American Airlines Celebrates National AMT Day

FORT WORTH, Texas, May 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- American Airlines is celebrating National AMT Day throughout its system this week, honoring its 10,600 Aviation Maintenance Technicians (AMT) who work on its fleet of almost 600 aircraft.

American's three overhaul bases -- Alliance Fort Worth, Tulsa and Kansas City -- held their activities on Wednesday. Line Maintenance stations will have their activities either Friday or Saturday.

Most states officially recognize May 24 as AMT Day, but AMTs gained special recognition on April 30 when the U.S. House of Representatives passed House Resolution 444 honoring "the professional men and women who ensure the safety and security of our airborne aviation infrastructure, and recognize the life and memory of Charles Edward Taylor, the aviation maintenance technician who built and maintained the engine that was used to power the Wright brothers' first controlled flying machine on December 17, 1903."

The Kansas City base will also give the Charles Taylor Award to an AMT in recognition of his 50 years of committed service and Knowledge.

During the 2007 AMT day American's Maintenance & Engineering Department announced that the Gold Wrench Award program was being brought back, which recognizes outstanding AMTs. The FAA has identified 6,327 individual American Airlines AMTs who have earned the bronze, silver, gold, ruby or diamond training awards. That program encourages AMTs to take advantage of initial and recurrent training annually.

"This year, more than any other year, our AMTs truly deserve to be singled out," said Carmine Romano, American's Senior Vice President - Maintenance & Engineering. "They have done an outstanding job in the face of adversity this past year."

Don Videtich, International Representative, Transport Workers Union - Airline Transport Division, said, "Our AMTs have exhibited both the spirit and professionalism when called upon to perform their trade. They have brought immense value to American Airlines by generating revenue and productivity improvements. These aviation professionals are all serving something greater in the interest of public safety. I am honored to represent such a wonderful group of men and women."

About American Airlines

American Airlines is the world's largest airline. American, American eagle and the American Connection(R) airlines serve 250 cities in over 40 countries with more than 4,000 daily flights. The combined network fleet numbers more than 1,000 aircraft. American's award-winning Web site, AA.com, provides users with easy access to check and book fares, plus personalized news, information and travel offers. American Airlines is a founding member of the one world(R) Alliance, which brings together some of the best and biggest names in the airline business, enabling them to offer their customers more services and benefits than any airline can provide on its own. Together, its members serve nearly 700 destinations in over 140 countries and territories. American Airlines, Inc. and American Eagle Airlines, Inc. are subsidiaries of AMR Corporation. American Airlines, American Eagle, the American Connection(R) airlines, AA.com, We know why you fly and AAdvantage are registered trademarks of American Airlines, Inc. (NYSE: AMR)

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