Pittsburgh Business Times online update, December 29, 2004, 2:20 PM EST
US Airways looks for volunteers
US Airways Group Inc. is seeking volunteers to work without pay at its Philadelphia operations over the New Year's weekend, an airline spokesman said Wednesday.
David Castelveter said that the struggling carrier, which downgraded Pittsburgh from a hub to a focus city, was appealing to all employees -- not just nonunion workers, as reported earlier Wednesday -- to primarily meet and greet passengers, help with screening, and help at the check-in kiosks.
Mr. Castleveter said the company had already heard from "hundreds" willing to volunteer from Friday until Jan. 3. He said the company is "making sure we are adequately staffed."
Thousands of travelers on US Airways were stranded or separated from their luggage last weekend after airline employees called in sick in record numbers.
US Airways also cited severe weather as a cause of flight cancellations.
Meanwhile, according to the Washington Post, the airline is also examining attendance records and warned it would consider disciplinary action if it found any staff took unmerited sick leave.
US Airways (OTCBB: UAIRQ.OB), based in Virginia, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection from creditors in September.
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