Atlantic City International Airport (KACY), New Jersey

Officials: Cargo carriers could boost jobs at Atlantic City Airport 

Atlantic City International Airport’s growth strategy has focused primarily on attracting more airline service, but a new element is emerging — packages, as well as passengers.

There are no cargo carriers serving the airport; UPS, FedEx, DHL and other air-freight companies simply don’t fly here. And the prospects of having them land at Atlantic City International any time soon are unclear.

But cargo carriers are highly coveted. Airport supporters argue that cargo operators may be just as prized as passenger airlines because of the jobs and economic development they could bring to the region.

“I don’t think there is anything more important to the county and the region than the expansion of the airport and the creation of jobs,” said Absecon Mayor John Armstrong, one of the area’s leading proponents of air-cargo operations.

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which took over operation of Atlantic City International in July, said it is in talks with cargo carriers and related companies, but did not name them. Those discussions are going on simultaneously with the authority’s efforts to draw new passenger air service.

“The Port Authority’s mission at Atlantic City International Airport is primarily to increase the number of commercial-passenger air carriers. Such efforts, however, also boost cargo operations, since the majority of air cargo currently moves in the holds of passenger aircraft,” agency spokesman Ron Marsico said in a statement.

Marsico said the talks include not just the possibility of cargo operators flying here but having shipping companies develop new facilities on the airport grounds.

Airport backers assert that cargo carriers and shipping companies are absolutely key to Atlantic City International’s growth. They believe the region’s casino-dominated economy could be diversified if cargo carriers establish a home base here.

Armstrong maintained that thousands of job losses in the casino industry in recent years have created an economic crisis. He sees the airport’s development as offering the greatest chance for a turnaround.

“We are in a depression in this area — not a recession, a depression,” he said. “It’s independent of the national economy. I think that the best and perhaps only realistic opportunity to generate new jobs, reasonably good-paying jobs, is through the utilization of the airport.”

Some planning has begun. An updated version of the airport’s 2010 master plan envisions a 20-acre site on the airfield to accommodate cargo carriers and a freight-handling facility. The area would handle as many as five large cargo planes, such as the ones used by the major freight carriers. But the project remains on the drawing board while Atlantic City International awaits the arrival of the cargo companies.

Industrial parks in Absecon and other Atlantic County communities surrounding the airport — located 10 miles west of Atlantic City in Egg Harbor Township — could provide the land and infrastructure to support cargo operations, Armstrong said.

Also working in the airport’s favor is a centralized location and a well-developed highway network that would serve the cargo companies well once their planes land and packages are transferred to trucks for final shipment, one state lawmaker said.

“The cargo capitalizes on the location of the airport, sort of in the center of the East Coast megalopolis,” said Sen. Jim Whelan, D-Atlantic. “If you fly to Atlantic City, you’re in the middle of New York, Washington, D.C., and Philly.”

Whelan encouraged the Port Authority and the South Jersey Transportation Authority, the airport’s owner, to aggressively pursue cargo carriers instead of spending too much time and energy on courting passenger airlines.

“I think you have a better chance of landing cargo carriers than the traditional passenger ones,” Whelan said. “I’d love to be wrong about domestic flights coming, but I don’t see anything showing me success there.”

Prior to taking over Atlantic City International’s operations last year, the Port Authority commissioned a $3 million consulting study to gauge the potential for new air service and cargo operations. QED Airport & Aviation Consultants, in a 58-page report, recommended air cargo as a new source of airport revenue, although most of its findings focused on the benefits of more airline service.

Spirit Airlines is currently the airport’s only scheduled carrier. However, the Port Authority has signed up United Airlines for daily service to Atlantic City from its Chicago and Houston hubs beginning April 1.

The airport’s growth is a crucial part of Gov. Chris Christie’s five-year initiative to boost Atlantic City tourism. The governor wants to revive the casino industry by attracting more conventioneers and overnight visitors. Under the plan, the day-tripping gamblers who have been lost to competing casino markets in surrounding states would be replaced by visitors who fly to Atlantic City and stay a few nights.

While debate continues on the likelihood of that strategy succeeding in coming years, some are pushing for an immediate lift to the local economy. Armstrong bluntly said, “We’re desperate here.”

“We don’t have a lot of time,” he continued. “We need more jobs. It’s got to be related to that airport. That’s all we’ve got, and it’s a lot.”

Story and comments/reaction:  http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com

Waterloo Regional (KALO), Iowa: New airport director working to see traffic take off

WATERLOO | Mike Wilson wants Waterloo to fly with the bigger airports. 

Never mind that the airlines have shown a distinct predilection over the last 20 years or so toward using bigger facilities in the name of cost efficiencies.

Wilson, the new director of Waterloo Regional Airport, said the local airfield can get a bigger slice of the commercial travel business.

The local airport has all the right ingredients in place to make such a move, said Wilson, who started his new job Feb. 18.

“The facility is beautiful, the terminal is very nice,” said Wilson, 33, who came to Waterloo after three years as director of Aberdeen Regional Airport in South Dakota.

Wilson was hired to replace Brad Hagen, who left the post in summer 2013 after an 11-year stint to become the supervisor of airport projects and operations at Mesa Falcon Field Airport, a larger airfield in the Phoenix area.

For several months after Hagen’s departure, the airport was run on an interim basis by Austin, Texas-based Trillion Aviation.

Perhaps Waterloo’s biggest ticket to more traffic is its runway, Wilson said.

“We have a the longest runway in the state, which is a huge asset,” he said, noting that the 150-foot-wide runway can accommodate larger aircraft than the 50-seat jets that jump in and out of Waterloo twice a day.

He said Allegiant Air, for example, could be interested in a facility like Waterloo.

“The 150-foot-wide runway is typically something Allegiant looks at,” he said. “It really helps in trying to attract airlines.”

Currently, American Airlines services Waterloo Regional with twice-daily connections to and from Chicago O’Hare International Airport.

Wilson said he’s looking into more flights with American.

“Now, I’m trying to work with American and see what we can do to increase service with them,” Wilson said.

In 2013, the local airport had 20,957 passengers embarking from Waterloo and 21,613 travelers arriving.

Wilson said those numbers are considerably lower than they should be. He said it’s not unreasonable to expect a passenger count approaching 60,000 in and out.

“This metro area has about 180,000 people. the community I was in had a metro area of about 36,000, and we were running about 20,000 passengers,” he said.

Waterloo Mayor Buck Clark, part of the search committee that hired Wilson, said he liked the energy he saw.

“I know we did a pretty thorough search and came down to two qualified candidates,” Clark said. “I had the opportunity to speak with both of them and I much preferred Mike over the other candidate. With just a week under his belt with Waterloo, I’m convinced we made a good choice. He has hit the ground running, seems very knowledgeable and is anxious to get to work on some projects he thinks will make a positive impact in Waterloo.”

Wilson said the potential of Waterloo’s airport, and its location in the Federal Aviation Administration’s Central Region, drew him to the position.

