Gone and Forgotten! AMR Executives Snub 9/11 Aircrew Memorial Dedication

APA Communications Committee: On the Fourth of July, AMR executives again publicly embarrassed everyone associated with American Airlines by their heartless decision to not attend the dedication of the 9/11 flight crew memorial in DFW. After that dreadful morning that shook our nation, rocked our industry and took from us 17 members of our own AA family, we took an oath to never forget. Demonstrating the disdain and lack of value they place on pilots and flight attendants, not a single AMR senior executive or the Vice President of Flight chose to attend or recognize in any way the 33 aircrew members who were murdered in the line of duty.

To add further injury to how little regard AMR managers have for employees (even those killed while working), SWA founder and CEO "Emeritus" Herb Kelleher attended and even publicly wept during the reading of the crew member names. He graciously rebuffed the media and deferred interview requests, wanting to keep the attention on the dedication of this long overdue memorial finally recognizing this select group--the very first victims lost in the line of duty.

AMR's absence did not go unnoticed. Plane Business Banter editor Holly Hegeman wrote a column about the memorial dedication entitled "Where's Gerard?" She states that "…considering the occasion, and considering what an impact these events had on the airline and its employees, where was American Airlines Chairman and CEO Gerard Arpey?" She continued with "… this dedication was literally, just down the road from Gerard's house… His absence is inexcusable."

In spite of the obvious snub by AMR, the ceremony was awe inspiring and moving. The event began with a missing man flyover formation of T-28 Trojans led by AA Captain Chip Lamb. There were several moving speeches and a reading of the two AA and two United flight numbers and the names of all their respective crewmembers. More than one thousand people attended--family members of aircrew victims, hundreds of current and former airline employees--and as the drum beat tolled off the names of those lost, the tears flowed. 9/11 Flight Crew Memorial Foundation Founder and AA Flight Attendant Valerie Thompson perfectly summed up the feelings of those in attendance when she referred to the memorial and the crew members lost as "…first taken, last remembered, now honored."

 

God bless those lost on 9/11, I still cry for those lost. I believe that the inconsiderate decision of American airlines executives to not attend shows the stupidity of the leadership of this industry, there is no excuse for them missing this ceremony. I have not been totally behind this administration since 9/11 but the more I see the more I believe that the left wing liberals are running this country into the ground. We have not been attacked in the last 6 years, in my opinion that is very good. We must keep up our security even if that means we must deal with some bull****** goverment regs from the TSA. We are a good country even though we do have some blood on our hands, example the March of Tears, Slavery etc. We are not perfect but we are good and fair knowdays. I expect some flack so bring it on.

 

Never forget.


This just goes to show you what kind of scumbags manage AA. Really smart move j#$@!$$, really makes my blood boil.

 

That really makes me want to cry. Everytime I read about this stuff... It is terrible. However, It makes me feel good about my brothers in arms... All of you. Army, Navy, Air Force, Reserves, Guards All of you deserve a pat on the back. Only a soldier, or someone directly linked with 9/11 can truly see, and know what this is all about.

I love my Country, I weep for my friends I have lost, and I am not ashamed.

Forget AA Execs, too busy lining their pockets.

 

I am at a complete loss for words to describe how I feel about Arpey and his ilk. It is inconceivable that the CEO and executives would not attend an event like this. It is disgusting.

 

It's bad enough as it is, but the memorial was on the north end of DFW a whole 5 miles from AMR HQ.

 

AMR management you are an effing joke to this country. All the people that were lost on your aircraft and you couldnt show up? Embarrassing and disrespectful to say the least.

 

How insulting! Management actually chose not to go. Other than death, I can't think of a single reason for them not to be there in force. That is truly un-American and an embarrassment not to just American employees, but I take offense as someone whose heart was broken that day. What goes around usually comes around but such a heartless statement has not gone unnoticed by your fellow industry brothers and sisters.

 

AMR equals Ain't My Responsibility

Never Forget

 

The word Scumbags is an understatement.