Release #05.030
August 16, 2005

ALPA's Delta Connection ASA Pilots Respond to News of Sale

ATLANTA, GA -- Captain Bob Arnold, chairman of the Atlantic Southeast Airlines (ASA) pilots' unit of the Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA), released the following statement after learning that Delta Air Lines has sold ASA--one of Delta’s two wholly owned subsidiaries--to SkyWest Airlines:

"As the pilots of ASA, we cautiously look forward to our new relationship with SkyWest. We hope that we can establish an atmosphere of trust and open communication with our new corporate ownership. Likewise, we look forward to quickly wrapping up our efforts to secure a collective bargaining agreement that reflects our value and contributions to the success of our carrier. After nearly three years of contract negotiations with our current management, the new owners of ASA and its pilots should embark on our new relationship with a clean slate.

"We look forward to the new opportunities this purchase represents to all of us. Of course we're disappointed to see the deteriorating status of Delta, our former parent company, but perhaps this change in ownership will be accompanied by a change in focus. We hope that SkyWest will encourage ASA management to work with its employees to improve productivity and build morale. We would welcome this kind of cultural change at our carrier." 

The ASA pilots have been in negotiations with management since September 2002, when their most current contract became amendable under the terms of the Railway Labor Act. Negotiations have been conducted with the assistance of the National Mediation Board since May 2004. 

ALPA represents 64,000 airline pilots at 41 airlines in the U.S. and Canada. Its website is www.alpa.org. 

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ALPA CONTACT: Capt. Rick Bernskoetter (678) 640-4510
John Perkinson (703) 481-4440