Unless the aviation industry adds 255,000 more pilots in 10 years, airlines won’t be able to sustain their current growth rate or handle an expected increase in customer traffic. [More]
pilots
United Pilots “Infuriated” By Passenger’s “Violent” Removal From Flight
By 4.14.17 — Updated: 5.10.17
Days after a United Airlines passenger was forcibly removed from his seat and dragged off a flight by Chicago Aviation officers, the union representing the carrier’s pilots is speaking out, saying it’s “infuriated” by the incident, and placing the blame squarely on security personnel. [More]
Lufthansa Pilots’ Strike Cancels 876 Flights, Affecting 100K Passengers
By 11.22.16
If you’ve got tickets to fly with Lufthansa on Wednesday, well, you might be facing a kink in your travel plans: the airline has canceled 876 flights amidst a 24-hour pilots’ strike. [More]
Drone Operators Could Outnumber Private Aviation Pilots In Just One Year
By 8.29.16
Two months after the Federal Aviation Administration released regulations governing the use of drones, thousands of would-be pilots have lined up to take the test to get licensed to fly on the first day it became available. The rush to fly the unmanned aircraft isn’t just for the novelty, it’s opening the door for new business possibilities for companies and entrepreneurs alike. [More]
Justice Dept. Sues United Airlines For Denying Benefits To Air Force Reservist On Military Leave
By 8.15.16
The Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) provides that anyone who takes leave from their current job to serve in the armed forces is entitled to the same general benefits as an employee on non-military leave. However, the U.S. Department of Justice says that United Airlines violated this law by refusing sick day benefits to an Air Force reservist while he was away on military leave. [More]
Southwest Pilots Call For CEO’s Resignation
By 8.1.16
Earlier today, Southwest Airlines CEO Gary Kelly likened a recent days-long massive technical glitch that canceled 700 flights, stranding thousands of passengers last week to a “once-in-a-thousand-year flood.” But pilots for the airline say the issue could have been avoided if someone other than Kelly were at the helm of the company. [More]
Pilot Who Failed Drug Test Can’t Try To Use DNA To Prove He Was Clean
By 6.24.16
Imagine you’re one of the many American workers subject to random tests for the presence of drugs or alcohol in your system, and a test turns up high levels of heroin and cocaine. If you contend that the lab must have mixed up your urine sample with someone else’s should you be able to demand a DNA test to prove your innocence? If you’re a pilot, the answer is no. [More]
Want To Fly A Passenger Jet? JetBlue Is Now Taking Applications From Novice Pilots
By 3.7.16
Tired of the daily grind, and yearning to spend your work hours among the clouds, using a public address system to tell people to sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride? Now could be your chance to flee the cubicle life: JetBlue is offering folks with their eyes on the sky a chance to to learn how to fly a passenger jet with a new training program. [More]
Major Airlines’ Regional Partner, Republic Airways, Files For Bankruptcy Over Pilot Shortage
By 2.26.16
Two years ago, regional airlines warned that new regulations, higher costs of school, and lower salaries had led to a shortage of pilots for the companies that typically handle the smaller, regional routes for larger airlines. Now, one short-haul carrier says that lack of pilots is the reason it’s filed for bankruptcy. [More]
New York-Bound Virgin Atlantic Flight Returns To London After “Laser Incident”
By 2.15.16
A Virgin Atlantic flight headed to New York returned to a London airport Sunday evening after one of the plane’s pilots reported feeling unwell following a “laser beam incident.” [More]
American Airlines Co-Pilot Lands Plane Safely After Pilot Dies During Flight
By 10.5.15
In a tragic turn of events, an American Airlines pilot died on a red-eye flight from Phoenix to Boston early Monday morning. The plane carrying 147 passengers and a crew of five was diverted to Syracuse, NY, and landed safely after the co-pilot took over the controls. [More]
Lufthansa’s Pilots Ordered To End Strike, Wednesday Flights Remain Canceled
By 9.9.15
The Lufthansa pilot strike that led to the cancellation of more than 1,000 flights on Tuesday and Wednesday has ended after a German court ordered the pilots to return to work. [More]
United Pilot Allegedly Threw Bullets In Plane’s Trash, Flushed Them Down Toilet
By 7.10.15
While it’s perfectly legal to transport ammunition on airplanes in checked luggage if it’s in a wooden or cardboard box specifically made for the purpose of transporting bullets, bringing those items in a carry-on and trying to dispose of them by throwing them in a trash can or down the toilet on an airplane is a big no-no. Just ask the United Airlines pilot accused of doing so. [More]
You Can Add Wasps To The List Of Things That Can Divert Flights
By 6.26.15
Time and again we’ve reported on incidents in which an unruly passenger diverts a plane. But what about an unruly insect? Apparently it’s possible, as Allegiant Airlines says a recent flight had to make an unscheduled landing because of an unticketed wasp. [More]
Allegiant Air Pilots Once Again Raise Concerns With Airline’s Safety Practices
By 6.23.15
Pilots of Nevada-based budget carrier Allegiant Air are once again expressing their concerns that the airline’s bare minimum approach to maintenance and operations comes at the cost of passenger safety, this time in a letter to the company’s board of directors. [More]
FAA Steps Up Oversight Of United Airlines, Citing Violations Of Pilot Qualifications & Scheduling Issues
By 4.10.15
The Federal Aviation Administration has been fixing its baleful stare on United Airlines for the last two months, after writing in a letter to the airline pointing out potential risks due to alleged repeated violations of mandatory pilot qualification and scheduling requirements. [More]
Allegiant Air Pilots Plan Strike For Thursday; Could Ground 250 Flights
By 4.1.15
Earlier today, we reported that the pilots of Nevada-based budget carrier Allegiant Air took their beef with the carrier to the public by posting an open letter to passengers voicing their concern about carrier’s stance on safety standards and treatment of employees. Now, the pilots say they’re prepared to go on strike Thursday, a move that has the potential to ground 250 flights. [More]
Airline’s Pilots Warn Passengers Of Safety Concerns
By 4.1.15
In an open letter to their passengers, the pilots of Nevada-based budget carrier Allegiant Air have gone public with their concerns about what they see as sagging service and safety standards for the airlines. [More]
