As Americans prepare to emerge from COVID-19-based restrictions, Southwest Airlines is recalling 209 pilots and more than 2,700 flight attendants to meet summer travel needs. The pilots and flight attendants had participated in the company’s Extended Time-Off Program, in which they accepted partial pay for a minimum of six months and retained certain benefits, travel privileges and healthcare coverage. The cockpit and cabin crew members will return to work on June 1. Of course, the pilots will need to complete all the necessary requalification and recurrent training before returning to the flight deck, according to Southwest.
This is a companion discussion topic for the original entry at https://www.avweb.com/aviation-news/southwest-to-recall-pilots-and-flight-attendants