ATA Pilots Blast Management, Lessors for Not Saving ATA Jobs
Capt. Erik Engdahl, MEC chairman for the ATA pilots, made this statement on December 9, following America West Airlines’ announcement that it was canceling plans to make a bid for ATA’s assets in U.S. Bankruptcy Court:
“We’re deeply disappointed that America West has decided not to acquire ATA. We have believed from the beginning that the America West plan was the best deal available to preserve the jobs of ATA’s employees. Today’s decision increases the likelihood that thousands of ATA employees – including several hundred pilots and flight engineers – will be out of work within six months.
“After several intense weeks of work with America West senior management and our pilot counterparts there, we were ready to announce a plan today for a seamless integration of the ATA and America West flight crews. We had completed final language for this plan late Wednesday night and were ready to take it to our members for ratification. While we are disappointed, our next step is to review the remaining bankruptcy bids and continue to press for a plan that protects as many employees as possible while making ATA a viable competitor.
“We’re furious that ATA’s aircraft lessors apparently refused to cooperate with America West, even though the AWA plan was the best one to keep all of ATA’s airplanes flying. And we’re outraged that ATA didn’t do more to save its own employees by helping facilitate the America West plan. It appears that the highest levels of ATA’s senior management are focused more on their personal job security than the welfare of their fellow workers. We truly believed that ATA was ‘an honestly different airline’ when it came to taking care of people, but now we know better.
“Unless a White Knight materializes tomorrow, it’s going to be a bitter Christmas at ATA.
But our focus remains the same as it was before – to preserve the jobs of as many ATA flight crew members as possible. We have a lot to offer, and we are open to discussions with anyone who appreciates our value.”
America West Pilots Respond to Management’s Decision to Cancel ATA Bid
Capt. CJ Szmal, America West MEC chairman, following management’s announcement that it declined the opportunity to bid for ATA in U.S. Bankruptcy Court, said, “From the beginning, our management told us that they would pursue the opportunity only if it was in the best interest of the America West and its employees.
“We had been kept apprised of details in the America West proposal, and it is fair to say that it was not a back-of-the-envelope plan. However, without the support of ATA aircraft lessors, America West senior management was ultimately unable to proceed with a proposal based on solid financial footing. We are disappointed that our airline has declined the opportunity to bid for ATA; however, we recognize the detail that management put forward into making the proposal happen and respect their efforts to secure the future of all America West employees.
“Over the past several weeks, the America West MEC has worked intensely to ensure that we were prepared if America West submitted a successful bid and that the rights of the America West pilots would be protected. These efforts culminated in an agreement on labor-related issues among the America West MEC, the ATA MEC and America West management.
“We were determined not to be behind the power curve, and we succeeded. The lessons learned from this experience will only make us stronger as the airline industry continues to consolidate. In fact, America West CEO Doug Parker said in his statement today that he anticipates being a player in future growth and acquisition opportunities as the industry continues to evolve, and we will be prepared.
“We sincerely hope that whoever the future investors in ATA are, they realize the value its employees would bring with any assets they are acquiring. Having worked with the ATA MEC, it is fair to say that if America West submitted a successful proposal, our airline would have been enriched with the integration of ATA pilots. With their now-uncertain future, the America West MEC would like to extend the promise that I will meet with America West senior management to explore the possibility that any unemployed pilot of ATA be afforded preferential hiring at America West as we continue our planned growth.”
Capt. Erik Engdahl, MEC chairman for the ATA pilots, made this statement on December 9, following America West Airlines’ announcement that it was canceling plans to make a bid for ATA’s assets in U.S. Bankruptcy Court:
“We’re deeply disappointed that America West has decided not to acquire ATA. We have believed from the beginning that the America West plan was the best deal available to preserve the jobs of ATA’s employees. Today’s decision increases the likelihood that thousands of ATA employees – including several hundred pilots and flight engineers – will be out of work within six months.
“After several intense weeks of work with America West senior management and our pilot counterparts there, we were ready to announce a plan today for a seamless integration of the ATA and America West flight crews. We had completed final language for this plan late Wednesday night and were ready to take it to our members for ratification. While we are disappointed, our next step is to review the remaining bankruptcy bids and continue to press for a plan that protects as many employees as possible while making ATA a viable competitor.
“We’re furious that ATA’s aircraft lessors apparently refused to cooperate with America West, even though the AWA plan was the best one to keep all of ATA’s airplanes flying. And we’re outraged that ATA didn’t do more to save its own employees by helping facilitate the America West plan. It appears that the highest levels of ATA’s senior management are focused more on their personal job security than the welfare of their fellow workers. We truly believed that ATA was ‘an honestly different airline’ when it came to taking care of people, but now we know better.
“Unless a White Knight materializes tomorrow, it’s going to be a bitter Christmas at ATA.
But our focus remains the same as it was before – to preserve the jobs of as many ATA flight crew members as possible. We have a lot to offer, and we are open to discussions with anyone who appreciates our value.”
America West Pilots Respond to Management’s Decision to Cancel ATA Bid
Capt. CJ Szmal, America West MEC chairman, following management’s announcement that it declined the opportunity to bid for ATA in U.S. Bankruptcy Court, said, “From the beginning, our management told us that they would pursue the opportunity only if it was in the best interest of the America West and its employees.
“We had been kept apprised of details in the America West proposal, and it is fair to say that it was not a back-of-the-envelope plan. However, without the support of ATA aircraft lessors, America West senior management was ultimately unable to proceed with a proposal based on solid financial footing. We are disappointed that our airline has declined the opportunity to bid for ATA; however, we recognize the detail that management put forward into making the proposal happen and respect their efforts to secure the future of all America West employees.
“Over the past several weeks, the America West MEC has worked intensely to ensure that we were prepared if America West submitted a successful bid and that the rights of the America West pilots would be protected. These efforts culminated in an agreement on labor-related issues among the America West MEC, the ATA MEC and America West management.
“We were determined not to be behind the power curve, and we succeeded. The lessons learned from this experience will only make us stronger as the airline industry continues to consolidate. In fact, America West CEO Doug Parker said in his statement today that he anticipates being a player in future growth and acquisition opportunities as the industry continues to evolve, and we will be prepared.
“We sincerely hope that whoever the future investors in ATA are, they realize the value its employees would bring with any assets they are acquiring. Having worked with the ATA MEC, it is fair to say that if America West submitted a successful proposal, our airline would have been enriched with the integration of ATA pilots. With their now-uncertain future, the America West MEC would like to extend the promise that I will meet with America West senior management to explore the possibility that any unemployed pilot of ATA be afforded preferential hiring at America West as we continue our planned growth.”