“This region helps airports a little more, especially when it comes to being self-sufficient,” said Wilson, who had been in the FAA’s Great Lakes Region in his last job. “This airport does not take a tax subsidy. A lot of (revenue) comes from the cropland around it.”

The cropland Waterloo Regional leases generates about $350,000 a year, Wilson said.

Prior to running Aberdeen’s airport, Wilson, who earned a bachelor’s degree in aviation management at St. Cloud State University in Minnesota, managed the airport in Brookings, S.D., for 3 1/2 years.

Wilson said he is convinced Waterloo Regional Airport can compete strongly for traffic against regional rivals in Cedar Rapids and Des Moines, and he said he plans an aggressive marketing campaign for the local facility.

“I did a similar campaign in Aberdeen, and our emplanements went up about 25-30 percent,” Wilson said.

The campaign involved radio ads as well as a billboard set up near a competing airport.

The airline serving Aberdeen added a third daily flight, and that’s a goal in Waterloo, Wilson said. There may be some opportunities to add flights, at least during peak travel months.

“I talked to American, and they said they were looking at adding capacity last year, but that was pushed back due to the merger" with US Airways, Wilson said. ”Hopefully we can get some additional flights.”

A daily schedule of only two flights in and out is not enough, Wilson said.

“Two flights a day are difficult, especially for business travelers, to make connections,” he said. “Ideally, I’d like to see a midday flight to the mix.”

Story and photos:   http://wcfcourier.com

New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez Signs Aviation Maintenance Tax Cut

New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez recently signed House Bill 14 at the War Eagles Air Museum in Santa Teresa. 

"House Bill 14 as amended is now law."

The bill allows aircraft manufacturers to deduct gross receipts tax, saving them about 7 percent of their costs.

"We want people to know how much we want you here…we are open for business."

New Mexico's economic development secretary, Jon Barela, was with business leaders.

"I was born and raised in this area…to see the border area develop…is very very exciting."

Director of aircraft company, Santa Fe Aero Services, Ronald Tarrson, sat here inside the museum aircraft hang. He looked up at the governor mention his business by name.

"I had tears in my eyes because we have worked very hard to make this happen."

He says 1996 was the first time he tried to get legislation passed for his company that has branches in Santa Fe and Albuquerque.

"It's been a struggle ever since because airplanes…we just made it our mission to equalize the playing field."

Twenty years later, looks like Tarrson has his wish as his company plans expansion into Santa Teresa.

"The difference is the taxes…now without that tax we're on an even playing field with Colorado and Arizona."

Santa Fe Aero Services wasn't the only business making a commitment here. Five others were represented here on stage by their CEOs.

Jerry Pacheco of the Border Industrial Association stressed not just that 6 new businesses are moving here, but that the businesses aren't just in one field.

"We have logistics companies, metal companies…set up and achieve success."

In all, the 6 businesses plan to bring about 150 news jobs.

Here is a breakdown:
 
ERO Resources - 50 Jobs over 3 years
Transmaritime - 15 Jobs
Kalisch Iron & Metal - 20 Jobs
Stagecoach Cartage - 9 Jobs
Oak Tree Inn - 34 Jobs
Santa Fe Aero Services - 20 Jobs

New Mexico has been slow to recover from the recession, but economic secretary Barela believes this is one sign the state is finally taxiing toward the runway of bigger and better things.

"I believe that southern Dona Ana County…explosive job growth in the next few years."

Source:   http://krwg.org

Women landing growing share of aviation jobs; Quest Aircraft in Sandpoint an example

SANDPOINT – When Amber Phillips was 15, her grandfather took her flying in a Piper Navajo.

Now she’s 26 and helps build airplanes next to the Sandpoint airport. Phillips is in charge of the subassembly area at Quest Aircraft Co., maker of the 10-seat KODIAK turboprop, a versatile plane used for mission work, tourism, skydiving and corporate trips.

“It was kind of a cool thing to call Grandpa and be like, ‘Hey, guess what I’m doing now?’ ” she said.

Aviation careers long have been dominated by men, but that is changing with encouragement from companies like Quest. It employs 39 women who make up almost one-quarter of the plant’s workforce.

An aircraft mechanic, Phillips has worked at Quest for six years and is close to getting her pilot’s license. She is involved with organizations such as Women in Aviation and Girls with Wings, and she’s spearheading an “aviation discovery” open house Saturday at Quest to show students and women of all ages they can find rewarding work in this field.

“In aviation in general it’s really hard to get women interested because they don’t think they’re qualified for it,” Phillips said. “Women are really good at paying attention to the fine details,” an advantageous skill for working on machines with thousands of parts.

Bunny Small is one of two electrical engineers at Quest. She grew up in Seattle and worked at Boeing for four years. When she and her husband looked to make a lifestyle change, they landed jobs with the Sandpoint company a year ago.

More opportunities are opening for women in aviation, Small said, but some hurdles do remain.

“Unfortunately some people still discourage girls early on, saying that’s such a hard field and they just can’t quite see a woman in it,” she said. “But then once we’re out there and we prove ourselves, it becomes easier. But, unfortunately, we do have to prove ourselves still.”

Small said she’s had no difficulty fitting in at Quest, where her work spans new design, production and customer service.

“We’re looked at for our skills and not for who we are and what gender we are,” she said. “We’re a family here; I really feel that.”

Heather Coop feels that way, too. The Sandpoint native joined Quest more than six years ago and works in wing assembly.

“It’s great to be working with the guys and get the chance to prove that girls can do it too,” Coop said.

“And I was never allowed to touch power tools before I worked here, so that’s great, too,” she added.

The men scattered throughout the sprawling assembly plant are very accepting of the growing ranks of women, Coop said.

“The last job I had was mostly women. And I fit in better here,” Coop said. “I think the guys have a healthy respect for a woman who can do what they do. They don’t see that as a bad thing. They enjoy watching the women succeed here.”

Women still hold a small share of aerospace jobs nationally and around the world. But with a growing emphasis on math, science and technology education for girls, the share of female graduates with science and engineering degrees is on the rise.

Gradually, more women are applying for these jobs. In Quest’s most recent two hires, seven women were among 41 applicants for an aircraft assembler position, and two women joined 32 men vying for an aerospace engineer job.

Women are starting to fill more positions with Coeur d’Alene-based Empire Aerospace, which performs heavy maintenance on regional-size turboprop planes, and Empire Airlines, a FedEx feeder carrier and the operator of Hawaiian Airlines’ Ohana by Hawaiian.

“I’m excited to see the number of women coming into more technical jobs in aviation, and it certainly is a trend,” said Empire President and CEO Timothy Komberec.

The company has five female pilots, plus four maintenance mechanics, four dispatchers and two other technical positions filled by women.

“I don’t think we see as great a differentiation between what men and women should traditionally do,” Komberec said. “Now, if you want to do that, you can go do that.”

