Fri, May 20, 2011
Pilots Call "Inadvertent" Move "Reprehensible," FAs Say Flight
Numbers Should Be Permanently Retired
The pilots of United Airlines issued a statement Wednesday
saying the carrier's "inadvertent" reinstatement of Flight Numbers
93 and 175 – flight numbers that have become synonymous with
the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 -- "demonstrates an
absolute and blatant disrespect of the pilots, crew and passengers
who lost their lives on that date."
"The thought of anyone among management at United Airlines to
even consider reinstating these two sacred flight numbers –
on the heels of Osama bin Laden's death -- demonstrates a severe
disconnect from right and wrong," said United MEC Chairman Captain
Wendy Morse. "Their insensitivity and unconscionable disrespect of
these sacred flight numbers and their meaning to the employees of
United Airlines and the families of those who lost their lives
nearly 10 years ago are not only alarming, but reprehensible."
The UA pilots called for an accounting of how these flight
numbers were considered in the first place. They say that this
indication of the culture of this airline must cause management to
take a hard, close look at itself to determine how missteps such as
this occur. From the vantage point of the pilots, this "inadvertent
reinstatement" of these two flight numbers is inexcusable and an
apparent symptom of a much larger problem. The pilots say it is
clear United management has serious internal issues to address if
they are to make their merger with Continental work, and return
United to its desired place as the world's leading airline.
In a related move, the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA,
representing Flight Attendants at United Airlines and 20 other
carriers, today advised United Airlines management that using
flight numbers 93 and 175 is not an option and that these flight
numbers should have already been permanently retired. The union
implores the airline to respond quickly out of respect for the
Flight Attendants, Pilots, Customer Service Agents and passengers
who lost their lives on those flights as well as all of the
families, friends and colleagues who still grieve the loss of our
heroes.
"September 11, 2001 forever changed our airline and our country.
Everything changed that day and we will never forget the heroic
actions of our friends and colleagues or the pain of their loss,"
stated Greg Davidowitch, president of AFA at United Airlines. "We
have advised United Airlines that reinstatement of flights 93 and
175 is a terrible misstep. Out of respect for those who lost their
lives and those who will always remember our heroes, United
Airlines must what should have already been done - immediately and
permanently retire these flight numbers."
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