Pilots Meet This Week For Elections, Seniority Concerns

US Airways announced Tuesday it will recall approximately 400 flight attendants that had been laid off. The move comes as the airline gears up for what it hopes will be a very busy summer travel season.

It is the second time in decades the airline has recalled flight attendants, union officials told the Charlotte (NC) Observer. US Airways CEO W. Douglas Parker issued a statement that the recall shows the airline has a bright future.

Although union officials may disagree with the airline on other issues -- most recently, bonus pay for the airline's managers -- they can agree with Parker on that.

"It obviously indicates the company is moving forward and is positive in its direction," said Mike Flores, leader of the US Airways union that represents flight attendants.

The Observer states the recalled flight attendants will likely come from Philadelphia, Boston, New York and Washington.

Pilots Scheduled To Meet Thursday

As those flight attendants prepare to return to the skies, US Airways' pilots union will meet Thursday to elect new officers -- as well as to begin working out a plan with America West pilots on how to merge the two airline's seniority lists, a process that could take months.

The union hopes to work out equitable agreements between pilots that have flown with US Airways for some time, and their counterparts coming from America West -- who, generally, have much less time in the cockpit, according to the Observer.

It won't be easy, as seniority determines such issues as pilots' pay, benefits, routes and what kind of aircraft they get to fly. It is possibly the single most contentious issue that arises from the merger, which was announced last May.

The negotiations will likely last for months, and may even reach the point where an arbitrator is needed.

FMI: www.usairways.com