World Airport News

Why (in fixed wing aircraft) is the pilot seat on the left?

2010-08-07T09:22:06-07:00

Why (in fixed wing aircraft) is the pilot seat on the left?

US Airways Pilots want help from feds

2009-11-16T15:36:12-07:00

from the Phoenix Business Journal:

US Airways’ pilots union asked Friday for the National Mediation Board to step in and help hash out a new contract with the Tempe-based airline. The US Airline Pilots Association has asked the NMB to mediate contract talks with US Airways Group Inc. management.

The pilots want the federal board to help work out a new combined labor contract between pilots and the airline. US Airways merged with America West Airlines in 2005 and some work groups — including pilots and flight attendants — are still working under separate, pre-merger agreements. The Charlotte, N.C.-based union represents 5,000 US Airways pilots.

US Airways spokesman Andrew Christie said the airline shares the union’s desire for a single agreement. Christie said the merger agreement inked with labor unions calls for a private mediator and not the NMB to handle any kind of arbitration with the pilots union and that the airline is following that protocol. He said US Airways has not yet seen the union application for federal mediation.

Sully back at US

2009-09-28T13:25:54-07:00

US Airways put out this press release today which announced that Capt. Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger, who piloted Flight 1549 during its emergency water landing on the Hudson River in January, is returning to work in a new role as a management pilot. In addition to his flying duties, Capt. Sullenberger will join the US Airways flight operations safety management team.

“We welcome Capt. Sullenberger back to work and are proud to have him flying with us again as a member of the US Airways safety management organization,” said Chairman and CEO, Doug Parker. “US Airways is an industry leader when it comes to safety and Sully is an excellent addition to the team.”

“The months since January 15 have been very full, and my family and I have had some unforgettable experiences,” said Capt. Sullenberger. “However, I have missed working with my colleagues at US Airways and I am eager to get back in the cockpit with my fellow pilots in the months ahead. In my new role, I will continue to be the same kind of advocate for aviation safety that I have been for several decades.”

There will be a separate media advisory once the details of Capt. Sullenberger’s return to flight are confirmed. A pre-announcement of his return will be posted on Twitter at usairwaysnews. Further information about his return, or details about media access, are not available at this time.

WN / Pilots agree

2009-09-10T16:09:05-07:00

From the Phoenix Business Journal:

The Southwest Airlines Pilots’ Association confirmed Thursday it has reached an agreement in principle on a new employment contract with Southwest Airlines Co.

A spokesman for the union said the last two issues to be finalized in the process include compensation and retirement plans. The agreement would cover some 5,900-plus Southwest pilots. The Dallas-based airline (NYSE:LUV) has a hub at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.

Some of the highlights of the agreement in principal include a minimum of three 2-percent raises through the contract, which is amendable in August of 2011.

The tentative agreement also includes full retroactive pay back to the amendable date, an increase in 401(k) matching from today’s rate of 7.3 percent to 7.8 percent upon ratification and to 9.3 percent in 2010.

The union said its board will meet next week to finalize the merits of the agreement and decide whether it should move forward to a full ratification vote before the union.

The union added that the agreement is only tentative at this point.

Paul Flannigan, a spokesman for Southwest said Thursday, “This is a positive development. It’s been a long process. There’s a couple more steps to go, but we’re encouraged.”