Pilots Object to Comair Filing

Responding to Comair’s request to its bankruptcy court for permission to impose wages on its pilot corps, the Air Line Pilots Association said Comair is manipulating the bankruptcy laws in a bid to abrogate its contracts. Captain J.C. Lawson, chair of the Comair pilots unit, said the airline has not demonstrated the need for such concessions. Comair originally wanted $17.3 million in concessions from pilots but its latest proposal is for $15.8 million in pay and benefits cuts. Observers indicated that Comair’s situation is the tail wagging the dog as stubborn negotiations make Delta wait on determining what its fee-for-departure costs will be. Recently, the airline settled with its machinists as well as its flight attendants.