United To Cut 950 Pilots As Airline Grounds Jets
United Airlines announced Monday that its laying off 950 pilots, the second round of job cuts announced by the struggling airline in less than a week. CBS 2's Dana Kozlov has the story on what this means for pilots, travelers and the industry as a whole. A United spokesperson said the cuts will take place over the next 18 months. It's a result of a sweeping cost-cutting measure which has United grounding 100 flights by the fall. Aviation experts said this could be indicative of what other airlines may be forced to do, too, as the industry fights to stay in the black. The skies aren't looking so friendly anymore to Chicago-based United Airlines and its employees. Executives were getting ready to furlough about twelve percent of its pilots, about 950 total, in the airline's latest cost-cutting move. In a statement, United blamed record fuel prices for the cuts. Aviation experts, like DePaul University's Joe Schweiterman, said it was expected. But even so, "anytime you talk about 950 jobs, that's a big shock," Schweiterman said. The pilot cuts are in addition to about 1,600 salaried and managerial layoffs announced by United just last week. An airline spokesperson said the first round of pilots would be furloughed next month, with cuts continuing into 2009. Pilot association spokesperson Dave Kelly said it's hitting his members hard. "For this to happen, it's very disheartening. It's very discouraging and very upsetting for not only them but for their families." Experts said the airlines' struggle to stay viable could likely result in even higher fares and many believe this is only the beginning. "What happens at united .. .ripple through the transportation system," Schweiterman said. It's been a bumpy ride for united since the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The airline just came out of bankruptcy, during which more than 2,000 pilots were furloughed. Most were brought back only to face another round of cuts. The union said it's talking with United, though, to try and mitigate these furloughs.
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