Commercial Airlines Have Strong Ties In The Caribbean

On January 17, 2010, Continental pilots Capt. Luis Salazar, Capt. David Lyons, and F/O Ian Dutton flew a relief mission to Haiti. Departing from Newark, the B-757 landed at Pope Air Force Base (Ft. Bragg, NC) to pick up 130 or so members of the 82nd Airborne Division and then continued on to Port-au-Prince, Haiti. After landing, the military personnel deplaned, and the crew prepared to take back 104 people, most with U.S. passports. The pilots report that some passengers were unaccompanied children and several others needed medical attention. The flight made a brief fuel stop in SDQ and then unloaded the evacuees in Sanford, FL, which we are told is being set up as a receiving point for evacuees.

Captain Salazar stands by as members of the U.S. Army 82nd Airbord deplane in Port-au-Prince

The pilots, saying that they were “fortunate to have been able to contribute to efforts in Haiti,” noted the difficult operating conditions, which included poor ATC, no electricity, no fuel, confusion on the ramp, and difficulty in unloading and loading passengers and cargo. “We had to make everything happen as a team,” said F/O Dutton, “but we were successful, thanks to our flight attendants, maintenance supervisor, load planner, and one other Continental employee onboard.”

American Eagle, on behalf of its parent company, AMR Corp., began delivering aid into Haiti one day after the 7.0-magnitude earthquake devastated the impoverished island nation. The immediate relief effort, designed to provide assistance to more than 100 AMR Corp., employees who work at Toussaint L’Ouverture International Airport, included three missions by American Eagle flight crews delivering 30,000 pounds of supplies – including water, food and non-perishable goods – to the devastated nation.

“Our hearts go out to the people of Haiti, who have been devastated by this earthquake,” said Capt. Anthony Gutierrez, MEC chairman.

In the days that immediately followed the quake, six more relief missions were piloted by American Eagle flight crews who volunteered to deliver much-needed supplies. Relief flights staffed by dozens of pilots who have volunteered will continue during the month of January. At this time, 13 additional American Eagle relief flights are planned. “American Eagle has been a familiar part of the Caribbean Islands, providing service to San Juan, Puerto Rico, for many years. I am sure they will be playing an important role in the recovery to the people of Haiti,” said Capt. Dave Ryter, MEC vice chairman. “It’s a privilege for ALPA pilots to play a significant part in it as well.”

FMI: www.alpa.org