Tell Congress To Investigate Fed Ex's Actions Resulting in ATA's Closure

ATA flew for over 35 years and served as one of the primary carriers for military charter operations ATA Jettransporting troops and their families throughout the world in support of their missions.  In fact, ATA was honored to be recognized as the commercial airline that flew the most number of missions during Operation Desert Storm

ATA's decades-old teaming agreement with FedEx comprised the bulk of its charter operations. ATA was part of the FED Ex team until recently, when FED Ex abruptly notified ATA that it would no longer be welcome as part of their team.  No reason was provided for their unexpected action . On April 3rd, 2008, as a direct result of FED Ex's arbitrary action, ATA was forced to shut the airline down.

The result was the loss of over 2000 jobs and the stranding of thousands of active duty troops throughout the world.

Contact your Elected Representatives and urge them to launch an investigation into why FED Ex removed ATA from its "team" and how the interests of the United States of America can be so crippled by the predatory business actions of one company. Tell Me More...

Sample Letter for Campaign

Subject: Investigate FED Ex's Decision To terminate ATA's Contract

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

I am an ATA Flight Attendant who recently lost my job because of the shutdown of our airline. ATA flew for over 35 years and served as one of the primary carriers for military charter operations transporting troops and their families throughout the world in support of their missions. In fact, ATA was honored to be recognized as the commercial airline that flew the most number of missions during Operation Desert Storm.

What many of us did not realize is that military charter contracts appear to be awarded to "teams" of airlines with one airline operating as the primary vendor and then sub-contracting the actual flying to the rest of the team. ATA was part of the FED Ex team until recently, when FED Ex abruptly notified ATA that it would no longer be welcome as part of their team. No reason was provided for their unexpected action. On the contrary, FED Ex admitted that they were not severing their relationship with ATA due to any concern over service provided. While the management of ATA tried to obtain financing and craft a business plan that would allow the carrier to continue operations, as a direct result of FED Ex's arbitrary action they were ultimately forced to shut the airline down.

The result was the loss of over 2000 jobs and the stranding of thousands of active duty troops throughout the world.

This situation has raised several serious questions about the way the government contracts for commercial troop movement. How is it that FED Ex can make such a decision, not based on lack of service, that leads to the stranding of so many of our men and women in uniform? Is our government really allowing commercial carriers to call the shots regarding when and if our troops move as scheduled? While FED Ex manages the "team", shouldn't the government determine what carriers are allowed to carry the troops? What was the expense to the government to train and develop a system with other carriers to provide what ATA had mastered over two decades of military airlift?

As an ATA employee and constituent, I am asking you to launch an investigation into why FED Ex removed ATA from its "team" and how the interests of the United States of America can be so crippled by the predatory business actions of one company.

I look forward to hearing from you regarding this matter.

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
May 22, 2008


Background Information

ATA flew for over 35 years and served as one of the primary carriers for military charter operations transporting troops and their families throughout the world in support of their missions.  In fact, ATA was honored to be recognized as the commercial airline that flew the most number of missions during Operation Desert Storm

ATA's decades-old teaming agreement with FedEx comprised the bulk of its charter operations. ATA was part of the FED Ex team until recently, when FED Ex abruptly notified ATA that it would no longer be welcome as part of their team.  No reason was provided for their unexpected action . On April 3rd, 2008, as a direct result of FED Ex's arbitrary action, ATA was forced to shut the airline down.

The result was the loss of over 2000 jobs and the stranding of thousands of active duty troops throughout the world.

This situation has raised several serious questions about the way the government contracts for commercial troop movement.  How is it that FED Ex can make such a decision, not based on lack of service, that leads to the stranding of so many of our men and women in uniform?  Is our government really allowing commercial carriers to call the shots regarding when and if our troops move as scheduled?  While FED Ex manages the "team", shouldn't the government determine what carriers are allowed to carry the troops?  What was the expense to the government to train and develop a system with other carriers to provide what ATA had mastered over two decades of military airlift?

Contact your Elected Representatives and urge them to launch an investigation into why FED Ex removed ATA from its "team" and how the interests of the United States of America can be so crippled by the predatory business actions of one company.