Back at Quest, which turns out two $2 million planes a month, Coop recently gave her 9-year-old son a tour of the assembly plant.

“We stood underneath one of the wings and I said, ‘I built that.’ He was so excited. How many people get to bring their kids in and say, ‘Hey, look at that. I did that!’ ”

Aviation career open house

Quest Aircraft Co. will host an open house to introduce women to aviation careers. It’s part of Women of Aviation Worldwide Week.

When: Saturday, 2 to 4 p.m.
Where: 1200 Turbine Drive, Sandpoint.
On the Web: questaircraft.com

Discover aviation

Quest Aircraft Co. will host an open house Saturday to introduce women to aviation careers. It’s part of Women of Aviation Worldwide Week.
When: 2 to 4 p.m.
Where: 1200 Turbine Drive, Sandpoint
On the Web: questaircraft.com


Story and photo:    http://www.spokesman.com

Boeing to end pensions for 1,000 workers in North Charleston, South Carolina

Pension plans for 68,000 nonunion Boeing workers, including 1,000 in North Charleston, will end in 2015, the company announced Thursday.

Participating employees will be switched to a 401(k)-style retirement savings plan instead on Jan. 1, 2016.

The decision affects about 15 percent of the 6,700 direct-hired Boeing South Carolina workers in North Charleston, company spokesman John Dern said.

"The reason it's relatively few is that all Boeing employees hired after 2009 are already part of the defined-contribution model," he said. "Of course, many in Charleston fall into that category since they are relative 'new hires.'"

All benefits earned in the pension plan before the transition will be paid to employees in retirement, and the company will continue to match employee savings in an existing 401(k) plan. Retirees already receiving pension benefits aren't affected.

The aerospace and defense giant has been moving away from pension plans to hold down costs and remain more competitive against French airplane-building firm Airbus. The move helps "Boeing to better predict and manage financial risks," the company said in a statement.

"Our objective in making this transition is twofold: continue providing an attractive, market-leading retirement benefit contributing to employees' retirement security, while also assuring our competitiveness by curbing the unsustainable growth of our long-term pension liability," said Tony Parasida, a Boeing senior vice president.

Similar changes were recently included in an eight-year contract extension ratified in January by members of the company's biggest union, the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers District 751 in Seattle and the IAM District 837 in St. Louis.

The narrow vote came with the promise that Boeing would build its new long-range passenger jet, the 777X, and its composite wings in the Puget Sound area after Boeing threatened to move the work elsewhere if the union didn't agree to the new contract.

Source:   http://www.postandcourier.com

ST Aerospace to hold job information session

ESCAMBIA COUNTY -- An aviation company that's looking to expand to Pensacola is starting to talk about job opportunities. 

ST Aerospace repairs and customizes jet airplanes. They're expected to hire three-hundred workers, if they move into the Pensacola International Airport Commerce Park. 

They're holding a job information session on March 20th, from ten to two, at the Naval Aviation Museum. 

Company reps will talk about job opportunities and the training needed to qualify.

Source:    http://www.weartv.com

Opinion: Boeing and the betrayal of labor

Published: Saturday, February 15, 2014, 1:00 a.m.

By Mike Lapointe

Since this whole sordid misadventure in landing the 777 production line began, I have followed the events as they unraveled. Never had I seen such a coordinated effort which included members of our political establishment, leaders in the upper echelon of a union which had forgotten they are but the empowered representatives of the rank and file, and at the core of these despicable acts, the Boeing executives.

You can take a stand for or against Boeing, the top union leadership and the politicians, but to me, in the end, the discussion must turn towards integrity, leadership and values when addressing culpability. Where was the integrity of our politicians when they stood next to Boeing and participated in spreading fear for one’s job? Why did they not stand with the workers who campaigned and voted for them?

Everett’s mayor claimed to have seen the contract and determined it was worth accepting “in his heart of hearts.” That is clearly untrue as the details of the agreement were not even finalized as the vote was being rammed through. For all we know it is still not finalized. New contracts are available about two weeks after any settlement, but this one has yet to be seen on the shop floor.

Congressman Larsen told the workers they had to take the contract because Boeing would leave; rejection of the takeaways rendering the company unable to compete. This is also a falsehood. Put in the simplest context to understand clearly, the workers traditional pension accounts for about a fraction of 1 percent of the total labor cost per jetliner that comes off the production line. Labor cost per jetliner is around 5 percent of the total. 

Some in leadership positions within the Union, tasked with representing the interest of the membership, failed in their responsibility! Lack of a true democratic structure that places power in the hands of the rank and file has been a serious problem in many unions over the years. But now there is an opportunity to remove the IAM entrenched incumbents by voting them out in upcoming elections and restoring power to where it belongs, on the shop floor. The workers have been wronged, this vote, which should never have taken place, must be reversed and those responsible for forcing the vote must be held accountable.

Boeing executives who are the instigators of these nefarious actions must be asked the question, “What are your values?” Attacking the hard fought for and well deserved gains of the workers who made Boeing profitable over decades, is not how one rewards those who created their wealth.

In 2008, the Wall Street bankers and financiers crashed our economy without even one major conspirator held accountable. Now we have Boeing taking advantage of the tough economic times to further ravage our state and its citizens. The wealth inequality the elite have created is an economic threat to our nation and it must be addressed.

Boeing workers have been hit from all sides with betrayal, intimidation and suppression of their rights. And so have we all. Boeing, our politicians, and the IAM’s compromised union leadership are forcing our hand. Union members and the community must unify to protect ourselves. The Wobblies motto, “An injury to one is an injury to all” rings true more so today than it did over 100 years ago. We must continue to speak up and spread the word of this injustice until it is wiped from the slate.

Mike Lapointe lives in Everett

Article and comments/reaction:   http://www.heraldnet.com

Sabreliner change means layoffs, then rehiring

A spokeswoman on Tuesday confirmed Sabreliner Services LLC bought the assets of Sabreliner Corp., an aircraft manufacturing and repair company with facilities in Perryville, Mo., Ste. Genevieve, Mo., and Clayton, Mo.

Employees of Sabreliner Corp. were informed Friday they will be released, said Ann Hein, spokeswoman for the corporation, which has about 100 employees spread between the locations.

Part of Sabreliner Services LLC "setting the stage for the new ownership" is releasing the employees, interviewing them and rehiring them, Hein said, which is "just a formality."

The company is taking the "business step of releasing everybody only to bring them back in on their own paper," she said.

"Today, Sabreliner Corp. begins its next chapter," Sabreliner Corp.'s president Holmes Lamoreux said in a statement, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. "We were never able to replace the significant business lost during [government] sequestration. As a result, we haven't been able to repay the company's bank debt so the bank has sold it to another enterprise. Sabreliner soon will be operating under new management."

Lamoreux and Sabreliner Corp.'s vice chairman Susan Aselage will leave the company, the Post-Dispatch reported, and the new owner is expected to meet with employees in the coming weeks.

