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Alamo Drafthouse took the "devastating step" of moving employees from furloughs to layoffs, a company spokesperson said in a statement shared with Austonia.
"As we've looked at the road ahead, it's becomes increasingly clear that many positions at Alamo Drafthouse would need to be eliminated, changed, or refocused. This is a devastating step to take. It would be impossible to quantify what these Alamo Drafthouse team members have collectively contributed, and we hope that once things have stabilized, we'll be able to bring many of them back," the statement reads.
While the Austin-based movie theater chain declined to confirm the number of jobs impacted, both Austin Chronicle and IndieWire reported more than 80 positions were eliminated.
There are seven Alamo locations in the Austin area.
Former employees from around the country took to social media to share the news.
Yesterday, I was forced to quit my job at Alamo Drafthouse. Other team members are sharing positive memories and st… https://t.co/Gv0iwViGeR— Tanner Agle (@Tanner Agle) 1593639676.0
Yesterday I, along with many others who were originally furloughed, was officially laid off from Alamo Drafthouse.… https://t.co/9YKF8rQOZU— Mike Sampson (@Mike Sampson) 1593617547.0
As a server who was furloughed back in March and doesn't plan on going back, please don't support the Alamo Draftho… https://t.co/jAJm6HIhTf— Sarah Lord (@Sarah Lord) 1593652811.0
The Drafthouse closed most of its 41 locations on March 16 because of the pandemic.
Founder Tim League stepped down as CEO on April 30; his replacement is former Disney and Starbucks executive Shelli Taylor.
League, who remains executive chairman, announced June 24 that select locations would reopen in July, but no date was set. Since then, Austin's COVID-19 crisis has worsened, a trend that is mirrored in cities and states across the country.
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- Alamo Drafthouse declares bankruptcy, new financial backer owns Austin American-Statesman - austonia ›
Popular
- San Marcos favorite Industry Burger opens "mid-October" on E. 5th, featuring "low key healthy" Texas fare.
- Still Austin Whiskey Co. introduces "The Artist," its new rye whiskey.
- Domain NORTHSIDE favorites Bakery Lorraine, Grimaldi's Pizzeria, Jeni's Ice Cream and Sprinkles released their fall flavors.
- Cinnaholic at The Arboretum opens Friday, October 14, serving "create your own" cinnamon rolls and other sweet treats.
- San Francisco's Marufuku Ramen opens next Wednesday, October 12, in the Mueller District.
- Carpenter Hotel announces its popup food truck, Lil Carpenter, open Fri-Sun both ACL weekends, serving what you want, early to late, coffee to donuts, to dogs/burgers/fries/beer.
(AUS airport/Instagram)
With major entertainment events slated for October, the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport is gearing up for a busy month.
Artists and music lovers are set to pack into Zilker Park for The Austin City Limits Music Festival in the coming two weekends. Following that, Formula One will bring racing fans to the Circuit of the Americas.
For those two events, the airport is anticipating high passenger days with 30,000 or more people departing flights.
ABIA recommends arriving at least two and a half hours in advance for domestic flights on those days. For ACL, it's expected on both Sundays of the festival along with the Monday and Tuesday after. The F1-driven high passenger days are expected on Oct. 20-21 and Oct. 23-26.
\u201c#AustinCityLimits visitors, you\u2019re in for a weird and wild ride \ud83e\udd18\u262e\ufe0f \n\nFlying in or out of our airport? We got firm and fun tips for you: https://t.co/RawVRalOXN\u201d— Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) (@Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS)) 1664894083
F1, especially, could draw in loads of travelers as the three-day event saw 400,000 attendees last year. ABIA warns that highways leading to the airport may see even higher traffic than usual around the event and that travelers should plan their route accordingly.
Bailey Grimmett, a spokesperson for ABIA, said travel numbers come in 24 hours in advance. So, it's hard to predict if the airport will see travel volumes at the same levels that have happened around previous F1 races or if it'll top ACL's flight traffic.
Still, she says historical knowledge points to a chance for it.
“We've had that Monday after F1 break the record for single busiest in airport history," Grimmett said. "So context clues I would say yes, but I can't confirm that. But the historical background points to that."
In anticipation of the high volume of flyers, the airport received additional TSA officers for security screening through the end of October. To prepare even further, the Department of Aviation and partners hosted a job showcase and hiring fair to address the continued labor shortage the airport has experienced.
Relief from hectic travel days is on the horizon with November likely to see a slowdown.
"I don't anticipate it will be as busy as October just because we don't have as many events going on," Grimmett said. "Thanksgiving is kind of our primary holiday that we see a lot of passengers coming in and out of the airport."
