Jet Airways on Strike
Sunday, September 13, 2009 at 06:59AM Six days ago, nearly 600 national pilots simulated a strike against Jet Airways Management by calling in sick. The strike originated after two pilots were fired for their participation in the formation of the union, National Aviators Guild (NAG). Hundreds of flights were cancelled; Justin was even stranded on his way home from Bangkok. After 48 hours the pilots that called in sick were required to provide a doctors note. Doctors were sent to the pilots homes with the threat that those that were not sick were subject to dismissal. Meanwhile, flights continued to be canceled. Although the expats were willing to work, many were unable to fly because at least one of the pilots in the cockpit must be a national pilot. Without a non-expat first officer reporting for duty the expats were forced to stay home. Several more pilots were fired and by the fifth day a message was sent out to all the pilots including the expats that all operations had ceased and that no one was needed to report to work. Needless to say, this has caused some serious concern for all of us. Our worry has been compounded because we have still not been paid for the month of August. It was supposed to be deposited on the 1st of September. The company was already on shaky ground and now its stocks have plummeted as a result of all this silliness. Many of us are worried that because of all the revenue the company has lost that they may not be able to recover from the strike and that we will not be paid. We were told we would be paid on the 1st then the 7th, now it has been moved to the 15th. On the 15th the guys will have worked 6 weeks without pay. Many of the guys are starting to form exit strategies. The strike ended today and we are all waiting to see what happens next. This really is awful timing. In the next few weeks I will be unable to fly internationally because of my pregnancy, not to mention that Justin was due to receive a bonus next month. If the company goes under, they don’t pay us, or they initiate huge pay cuts, we aren’t sure what we will do. There aren't many jobs available right now. All the guys are back to work today, but things are still a bit out of whack. The company is trying to restore order and hopefully customer confidence. I hope this isn’t how our India adventure ends.
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Reader Comments (5)
Hey guys, holy crap that sounds a bit crazy! Give us a holla, our phone isn't going through for some reason. By the way, we love her name, its beautiful!!
Your best-est friends, he he :)
Rebecca
How tramatic this must ber for you guys. I believe if they continue to fly planes Justin will be one of the ones flying ,because they know how good he is.
Are you coming home or will you stay to see what happens?
You both know you always have a home here with Mom and I.
We love you and will be praying for you and that you get paid and keep working if that is what is meant to be.
If you get stuck there do you have funds to last tell the baby is born and old enough to get home?
I love you so and feel your stress clear over here.
God will provide.
Love Dad
CHAD + KEALAN: Hey you guys, stuff is definitely a bit crazy right now. We will call you soon. I want Justin to be home so he can give you the "real skinny" on what's happening. The only thing is I don't know when he'll be back since they have him doing some kind of "tour of India" He's off his roster and all the guys are flying like 5 sectors a day right now. Blah. A lot of them do not terminate at your original base. Anyway, we'll talk soon, miss you guys!
DAD +MOM: Thanks Dad, it's always nice to know we will have a place to stay. Unfortunately, Justin's ability as a pilot doesn't really factor in to our situation. I wish it did. Yesterday was his first day back and he called me when he got to the hotel and said the loads were really low. Most of the flights were in the teens in terms of passengers. That is a really bad sign. You can't keep an airline flying if only 12 people are buying tickets. It was the first day, after the strike ended, so I am still hopeful that things pick up. Thanks for the prayers and encouragement. I’ll keep you guys posted.
Holy cow, I can't even imagine how you are feeling with all of this happening and your pregnancy closing in on the final stretch. That's just crazy. I hope it picks back up and everything goes smoothly for you two.
Wow Rebecca - that is bad timing... hopefully you know more by now and things are getting worked out. We're thinking of you guys!! Roman's here... Ginger's little one should be joining us tomorrow, then I think you're next! Take care -