ALPA Attacks ‘Outsourcing’ During UA-CAL Talks

Pilot leaders from Continental and United Airlines have proposed abolishing so-called regional jet outsourcing during contract negotiations in Denver. The Air Line Pilots Association, which represents the pilots of both Continental and United, wants any new contract at the would-be merged airline to contain language calling for a kind of phased approach to eventually dismantling the system that relies so heavily on regional affiliates. According to a spokesperson for ALPA’s Continental unit, the union has proposed placing an initial cap on subcontracting, allowing the contracts with the regional carriers to run their course and, finally, requiring a transition of the flying from the regionals to the newly merged major airline. If implemented as written, the restrictions would eventually spell the end of the United Express system. “That could be one outcome,” acknowledged the spokesperson.