Release #10.SPA4
May 18, 2010

Spirit Pilots Warn Passengers to Check the Flight Schedule
Billboards in Fort Lauderdale, Atlantic City, and Detroit prepare customers for potential strike

Fort Lauderdale - Spirit pilots are helping Spirit passengers prepare for a possible pilot-strike should Spirit management refuse to return to the bargaining table to secure a new contract for Spirit pilots. This week, the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l placed billboards in Spirit Airline’s three major airport hubs alerting them to the serious labor dispute at Spirit and requesting that passengers confirm their reservations with the airline before flying.

“Any strike has the potential to disrupt plans,” said Capt. Sean Creed, leader of the Spirit unit of ALPA. “We do not want to strike, but if we do, we want our customers to be aware of what may be coming, and to make their plans accordingly.”

After three years of fruitless contract negotiations, on May 12, Spirit pilots and management entered into a 30-day cooling-off period, which ends at 12:01 a.m., June 12. At that time, either side can engage in “self-help” and the pilots may withdraw their services and lawfully strike.

“If past experience is any indication, we can’t count on Spirit management to inform our customers of the labor situation,” said Capt. Creed. “Of course, we would rather have a contract than have an interruption in service, but our customers deserve to know: without a contract, on June 12—we strike.”

Founded in 1931, ALPA is the world’s largest pilot union, representing nearly 53,000 pilots at 38 airlines in the United States and Canada. Visit the ALPA website at www.alpa.org.

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CONTACT: Sean Creed 765/481-9033
Jen Lofquist, 703/481-4459 or Jennifer.lofquist@alpa.org