Release #05.011
April 28, 2005

Piedmont ALPA Pilots Sign ASAP MOU with Management and FAA

SALISBURY, Md. - The pilots of Piedmont Airlines, represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA) today signed a memorandum of understanding with management and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) at Piedmont's corporate headquarters instituting an Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP). The two parties have met on numerous occasions in preparation for this day, openly discussing the details of the program and how it would be implemented.

"ASAP is an excellent way for our pilots and management to work together to improve our carrier's operational safety," said Capt. Calvin Dilks, chairman of the Piedmont ALPA master executive council.

ASAP is a voluntary reporting system of safety-related issues and events that provides a means of collecting information to identify problem areas and reduce accidents and incidents. An employee is offered certain protections in exchange for voluntarily reporting safety occurrences and concerns, even though they may involve an alleged violation of federal aviation regulations.

A review panel, which includes a pilot union representative, a member of Piedmont management, and a representative of the FAA, reviews and tracks each ASAP submission, determines if it meets the program's criteria, compares the filing to previous reports, and makes recommendations to the company based on its findings.

"Obviously, we have high expectations for this program," added Capt. Dilks. "We hope that it will serve as an example of how labor and management can work together to solve problems, and that this spirit will carry over into other aspects of our operation."

Piedmont is a wholly-owned subsidiary of US Airways and operates a fleet of 61 aircraft, including 50-seat Bombardier Dash 8 300s and 37-seat Dash 8 100 and 200 series turboprops.

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.

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