Release 07.ALA2
October 25, 2007

Alaska’s Pilots Respond to Third Quarter Earnings Reports

Alaska Airlines on Thursday announced record third-quarter earnings. Following that announcement, Capt. Tom Crank, chairman of the Alaska pilots’ union, issued the following statement:

“We congratulate our fellow employees and company on the record profits announced today. While we’re pleased our company is thriving, it is unconscionable that our management continues to exclude its pilots and their families from the success we help create. Alaska’s pilots have waited patiently, despite working under overreaching pay cuts as, quarter-by-quarter, our company reports record earnings.

“Management was quick to take from the pilots during the down times. More than half of this pilot group had their pay cut by at least 29% two and a half years ago; a number of our pilots took pay cuts of 35%. Our company, and our industry, are prospering while our management leaves us further and further behind.

“Our negotiators are beginning to discuss critical items such as job security, retirement security, health benefits and compensation. Our CEO today stated that our company’s record profits reflect the hard work of its employees. It is time for our management to demonstrate that they mean what they say and to show us that they value the contributions we make every day for our customers and our company.”

Founded in 1931, the Air Line Pilots Association represents 60,000 pilots at 41 airlines in the United States and Canada, including the approximately 1,500 pilots at Alaska Airlines.

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Air Line Pilots Association, International
Alaska Airlines Master Executive Council
2800 S. 192nd St. Suite 106 Seattle, WA 98188

Media Contact: Jenn Farrell
Office: (206) 241-3138; Cell: (303) 522-6399