United Airlines Flight Attendants Disappointed by ATSB Decision

    CHICAGO, June 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- United Airlines Flight
 Attendant Master Executive Council President Greg Davidowitch, of the
 Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, AFL-CIO, issued the following statement
 regarding the Air Transportation Stabilization Board's decision to deny United
 Airlines' application for an ATSB loan guarantee.
     "United Airlines and its employees have faced many challenges as we
 struggle to turn this airline around. The ATSB's decision not to extend a loan
 guarantee is another challenge that will force United to adjust its plans, but
 not to fail at the ultimate goal of returning our airline to the successful
 competitor it once was.
     "The restructuring process has been long and painful for all the employees
 at United, but now we're at a turning point. The last piece of the puzzle
 needed for our company to emerge from bankruptcy is the exit financing. While
 we believe the ATSB loan guarantee was the best option for our airline, it is
 not the only option. Now United will need to shift focus and raise the equity
 from other sources.
     "United flight attendants are committed to the long-term success of this
 company. We're on the planes every day helping to ensure United's success with
 our hard work and dedication. And as United's most visible work group, we have
 played a major part in turning this airline around.
     "Our flight attendants have made a significant investment in United
 Airlines -- both personally and financially -- and we intend to ensure that
 our investment pays off."
     More than 46,000 Flight Attendants, including the 21,000 flight attendants
 at United, join together to form AFA, the world's largest flight attendant
 union. AFA is part of the 700,000 member strong Communications Workers of
 America, AFL-CIO.  Visit us at http://www.unitedafa.org.
 
 

SOURCE  Association of Flight Attendants