Release #07.041L
August 8, 2007

Retired Northwest Airlines Captain Peter Reiss Receives ALPA’s Presidential Citation Award
Hudson, New York Pilot Recognized for Improving Aviation Security Since 1968

WASHINGTON—The Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA) will recognize retired Northwest Airlines Capt. Peter Reiss with a 2007 Presidential Citation Award, the Association’s honor for outstanding work in aviation security, for his long and outstanding efforts to promote and improve aviation security since 1968. This award will be presented on August 9 at ALPA’s 53rd Annual Air Safety & Security Week and Awards Banquet in Washington, D.C.

Capt. Reiss’ early work established the first Common Strategy security model in 1971, a standardized crisis response plan for dealing with defined criminal and terrorist acts perpetrated on board U.S. and Canadian airliners. An updated and expanded Common Strategy is still in use throughout the airline industry today.

“Capt. Reiss has successfully advocated for aviation safety and security over the past four decades and has earned our respect and recognition,” said ALPA President, Capt. John Prater. “From establishing security measures in response to the hijackings of the 1970s to playing an instrumental role in establishing international standards for handling incidents of unlawful interference, his dedication has helped make air travel safer and more secure across the globe.”

During his tenure on the Aviation Security Panel of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) from 1997-2003, Capt. Reiss helped establish the international standards now in use by countries worldwide to provide guidance to flight and cabin crews in the handling of incidents of unlawful interference.

“On behalf of all NWA pilots, I thank Capt. Reiss for his dedication to the piloting profession, to ALPA, and to the safety of all airline travelers,” said NWA Master Executive Council Chairman Capt. Dave Stevens. “Capt. Reiss is the epitome of what the ALPA Presidential Citation Award represents.”

Capt. Reiss served in various aviation leadership roles throughout his years of service, including: Chairman of the ALPA National Security Committee; Chairman of the International Federation of Air Line Pilot Associations (IFALPA) Security Committee; member of the Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee to the Federal Aviation Administration; member of the ICAO Aviation Security Panel; member of other security-related working groups not only at ICAO, but with the U.S. Department of Transportation and other aviation organizations.

Founded in 1931, ALPA represents more than 60,000 pilots at 41 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