jenny@nw
Veteran
Union says pilot shortage to blame in Northwest cancellations
June 25, 2007
By MARGARITA BAUZA
FREE PRESS BUSINESS WRITER
The Northwest Airlines pilots union says a shortage of pilots is to blame for a recent flurry of cancellations across the country.
Northwest Airlines canceled 332 flights Sunday and Monday, according to the pilots union and flightstats.com, a website that tracks airline cancellation data.
Northwest spokesman Dean Breest blamed the cancellations on severe weather.
“The recent severe weather events have caused Northwest Airlines to experience some crew shortages,†Breest said in a statement. “Northwest apologizes for any inconvenience incurred as the airline continues to recover from these recent weather events.â€
Pilots union spokesman Monty Montgomery says pilots have reached contractual limits as to the number of hours they can fly.
“It’s a staffing issue,†said Montgomery, who says cancellations could be as high as 450 since Saturday. “Our pilots are operating at contractual limits. The summer flying season is in full swing and we are operating at our max.â€
“I think they didn’t realize the severity of the problem,†Montgomery said about the airline.
Montgomery said 396 pilots are still on furlough and need to be retrained before they return to work.
“In the short term, the problem is going to be exacerbated,†Montgomery said. “Instructors need to be called back to retrain pilots and that’s just going to aggravate the situation.â€
According to the pilots contract, pilots can be mandated to work up to 90 hours a month. The Federal Aviation Administration sets the limit at 100, Montgomery said.
“There’s been a reluctance to go over that,†Montgomery said about the 90 hours. “Pilots are very tired.â€
Metro Airport spokesman Michael Conway says the airport hasn’t been aware of any cancellations due to inclement weather for any airline.
Continental Airlines spokeswoman Julie King said the airline has had no cancellations due to weather problems.Tom Cioni, a Northwest flier from Greenbay, Wisc., said his flight from Detroit to Green Bay was canceled this weekend. He ended up flying to Madison and driving home from there.
“The reason we were given was operational difficulties and unavailable crew,†Cioni said. “I’m happy that Northwest emerged from bankruptcy, but this is disturbing that they can’t keep their commitments.â€
Ok everyone,
Let's sing...
1,
2,
3,
"it's begining to look alot like Christmas...." (but worse)
June 25, 2007
By MARGARITA BAUZA
FREE PRESS BUSINESS WRITER
The Northwest Airlines pilots union says a shortage of pilots is to blame for a recent flurry of cancellations across the country.
Northwest Airlines canceled 332 flights Sunday and Monday, according to the pilots union and flightstats.com, a website that tracks airline cancellation data.
Northwest spokesman Dean Breest blamed the cancellations on severe weather.
“The recent severe weather events have caused Northwest Airlines to experience some crew shortages,†Breest said in a statement. “Northwest apologizes for any inconvenience incurred as the airline continues to recover from these recent weather events.â€
Pilots union spokesman Monty Montgomery says pilots have reached contractual limits as to the number of hours they can fly.
“It’s a staffing issue,†said Montgomery, who says cancellations could be as high as 450 since Saturday. “Our pilots are operating at contractual limits. The summer flying season is in full swing and we are operating at our max.â€
“I think they didn’t realize the severity of the problem,†Montgomery said about the airline.
Montgomery said 396 pilots are still on furlough and need to be retrained before they return to work.
“In the short term, the problem is going to be exacerbated,†Montgomery said. “Instructors need to be called back to retrain pilots and that’s just going to aggravate the situation.â€
According to the pilots contract, pilots can be mandated to work up to 90 hours a month. The Federal Aviation Administration sets the limit at 100, Montgomery said.
“There’s been a reluctance to go over that,†Montgomery said about the 90 hours. “Pilots are very tired.â€
Metro Airport spokesman Michael Conway says the airport hasn’t been aware of any cancellations due to inclement weather for any airline.
Continental Airlines spokeswoman Julie King said the airline has had no cancellations due to weather problems.Tom Cioni, a Northwest flier from Greenbay, Wisc., said his flight from Detroit to Green Bay was canceled this weekend. He ended up flying to Madison and driving home from there.
“The reason we were given was operational difficulties and unavailable crew,†Cioni said. “I’m happy that Northwest emerged from bankruptcy, but this is disturbing that they can’t keep their commitments.â€
Ok everyone,
Let's sing...
1,
2,
3,
"it's begining to look alot like Christmas...." (but worse)