No company named Sabreliner Services LLC is registered with the Missouri secretary of state, though it could be based elsewhere, the newspaper reported.

A representative of Sabreliner Services LLC said the new owner intends to continue operations.

In November 2012, Sabreliner announced the layoff of 180 employees because of cuts in the defense budget, and 80 employees were furloughed in March because a contract ended, according to previous Southeast Missourian reporting.

Fifty-four more employees were laid off in June, with the government sequester -- the federal spending reduction plan enacted by Congress that went into effect in March -- to blame, according to then-vice president of business development Steve Sperry.

In late December, Sabreliner Corp. sold buildings in St. Mary and Ste. Genevieve, according to the Ste. Genevieve Herald.

The Perryville Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday announced a job fair Friday and Saturday for Sabreliner Services LLC, a "world-class aerospace company under new ownership seeking to staff operations at their Ste. Genevieve and Perryville facilities."

Melissa Hemmann, executive director of the chamber, said the job fair is for those who were released to reapply for their jobs and new applicants.

Messages left for representatives of the Teamsters Local 600, which represents about 70 Sabreliner employees, were unreturned as of Tuesday afternoon.

Source:   http://www.semissourian.com

Sabreliner CEO to leave troubled firm

Sabreliner Corp.'s chief executive, Holmes Lamoreaux, and another top executive will leave the company as a new owner takes over the struggling defense contractor.

The Clayton-based company said a “new entity” has acquired the debt of Sabreliner's primary lender and plans to take control company's assets and continue operations, according to a press release sent this morning.

As a result, Lamoreux and Susan Aselage, Sabreliner's president and vice chairman, will leave the company. Sabreliner also said the new owner is expected to meet with employees in the coming weeks.

"Today, Sabreliner Corp. begins its next chapter,” Lamoreaux said in a statement. “We were never able to replace the significant business lost during (government) sequestration. As a result, we haven’t been able to repay the company’s bank debt so the bank has sold it to another enterprise. Sabreliner soon will be operating under new management.”

The new owner is a firm called Sabreliner Service LLC, which was formed last week in Florida, according to Secretary of State filings there, and gives an address at Perryville Municipal Airport, where Sabreliner has a plant. It is managed by a Naples, Fla.-based investment group called Innovative Capital Holdings LLC which, according to its website, specializes in "the acquisition and restructuring of distressed or underperforming businesses." A message left Tuesday with Innovative Capital chief executive Bob Stockard was not returned.

Despite the financial problems, Sabreliner said it has won new contracts for its operations in Ste. Genevieve and Perryville, Mo., where more than a dozen military and corporate aircraft are getting maintenance.

Sabreliner has been a privately held corporation since 1983, when a group of investors led by Lamoreux purchased the Sabreliner Division of Rockwell International.

The company's initial goal was to support the existing fleet of Sabreliner aircraft with maintenance and modification services, while supporting other types of aircraft and their operators, including the U.S. and foreign militaries.

Services later expanded to include maintenance, repair and overhaul of aircraft, as well as manufacturing support for older aircraft and new aircraft production.

Employees and union officials said Monday that the company's new ownership is Sabreliner Services LLC. One employee said the company’s roughly 100 remaining workers would be made by the new owners to reapply for their jobs but details were unavailable.

Employees were first notified of the management changes late Friday, said Larry Tinker, president of the Teamsters Local 600 in Maryland Heights, which represents about 70 workers at Sabreliner’s plants in Perryville and Ste. Genevieve.

The company had “defaulted on its debt and was unable to remedy the default,” Tinker said. But there were yet few details on what that would mean for employees.

“I’m still trying to get to the bottom of it myself,” he said.

Teamsters ratified a new contract in August.

Sabreliner has had a rough few years amid Pentagon spending cuts and other struggles. Its workforce shrank by about 250 in eight months in late 2012 and early 2013, by about 250 in eight months in late 2012 and early 2013, between layoffs, retirements and attrition. It’s down to about 10 employees at its Clayton headquarters and about 100 at its two remaining plants, according to a former spokeswoman.

Late last year, Sabreliner, sold buildings in St. Mary and Ste. Genevieve, according to the Ste. Genevieve Herald. It has faced a barrage of debt-collection suits in local courts. On Friday, it agreed to a $192,000 settlement in a suit brought by a lenders in Perry County Court. The deal, according to documents in that case, allows Sabreliner to stay in its facility at the Perryville airport for another month. Tinker said he hoped to get more information this week.

“We’re still trying to figure out what’s going on.”

Source:   http://www.stltoday.com

Boeing Adding Workers to Address Dreamliner Production Problems: WSJ

The Wall Street Journal 

By  Jon Ostrower

Updated Jan. 22, 2014 6:40 p.m. ET

Boeing Co. is adding hundreds of contract workers at its South Carolina plant to help deal with production problems as it builds its flagship 787 Dreamliner jets.

The aerospace giant is hiring more than 300 contract mechanics and inspectors immediately at the factory in North Charleston, S.C., and could increase that number to between 500 and 1,000, according to three people familiar with the hiring. Those workers would assist the more than 7,000 people Boeing employed in South Carolina as of the end of last year, a figure that includes existing contract workers but predominantly Boeing staff employees.

The move is a reversal by Boeing, which early last year let go of hundreds of contract workers in an effort to reduce costs at North Charleston. Contract workers are generally paid more than staff employees, not including benefits. It reflects the company's continued struggle to ramp up production of the advanced, widebody jetliner while also reducing costs.

The North Charleston plant does final assembly of some Dreamliners and produces mid and rear sections of the plane's carbon-fiber composite fuselage for all of the jets, including those made in Washington state. Last year North Charleston assembled 14 of the 65 total Dreamliners delivered. Boeing aims to increase that to a third of the 120 Dreamliners it plans to build and deliver in 2014.

Four people familiar with the situation said that, as North Charleston workers have doubled production over the past year, the mid-body sections of the jet—which are 84 to 104 feet long—are being shipped to final assembly lines with more final tasks that still need completion. One of those people, a production staffer in North Charleston, said that incomplete work on mid-body sections now exceeds the level in July 2011, when the plant suspended shipments for a month to catch up.

A Boeing spokesman confirmed a "surge" in hiring of contractors in North Charleston, but declined to share details. The spokesman said they are needed to "stabilize" its production of the Dreamliner mid-body sections while it introduces a new, longer version of the Dreamliner dubbed the 787-9, which seats more passengers.

Boeing said it has no plans to slow production or pause shipments from North Charleston to its final assembly lines, at a rate of ten a month. "While we have some challenges to address, we see no risk to the program's ability to meet its commitments," it said.

To enable high rates of production, Boeing designed the Dreamliner's supply chain to install parts like the passenger doors, hydraulics, electronics and plumbing earlier so that the final assembly process could be faster. That makes the production of the body sections like those made in North Charleston more complicated.

