Jet Airways strike

Boston123

Just heard that Jet Airways has cancelled somewhere around 130 to 140 (domestic) flights. What does the prognosis look like? The US media has labeled it 'Chaos in Indian air travel'.

Also, it appears the pilots went on mass sick leave, in sympathy with 2 pilots who were fired. Job terminations happen all the time, and I understood the forum to address this might be: The 2 pilots, Jet Airways and the courts/mediators?? What does a 'mass sick leave' have to do with this( looks like they do not want to call it a strike?)? Do they not realize they are crippling an already( financially)weak airline?

Hal

That's too bad. I like Jet and fly with them when I can.

thejag

i guess they are assuming they (jet and co...) have deep pockets and are hankering for their pound of flesh...

EJS

Apparently it is about 400 pilots who have gone on sick leave after a proposed strike was called off. It has continued today and about some flights have been cancelled.

There is potential that Jetlite pilots might fill in on sme of the flights - though I assume this would affect the Jet lite flights.

The advice I have seen is to reconfirm flights - Jet Airways can be contacted on +91 11 39893333. And to be on time / early for flights so the seats don't get given away to stand by passengers....

traveller_from_hyd

India is not dependent on Jet Airways.

It is one of the bigger airlines but certainly not the only one.

Most flights are running half empty even without Jet Airways.

A lot of other choices are available.

There used to be 61 flights every day from Mumbai to Delhi (56 non-stop and 5 with 1 halt).

With Jet Airways not flying, we still have 49 flights (45 if we remove JetLite also from the list).

So, where is the panic?????

EJS

I suppose for people who have already booked flights with Jet airways and don't know if they are going to fly at all or on time.

And for those on other airlines who might be affected by delays - there was some suggestion delays at Jet might affect other airlines, but I have no idea if that is true.

I agree, not necessarily a big panic, but there will be some impact for people travelling by air.

costaguana

It's a nasty situation all round. The hairs on the back of my neck bristle every time each side tries to pass the blame ("the management could have avoided this...", etc.) and its too bad that customers get caught in the middle of such antics. The whole thing just paints an even more discouraging picture of the Indian aviation sector. Kingfisher is drowning in debt, AI can't seem to fix its debilitating inefficiencies, and Jet can't go six months without a major labour dispute.

All the while more and more people are choosing Spicejet and Indigo!

PS: There are stories coming through about other airlines jacking up prices for stranded Jet passengers. AI seems to be somewhat more accommodating, but the sharks have smelled blood...

Nick-H

I've only just glimpsed at the news reports, but...

The two pilots were sacked, it seems, for joining a recognised trades union. Most of the rest of the world got over this sort of thing a hundred years ago. Pilots also have major grievances with the way that they are treated, which includes discrimination against local pilates who. for starters, are paid much less than ex-pats for the same job. There's more; I just don't remember.

I'd say one would have to be very screw-the-workers right wing to consider Jet to be good employers. Those who are inclined that way should wonder why anybody with a really good job should put it at risk, especially when there is a recession in their industry.

Good working relationships take two sides, however, I have always thought that ultimately, a breakdown is the fault of management who, after all, are supposed to be in charge.

So far as the industry overall is concerned, I'd guess that, yes, it is time for a few to fall by the wayside.

costaguana

From what I understand, the two pilots in question were also involved in helping to form the union. This is clearly a case of union busting by Jet, but the flip side is the pilots aren't winning any support by their actions. Jet will likely suffer in the short term because of this, and both sides will have to consider the cost of holding their ground.

Nick-H

True of most industrial action, excepting rare occasions of public sympathy.

I suppose (and yes, I speak for myself) that most of us are just interested in getting the service we pay for, and in not having our holidays disrupted

AwayFromHome

I always thought Yoga was better for oneself.
Maybe Jet should intrduce Yoga, instead of Pilates?

Nick-H

Add to that the fact that I can never work out if they are flying plains or plains....

AwayFromHome

Not much difference at first glance.

Nick-H

I think we're on the same level here --- and that's ground level for some poor Jet customers

thejag