ATA Airlines

April 25, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) and Representative Andre Carson (D-IN) today sent a letter to the Secretary of the Department of Labor, Elaine Chao, asking for the release of National Emergency Grant funds to assist over 1,200 flight attendants and former employees of Aloha Airlines and ATA Airlines who recently lost their jobs of as a result of the abrupt termination in service.

ATA Airlines notice: Photo by davitydave (CC)

The members noted that it will be difficult for these working Americans to find new jobs as the airline industry continues to shrink.    » read more »

April 8, 2008 -- HONOLULU – Hawaii Governor Linda Lingle today announced that her chief of staff and former director of the state Department of Transportation (DOT), Barry Fukunaga, will attend a U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation hearing on Hawaii’s air service market. The hearing will take place Thursday, April 10, 2:30 p.m. (EDT) in Washington, D.C.

Aloha Airlines jet: Photo by Bentley Smith (CC)    » read more »

Tribune reports of last minute notification prompt requests for information

April 4, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin and Barack Obama today sent a letter to the Secretary of Labor, Elaine Chao, requesting assistance for workers who lost their jobs after yesterday's decision by ATA to shut down its operation.

ATA Airlines Boeing 757-33N: Photo by Eric Bégin (CC)

After the Chicago Tribune reported last minute notification calls to employees, Durbin and Obama raised questions as to the manner in which these calls were made and the responsibility that ATA has to its workers going forward.    » read more »

April 3, 2008 -- CHICAGO -- The union representing the pilots of ATA Airlines is condemning the airline’s management for its callous disregard of its employees and passengers in canceling all operations without warning early on Thursday morning.

“By shutting down in the middle of the night, this management group has let down its loyal customers and the flight crews, cabin crews, mechanics, and other employees who have made deep sacrifices over the past few years to keep ATA afloat,” said Capt. Steve Staples, chairman of the ATA unit of the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l.

ATA Airlines Boeing 737-800: Photo by Matt Hintsa (CC)    » read more »