Boeing started production in 2011 at the nonunion North Charleston plant to supplement its unionized final assembly factories in Washington. The site's nonunion status permits the company to add contractors as needed "to address these work surge requirements as they arise," Boeing said. The company said it also is shifting some staff from its other sites elsewhere in the country to assist in North Charleston.

Boeing last February disclosed it was cutting hundreds of the more than 6,700 workers it then had at the North Charleston plant, with the cuts mostly among contract laborers, many of whom had been part of the operation there for years. Boeing has since added hundreds more staff employees there.

Many experienced workers have been diverted from the two smaller facilities on the North Charleston campus that produce the mid and aft-body of the Dreamliner to speed up deliveries of the assembled 787, said two of the people familiar with production. Many of the incomplete tasks on the mid-body of the Dreamliner are slowing final assembly and delivery of the jets there, they added.

The remaining staff working on the mid- and aft-body have been stretched thin with increased overtime and the increasing rate.

Boeing has struggled to quickly attract experienced contractors to assist, said a person familiar with the hiring. According to public job listings for contract positions, staffers are being offered an hourly rate of $23 for assembly mechanics and inspectors. That is higher than what staff employees typically make, but well below the $28 to $45 an hour offered for the same positions in 2009, said a former contractor at the site who was approached by a recruiter to reapply for his old job after his contract was canceled as part of last year's cuts.

Boeing has staked much of its commercial future on the 787 and Wall Street is closely watching the company's initiatives to both keep pace with demand for the jets and its cost-cutting plan to meet its profitability targets.

Boeing next week is expected to report record earnings for its commercial unit, in part based on its accounting for the 787, which allows it to spread its early high costs over 1,300 deliveries and book future profits today.

Source:  http://online.wsj.com

Spirit Airlines looking to hire Atlantic City-based flight attendants

Spirit Airlines says it is searching for some "caring, reliable, energetic and fun friends" to join its team. In other words, it's looking to hire some new flight attendants.

Atlantic City International Airport's dominant carrier will get the hiring process under way on Wednesday by holding a job fair at the Sheraton Atlantic City Convention Center Hotel. There will be two sessions, at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.

Maggie Espin-Christina, Spirit's senior manager of internal communications, said the airline plans to hire 22 new flight attendants for its Atlantic City operations. It already has 62 Atlantic City-based attendants.

Espin-Christina said the hirings reflect Spirit's growth. She noted that Spirit is committed to offering competitive pay based on experience, but she did not divulge salary figures.

Spirit currently is the only scheduled carrier serving the Atlantic City market, flying to the Florida cities of Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, Tampa, Fort Myers and West Palm Beach and the golfing mecca of Myrtle Beach, S.C.

Last week, Spirit announced it will launch seasonal service between Atlantic City and Boston on March 20. The South Jersey Transportation Authority, the airport owner, says on its website that Spirit also plans to resume seasonal service this spring to Atlanta, Chicago and Detroit. No details have been released yet on the Spirit flights to those cities.

As previously announced, United Airlines is starting new service to Atlantic City from its Chicago and Houston hubs on April 1. United and Spirit will now compete for passengers on the Atlantic City-Chicago route.

Source:   http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com

Aberdeen Regional (KABR), South Dakota: Airport manager announces resignation

Aberdeen Transportation Director Mike Wilson announced his resignation to the airport board today. 

As transportation director, Wilson manages the Aberdeen Regional Airport and Rideline.

Wilson has been Transportation Manager for close to three years. He has accepted a position as Director of Aviation for the Waterloo Regional Airport in Iowa. His last day with the city is Feb. 7. He plans to start his new position Feb. 18 

Source:    http://www.aberdeennews.com

Mike Wilson

McAllen Miller International Airport (KMFE) director resigns after management shakeup, internal audit

McALLEN — Airport Director Phil Brown abruptly resigned Monday.

Brown started running McAllen-Miller International Airport in February 2006, when he moved to the Rio Grande Valley from Kansas City. McAllen expanded the runway, inked a deal with Aeromar for non-stop flights to Mexico City and welcomed UPS during Brown’s nearly seven-year tenure.

“It’s just time to retire,” said Brown, 66, adding he doesn’t have any immediate plans. “My wife and I are going to do as we please for a short while and then we’ll decide later.”

Asked why he suddenly resigned Monday, Brown said he left voluntarily.

Brown officially resigned with a memo sent to Assistant City Manager Brent Branham and announced the decision Monday afternoon with an email to airport workers. Neither the memo nor email provided further details.

“It is with mixed emotions that I announce to you that I am retiring at close of business today, December 2,” according to the email, which Brown sent at 1:56 p.m. “These last eight years have been some of the most enjoyable, exciting years of my working career. I thank each and every one of you for the terrific job you have done on my behalf and to make this airport an example to be envied in the industry.”

Storm clouds, though, have hovered over McAllen-Miller for months. Management turmoil severely damaged morale during the spring and McAllen recently ordered a special airport audit, which identified several concerns.

The turmoil started during April, when Assistant Director of Aviation Matthew Van Valkenburgh — Brown’s right-hand man — left for Killeen.

Brown promoted Properties and Compliance Manager Kristi Taylor-Salinas to the deputy director position on April 29. City Hall walked back the promotion on May 27. The move infuriated Taylor-Salinas and undercut Brown’s authority.

“The city manager made those personnel decisions,” Brown said, declining to comment further. “So I’m not going to question them.”

McAllen moved Transit Director Liz Suarez, known for her budget prowess and success with Metro McAllen, into the deputy director job instead. Suarez would keep responsibility for Metro McAllen and add the airport to her portfolio.

“I really wasn’t aware of anything,” Suarez said, adding she didn’t know about the decision-making process. “I didn’t get there until June.”

When Suarez arrived, Taylor-Salinas hadn’t budged from the office traditionally reserved for the deputy director. Suarez temporarily worked from a desk normally used by administrative assistants.

 

City Manager Mike Perez eventually intervened and resolved the situation. Ejected from the deputy director office, Taylor-Salinas now took the administrative assistant desk.

Perez declined to comment Monday when asked about the airport management kerfuffle.

With Suarez thrust into an awkward situation, Taylor-Salinas feeling hurt and Brown undermined, the airport stopped holding weekly management meetings.

Additional concerns about airport management surfaced during October, when the City Auditor’s Office conducted a wide-ranging review.

“Overall, the business operations of city airport appear to be well-managed,” according to the audit draft dated Oct. 25.

The draft, marked “draft not for public distribution,” shows initial audit findings and recommendations, but doesn’t include management responses. Last month, the city Audit Committee held closed-door meetings about the airport audit but didn’t approve the report — protecting the document from public information requests. The Monitor obtained the document from a source who requested anonymity to share confidential city records.

The initial findings knocked Brown for several major decisions.

Brown didn’t follow McAllen’s internal regulations covering city jobs when he promoted Taylor-Salinas and two other airport workers, according to the draft audit.

