SMOOTHING OUT THE TURBULENCE
Shanna McCord

Only three weeks ago, 26-year old Heather Roberts had what she considered her dream job. She was traveling the world on a whim and making a living, first with Southwest Airlines and most recently on board with United. That came to a screeching halt when the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11 brought her job as a flight attendant to an end. Now as she and thousands of other airline employees are left wondering where to earn their next paycheck, California Governor Gray Davis is stepping in to help.

Davis has temporarily amended the state unemployment insurance law by waiving the usual mandatory one-week waiting period for airline industry workers, including flight attendants like Roberts, pilots, baggage handlers, and parking attendants. In a letter to California Employment Development Director, Michael Bernick, Davis said, “I am committed to reducing the economic hardship of our airline and airport workers, laid off through no fault of their own.”

The Employment Development Department estimates there are approximately 145,000 people employed in services directly tied to the airline industry in California but at this point it’s too early to tell how many people have lost their jobs or how many will benefit from Davis’ amendment to the unemployment law. “We’re still trying to implement the change and get the word out. As of yet, I have no numbers back,” said Suzanne Schroeder, E.D.D. information officer.

Schroeder emphasizes that the governor’s executive order in no way provides extra or additional benefits to any individual; it only allows more immediate access. “Benefits run out after 26 weeks, there’s no extension,” Schroeder said.

The governor’s amendment is designed only as a temporary reprieve. The one-week waiting period waver expires at the end of the year and the normal rules surrounding eligibility still apply.

In order to qualify for benefits, unemployment recipients must have lost their job by no fault of their own. They must be able and available for work. In addition, they must be able to prove to the E.D.D. that they are actively seeking new employment. The maximum amount of money a person can collect in one week is $230, although Governor Davis has proposed raising that limit to $330 next year.

While exact unemployment numbers have yet to surface, San Francisco International Airport and United Airlines are expected to take the brunt of the state’s layoffs. Of the 74 airlines providing service at SFO, United holds more than 50 percent of the market share. But a drastic drop in ticket sales after the hijackings of Sept. 11 has forced United to furlough approximately 20,000 employees in order to stay in business.

One man, speaking only on anonymity, said he has been put on a 45-day leave of absence from United without pay. He’s still an active member of the airline’s union, which makes him ineligible to collect unemployment insurance. He’s under orders from the airline not to provide any further details about his job.

Exactly how many United employees will be affected at SFO or surrounding Bay Area airports is uncertain at this point. What is definite, by not only United but other airlines as well, are reduced flight schedules and indefinite hiring freezes. “We’ve seen a decrease in flight activity by at least 20 percent since Sept. 11 and for Phoenix International Airport, that’s huge,” said Jennifer Dawes, America West Human Resources Manager.

Dawes said America West must cut its 12,000 member staff by 2,000 before February. Just this past Friday 250 flight attendants were told they no longer had jobs with the small airline based out of Phoenix, Arizona. “We’re laying off continually through the end of November,” Dawes said.

Roberts, who had been in the industry since graduating from college four years ago, said she’s disappointed to be among the thousands let go. “I’ll miss the excitement of constantly meeting new people and the spontaneous travel that the job allowed.” But she says this is a learning lesson and a chance to seek new fulfilling employment. And as of yet, she’s still waiting for her first unemployment check.