Allied Pilots Association (APA) Spokesman Capt. Dennis Tajer joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed the airline industry’s pilot shortage and the increased number of “fatigue calls,” which occur when pilots call off because they are too tired to fly safely.
During the early days of the pandemic, many pilots accepted early retirement, voluntarily left the industry or were furloughed, but their positions were not filled by new trainees, Tajer said. He explained this led to a pilot shortage and airlines routinely selling flights they did not have the staff to safely provide. Tajer then discussed the safety implications and dangers overly tired pilots pose to the airline industry.
He also talked about the potential merger of the APA and the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), plus a contract win for Delta employees that could set pay and benefit standards for other airline industry employees.
Listen to the entire episode to learn more about these topics.