The final push for Continental Airlines Flight Attendants to mail their ballots has begun.  If you have not already mailed your pension ballot you must do so immediately to ensure that it will reach the post office
box in Kansas City by Tuesday, February 13^th, 2007.  All ballots received by the end of business Tuesday will be counted and a simple majority will determine the outcome of the future of your pension benefit.  Be active, participate and vote…it’s YOUR chance to “Secure Your Future”.  Vote YES to transition to the IAM National Pension Plan.

Continental Flight Attendants Speak Out On Pension – With their retirement security at stake, Continental Airlines Flight Attendants are speaking out about the vote to transition from an under-funded, company-sponsored pension plan into the IAM National Pension Plan (NPP).  “For many Flight Attendants, the choice between the National Pension Plan and the Continental Airlines Retirement Plan (CARP) is a no-brainer,” said Cleveland-based Flight Attendant Marcus Valentino.  They’ve compared their benefits and seen the wreckage of airline pension plans that didn’t survive deregulation, bankruptcy or restructuring.”  Flight Attendants at Continental Micronesia already participate in the NPP.  IAM members at United Airlines, US Airways, Northwest Airlines and Aloha Airlines have also ratified the NPP.  It is the only defined benefit pension plan to survive bankruptcy and reorganization at those carriers.  “I came to Continental from another airline that had the National Pension Plan.  That airline is gone and the union no longer represents the former employees, but the NPP still pays benefits,” said -based Flight Attendant Charlie Hromjah-Black.  “Single-employer airline plans like CARP can’t match a multi-employer plan like the NPP when it comes to preserving benefits you’ve earned.”

More information about the Continental pension vote is available at www.iamdl142.org/fa and at www.iamnpf.org

Ballots have been mailed to all Continental Airlines Flight Attendants to participate in a ratification vote on an amendment to the IAM/CAL Collective Bargaining Agreement covering "PENSION BENEFITS" while employed by Continental Airlines.  The ballot packet includes information on the IAM National Pension Plan (NPP), instructions on voting, and a DVD entitled “Secure Your Future”, featuring CAL Flight Attendants discussing the benefits of transitioning to the NPP.  The ballots were mailed to your address on file with the Union on January 17, 2007.  Ballots must be received by District Lodge 142 no later than February 13, 2007.  Please make any address updates at: www.iamdl142.org/fa or call District Lodge 142 at 816-452-6646.

ExpressJet has announced that it will launch branded service using 50-seat regional jets.  Less than 20% of the company's fleet will be dedicated to independent flying, and it will continue operating flights for Continental Airlines, executives say.   In conjunction with this new service, ExpressJet Inflight Management has announced that they will be opening a new domicile in Ontario, California (ONT), effective April 1^st, 2007.  There will be approximately 125 vacancies for the ONT base.  For more information on the new base opening and how to submit a transfer request, refer to CIL # 07-08.  The deadline for submitting a transfer request is March 1^st, 2007.

US Airways Will Not Bid For Northwest Airlines, CEO Says – US Airways will not offer to buy Northwest Airlines unless another airline launches a bid for the carrier, US Airways CEO Doug Parker said Thursday.  "We know how much value can be created through mergers," Parker said.  "I think the rest of the industry isn't there yet.  I think that maybe it will take the next (economic) downturn before people realize that this industry isn't fixed yet."

Judge Approves Delta’s Disclosure Statement – A bankruptcy judge on Wednesday approved Delta Air Lines' disclosure statement.  The airline may now start soliciting votes for its plan to leave bankruptcy this spring.  "With this key ruling now in place, our airline is entering the next phase as we prepare to emerge this spring as a strong, competitive, stand-alone carrier," wrote Delta CEO Gerald Grinstein in an e-mail to Delta employees.

Boeing Says 787 Remains On Schedule, Considers Stretch Version – A Boeing executive says the jetmaker is on schedule to start delivering its 787 next summer and that contingency plans are in place if suppliers do not meet current schedules.  The company is also moving forward with a stretched version of the 787 and is in talks with several customers about the longer aircraft.