Airline pilots threaten strike this Labor Day Weekend: "It's about quality of life"
NEW YORK -- It has been a challenging summer for air travel, and now another problem could be emerging ahead of the holiday weekend.
Airline pilots say they may strike, because they feel they deserve better contracts and want airlines to fix operational issues.
"It's not just about pay. Obviously pay is an issue, but it's about quality of life. Our schedules have never been worse," said Capt. Jason Ambrosi, chairman of the Delta Pilots Union.
Experts say more than 120,000 domestic flight cancelations have occurred in just the first half of the year due to various issues, including weather and staffing.
Ahead of this busy Labor Day Weekend, off-duty pilots have been picketing at a dozen airports across the country.
Traveler Lubna Zia told CBS2's Elijah Westbrook she was hoping to be one of the lucky ones to get to San Diego and back without any issues this weekend.
"This is an expensive ticket, and I hope that something is done to refund the travelers," she said. "This is completely unacceptable to me. I hope the pilots' issues are addressed."
Some marched at John F. Kennedy International Airport on Thursday, holding signs that said, "ready to strike" -- a move that not only impacts them, but the millions of passengers who fly.
"The government gave these airlines money to train these pilots and keep them current. They didn't do that, so the pilots sat at home without being current and qualified. When they brought them all back and brought the schedules back to where they were before COVID, the pilots weren't ready to fly, because they weren't trained and qualified," said Capt. Wesley Reed, executive vice president of the Air Pilots Association.
On Thursday, the Department of Transportation launched an airline customer service dashboard that helps travelers figure out which services airlines will provide when a flight is canceled or delayed due to circumstances within the airline's control. For example, all but Allegiant and Frontier will cover your hotel for an overnight cancelation.
But with the holiday weekend upon us and school starting back up for the fall, time is of the essence for some.
"I'm kind of nervous. Just because the kids need to get back home to school on time. They have back-to-school night, so I'm hoping we make it back on time," traveler Natalie Cilenti said.
"Hopefully, I get my refund, because I had to change my flight and I didn't get my refund at all," said traveler David Macancela.
Now the DOT is finalizing new regulations that would require refunds for long delays or substantial schedule changes.
Those hitting the road are reminded to drive safely.
Gov. Kathy Hochul says state and local law enforcement will be out as part of the national "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over" DWI campaign. Drivers can expect to see sobriety checkpoints and more troopers on major highways.
Last Labor Day weekend, the governor's office says troopers arrested 196 people for DWI, issued more than 10,000 tickets and investigated 661 crashes.