The industry and the government say the labor shortage is a minor cause of this summer's delays and cancellations. Bad weather, an over burdened air traffic control system, and a dispute between United Airlines and its pilots get most of the publicity. That labor dispute was settled, but United is still negotiating with its 15,000 mechanics, who have been without a contract since July. The Federal Aviation Administration is now scrutinizing maintenance records at the nation's nine major airlines. That action follows the January crash of an Alaska Airlines jet.
Faulty maintenance is suspected as the cause.
And twice this year, Phoenix-based America West Airlines has faced disciplinary action from the FAA over incomplete maintenance records. The topic seems difficult for airlines to discuss. A half-dozen major airlines, including America West, refused interviews or access to their maintenance operations. Even Southwest Airlines, which told us it has no shortage of mechanics, declined an on-camera interview. It creates an image that, well, when your aircraft needs maintenance, maybe it's not getting all the maintenance it needs because there aren't enough mechanics around.