A reminder about our aviation roots, and more words of encouragement from around the globe ...

Good Words and Impossible Odds
As we head into what our CEO Don Carty has publicly acknowledged will be "still another difficult week at American Airlines," let's not forget how often those in our industry have been told what they can't do ... and how wrong those nay-sayers have been.

Lord Kelvin, president of Royal Society and a brilliant scientist who developed the absolute scale of temperature which bears his name, proclaimed in 1895 that, simply put, "Heavier-than-air flying machines are impossible."

Perhaps Lord Kelvin can be forgiven, since we were still eight years away from Kitty Hawk, and who could have foreseen the World Wide Web in 1985? But let's go now to an editorial in The New York Times ("All the News That's Fit to Print") from December 10, 1903:

"We hope that Professor Langley [the subject of the story and a colleague of Alexander Graham Bell] will not put his substantial greatness as a scientist in further peril by continuing to waste his time and the money involved in further air experiments. Life is short, and he is capable of services to humanity incomparably greater than can be expected to result from trying to fly."

The Wright Brothers took off exactly a week later: December 17, 1903.

The scientific community and the press still weren't satisfied, the flying-machine claims of Wilbur and Orville Wright were derided and dismissed as a hoax by publications including Scientific American and the New York Herald, as well as the US Army and most American scientists for the better part of the next five years.

In spite of scores of public demonstrations, affidavits from local dignitaries, and photographs of themselves flying, the very idea of heavier-than-air flying machines was simply too ludicrous to believe.

As an industry facing what may seem like impossible odds, it's never a bad idea to look back and realize that the very existence of the aviation industry was based on overcoming impossible odds. And we'll do it again. -- MD

Since we distributed the first "Good Words" on September 14, we have received dozens upon dozens of additional messages, either from well-wishers directly corresponding with Corporate Communications, or forwarded from you, the managers of AA and Eagle.

Keep the Good Words coming, and we'll continue to share them; it's critical to remember how much our customers, our extended family and our fellow airline and travel professional want to support American as we work together to figure out what's next.

If you would like to share some of these sentiments with your fellow managers systemwide, please feel free to forward those messages to corp.comm@aa.com. Thanks again for all that you do.

While HeAAds Updates are generally intended specifically for a managerial audience, please don't hesitate to forward this particular "bulletin" to your employees or to post it in a visible place in your work area.

"... part of our family."
"We are extremely grateful and proud to have American Airlines as a client ... In our minds, and truly in our hearts, we do not consider American Airlines a customer or client, but rather as part of our [corporate] family. We have been blessed to have the opportunity to develop many friendships and close relationships with people at American ... We have met many AA pilots, flight attendants, gate agents, ramp workers, maintenance mechanics, as well as many Executive and Middle level managers, Supervisors, and crew chiefs. We have met so many other wonderful people in various support positions at AA as well, too numerous to mention here. We share the pain of the loss at American."

" ... fallen heroes."
"Our deepest sympathies for the loss of your fellow employees and our hearts go out to you. We appreciate the service to our country in your daily duties and your concern for your customer's safety. You are seen as fallen heroes who gave all. Thoughts of affection and love for what your company and its individuals stand for. May we pull together in your time of trouble."

" ... bell of freedom."
"Here in Germany we all are following the happening in the USA. Today in the morning from 10:00 to 10:05 am Germany was silent and was thinking of the victims. Everything was quiet people stopped working. Later on the bell the US gave once to us (at the end of "air-bridge" as we call it) will ring for the US and especially for the victims. For us in Germany it is bell of freedom."

"The world looked different ..."
[From a Canadian pilot] "The world looked slightly different when I opened my curtains on Wednesday morning. Perhaps it was simply my view of humanity that had forever been altered ... It is often in these times of difficulty that we take stock in our existence, and give thanks for this precious life that we have been provided. I personally feel very fortunate to have worked and played side by side with you and I share with you your grief and sorrow. In such traumatic moments of pain, the world shrinks and we all become one nation ... I personally mourn. Please accept my solidarity and deepest sympathy."

