Spirit Airline Pilots Walk Out

Spirit Airlines was grounded Saturday when pilots staged a walkout because they say their wages are below industry standards. The strike marks the first to hit the American airline industry in five years. Workers see the industry recovering after a decade of tough economic conditions and want to get back wages lost during cost-cutting. About 30 U.S. carriers are in talks mediated by federal officials, and European airlines have suffered from strikes. The head of the pilots’ union said they were prepared to strike for “as long as it takes” to get concessions from the low-cost carrier. Spirit is known for aggressive cost controls.