"Candi was my first co-pilot, assigned to me for a full month, and I made the recommendation that she be upgraded to Captain. She was thorough and highly competent. My finest tribute to that remarkable lady is to lend my best efforts to ensure the survival of the company that made her dreams come true → just as she would have under different circumstances. "There is a new spirit among the people coming to work today. It is the bonding that only comes from standing together to face a common enemy. I trust that you will build upon that spirit to continue to form an esprit that will trickle down to our customers. The employees of ValuJet, especially the core of long time professionals who have chosen to fly out our careers with ValuJet, stand ready to do whatever is necessary and for as long as necessary to ensure prosperity." Stephen L. Cheney ValuJet Captain "Your personal condolences began the healing process for me personally. I know that you sincerely share in the sorrow that all the families of Flight 592 feel. All of your staff has done an excellent job in working with my family, making it possible for us to be together at this time as well as attend the memorial services in Dallas on May 23. I simply do not know how any more could have been done to help than you and your staff have done. It is my prayer that all of us can soon find the closure that we need at this time, and that ValuJet will continually be able to provide affordable travel for millions of Americans for many years to come.". Don Hazen, Father of 592 First Officer Richard Hazen Highland City, Florida "My wife suffers from MS (multiple sclerosis) and traveling to her hometown of Fort Walton Beach in a car was impossible. The cost of airfare kept our travels to once a year. When ValuJet began to fly to FWB it was like a miracle; now my wife can see her elderly mother as often as needed. I booked my wife on the flight for May 2, returning last Saturday (May 11). I was concerned about her traveling alone, but all my concerns were put to rest the minute she called me from home. She told me that the staff and crew of your airline went the extra mile to assist her and make her feel comfortable. Over the years we have traveled a great deal around the United States, Mexico, Canada, Europe and the Far East, and never have we been treated with such personalized service." Joseph C. Holden, Jr. College Park, Georgia "Two weeks ago I made a reservation for my pregnant wife, Susan, on ValuJet from Tampa to Atlanta, to meet me while on business. I have no plans of canceling that reservation, nor will I avoid booking myself or my family on future ValuJet flights." Scott Spoor Tampa, Florida "I know how difficult it has been for all of you as you have had to deal with this tragedy. All of us who have been in the industry have faced this at one time or another. I did want you to know that my prayers are with you." David C. Garrett, Jr., former President Delta Air Lines "I will proudly continue to fly and sell ValuJet. The entire organization is to be commended for everything you have done for the traveling public." Mitch Morrow, President M and M Travel Associates, Atlanta "The human consequence of our actions in business should always take precedence above all else, but I'm afraid too many businesses have lost this sense of priority. ValuJet, as always, seems to be a voice against the crowd, refusing to lose sight of this standard. I commend your staff for their excellence during these very difficult days." C.A. Southerland, Founder Lynx Air International "In October, my mother was diagnosed with advanced cancer and was given a very short time to live. As she lived in Tennessee and I live in Florida, you can imagine how terrible it was for me to be so far away from her when she needed me. With my state of mind reaching near panic level, it was so reassuring to find that I could get a (ValuJet) flight out quickly and, even at the last minute, it was very inexpensive. "In the months before she died, I was able to make several trips to see her, due to your low fares. On one of my trips home, I told my mother that I was going to write to thank you for safe, inexpensive transportation. I know that, had it not been for ValuJet, I might not have had all the wonderful visits I shared with my mother in her last months. For that, I will be forever grateful to you." Lynnette Guy Crocker Delray Beach, Florida "ValuJet has afforded my husband and me the luxury of visiting our grandchildren often as they live in Alpharetta, Georgia, and we are here in central Jersey. We will continue to do so, not just because of your fair prices, but because we truly like your airline and the flight crews we've flown with. My husband and I plan on buying some stock in ValuJet today. Hopefully this small gesture will help keep ValuJet in the air." Elizabeth Patmore Freehold, New Jersey "I recognize that no one bears a heavier burden of sadness from the tragedy of Flight 592 than the fine men and women who work at ValuJet. For that reason, I want to commend you all for conducting yourselves