"No Secret There Is A Lot Of Turmoil In The Industry"

Leaders of the American Eagle unit of the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) elected Captain Herb Mark this week, to serve as chairman of the Master Executive Council (MEC), the union's governing body. Additionally, First Officer Dave Ryter was elected to serve as MEC vice chairman. Both officers will be serving their third and consecutive full term in their respective positions. First Officer Andy O'Hara was elected as the new secretary-treasurer.

"It's no secret that there is a lot of turmoil in the industry," Mark said, "and we have significant challenges ahead of us. As always, the strength of our union lies in the pilot volunteers who work on behalf of ALPA Eagle everyday." Mark began his career with American Eagle in 1997 after he retired from the US Army.

Vice Chairman Dave Ryter said he ran for another term in order to finish the work and attain the goals that the pilots had set before him through the MEC, since he was elected in 2002. "We have made tremendous progress over the past five years, and there are just a few more hurdles that I would like to see resolved before I go back on the line," said Ryter, who joined American Eagle in 1999 after 11 years of charter and cargo operations.

Secretary-Treasurer Andy O'Hara has been with American Eagle for more than seven years and most recently served two years as chairman of the Scheduling Committee. He also served as the scheduling representative for six years. O'Hara said he loves serving the pilots and sought the secretary-treasurer position so that he could have a different, more active role.

The Air Line Pilots Association, Int'l is the bargaining agent for the nearly 3,000 pilots at American Eagle. Founded in 1931, ALPA is the world's largest pilot union representing more than 60,000 pilots at 41 airlines in the United States and Canada.

FMI: www.alpa.org, www.aa.com