Release #02.021
March 22, 2002

ATA ALPA Pilots, Families to Rally in Support of Negotiating Committee

CHICAGO – American Trans Air cockpit crewmembers and their families will rally at Chicago’s Brookfield Zoo on Saturday, March 23, to demonstrate their unity and support of the ATA pilots’ Negotiating Committee.

ATA crewmembers are represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, International. Amtran, Inc. (AMTR) is the holding company for ATA. ATA cockpit crewmembers and management began negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement in May 2000. After 19 months of talks, the parties entered federal mediation December 2001.

"What we are seeking to achieve at the collective bargaining table is security and stability for ATA pilot families ¾ a fair contract that recognizes the invaluable role that the pilots and flight engineers have played in making ATA a successful and growing major airline," said Captain Kevin Friel, chairman of the ATA ALPA unit. "This rally is the first of many family-oriented events that we’ll be holding to keep our families informed of the negotiations and to help prepare them for the possibility that management may force us into an unwanted strike to achieve a fair contract."

"For too long our families have had to endure pilot pay that is below industry standards, demanding work schedules that leave pilots little time at home, and inadequate retirement that makes it difficult to plan for the future," Friel said. "ATA families know that ATA crewmembers are highly trained and experienced professionals and they stand with us in our efforts to achieve a contract that also recognizes our skills and expertise."

Below are details of the ATA cockpit crewmembers’ Family Awareness Rally:

Where: Chicago’s Brookfield Zoo – Indoors at the zoo’s Discovery Center

When: Saturday, March 23, 2002 between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. (Indoor speaker event begins at 2:15 p.m.)

Founded in 1931, ALPA is the world’s oldest and largest pilot union representing more than 64,000 cockpit crewmembers at 43 airlines in the U.S. and Canada. Visit the ALPA website at www.alpa.org.

# # #

ALPA Contacts: Captain Matt Ellis (310) 213-9324
On-site contact, Captain Kevin Friel