“The only exception to this practice is allowed by the city manager,” according to the draft audit. “In the case of the airport deputy director, a promotion was given by the city manager.

“However, the promotions given by the airport director to airport staff for the assistant director of business management, assistant director of operation and maintenance, properties and compliance manager, business management analyst and administrative supervisor positions did not follow city practices, and the city manager did approve the promotions after giving reflective consideration,” according to the draft audit. “By not soliciting professional positions to the public, the city was prevented from evaluating other qualified candidates that might apply for the city positions.”

The draft audit also questioned how Brown spent $311,000 earmarked for advertising from Oct. 1, 2011, to Sept. 30, 2013.

When the airport sponsored local events, Brown and airport staff occasionally received perks, according to the draft audit. Additionally, $52,000 went toward the International Museum of Art and Science, the Valley Symphony Orchestra and other organizations, which didn’t strictly qualify as advertising.

Auditors proposed McAllen establish new guidelines for department-level donations to nonprofit organizations.

Another major concern stemmed from emails between Taylor-Salinas and a potential city contractor, who asked for financial information about airport projects.

“The bidder stated that the information was needed to prepare his proposal,” according to the draft audit. “Also noted was that professional staff member (sic) accepted an invitation to socialize with the bidder during the bid process.”

How Brown and airport management responded to the draft audit remains unclear.

On Nov. 12, the concerns about inappropriate communication with the potential airport contractor prompted McAllen to place Taylor-Salinas on administrative leave. She remained on leave Monday.

 

Generally, the City Commission allows top-level management wide latitude to make and delegate personnel decisions. Mayor Jim Darling and the City Commission occasionally review personnel information, but don’t make low- or mid-level employment decisions.

“The last thing I want to do as mayor is to be involved at that level, making those decisions,” Darling said, adding that he didn’t know fine-grain details about the airport situation.

“I think the airport is running efficiently,” Darling said. “I’m not worried about the airport falling apart.” 

Story and Comments/Reaction:  http://www.themonitor.com


Related:     McAllen airport manager placed on leave without explanation

Embry-Riddle, airline team up for pilot pipeline

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and American Eagle Airlines are partnering on a pilot-hiring program that will give the school’s aeronautical science (professional pilot) graduates an employment advantage.

Through its Pilot Pipeline Program, American Airlines affiliate American Eagle will gain a steady supply of airline-qualified pilots by screening, training and hiring Embry-Riddle flight students. The students will in turn receive a $10,000 scholarship with a two-year commitment to the program as well as specialized training leading to employment as a commercial airline officer.

“At a time when a pilot shortage is upon us, this program is an outstanding opportunity for our students to acquire valuable experience with a leading airline and meet American Eagle’s employment needs,” Embry-Riddle President John P. Johnson said.

Nicholas Alford, American Eagle’s director of pilot recruitment, said “Embry-Riddle is one of the top aviation and aerospace colleges in the nation and we’re thrilled they’re joining the American Eagle Pilot Pipeline Program.”

To be eligible for the program, Embry-Riddle students must be at the sophomore level or higher and maintain a 2.5 cumulative grade point average as well as a 3.0 GPA in their major.

After earning their B.S. in Aeronautical Science and Commercial, Instrument and Multi-Engine flight ratings at Embry-Riddle, the selected graduates will become full-time American Eagle employees while serving as Embry-Riddle flight instructors, accruing additional flight hours. After reaching a certain number of flight hours operating commercial aircraft for American Eagle, they will have a guaranteed interview for a first officer position with American Airlines.

Embry-Riddle has pilot-hiring agreements with other airlines as well: Cape Air/JetBlue, ExpressJet/Delta and SkyWest. 

Story: http://www.news-journalonline.com

State filing confirms Evergreen shutdown: Evergreen International Airlines exec declares McMinnville company will close, but founder demurs

Del Smith, founder and owner of Evergreen International Aviation, issued a statement at the close of the business day Friday denying a News-Register report that it intends to close its air cargo subsidiary, Evergreen International Airlines, at the end of the month.

However, Smith's statement was flatly contradicted in an internal company memo Evergreen filed earlier in the day under the WARN Act, which requires notice of mass layoffs and plant closures.

A Friday press release from the state agency said, "The number to be laid off is 131."

In a Thursday memo copied to Smith and other Evergreen executives, and filed with the state Friday, Evergreen Human Resources Manager Monique Gregory said the cargo carrier intends to "end all operations." The memo was addressed to "All Evergreen International Airlines Employees."

“The last day of all operations will be November 30, 2013," Gregory said in her memo. "Therefore, the last day of employment for employees will range from current day (11/07/2013) through November 30, 2013, with a small number of specific employees remaining to complete the closing requirements. … The loss of our company is very unfortunate; however, we appreciate your continued excellent service during this ending phase.”

State rules require that such notices be filed 60 days in advance, but Evergreen actually provided fewer than 30 days. A former company employee estimated that the cargo hauler was already down to fewer than 140 employees when the notice was issued, but that could not be officially confirmed.

The News-Register began getting word Thursday morning, from both current and former employees, of the closure memo.

A reporter placed multiple calls to the company seeking comment, but they went unreturned Thursday and Friday, even though the story began circulating Thursday evening online and Friday morning in print.

The denial released under Smith's name arrived shortly before 5 p.m. Friday. It came less than an hour after state issuance of a press release on the company's WARN Act filing.

In the release, Smith said:

“As has previously been reported in the press, Evergreen's business has been adversely impacted over the past several years by decreased demand in military spending and weakness in global economic markets. Management has moved to aggressively address these challenges, including through the divestiture of businesses and assets and the significant reduction of secured debt. Evergreen is in discussions with its significant constituencies and is exploring available strategic alternatives with those constituencies. While Evergreen does not generally comment on market rumor or conjecture, rumors that a decision has been made to cease operations at this time are false. Evergreen remains committed to continuing to address the current business environment with its customers.”

The contradiction could not be immediately rectified, as the business day had closed by the time it was received.

The Portland Business Journal was the first news outlet to obtain a copy of the memo filed with the state and report on its contents. It filed a story early Friday evening noting the discrepancy between Smith's statement and the memo filed with the state.

Source:  http://www.newsregister.com

In 1980, Evergreen International Airlines Inc. flew the deposed Shah of Iran from Panama to Egypt, where he gained refuge.

Six years later, the McMinnville company launched an undercover airline service to fly U.S. anti-terrorist teams to world trouble spots.

And six years after that, Evergreen shipped the Spruce Goose – the late billionaire Howard Hughes’ wooden plane – to a new museum across Oregon 18 from company’s headquarters.

Fast forward to this week: Despite a denial by its octogenarian founder, the storied airline appears to be in a tailspin, planning to lay off 131 employees before closing at the end of November.

Monique Gregory, Evergreen’s human resources manager, wrote in a memo dated Thursday to all the airline’s employees that the privately held company would end operations Nov. 30.

