=20 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- This article was sent to you by someone who found it on SFGate. The original article can be found on SFGate.com here: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=3D/news/archive/2004/05/14/f= inancial1656EDT0261.DTL --------------------------------------------------------------------- Friday, May 14, 2004 (AP) US Airways to lay off gate agents because of automation DAN NEPHIN, Associated Press Writer (05-14) 13:56 PDT PITTSBURGH (AP) -- US Airways expects to lay off about 200 gate agents in the fall because = it plans to install automated ticket readers, according to a union official. The layoffs will mostly occur at Pittsburgh International Airport and the airline's two other hubs, Philadelphia and Charlotte, N.C., said Chris Fox, president of Communications Workers of America Local 13302. The airline told the union of its plans Wednesday, Fox said. "They were supposed to talk to us before they ever ordered them," she said. "We found out that they were ordering these about six weeks ago." Fox said the airline plans to test the system over the summer and layoff notices could go out in October. Amy Kudwa, a spokeswoman for the airline, said there is no firm number of layoffs. "We're still in the initial process and there will be a small number of layoffs," Kudwa said. The airline has about 4,160 ticket and gate agents. According to the airline, the automated readers are being installed for increased customer service and to save the airline money. The airline already offers ticketing kiosks and the automated ticket readers, to be installed at airport gates, will allow bar codes on tickets to be scanned. If problems such as seating assignments arise, an agent would be contacted. Kudwa said the readers get customers "on their way to their destinations as quickly as possible." On The Net: Pittsburgh International Airport: www.pitairport.com US Airways: www.usairways.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Copyright 2004 AP