Flights are getting canceled due to a lack of pilots, and small cities are losing service as a result. With strong demand for air travel both domestically and internationally, the airline industry has the challenge to make this summer work. To address this near-term challenge, airlines have started to adopt some creative tactics.
Higher Pay As An Incentive
In order to keep pilots flying and maybe not jump to a bigger airline, some airlines offer large payments on a temporary basis. Within their regional airline, American Airlines is raising pilot pay by 50%, with some strings attached. But, with a first-year captain able to earn $146 an hour, up from $78, this could be the difference from having their young captains move to a low-cost carrier that flies bigger jets.
Bring Back Retired Flight Crews
While this opportunity has been created because of a difference in retirement ages, there are likely quite a few U.S. pilots who have left the profession for many reasons with still years available to legally fly commercially. It makes sense for airlines to comb their retiree lists and reach out to those with a special offer to return.
Read more about which tactics airlines use in a Forbes article by Ben Baldanza:
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