“The loss of our company is very unfortunate,” Gregory wrote. “However, we appreciate your continued excellent service during this ending phase.” 

Staggering debt could be the main culprit in Evergreen’s demise, airline analysts said, judging by the state of the industry and payment deadlines missed by the company. High fuel prices and excess capacity also hinder the global freighter business.

Military contracts wound down along with the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. And privately held Evergreen has fought for years in labor negotiations with its pilots and flight engineers, enduring several strike threats.

Mike Hines, Evergreen International Aviation’s chairman, said Friday that the 131 announced job losses would follow other recent layoffs. Evergreen employed 363 in McMinnville as recently as March, when debt forced a sale of the helicopter division that employed 100 there.

“It’s a shame,” said Mary Stern, a commissioner in Yamhill County, where the airline and related enterprises amount to one of the biggest employers. “So many people in the community will be out of work.”

A big question in McMinnville, a town of 33,000 about 30 miles southwest of Portland, is whether Evergreen’s nonprofit operations – major tourist draws conceived by founder Delford Smith – will survive. The Evergreen Wings & Waves Waterpark and the Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum rival wineries in attracting visitors to boost the local economy.

“Oh, I hope so, yeah, they’re not tied to Evergreen,” Hines said of the nonprofits’ survival. “Del wants that legacy to survive forever.”

Tax forms filed by the nonprofits reflect financially sound enterprises. But they have heavily depended on Smith’s support.

For example Smith contributed more than $23 million to the Michael King Smith Foundation in 2011. The organization – named for Del Smith’s son, who died in a 1995 auto accident – invested $35.7 million that year in the water park, an attraction deemed “educational” in tax filings. 

The Oregon Department of Justice is investigating money transfers between the nonprofit and commercial entities, so it’s difficult to tell whether the nonprofits are truly self-sustaining. In 2011 for instance, another nonprofit – Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum and the Capt. Michael King Smith Educational Institute – paid $343,837 to Evergreen International Aviation for miscellaneous services.

Smith, Evergreen International Aviation’s chief executive officer, did not return phone calls Thursday and Friday.

In a statement released Friday, though, Smith acknowledged his companies had been hurt by decreased military spending and global economic weakness. But, he said, Evergreen is in talks with “significant constituencies” in an effort to continue.

“Rumors that a decision has been made to cease operations at this time are false,” Smith said. His statement contradicted Gregory’s memo and a recorded phone message received by pilots, who reported calling in this week to hear an executive announce the closure planned, they said, for Nov. 29.

Richard Gritta, a finance professor at the University of Portland’s Pamplin School of Business, noted the tremendous amount of financial leverage among airlines. “This downturn has hurt them all, and if they can’t merge and get out of it then they have to restructure somehow, and that may be his plan,” he said of Smith.

Towering debt prompted Evergreen to sell off its helicopter subsidiary for $250 million. Smith said at the time that the deal would enable Evergreen to pay off as much as $276 million of its $300 million in debt.

But debt continued to hound Evergreen, according to the Air Line Pilots Association, International. In August, the union cited unpaid judgments and debts to airline vendors, crew members and other employees.

“It’s hard to go to work, sometimes on the other side of the world, and not know if the airline will shut down or if you’re going to get paid for your services,” said Capt. James Touchette, the Evergreen union chairman, in a written statement at the time.

A union statement said then that a Yamhill County judge had granted judgments against the airline for overdue contributions to the pilots’ pension plans. Yet the company missed the first agreed payment of $744,651 in May and the second payment of $680,359 in August, the union said.

Crew members experienced late paychecks, delays in their voluntary 401(k) contributions and denials of company credit cards at foreign hotels, the union said.

“We are alarmed that Evergreen has so much debt and isn’t taking the necessary steps to pay it off and get back on track to keep the airline afloat,” Touchette said in his August statement. “We have to ask, ‘Will the airline survive?’”

Other airlines are consolidating their cargo operations. Two weeks ago, Asiana Cargo airlines suspended a four-day-a-week cargo service it had operated for two years between Portland and Inchon, South Korea. The airline moved the operation to Seattle, where it also operates passenger planes.

“We still think there’s an opportunity for freighter service” to replace Asiana, said David Zielke, Port of Portland general manager of air service development. “We’re currently evaluating those options.”
As for Evergreen, it has endured near-death experiences before. 

In 1994 as investors unloaded Evergreen junk bonds, Smith held tight to the debt-ridden company he founded in 1960, bucking the advice of his lawyers to seek reorganization under Chapter 11 of the federal bankruptcy code. 

Losses continued through 1996, but by 1997 the company achieved a $21.2 million profit. In 1998, the airline added service from Indonesia to New York via Columbus, Ohio. Revenues rose despite the Asian financial crisis, enabling Smith to open the aviation museum in 2000.

Eleven years later he opened the 70,000-square-foot water park. The attraction has become a local landmark, with a giant Evergreen B747-100 aircraft perched on the roof.

Story and Comments/Reaction:  http://www.oregonlive.com

Lockheed Martin to trim 65 workers in Owego: Layoffs part of 587 cuts nationwide

OWEGO — Lockheed Martin on Wednesday notified 65 employees at its Owego facility that their jobs are being eliminated.

Most will work their last shift at Lockheed Martin on Nov. 20. The Owego facility, which handles electronic systems, mission systems and sensors, and ship and aviation systems, will have 2,600 employees once the layoffs are completed.

On Wednesday, Lockheed Martin served layoff notices to 587 U.S. employees across its Mission Systems and Training business. Keith Little, senior manager of public relations at Lockheed’s Mission Systems and Training, declined to disclose which facility was the hardest hit.

Lockheed’s Salina plant, near Syracuse, notified 80 employees on Wednesday, dropping the facility’s total employment to approximately 1,600. Last week, it was reported that Lockheed Martin abandoned a plan to close the Salina plant and transfer the employees to other facilities, including sending 280 to Owego.

Across Mission Systems and Training, Little said, the layoffs were not targeted toward one specific discipline.

“This action ... is necessary to address continuing challenges in our business environment, including continued uncertain program funding, delays in contract awards and an extremely competitive market,” Little said in a statement.

On Oct. 16, Lockheed Martin announced it would be cutting approximately 600 U.S. positions across its Mission Systems and Training business. Those employees were notified Wednesday.

In mid-July, Lockheed announced a similar layoff that would eliminate approximately 300 U.S. positions across Mission Systems and Training. But in August, the world’s largest defense company served layoff notices to 367 U.S. employees, including 25 in Owego.

The reasoning for the current round of layoffs and the one carried out over the summer is almost identical, as Lockheed officials in both instances said the cuts were necessary to address unclear program funding, delays in contract awards and a competitive market.

Mission Systems and Training has about 16,000 employees at more than 100 sites, including the Owego facility and the Salina plant.

