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United Airlines pilots sent a public letter to invite management to tour what they call the "LAX Ghetto," a section of the parking lot where many of them spend the night in motor homes as they wait for their next shift.
The tour will be held tomorrow, May 24 at 11am in Lot E.
The pilots are frustrated that they have worked under a 9-year old bankruptcy contract and have made little progress to negotiate new terms in more than two years. The complaints have been publicized on "The Unfriendly Skies" website.
"As you know, the United Airlines pilots made numerous sacrifices following the tragedy of September 11, 2001 to help the company stay in business," the letter states. "Between 2003 and 2005, the average pilot has taken over a 42 percent pay cut. We’ve lost all of our ESOP stock and pensions as a result of the bankruptcy and on top of that, there are currently 1,437 furloughed pilots…"
"We propose meeting with you at LAX on Thursday, May 24 at 11am," the letter continued. "Some of the pilots who regularly stay at the ghetto have offered to give up their pillow and bed for the evening so that United executives can spend the night. We look forward to showing you the ghetto and giving you an opportunity to see for your own eyes how pilots are faring as United management collects its bonuses."
