11.29.11 – (LAA) – AMR Corporation and All its Related Corporate Entities Filed a Petition Under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code

Special Hotline Update – November 29, 2011

This is APFA President Laura Glading. This is a very tough day for everyone. We’ve hit the ground running since early this morning. And I want to assure everyone we will be there for you every step of the way. The groundwork has already been laid during the past months, as we knew this was a possibility.

I recognize this is a difficult, uncertain time for you and I commit to doing everything in my power to make sure your voice is heard as we work toward the best possible outcome.

I will also work hard to keep you constantly up to date on the latest developments. I will be issuing daily briefings via the Hotline, and APFA will be launching a dedicated section of our website linked from the main page, where you can stay up to date on the process, find answers to commonly asked questions, and access all the information we have available.

An initial Q&A Document has been posted here.

American Airlines new CEO Thomas Horton spoke to reporters this morning at a Dallas press conference where he reiterated that the American brand remains strong, and that the company has the best people, the best hubs and a growing global network. It has the youngest fleet in the industry and recently placed the largest aircraft order in history.

He expressed confidence that American will emerge from this process a more successful airline. On behalf of our 18,000 members, I look forward to being a critical part of that solution by working closely with management, the courts and our fellow unions to ensure that American’s most important asset – its employees – are protected as we all work toward making American a stronger, more efficient, and more competitive airline.

Without diminishing the seriousness of what is at stake in this process, I do want to assure you that our contract remains in place for the time being and there will be no immediate changes to wages and benefits. This process is not without precedent and it is one for which we have been preparing for some time. While we do not have a certain time-frame at this point, there is some expectation that the process will take upwards of 12 months to complete, and we will be there fighting for your interest every day.

Please watch this Hotline for future updates.

In Unity,
Laura Glading

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Special Update – Tuesday November 29, 2011

This morning AMR Corporation and all its related corporate entities filed a petition under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code.This filing does not take us by complete surprise.Given the company’s deteriorating performance over the last several years, coupled with the precipitous decline in its market capitalization and the troubled world economy, it always seemed to the APFA that the question was not whether the company would file for bankruptcy protection, but when.

Because we have anticipated this event, we are prepared for it and will take all steps necessary to protect the interests of the Flight Attendants. We know – and we are certain that the company knows – that its Flight Attendants are the company’s face to the public.We are confident that in this reorganization the company will work closely with the APFA, as well as the representatives of its other employees, to ensure that a reorganized American regains its position as the premier US carrier.

We’ll have more information for you as it becomes available.

In Unity,
Laura Glading