The sour economy has caused the freight volume of the United Parcel Service (UPS) to drop sharply forcing the company to propose significant budget cuts, including the furloughing of 300 pilots. UPS and its pilots’ union, the Independent Pilots Association (IPA) has reached an agreement to freeze furloughing until at least April 2010. UPS First Officer, Brent Maggio says, “I’ve been furloughed a number of times in my flying career, but at my age of 49, I’m not in a position to start over from scratch. I have a house and a family to provide for and flying jobs are currently few and far between.” The agreement is certainly good news for Brent and his fellow pilots, but hopefully things improve by April so furloughing can be avoided, once more.

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