New York, Oct 1 (AFP/APP):Workers from the beleaguered US airline industry were making a last-ditch public appeal this week to coax more money from Capitol Hill power brokers to save their jobs. The first day of October concludes the period when US carriers that received billions in aid from Congress promised to refrain from laying off workers. American Airlines was the first to announce cuts, saying it will begin furloughing 19,000 workers from Thursday as US officials have failed to reach a deal on fresh aid to the pandemic-hit air travel sector. A package of loans totaling up to $25 billion to seven US carriers announced Tuesday night by the Treasury Department provides funds for airlines to ride out a prolonged downturn amid the coronavirus, but won’t affect plans for furloughs, airline sources said. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said Wednesday on CNBC he was hopeful airlines would postpone layoffs if congressional leaders can reach a framework for a deal, saying it was “critical” for Congress to act. Meanwhile, flight attendants have taken to social media with tearful photos of what could be their last flight on the job and anxious appeals for lawmakers to act. “I cannot afford to be … Continue reading Layoffs loom for beleaguered US airline industry