Phil Anderson, first officer of United Airlines (UAL.O), has turned down possibilities to be promoted to captain because he does not want the erratic schedule that comes with a higher salary.
Anderson is one of several United employees who have declined that promotion, and experts and union leaders say the consequent lack of captains – who serve as head pilots – might reduce the number of flights accessible to passengers by next summer. According to one industry insider, it’s known as the “no one wants to be a junior captain syndrome.”
According to Robert Mann, a former airline CEO who now operates a consultancy business, several smaller regional airlines have already been forced to curtail their flights by up to 20% owing to manpower difficulties. Mann cautioned that if pilots refuse to assume the captain’s position, airlines like United may face the same situation, despite the fact that passengers are returning to fly in greater numbers.
Finding pilots ready to further their careers is not only a United issue.
According to union data, almost 7,000 pilots at American Airlines (AAL.O) have elected not to take a captain’s position. According to Dennis Tajer, a representative for American Airlines’ pilots union, the number of pilots refusing promotions has more than quadrupled in the last seven years.
A first officer assists in flight navigation and operation, but a captain is the pilot in command and is responsible for the plane’s safety. While both are union employment, they are classified differently and paid differently.
According to United pilot union statistics, bids for 978 captain jobs, or over half of all vacancies listed, have gone unfulfilled in the last year. In June, 96 of 198 available positions remained vacant.
According to union figures, the Chicago-based carrier currently employs around 5,900 captains and 7,500 first officers.
After the summer travel peak, airlines often begin training captains.
