Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

United Woes Pile Up 3 Days After Storm

Carrier blames pilot shortage for cancellations; pilots blame staff cuts

By Jim O'Neill,  Newser User

Posted Dec 27, 2007 9:06 AM CST

(Newser) – United Airlines cancellations yesterday continued to pile up for a third straight day, as the world's second biggest carrier blamed a Sunday storm that slammed its Chicago hub and a shortage of pilots. But the pilots' union pointed the finger at staffing cuts, saying, "The weather wouldn't have mattered if they had enough people," reports the Chicago Tribune.

United canceled 148 flights Monday, 324 Tuesday, and 173 yesterday because it was unable to get crews in position after flying all night Sunday to compensate for the storm. The airline was expected to operate at close to normal today. Neither American nor Southwest airlines, both with a large presence in Chicago, reported major disruptions.

O'Hare Airport faces a busy holiday weekend.
O'Hare Airport faces a busy holiday weekend.   (Getty Images)
A United Airlines passenger jet takes off from the runway.
A United Airlines passenger jet takes off from the runway.   (Getty Images)
United Airlines aircraft stack up on the tarmac outside the gates of a concourse at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago, Ill.
United Airlines aircraft stack up on the tarmac outside the gates of a concourse at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago, Ill.   (Associated Press)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Be the first to comment on this story.

More Newser Stories

And the Airline With the Most Complaints Is...

7 Puppies Dead After American Airlines Flight

Airline Customer Satisfaction Rises (for Once)

5 Airlines Agree Not to Charge Fee for Carry-On Bags

After Turbulent Year, Airlines See Smoother 2009


NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne