Release 07.ASA4
August 20, 2007

Delta Connection Pilots Launch Caravan in Towns That Rely Heavily on Service
ASA Pilot Shortage Results from Frustration with Five-Year Contract Delay

ATLANTA, GA—Delta Connection Atlantic Southeast Airlines pilots, represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l, are taking their message to the public the week of August 20, by picketing in the small communities they serve. As the primary provider of commercial air transportation in many of these cities, the pilots think it’s only fair to tell the passengers that ASA is having a difficult time recruiting and retaining qualified pilots. The pilot shortage is due to low morale, fatiguing schedules, and low pay dating back to a contract signed in 1998.

The pilots’ frustration is augmented by the gross amount of time ASA has spent dragging out contract talks. A mere handful of issues remain in debate between management and the pilot group.

“Any well-run airline relies intrinsically on an experienced, satisfied pilot workforce. Five years is too long to wait for a new employment agreement,” said Dave Nieuwenhuis, chairman of the ALPA unit at ASA. “As pilots, we want to be able to focus solely on flying. The passengers in these communities deserve that. ASA management needs to stop stalling and finalize a new contract so we can do just that.”

The following is the schedule for the ASA Pilots’ Informational Picketing Caravan:

Tuesday August 21st, 2007
Montgomery, AL - Montgomery Regional Airport, 10:00 am

Wednesday August 22nd, 2007
Gainesville, FL - Gainesville Regional Airport, 10:00 am

Founded in 1931, ALPA is the world’s largest pilot union, representing 60,000 pilots at 41 airlines in the United States and Canada. Visit the ALPA website at www.alpa.org.

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ALPA CONTACTS: Capt. Nicholas Tomlin, (404) 307-2461
Anya Piazza, (703) 481-4457