There are problems at two of the nation’s top five airlines. Labor problems.
Southwest Airlines has yet to reach an agreement with its pilots, and neither has American Airlines with its flight attendants.
Experts, and the flying public, are both concerned about the two carriers. Both groups have authorized a strike.
In fact, Google searches for ‘American Airlines flight attendants’ shot up more than 1,300 percent since August 31. Clearly, people are interested as the winter holidays loom. The country simply can’t afford to have 40 percent of its major airlines sidelined.
Southwest is facing a double whammy.
It not only has to come to an agreement with its pilots but with its flight attendants as well. But somebody has to fly the planes so it will likely focus on its problems with its pilots’ union first.
Southwest pilots and American Airlines flight attendants are currently in federal mediation. It is of some solace that neither group can go on strike while in federal mediation. Both groups have been seen picketing at airports.
"Southwest pilots are ready to strike," the Southwest Airlines Pilots Association wrote on its X (formerly Twitter) page.
Said Southwest in a statement after a recent pilot demonstration: "Southwest Airlines respects the rights of our employees to express their opinions, and we do not anticipate any disruption in service because of today’s demonstration of off-duty pilots. Our contract negotiations continue, with leaders from both parties meeting this week, and we’ll keep working with the assistance of the National Mediation Board to reach an agreement that rewards our pilots and places them competitively in the industry."
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