Release #AWA3
May 12, 2005

America West Elects ALPA Union Officers

PHOENIX, Ariz. - Leaders of the America West unit of the Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA) today elected pilot officers to serve effective immediately. After a vote of the Master Executive Council (MEC), the union's governing body, Captain JR Baker was elected chairman, First Officer John McIlvenna was elected vice chairman, and First Officer John Jurik was re-elected secretary-treasurer.

Captain JR Baker most recently served as MEC vice chairman. An Airbus 320/319 pilot, Captain Baker joined America West in 1984. During this time, he has served as the chairman of the pilots' Negotiating Committee and Joint Implementation and Resolution Committee. He also represented pilots' interests to company management as the Chief Pilot. Prior to joining America West, Captain Baker flew the F-15 in the United States Air Force.

First Officer John McIlvenna joined America West in 1998 and is an Airbus 320/319 pilot. Previously, he was a status representative who served on the MEC. He also served on various pilot committees both at America West and at his former carrier, including chairman of the Merger Committee, chairman of the Negotiating Committee, and vice chairman of the Retirement and Insurance Committee.

First Officer John Jurik has served the MEC as secretary-treasurer since December 2004. Prior to this position, he served as chairman of the Membership Committee. First Officer Jurik joined America West in 1999 and is an Airbus 320/319 pilot.

The Air Line Pilots Association is the bargaining agent for the more than 1,900 pilots at America West Airlines. Founded in 1931, ALPA is the world's largest pilot union, representing 64,000 pilots at 41 airlines in the United States and Canada. Visit the ALPA website at www.alpa.org.

# # #

ALPA Contact: Lydia Jakub (602) 306-1208