Thursday, September 09, 1999
Pilots union wants cap on Comair
Pay, benefits in Delta contract also on table
BY AMY HIGGINS
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Representatives of Delta Air Lines' pilots union Wednesday said they hope to limit the carrier's use of regional jets flown by its partners — such as those flown by Erlanger-based Comair Inc.
“We're looking for growth opportunities for Delta pilots,” said Karen McGuffey, spokeswoman for the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA). “We don't have specific language, but the fact is that Delta pilots don't seem to be growing.”
Wednesday marked the first day of contract negotiations between the Atlanta-based carrier and its 9,200 pilots, more than 900 of whom are based in Greater Cincinnati.
The pilots' wish list also includes increasing salaries and retirement benefits. Industry analysts played down the regional jet issue, saying pilots are more likely concerned about pay issues.
Dave Anderson, the airline's spokesman in Cincinnati, said Delta is committed to completing negotiations before the contract becomes open to change in May and to “keeping employees at the very top of industry pay scales.”
Delta is the dominant carrier at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport, with about 67 percent of the passenger traffic. About 26 percent flies on Comair, a Delta Connection carrier that feeds the airline passengers through their shared Cincinnati hub. Atlantic Southeast Airlines, which Delta bought last spring, and SkyWest also are regional affiliates serving its Atlanta and Salt Lake City hubs, respectively.
The so-called scope clause currently in Delta's contract with pilots limits the size of those carriers' regional jets to 70 seats each. There is no limit on the number of jets the regionals can fly.
In comparison, United Airlines limits the number of 50-seat regional jets based on a ratio to larger aircraft, capping the number of regional jets flown by United Express carriers at 65. Comair already flies about 80 jets.
Comair officials declined to comment on the possible ramifications.
New hair line from P&G
Greenspan taking vitals on region's economy
College lecture notes free online
How wide is Web? 19 clicks
Dental office message: Relax
Oldenberg buyer to keep area presence
Pilots union wants cap on Comair
TRISTATE BUSINESS SUMMARY
INDUSTRY NOTES: REAL ESTATE
Commercial real estate tranfers
TRISTATE MARKET SPOTLIGHT
