Pinnacle Airlines Plans to Furlough Pilots

(Memphis) No one wants to lose their job.

“This is going to mean turmoil for our pilots,” said Tom Wychor, chairman of Pinnacle’s Air Line Pilots Association.

Pinnacle Airlines expects to furlough 450 pilots as the company eliminates 34 percent of its fleet and cuts ties with United Express and US Airways.

It’s dealing with bankruptcy.

Delta is expected to be it’s only remaining mainline partner.

Wychor says pilots with the least seniority are expected to be let go first, “They are young men and women who have freshly come out of college, with degrees and their aviation certificates.”

Wychor says many pilots are calling with questions about what to do next.

He says, fortunately, the job outlook is good.

Wychor says at least 15 airlines are looking to hire and there’s even been interest overseas, ”There are lucrative opportunities to fly our same equipment across the globe both in the Middle East and in China.”

He says Pinnacle has 350 pilots based here in Memphis.

He doesn’t yet know how many of them will be furloughed.