Thirty-nine percent of the 177 airlines reporting to AIR, Inc. hired 215 pilots in August, which brings the year-to-date hiring total to 5,555. Although AirTran, American, Republic, and Spirit have pilots on furlough and Aloha, ATA, and Gemini have ceased operations and laid-off pilots (airlines furloughing and laying-off on chart following write-up), there are carriers that are still interviewing and hiring pilots, 69 to be exact.

Delta and Northwest pilots ratified the post-merger joint collective bargaining agreement. The agreement covers roughly 12,000 pilots from the two airlines. Of eligible Delta pilots who cast a ballot, 61.74% voted in favor of the new agreement, while 86.76% of eligible Northwest pilots who cast a ballot voted in favor. The contract includes: maintaining a "flow-up" policy with Compass and Mesaba, furlough protection for the first 24 months after the merger is finalized, an increase in per diem, pay parity for NWA pilots (approximately 10% increase) and pay raises from between 5% and 4% annually through 2012. Both pilot groups, however, are still working on integrating their seniority lists.

Gemini Air Cargo ceased operations August 11 after a court-ordered auction failed to produce any bidders. Gemini had been in Chapter 11 protection since June. Two hundred and forty-six total pilots were laid-off. 

ABX Air has announced that it will be furloughing 17 pilots through October 2008. Continental Airlines (CAL) has confirmed that they will be furloughing between 140 and 180 pilots in September. The final figure depends on the number of pilots who opt for early retirement or choose the incentive program. Furloughs will begin September 9, 2008. Continental currently has 5,070 active pilots.

It’s quality, not quantity that matters or at least that’s what some of the recruiters from the 12 airlines attending AIR, Inc.’s Airline Pilot Job Fair held in Washington/Dulles on August 23, 2008 commented. This was probably the smallest show AIR, Inc. has held in their 19 years in business however according to both the recruiters and the more than 90 pilot attendees, this job fair was a great success – recruiters collected résumés and pilots came away with interviews. Airlines in attendance included: Majors – UPS; Nationals –Comair, Kalitta Air, and Mesaba; Jet operators – Arrow Cargo; Non-jets – Cape Air, Lynx; Fractionals – Avantair; Crew Leasing – Aviator Recruitment, Direct Personnel, Gap Aviation, Parc Aviation. For information on future AIR, Inc. Airline Pilot Job Fairs, contact Diane Lundie at 1-800-538-5627, ext. 187.

Source: AIR, Inc. • Atlanta, GA • www.jet-jobs.com • 800-JET-JOBS