Statement by Captain Wendy Morse, Chairman, United Master Executive Council Air Line Pilots Association, International, Regarding Judge Sterling Johnson Jr.'s Rejection of ALPA's Request for a Temporary Restraining Order to Stop September 30, 2011 Training Deadline

NEW YORK, Sept. 29, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- "We are disappointed that Judge Sterling Johnson, Jr., opted against issuing the Temporary Restraining Order we sought to prevent the implementation of the Company's inadequate and unrealistic SOC Phase II procedures slated for September 30, 2011. Safety has always and will continue to be first and foremost for each United pilot every time we enter the cockpit, and we continue to contend that this training does not meet our safety standards and is unrealistic. We're sorry Judge Johnson did not find in our favor.

"The court concluded that the requirement to show 'actual and imminent harm' to warrant the 'extraordinary and drastic remedy' of injunctive relief was not met.

"We point out that the judge 'does not, in theory, disagree with (ALPA) counsel's statement that when it comes to airline safety, that we (United) shouldn't "operate on hope.'"

"We call on the company to once again delay the September 30 deadline in good faith, and work with the Air Line Pilots Association in establishing realistic, workable training for the United pilots to complete this training that is associated with the company's quest for a Single Operating Certificate.

"On June 16, 2010, current UAL CEO Jeffery Smisek testified before a Congressional Subcommittee on Aviation, stating, 'We support all improvements in pilot training.'  We would be hopeful at this time that Mr. Smisek would stand by his words and work with the Association to resolve our safety concerns.

"We continue to stand willing to work with the company in developing training and ensuring that United remains among the safest airlines in the world. We stand ready to work with the company to develop and implement the industry leading training and safety practices as was formerly the case at United to correct this unrealistic and inadequate training scheme."

SOURCE United Master Executive Council of the Air Line Pilots Association

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