Source:  http://www.pressconnects.com

Lockheed Martin issues layoff notices to 80 employees in Salina  

WASHINGTON -- Lockheed Martin Corp. said today that it will lay off 80 employees at its plant at Electronics Park in Salina, part of a larger nationwide cutback of 587 people in its Mission Systems and Training division.

Employees were notified of the layoffs this morning, Lockheed officials said. Most of the layoffs will be effective in two weeks. The affected employees will be offered undisclosed severance benefits and outplacement services. 

Lockheed Martin is Onondaga County's largest for-profit employer, with about 1,700 employees in Salina before today's announcement.

The company signed a 30-year incentive deal with New York state in 1996 that requires it to employ at least 1,500 people at the Electronics Park plant. In return, Lockheed was given a series of economic incentives, including a 30-year lease on their state-owned property for $1.

Lockheed announced plans for the layoffs Oct. 16. The company said the cutbacks are "necessary to address continuing challenges in our business environment, including continued uncertain program funding, delays in contract awards and an extremely competitive market."

Story and Comments/Reaction:  http://www.syracuse.com

 

Lockheed Martin Corp. will cut about 600 U.S. positions across its Mission Systems and Training business, which includes its facility in Owego, pictured above.

La Crosse Regional Airport (KLSE), Wisconsin: Cashiers lose jobs to automated pay stations

LA CROSS, WI (WXOW)— Doug Gourley has loved coming to work as a cashier at the airport for the last four years. 

 "I thought I'd grow old at this job. We'll see what happens," Gourley said.

On December 9, the La Crosse Airport is letting their contract expire with Standard Parking, the company that operates the parking lot pay booths.

Eight employees, that run one booth, will be replaced with two automated pay stations.

"Lots of words come to mind," Gourley said. "I don't know what I can say. It bites."

Clint Torp, Airport Manager said their existing gear is aging.

"It was time to replace equipment," Torp said. "The same move the rest of the industry is moving towards automating these systems."

Ultimately, the decision came down to customer experience.

"Right now we are only able to keep one booth open," Torp said. "So when a flight lets go we get significant backups."

"I think for the business people it will be great because they'll be able to credit card. 80-percent of business here is credit card they'll be able to zip in zip out," Gourley said. 

People wanting to pay cash will have to go inside the airport.

Anyone with problems out at the booths can get help with the touch of a button.

"That person is going to be looking through a little camera trying to figure out what your problem is. Where as I know what your problem is and I can fix it right now," Gourley said.

But there is nothing he can do about it besides counting down the days and hitting the job boards.

"It took me two years after I got hurt on another job to get this job," Gourley said. "So I don't know how long it's going to take me to find another job. Who wants to hire a 53-year-old with health problems?"

Torp said the airport will be posting two part time jobs to help with maintaining the new automated systems.

He said people currently working in the booth are able to apply.

Source:  http://www.wxow.com

Emirates airlines’ to hire cabin crew on November 5th: The recruitment team to host Open Day in Egypt

Here’s news for job-seekers residing out of the UAE who wish to pursue a career with Emirates airlines.

The Dubai-based carrier will be looking to hire cabin crew members next month in Cairo, Egypt.

The recruitment process will take place on November 5, 2013, at 9am at the Fairmont Heliopolis & Towers, Uruba Street, Heliopolis, Cairo, Egypt.

“Our recruitment team will be hosting an Open Day to meet potential applicants in person. Please bring with you an updated CV along with passport-size and full-length photos,” reads an advert by the airline.

To be eligible as a candidate, you should be at least 21 years old, have an arm reach of at least 212cm (on tip toes) in order to reach emergency equipment on all aircraft and be medically fit to meet air crew requirements, the ad specifies.

On the education front, you should have studied at least until high-school level and be able to demonstrate strong problem-solving skills. You should also be fluent in spoken and written English (additional languages are desirable). Besides this basic criteria, the airline seeks candidates with positive attitude with a natural ability to provide excellent service in a team environment and when dealing with people from many cultures.

“We are looking for exceptional people to join our award-winning team. You should share our unlimited curiosity, embrace other cultures and have a passion for customer satisfaction,” adds the airline.

Pay packages have not been specified by the airline but normally an Emirates cabin crew member gets a fixed monthly cash payment (related to the position and based on the knowledge and competencies of the individual).

Besides this, Emirates provides shared cabin crew accommodation with own bedroom. Profit sharing schemes, exchange rate protection scheme, professional specialist allowances also make up a part of the package. However, these benefits depend upon the role and/or applicant’s unique personal circumstance.

Source:   http://www.emirates247.com

Suspension extended for Caribbean Airlines manager

(Trinidad Express) A Caribbean Airlines Ltd (CAL) manager has received an additional two weeks suspension, as an investigation continues into a multi-million dollar alleged racket involving the use of fraudulent credit cards which has already cost CAL more than TT$12 million in losses.

The accounting manager was initially sent on leave on September 23 for two weeks.

While on leave, management requested he provide the CAL board, led by Phillip Marshal, with a comprehensive report about the transactions which led to CAL’s losses.

Sources say from January 2012 to June 2013, CAL has lost more than US$1,721,792 in charge backs.

Charge backs are the return of funds to customers. It is the reversal of a prior outbound transfer of funds.

Following a forensic investigation by CAL’s internal auditing department and Ernst and Young, the manager at the airline was suspended for two weeks.

The credit card activities sources say, involve European, Jamaican and Nigerian individuals.

Sources say the scam involves the booking of airline tickets via credit card.

“Calls to our centers come in after 6 p.m., when banks are closed and we have no way of verifying the information on the cards,” the source said.

Adding that the fraudsters normally booked business class tickets to the United States, England and several Caribbean countries, the source said after the booking was made, the transaction was cancelled, following which the fraudsters called back the centres saying they wished to cancel the transactions and get a refund.

Contacted for a comment, CAL’s communications head Clint Williams said it was not CAL’s policy to “discuss publicly, confidential staff matters”.

http://www.stabroeknews.com

Premier Aviation signs contract with Cape Air, creating dozens of jobs with hope of more in the future

Rome (WSYR-TV) - An airline has signed a contract with Premier Aviation in Rome, a deal that will create 15 jobs and hopefully more in the future.

Premier Aviation has been contracted on a three-year-deal to paint up to 70 of Cape Air's passenger aircraft.

The company is recruiting 15 people to work in the paint facility, but they're also looking to fill 50 other positions in the near future.

The Premier Aviation overhaul center deals with maintenance, repairs, and paint jobs.

“It's the only paint bay in the Northeast. We'll have 25 full-time dedicated employees. This is a stepping stone to this paint hanger," said Jennifer Rapson, Financial Controller with Premier Aviation.

Rapson says the 15 positions are entry level, but that there is potential for growth within the company.

"We need people to stay in the paint program, but we need them to excel further in to other areas possibly," Rapson said.

Rapson says major contracts are in the works, which could mean more jobs for the area. 


Source:  http://www.9wsyr.com