Gregory Polek has spent his entire career in aviation journalism with AIN, starting as a proofreader and assistant to then-managing editor Mary Mahoney in 1995 after serving an internship with&nbsp;New Jersey Monthly&nbsp;magazine and completing his B.A. degree in English/Writing at New Jersey’s William Paterson College. By 1997 Polek accepted a position as an associate editor, covering the regional airline beat for&nbsp;Aviation International News&nbsp;in place of retiring industry veteran Don Anderson. The assignment took Polek across North America and Europe to profile regional airlines varying in size and mission from the likes of floatplane operators Kenmore Air and Chalk’s Ocean Airways to regional jet operators such as SkyWest and American Eagle. Today, in his dual role as Air Transport Editor and International Airshow Editor, Polek writes, edits, and manages AIN’s commercial aviation content while overseeing each of the company’s daily international air show publications in Paris, Farnborough, Singapore, and Dubai. Most recently Polek has assumed oversight of daily coverage of the Helicopter Association International’s annual Heli-Expo convention.

Senior Editor

Gregory Polek

Up to 36,000 United Airlines employees—roughly a third of the U.S. carrier’s global workforce—face possible involuntary furlough starting October 1 as management attempts to avoid financial ruin amid the continuing Covid-19 crisis. United informed its employees in a notice sent on Wednesday. The furlough warnings apply to 15,100 flight attendants, 2,250 pilots, 5,500 mechanics, and some 11,000 airport operations employees. &nbsp;

 


United said it cannot continue at its current payroll level in such a depressed travel demand environment and called the move “a last resort.” Airlines that accepted funds under the payroll provisions of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act may not lay off employees until October 1.

 


In a letter to United’s pilots, the Air Line Pilots Association’s Master Executive Council reported that it has “intensely focused” on securing a so-called early-out package that will mitigate furloughs by encouraging pilots to retire early. It also said it has begun finalizing provisions for voluntary furloughs and company-offered leaves of absences (COLAs) for pilots willing to temporarily step back from active flying.

 


“None of the pilots notified today of their anticipated furlough are in this situation because of any action or decision on their part,” wrote United ALPA MEC chairman Todd Insler. “With different luck, timing, or circumstances, it could be any one of us.”

 


Association of Flight Attendants MEC president Ken Diaz called the number of job reductions sought by United “overreaching, excessive, and punitive” and not commensurate with the company’s other employee groups or with other airlines’ planned measures.

 


“I want you to remember, we will uncover every stone, give every contractually compliant option, and work diligently with management to find solutions,” wrote Diaz. “We&nbsp;will reduce this number and we will&nbsp;not&nbsp;rest until we have done every single thing in our power to avoid even one involuntary furlough.”

News about commercial airlines, including regulations, aircraft orders, safety, acquisitions, and mergers.

United Airlines Warns of Up to 36,000 Furloughs

UAL calls its decision to institute involuntary furloughs starting October 1 “a last resort.”

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

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News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

News about environmental issues relating to aircraft operations, including noise issues, emissisions, and regulations. See Fuel for biofuel.

News and issues relating to international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

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News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

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New developments at airports including regulations and noise issues; legal disputes; openings, acquisitions and mergers.

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News and developments about everything that goes into the cabin of an aircraft, from floor coverings to headliners, with a special emphasis on in-flight entertainment, communications and other electronics for passengers. If it is in the cabin of an aircraft, it’s covered here.

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