Rumor Control Update

April 18, 2002

MEC Ratifies LOA #81

In a unanimous vote, the USAirways MEC has ratified Letter of Agreement #81.

• The agreement allows USAirways the right to operate an additional 70 small jets.
• The terms of the agreement include contract modifications and job protections that ensure all US Airways furlough protected pilots retain mainline positions, as well as creating hundreds of job opportunities at US Airways Express carriers for non-protected furloughed US Airways pilots.
• No additional furloughs will take place unless a new force majeure event occurs.
• It expedites the presentation and completion of the force majeure grievance, and seeks to secure a decision on this arbitration no later than August 1, 2002.
• One half of the vacancies generated by the small jets placed at US Airways wholly-owned or affiliate carriers will be provided to US Airways non-protected pilots.
• At Potomac Air, all vacancies will be filled by non-protected pilots.
• All furloughed pilots employed by small jet carriers under this LOA will be paid first-year Captain rates applicable to the jet equipment flown, regardless of the seat occupied.
• The Company will voluntarily acknowledge ALPA as the representative of pilots at Potomac Air.
• It calls for a joint pilot staffing analysis of the airline, using both Company and ALPA input.

[I was able to attend two days of the MEC meeting in Pittsburgh. I can tell you that the MEC is more unified and functional now than I can recall during any period of my ALPA tenure.

It was a very pleasant surprise to see how the MEC members (as usual, from various seniority levels and with differing points of view) worked together in an atmosphere of cooperation and respect to find a solution on this difficult issue. Despite varying opinions, the MEC was able to reach a consensus and complete important business.

It has been quite some time since the MEC has reached a unanimous decision on such a weighty issue. Congratulations to our pilot representatives.]