" ... send a clear message."
"I, for the first time, invested in your company this morning. I wanted to send a clear message that I believe in the U.S. economy. I also have faith in American Airlines' ability to weather this tragedy, which has hit your company on a very personal level."

"My heart is sad ..."
"I wanted to express my support for American Airlines. I travel primarily for pleasure and have many many wonderful memories of my trips both abroad and within America. My heart is sad because the Corporation which made so much happiness possible was attacked by terrorists and now faces uncertain future itself. I have always told my friends a very important part of a trip is the journey itself and my experiences with AMR have always been very positive. All of you are in my prayers. God speed and good luck on each and every journey."

And more from our aviation colleagues ...

Adria Airways
"We are still shocked for the terrorist attacks yesterday in your country and with disbelieve and repudiation are trying to accept the loss of thousands of innocent people, your crews and passengers. We express our deepest condolences."

Air Malta
"It is with deep sorrow to hear of your losses. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and the victims and their families. Kindly accept our deepest condolences."

Air Canada
"As the terrible events of today continue to unfold, I cannot help and think about my extended family at American and the loss that all of you are experiencing. The pain and suffering that you must be feeling is too great for words. I want you to know that all of you, and your friends and loved ones are in my thoughts and prayers."

Delta
"There are not words to express our feelings about the events of yesterday, as Americans and as members of the airline industry. However, please know our thoughts and prayers are especially with you all and your companies."

Continental
"Please accept my condolence for the tragedy that your company and you have been the victim. You are in my prayers. If there is anything I can do please do not hesitate to call."

Northwest
"I just wanted to let you know that you are all in my thoughts and prayers. As you work your way through this very stressful week, make sure to find the moments to spend time private time with your families and close friends as these are the support teams that will get you through this time."

American West
"My thoughts and prayers are with you and the entire AA Team ... please let me know if I or anyone at AWA can be of any assistance during this tragic time."

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
"It is difficult for me to find the right words in respect of last week's tragedy. I will keep it short: My thoughts and prayers are with you !"

SAS/Scandanavian Airlines
Just want to say that especially you, but also all my friends in the USA, has been in my thoughts since I got the terrible news yesterday. Here in Sweden all flags on official buildings, as well as at SAS HDQ, is on half pool. Even if I knew it would be so it moved me to see it. (It is hard to find the right words when you want to express situations like this and are not using your mother language!)

Korean Air, LHR
"We at Korean Air send our deepest sympathies and condolences to the lost lives of our fellow colleagues at American Airlines. Our thoughts are also with the lost ones and all their families. May we also offer our support and assistance through these most terrible and tragic times."

National Air Traffic Services (NATS) LHR
"On behalf of all National Air Traffic Services staff here at the Control Tower Building at Heathrow, I wish to express our sincere sympathy for the tragedy that befell your airline and your fellow citizens yesterday. Any civilised person would be horrified by yesterday's events but for the aviation industry it was particularly close to home. Personally, having just returned from three years in Washington DC, my family and I found it only too easy to identify with the trauma that will be felt by your airline colleagues. My words are inadequate but our condolences are sincere."

Hainan Airlines
"I am very sorry to hear the news that the American Airlines was one of the victims in the NewYork terroristic attack. I would like express our deep sympathy and support to your Airlines, and with your wisdom and courage, you will recover from this great misery. Let us hope that the disaster in September 11, 2001 will never come again."

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About HeAAds Update!
HeAAds Update! is an advance information service provided by AA Corporate Communications. In special or extraordinary news situations, managers receive this publication in addition to the regularly-scheduled morning HeAAds Up!

HeAAds Update! is published by Corporate Communications; questions or concerns about the topics addressed in these special editions should be addressed to Corp Comm at 817-967-1577 or corp.comm@aa.com.

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© 2001 American Airlines