Mar 4, 2006 11:26 pm US/Central
Travelers Breathe Sigh Of Relief
by Maya Nishikawa
(WCCO)
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Travelers were closely watching the developments as the pilots union threatened to strike, but with the pilots and Northwest Airlines reaching a tentative agreement, travelers breathed a sigh of relief.
Scenes like pilots walking in an information picket Tuesday made spring break travelers very nervous this week. Some St. Cloud State University students planned to head to Acapulco, Mexico and weren't positive their plans would work out.
St. Cloud State University student Amanda Sexton said, "We were really worried about it. We were checking online ... the news online to see what they decided everyday."
Now the deal is in the works, they can all enjoy the college rite of passage in peace. However, most passengers were happy their plans were still on.
Northwest passenger Bill Dotlich said, "We don't go on vacations every other week. We don't have any problem with it (flying Northwest) at all."
In the deal, the airline will get $358 million in annual labor savings. Although the cuts were painful for the pilots, the concessions may save both their jobs and the airline.
The details of the agreement have not been made public. Union leadership reviewed the deal during the weekend and it will be sent to the membership for ratification, likely on Monday.
Some travelers were still worried something could go wrong.
Spring break traveler Joe Casavan said, "I am a little nervous, because once we get down there, it's a little tough to drive back."
Julie Warzecha was more nervous about sending her teenage daughter on her first solo flight, than any disruption on the airlines.
Warzecha said, "I just assume everything will work out for the best and everything will go forward."
Though travelers have been worried about their own future plans, they're glad the hometown airline is also staying on course.
Traveler Bruce Egdahl said, "I feel bad for the workers, but it's a big airline and it would be a big hit if it were to close down."
Egdahl said he wished there were more alternatives.
"I know Northwest services the Midwest well, but I'm concerned about it," Egdahl said. "I think they might be in trouble. We know they're in trouble, but I have to fly them because they the connections."
In the agreement, airline executives agreed to keep Northwest pilots flying regional jets instead of sourcing them out. Pilots said they're also hopeful the deal will save their pensions or at least freeze them.
The pilots union was the last to make a deal. The airline is trying to get a $1.5 billion in annual labor cuts.
(© MMVI, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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