reason that these post-9/11 efforts to arm pilots were hardly the first time this was considered.

Eastern Airlines commissioned a Colt revolver in the 1970s to combat hijackings. The charge was to develop a special revolver that wouldn’t cause problems for the aircraft if they penetrated the plane’s skin or its windows.

Two Air China Pilots Standing In The Cockpit During Takeoff

by Gary Leff on May 18, 2020

May 18 2020

Chit chat while being towed doesn’t actually violate the U.S. sterile cockpit rule that only activities necessary for safe operation of the aircraft can be carried out when below 10,000 feet (technically, during critical phases of flight). However they’re being recorded.

What’s unusual is standing in the cockpit for takeoff. U.S. rules are clear that pilots must be belted in at the controls, and everyone else has to be belted in for takeoff and landing. There is no standing in the cockpit.

How The Government Bailout Could Wind Up Unionizing Delta Air Lines

by Gary Leff on April 7, 2020

Apr 07 2020

Delta can’t take government money and furlough pilots. Without the ability to furlough pilots they can’t get pilots to agree to cuts. And pilots getting full pay while everyone else suffers is going to make it hard for Delta to make the case to other work groups to remain non-union.

Watch: AirAsia Pilots Flee Out Cockpit Window To Avoid COVID-Infected Passengers

by Gary Leff on March 25, 2020

Mar 25 2020

Two AirAsia pilots climbed out the window of their plane on Friday when they arrived in Delhi. Video shows one of them taking luggage from the other. They had learned a passenger on board might be infected with the novel coronavirus – or at least was sneezing, which isn’t commonly a symptom of COVID-19. No one on board actually had the virus.

Why are British Airways Pilots on the Verge of a Strike?

by Gary Leff on August 8, 2019

Aug 08 2019

British Airways pilots have voted overwhelmingly to authorize a strike, their right to strike has been upheld by the courts, but no strike has yet been scheduled. The airline and its pilots have been in government-facilitated negotiations, much like American Airlines and its mechanics.

Ultimately pilots can bring down an airline in a way no other work group can. Here’s what BA’s pilots reportedly want.