Looks like Northwest Airlines might be making other peoples’ crap list besides Tieki Rae’s.
Hundreds of passengers experienced disruptions in their travel plans this weekend when Northwest Airlines canceled more than 200 flights.
During a summer season already filled with record delays and cancellations, the nation’s fifth-largest carrier cited pilot absenteeism for the problems.
Where in the world are the beloved pilots?
The pilots have said they were not playing hooky. They said their contract with Northwest limits their flying time to 90 hours per month and during this year’s busy travel season their time sheets are maxed-out.
I’m reading that as the contracts with Northwest that are limiting the pilots to 90 hours per month, not FAA regulations. Therefore, I’m limiting this entire problem to labor unions. Seriously, do you realize that 90 hours per month is barely over 20 hours per week?
What’s the labor union saying?
This weekend’s cancellations happened despite efforts by Northwest earlier this month to thin out its schedule so pilots would have enough hours. The union said the airline simply needs more pilots.
Heck, I didn’t realize it was possible to find a profession that actually works less hours than a dentist, but by golly I think I’ve done it! The entire article can be found here, but I also find the little ditty below to be a bit disturbing:
The Federal Aviation Administration said on-time performances in June were dismal. Last month had twice as many cancellations compared to the same time in 2006, the result of bad weather, more flights and an outdated air traffic control system.
Yikes! That’s something I think we should stay on the cutting edge of technology with.
And last but not least:
In a May 2007 survey by the University of Michigan, Americans ranked the airlines below the Internal Revenue Service in customer satisfaction.
I can guarantee you that Northwest has earned this honor. They should be so proud.
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I haven’t flown them since they were Northwest Orient. That was probably 15 years ago, and they were at the bottom of the airline list back then as well.
Good plan Kevin. Stick with it! We don’t always have a choice, or I should say that when you live in the middle of nowhere, your choices are very limted.
I dislike Northwest Airlines greatly. That said, after flying US Airways and United this past trip, I’m starting to learn that all airlines are basically overpriced and have terrible landings. I swear, flying into BWI this weekend on United was insane! We were literally bouncing up and down in our seats down the landing strip for a solid 5 minutes. I’d have to say that Southwest is the best airline as far as service and flights go for a more reasonable cost. Their planes are kinda old though, so it’s still not super fun.
As for this pilot situation with Northwest - freaky! Great. That’s all I need - grumpy pilots flying me across the country.
Boo to flying. That’s all I have to say. I love traveling, but paying $500+ each flight gets old fast.
Yes it does, doesn’t it kiddo? Sometimes I like to daydream about the fun things we could afford if we didn’t have to spend so much money on traveling.
Someday, huh?
yikes between this and all the Musssssssslim threats…dang!
I know Angel. I guess we are just going to have to continue to Trust in Lord!
Thanks so much for dropping in.
I googled FAA flight time regulations. Now, Queen of Swords know more than we would ever want to know about HOS regs, right?
Apparently, pilots cannot work more than 8 hours in any 24-hour period, and require at least nine hours of rest.
Some of the problem seems to be that there is no natural pipeline for pilots. (Perhaps Viet Nam created a bunch of them during the ’70s?)
I can’t help but think that this isn’t a real problem. I mean, if it takes four years to make a commercial pilot, great - just offer enough money and advertise, and kids will be lining up in droves. There’s a free market. (Well, at least if there aren’t unions - funny, would unions result in a shortage of pilots, and therefore bad conditions for their own members? Ha!)
Hi Bridget, still at 8 hours per day, the pilots could manage 172 hours per month of flying, unless my math is fuzzy?