SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS RADIO) – A pilot shortage at America's biggest airlines, combined with strained contract negotiations, are making for an uneasy holiday travel season this winter. Nobody is close to striking – yet.
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The U.S.' major airlines, such as Delta, United and American, have recovered financially from the disastrous $35 billion dollar losses from the COVID-19 pandemic.
"You've seen almost all of the U.S. major airlines announce profits for the 3rd quarter and they’re very confident going into the 4th quarter," industry analyst Henry Harteveldt told KCBS Radio on Friday morning.
As a result, pilots want their piece of the pie, and have leverage since the airlines are also experiencing a pilots shortage.
"The larger airlines are indeed recruiting from the military as they always have been. And they're hiring from the regional airlines," Harteveldt explained.
However, the regional airlines are short on pilots too and have been handing out major pay raises and benefit increases so those employees remain at their current jobs.
The major airline pilots are demanding more flexible work schedules and a big pay hike.
Unions representing pilots at American have already rejected a 19% pay hike offer from that carrier, while their colleagues at United said no to a 15% raise. Meanwhile, Delta pilots have voted to authorize a strike if they can't hammer out a deal with the nation's third largest airline.
In addition, Delta, Southwest and FedEx have each called in a federal mediator for their ongoing negotiations.
Hartevelt said he doubts there will be any strikes this holiday.
"I don't expect there to be problems during the holiday travel season, however some pilots may take it upon themselves to do individual wildcat like actions," he said. "For example, if they have a sniffle, they call in sick."
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