Sky Talk

Another labor breakthrough at Eagle

While American Airlines execs continue to struggle with labor issues, their counterparts at American Eagle have inked their second proposed contract deal this week.

Officials with the Air Line Pilots Association say that they've signed off on a tentative agreement to amend their contract through 2012. The deal includes work rule improvements and "quality of life" provisions for Eagle's 2,800 pilots, union leaders said, but doesn't include any major cost increases for the airline.

"With our industry confronting historically high fuel prices, pilot furloughs, capacity reductions, consolidation and liquidations, I feel that our negotiators did a remarkable job in achieving the best possible solution for the Eagle pilot group," said Herb Mark, chairman of the Eagle pilots’ union, in a prepared statement. "Our negotiators were asked to bring us an agreement that increases quality of life wherever possible but includes no concessions.  This tentative agreement accomplishes that mission, while providing many improvements in ways that add real dollars to pilots’ pockets."

The agreement will have to be ratified by Eagle's pilots. It covers the final years of the airline's 16-year contract with pilots, which ends in 2012.

American reached a tentative deal on Monday with its nine ground school instructors, who are represented by the Transport Workers Union.

- Trebor Banstetter

More fare hikes

American and Continental have joined in the latest round of fare increases, according to FareCompare.com, both adding $20 to $40 round-trip. U.S. Airways and Northwest are still on the fence.

- Trebor Banstetter

US Air pilots push ahead in search for new union

The Associated Press reports:

A group of US Airways pilots says it's close to forcing a vote to choose a new union and stall contract negotiations with the carrier indefinitely. The group has been gathering signatures to force a move from the Air Line Pilots Association to a new union.

-- Scott

Frustrated US Airways pilots might form new union

Thestreet.com reports that US Airways pilots, beleaguered after two bankruptcies (union meeting during one bankruptcy, left), deep salary cuts, and the loss of their pension, are moving toward abandoning the Air Line Pilots Association and establishing a new union.

-- Scott

Delta's final bankruptcy bill

According to an Associated Press analysis, Delta Air Lines racked up $168.6 million in bills from attorneys, consultants and advisers during the nearly 20 months it was in bankruptcy. (Photos: Delta's pilots, after judge approves DAL's request to terminate pension plan; Delta CEO Gerald Grinstein, after judge approves plan to exit bankruptcy.) -- Scott

Why don't unions just buy their airlines?

Here's a great thread on this topic over at airliners.net.

-- Scott

Booking away from Northwest...

So, in my role as family travel agent for a vacation to Seattle this August, I presented my mother two choices Thursday morning: The cheapest option (Northwest Airlines), or the next best, at 12 bucks more, one extra stop, and a few more hours in the air. She chose the No. 2 itinerary. "Better to go that way than have uncertainty," she said. Northwest passengers have plenty of stories of uncertainty to share these days.

-- Scott

Six straight days of disruption at NWA...

One of the local papers is even inviting readers to "Share Your Disruption Story." Just what I'd like to see if I worked in the Northwest PR department.

-- Scott

Forget the weather; it's the pilots' fault

Northwest Airlines had been blaming the weather and air traffic restrictions for its numerous flight cancellations and delays. Now it says its pilots have been calling in sick in unusual numbers. The pilots maintain management is to blame for creating a pilots shortage. Meanwhile, NWA's shares dropped in trading today.

-- Scott

Northwest's Summer of Discontent

Northwest Airlines pilots are blaming management for hundreds of flight cancellations in the last three days. Management is blaming...the weather. And it's not saying much about whether it expects to continue cancelling flights.

-- Scott