with compassion, concern and dignity in your work with the families of those killed, despite the burden of your personal grief." Sam Nunn United States Senate "Please know that Nancy, myself and thousands of other Georgians continue to keep you in our prayers during these difficult times." Paul D. Coverdell United States Senate "ValuJet has been a valued asset to the Atlanta community, employing a great number of local residents, and we send to the employees and company officials our regrets at this devastating accident." Andrew Young, Chairman of the Board Atlanta Chamber of Commerce "We flew ValuJet to Louisville and back yesterday, and saw some of the problems you are facing. But more importantly, we saw how professionally you and all of the ValuJet employees were responding to this crisis. I know you are very proud of every one of them, and rightfully so. "I wanted you to know that our commitment to ValuJet is as strong as ever. We are dedicated to doing everything we can in Mobile to help you through this difficult time." G. Bay Haas, Executive Director Mobile Airport Authority "I had the honor of serving as a flight attendant for ValuJet from November 1994 until May 1995. I flew on ValuJet as a customer for the first time in the summer of 1994, and was so impressed by the professionalism and spirit of the flight crew, I decided it was a team I wanted to be part of. "I look upon the time I served with ValuJet as one of the most rewarding experiences in my life. I have great regard for the crew members I worked with. Safety was always a priority. I never felt unsafe or compromised." Nancy Jacob Mensinger Gainesville, Georgia "Prestige Airways is a startup carrier. We have provided subservice for ValuJet in the past. We value our relationship with ValuJet and will continue to move our Prestige Airline crews and other company employees on your airline." Elijah Jackson, President/CEO Prestige Airways "We have heard a great deal of speculation about this accident. While we have not responded to the more insensitive inquiries, I will tell you that we still plan to deliver our first MD-95 to ValuJet in 1999." A letter to all employees of McDonnell Douglas from: Harry C. Stonecipher, President & CEO McDonnell Douglas "On behalf of the employees of Douglas Aircraft, I write at this time to express our deepest sympathy and support for the entire ValuJet team. I am well aware of the strong partnership that has developed between our two companies over the course of past years, and can assure you that we remain committed to the strength of this partnership." Michael M. Sears, President Douglas Aircraft Company, McDonnell Douglas "I have been in the airline industry for over 25 years. My family and I have traveled on ValuJet several times. As an experienced and knowledgeable airline executive, I would not hesitate to fly on ValuJet." Richard L. Haberly, President and CEO Florida West Airlines "You and your partners have accomplished at ValuJet what I could only dream about while I was at Kiwi. I have every confidence you will rebound stronger than ever." Bob Iverson, President & CEO Sky Trek International Airlines "As a Mississippi Senator who represents the Jackson area, I want to personally thank you for making Jackson one of your markets. Your presence here has had a profound impact on the local economy. Not only are you saving money for my constituents, you are providing them a means to experience and see parts of our country they would not otherwise have." F. Michael Gunn, Senator Jackson, Mississippi The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Letters Nothing I have seen has dissuaded me from the ValuJet concept An open letter to ValuJet chief Dear Lewis Jordan: I don't know you, but I wish I did. It is utterly refreshing to see a spokesman who is accessible, who assumes responsibility in a crisis without pointing the finger of blame and who, despite a circus atmosphere, continues to show empathy and leadership. You speak directly during press conferences in down-to-earth language. You support your employees at every turn, and you choke up when they applaud your advocacy. Watching the local evening news, on which "If it bleeds, it leads," I am struck by your plodding good nature. No matter what the news media, the FAA or anyone else throws at you, you respond patiently instead of resorting to sound bites and evasion. When I see you on the news, I believe you. Smith I have been one of your regular customers at ValuJet. I even bought a few shares of stock last winter after one of your pilots threaded me through a sky full of turbulence into Washington-for about a hundred bucks. Nothing I have seen has dissuaded me from Lewis Jordan your concept and the long-range vision that ValuJet has been trying to attain. Hold on, Mr. Jordan. There are many, many of us out here standing behind you. You won't hear from us much, because we are pretty much like you. We go about our business, doing our business. Next time the media report "public" response to the ValuJet crisis, remember us. HARRIETT SMITH Atlanta |