United Airlines announced on Monday that they plan to cut 600 additional flight attendant jobs, effective August 31. Among the U.S.’s largest carriers, United appears to be doing the worst, as they continue their spiral as demand continues to be in a slump. The move means that United will be reducing their workforce by 16 percent.
United is not the only carrier caught up in the cutting. American Airlines has big cuts that will become effective sometime in October (I want to say Oct. 1). US Airways announced that they’re accepting voluntary layoffs, but unfortunately it looks as though there will always be a good few that will have to be cut, whether they like it or not.
If capacity is being cut, you would have to think that the work force would have to be reduced as well, and that’s exactly what’s happening. It’s tough luck for the aviation industry, as many of the positions involved usually use specifically trained individuals. Once the economy gets back on its feet, and air travel starts to get big again, I’m sure many of those furloughed will be called back in no time.
