DALLAS (AP) -- The union representing 23,000 American Airlines flight attendants declared its willingness to work with the company on financial concerns, but rejected a proposal to give the airline permanent contract concessions.þþAfter wrapping up a two-day meeting in Washington, D.C., the governing body of the Association of Professional Flight Attendants passed a resolution Wednesday night addressing the company's requests in recent weeks for contract concessions.þþSeparately, a comment by an American executive stirred speculation that the company might spin off a new low-cost carrier to compete with rivals such as Southwest Airlines.þþJeffrey Campbell, American's chief financial officer, said large carriers have a poor record of trying to operate smaller carriers as subsidiaries.þþBut, he added, ``We would be foolish at American and (parent company) AMR to not be giving it very serious thought'' because Delta has announced plans to launch a low-fare airline called Song along the East Coast, and United has said it is considering the idea.þþA spokesman for Fort Worth, Texas-based American said Campbell's comment only reiterated American's stance of considering all options to improve its business.þþOf the AFPA resolution, union spokesman George Price said ``the APFA is more than willing to do our part to address the company's financial concerns at an appropriate time. But if our board chooses to accept such concessions, it would be on a temporary and not permanent concession.''þþAmerican, the nation's largest airline, released a statement saying it is pleased flight attendants are committed to act to ensure ``that the company is a viable and successful entity.''þþThe company lost $3.5 billion last year. In trading Wednesday on the New York Stock Exchange, AMR Corp. shares fell 20 cents to $3.02.þþ
Source: NY Times
