Pilots want court to deny request for cuts

Comair is a subsidiary of Delta Air Lines Inc.
CINCINNATI (AP) -- Comair pilots asked a U.S. Bankruptcy Court in New York on Friday to deny Comair permission to impose concessions on pilots if negotiations don't produce an agreement.
Comair, a subsidiary of Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines Inc., has said it cannot emerge from bankruptcy without the concessions -- along with those received from flight attendants and mechanics.
Comair asked the federal bankruptcy court on Nov. 2 for permission to impose concessions if an agreement isn't reached.
The motion filed Friday by the Air Line Pilots Association states that Comair is profitable and the concessions are being sought to increase profits. The company has said that it must have 15.8 million in wage cuts and other concessions from its 1,500 pilots. Comair, like Delta, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection last year.
The pilots also reject Comair's claim that it would lose Delta business without the givebacks.
While Delta may transfer some of its business from Comair, it has strong reasons not to destroy a profitable subsidiary that it may want to sell at some point, the motion states.
The pilots also argue that the concessions asked of pilots are not fair and equitable.