Hooters Air, originally scheduled to start service Thursday at Pittsburgh International Airport, has pushed its launch date back to Feb. 25. The airline, a spinoff from the Hooters restaurant chain, will offer one daily flight to Myrtle Beach, S.C.

US Airways has eliminated temporarily hot meals for first-class travelers, the result of a change in food vendors, but the airline could not say yesterday when a new food service would be introduced. For the time being, first-class transcontinental travelers are receiving, for free, the same box meal that coach travelers currently pay for. Those riding coach at US Airways have been without hot food since July 2003 and have the option of buying so-called "In-Flight Cafe" box meals -- sometimes a sandwich or a salad. In first class, hot meals had been available only on longer transcontinental flights before the airline stuck a temporary fork in that program last Tuesday.

Local US Airways retirees over the age of 65 can sign up today for health coverage sponsored by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers. As the result of a bankruptcy court decision, US Airways is taking away its sponsorship of a Medicare-related supplemental insurance package that was available to retirees above the age of 65. The IAM persuaded two health-care providers to offer new packages for Western Pennsylvania retirees. Those interested can learn more or sign up at a local IAM lodge at 228 Moon Clinton Road in Coraopolis. The meeting starts at 9:30 a.m.

US Airways is paring 52 pilot positions from its Pittsburgh roster in the spring and early summer, according to a new pilot bid sheet for the months of May and June. The loss in positions is due to a combination of retirements, early retirements, medical reasons and resignations, as well reduced flying. Philadelphia is gaining 29 positions, while Charlotte is losing 36. Overall, 88 pilot positions are being lost across the US Airways network, leaving the airline with 2,804, not counting those in supervisory positions or on leave.