Flight Options Furloughs Due to Frax Flying Falloff

By Matt Thurber

November 25, 2008
Fractional

Fractional share operator Flight Options has furloughed more than 100 pilots, according to Mat Slinghoff, president of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 1108, which is in contract negotiations with Flight Options. Some mechanics and operational personnel were also laid off, according to Jay Heublein, Flight Options vice president of sales and marketing.

“Everybody recognizes the fact that general aviation is off 30 to 40 percent over the past year,” he said. “Flight Options has clearly not been immune to that, although it’s not to that extent, and there has been a meaningful decline in the way our clients have chosen to use their aircraft shares over the past 30 to 60 days.

Although not formally under contract with Flight Options, IBT1108 negotiated a letter of agreement covering the pilot furloughs, which provides furlough pay until the end of December and medical benefits through the end of January. The furlough was seniority-based and includes a right-of-return clause.

“We have been working very closely with management,” Slinghoff said. “I think it’s an unfortunate but necessary furlough as a result of global economic pressures.”

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