Delta Air Lines plane.Photo: Nicolas Economou/NurPhoto via Getty
Delta Air Linesis calling many of their pilots back to work.
He explained that it is “well ahead of when we originally estimated we would be able to convert pilots back to full flying status,” adding that the feat “is possible because of the PSP [Payroll Support Program] aid and available training capacity starting in March and April.”
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The 400 pilots scheduled to return to work are not new hires, theAssociated Pressadds, but are instead employees who avoided furloughs last year. Delta’s pilots avoided temporary leaves of absence in 2020 after their union agreed for less-senior pilots to receive reduced pay and be removed from active flying.
Now, Delta will offer “some 400 of them active status,” according to CNBC, and the new status will include required flight training to fly select aircraft.
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These new trainings are necessary due to the retirement of both pilots and aircrafts, as well as reduced flying amid the ongoingCOVID-19 pandemic, the outlet adds.
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In his memo, Laughter also noted that is important for Delta staff to remain cautious about the path ahead.
“We’re excited to be able to offer 400 full-time pilot positions now, but it’s important to remember that the recovery road ahead of us will be long and choppy,” he noted.
Still, Laughter also shared that he hopes that travel will soon get back to it’s normal levels thanks in part to the recently released COVID-19 vaccine.
“We’re cautiously optimistic that demand will increase as vaccinations roll out across the world, and we look forward to restoring all affected pilots back to full flying status as the recovery continues,” he added.
source: people.com
