Release #01.01
January 9, 2001

Washington, DC – Representatives at the Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA) and Atlantic Coast Airlines Holdings, Inc. (Atlantic Coast) jointly announced today they have reached a tentative agreement in principle on a new contract with the airline’s 1,100 pilots. The proposed four and a half year agreement includes industry-leading pay rates as well as improvements in benefits, training, and other areas of the contract. As with the previous agreement, this contract covers pilots flying for the Atlantic Coast Airlines/United Express operation, as well as Atlantic Coast Jet/Delta Connection.

Capt. John Swigart, Master Executive Council chairman of the Atlantic Coast ALPA unit, said, "This is the second consecutive contract Atlantic Coast and ALPA have reached in under a year. In a time when airline contracts often take years to renegotiate, we commend our management for their commitment to reaching an agreement in a timely manner that reflects the pilots’ contributions to our company’s growth and keeps Atlantic Coast the best in the business."

According to Atlantic Coast President and Chief Operating Officer Tom Moore, "This new agreement reflects the value we place on maintaining a high-level relationship with our pilot group. We have established a pay structure that is well in keeping with current and future market standards, and have placed an increasing emphasis on long-term security with greater retirement benefits for our crew members."

The tentative agreement is subject to finalization of specific contract language and approval by the pilots and their ALPA leadership.

Atlantic Coast operates as United Express in the Eastern and Midwestern United States, and as Delta Connection in the Eastern U.S. The company has a fleet of 105 aircraft and offers approximately 650 daily departures, serving 51 destinations in 24 states.

ALPA is the world’s oldest and largest professional pilots union, representing 59,000 crewmembers at 49 carriers in the U.S. and Canada. Visit the ALPA website at cf.alpa.org.