Union response:

Fellow Eagle pilots,



This morning, AMR announced that it will be parking approximately 40 to 45 mainline jets and 35 to 40 regional jets, in an effort to manage the corporation through the current fuel crisis and softening economy. While the Association is not blind to the price of oil and our current economic environment, we do expect management to make thoughtful and mature decisions as it analyzes our operation for capacity cutbacks.



We have conveyed to management in no uncertain terms, that our ten EMB-145 aircraft currently leased to Trans States Airlines must be returned to revenue service at American Eagle and that the MIA flying recently transferred to Trans States Airlines in violation of our scope constraints must also be returned to American Eagle. We also expect that any reduction of flying at American Eagle will be imposed on our St. Louis competitors at the same or greater level. Management’s shallow excuse to outsource regional feed due to growth constraints at Eagle no longer has any merit.



Over the last decade, Eagle pilots have proven their willingness to help the company’s economic condition by matching or exceeding industry leading fuel conservation, safety, and productivity. While your ALPA leadership stands ready to assist management in navigating this current challenge, further assistance at this point will be contingent on management acting responsibly and aggressively to return our aircraft and flying to the employees who worked so hard to develop and maintain the operation in the first place.



This significant news generates numerous questions and turmoil for all Eagle employees. Eagle management has a responsibility to quickly outline their plan to implement these reductions so that Eagle employees may have some understanding of what their future holds and can plan accordingly.



As more information comes available, we will share it with you.



Fraternally,



Herb Mark