TWA Pilots Reach Agreements with TWA Airlines LLC
Agreements provide waivers necessary to facilitate smooth transition with American Airlines

ST. LOUIS — TWA pilots, represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA), have reached agreements with TWA Airlines LLC, the wholly owned American Airlines subsidiary that will operate as the successor to TWA.

The agreements include amendments to the Scope, Benefits and Successorship provisions of the pilots’ Collective Bargaining Agreement as required by American’s asset purchase agreement with TWA. In a letter to American Chairman and CEO Donald J. Carty today, Captain Robert A. Pastore said the pilots wanted "to ensure a prompt closing" of American’s acquisition of TWA, noting their strong support for the acquisition. Pastore is chairman of the TWA ALPA Master Executive Council.

In the letter, Captain Pastore cited commitments made by Mr. Carty in saying that the pilots "expect issues related to the integration of our pilots into the American system will be fairly resolved with our participation."

ALPA and its pilot members pledged their cooperation for a smooth integration and a commitment to the successful operation of TWA Airlines LLC, at a superior level. Under the new contract, ALPA will continue as the pilots’ union and bargaining agent when TWA Airlines LLC begins operating.

The full text of today’s letter to Mr. Carty from ALPA, copies of which were also sent to TWA President and CEO William Compton, Missouri Sens. Kit Bond and Jean Carnahan, Rep. Richard Gephardt, and Missouri Gov. Bob Holden, follows:

"The pilots of TWA, represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, International, have been strong supporters of American’s acquisition of TWA. That support arises from the commitments you made along with the conviction that the acquisition is the best next step in TWA’s long and distinguished history. You have described TWA as a "perfect fit." We share that spirit and hope that it will guide the integration of TWA and American.

"Consistent with our support for the transaction, we have reached a new agreement with TWA Airlines LLC, the wholly owned American Airlines subsidiary that will operate as the successor to TWA. Although the agreement, in order to ensure a prompt closing, does not address all our concerns, we fully expect that issues related to the integration of our pilots into the American system will be fairly resolved with our participation as we go forward.

"At ALPA, in continuing as the TWA pilots’ union and bargaining agent, we pledge our cooperation for a smooth integration and commitment to the successful operation of TWA Airlines LLC, at a superior level. TWA brings much value to this new endeavor as part of the American Airlines family: A solid operation, a key Midwest hub, valuable slots, gates and routes and, most of all, a top-notch pilot group.

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Contact: Scott Sherrin (314) 770-8500