Release #08.041N
August 14, 2008

First Officer Avery Bates Receives ALPA’s Presidential Citation
Wilmington, N.C., pilot recognized for bold leadership in enhancing aviation security

WASHINGTON—The Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA), will recognize Atlas Air Cargo First Officer Avery Bates with its 2007 Presidential Citation for his outstanding efforts to advance aviation security. The award will be presented today at ALPA’s 54th Annual Air Safety & Security Week Awards Banquet in Washington, D.C.

Throughout his career as an airline pilot, F/O Bates has played a critical role in ALPA’s security efforts. A staunch advocate for improving security of air cargo operations, F/O Bates has also served ALPA pilots as the director of information for the Association’s National Security Committee.

“First Officer Bates’s exceptional commitment and steadfast resolve are recognized by all who are involved in our union’s security work,” said Capt. Bob Hesselbein, chairman of ALPA’s National Security Committee. “His leadership and innovation in leading our committee outreach mean that ALPA pilots are extremely well informed about the latest developments in aviation security.”

“I offer my sincere congratulations to First Officer Bates for his superb dedication to the cause of securing our air transportation system and for his exhaustive work to keep ALPA pilots informed of the very latest news and information about security threats in our industry,” said Capt. John Prater, ALPA’s president.

Founded in 1931, ALPA represents 55,000 pilots at 40 airlines in the U.S. and Canada. Visit the ALPA website at www.alpa.org for more information.

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CONTACT: Pete Janhunen, Linda Shotwell, Molly Martin, (703) 481-4440