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SCHLANG v. KEY AIRLINES, INC.
794 F.Supp. 1493 (1992)
Lawrence H. SCHLANG and Olen Rae Goodwin, Plaintiffs,
v.
KEY AIRLINES, INC., a Delaware Corporation, Bain Investments, Inc., a Massachusetts Corporation, Presidential Airways, Inc., a Delaware Corporation, Coleman Andrews, James Bridges, William F. Swaim, Jr., Thomas Kolfenbach, Sean Deaton, Steven W. Wilson, Donald Kyker, Jointly and Severally, and Does I-X, Defendants.
No. CV-S-86-838 RDF.
United States District Court, D. Nevada.
July 24, 1992.
Jack E. Kennedy and Sherry Bowers, Reno, Nev., for plaintiffs.
Thomas P. Brown, Los Angeles, Cal., Michael L. Lowry, Atlanta, Ga., for defendants.
DECISIONROGER D. FOLEY, District Judge. INTRODUCTIONLawrence H. Schlang and Olen Rae Goodwin ("Plaintiffs") initiated this action against (1) three corporations — Key Airlines, Bain Investments and Presidential Airways; (2) six individuals — Coleman Andrews, James Bridges, William Swaim, Jr., Thomas Kolfenbach, Sean Deaton, Steven Wilson, Donald Kyker. Plaintiffs alleged violations of (1) the Railway Labor Act ("RLA"), 45 U.S.C. §§ 155-188; (2) the False Claims Act; and (3) retaliatory discharge in violation of both the RLA and state public policy; (4) breach of Plaintiffs' express and implied contracts of employment; (5) breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing; and (6) breach of contract for failure to pay bonuses, incentives and profit-sharing. Additionally, Plaintiff SCHLANG alleged defamation. On March 13, 1987, this court granted motions to dismiss Defendants PRESIDENTIAL AIRWAYS and BAIN INVESTMENTS, INC. from this action. Additionally, this court granted Defendants' motion for summary judgment for alleged violations of the False Claims Act. After transcripts of testimony and arguments of counsel were prepared and both parties' post-trial briefs were filed, the case was submitted to the Court for decision in September, 1991. The following recitation provides a brief orientation to this case. Key Airlines ("Key"), is a supplemental air carrier as defined by the Federal Air Regulations ("FARs"). A supplemental carrier is essentially a contract charter service, and therefore does not sell tickets to the general public. Key first hired Plaintiff GOODWIN in 1983, and then furloughed him in 1984. He rejoined Key in October 1984, at a salary of $36,000 per annum, later raised to $37,000 per annum, and continued in Key's employ until March 5, 1986. Plaintiff SCHLANG joined Key in May 1985 and worked for Key until March 5, 1986. His salary was $35,000 per annum.
In the spring of 1985, Key considered a change in their pilots' compensation package. In addition to a new pay schedule, management considered a system of bonuses, incentives and profitsharing. Plaintiff GOODWIN learned of these proposed changes in a May 1985 pilots' meeting. Plaintiff SCHLANG heard similar representations in his May 1985 job interview. By September 1985, however, Key made it clear that the pilots would not receive any bonuses, incentives or profit shares.
1. It is noted Brown mentions "backpay pittance". Here Plaintiffs get no compensatory damages.
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