Hello this is Jane Allen with an update for Friday, September 2, 2005.

You can't read a newspaper paper or watch the news without seeing the enormous devastation on the U.S. Gulf Coast and in New Orleans in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. If you've been following NewsReal, you know that the company has been doing everything possible to confirm the safety of all of our affected employees in the area. In Onboard, we have been phoning flight attendants with permanent addresses in the tri-state area affected by the storm. We will continue to reach out until we account for everyone.

As is often the case, out of the worst catastrophes often comes the best of humanity - and our relief flight to New Orleans yesterday is proof of the lengths our employees will to go to help those in need. Five O'Hare-based flight attendants eagerly embarked on this humanitarian journey - not knowing exactly what would be involved - only certain that they wanted to be a part of it.

The flight to New Orleans brought 25,000 pounds of critically needed relief supplies (including food and water) for people affected by the storm. In addition to 29 United employees from various divisions, eight Transportation Security Administration agents were onboard to assist with the security screening of evacuees for the return flight, along with fifty paramedics going to assist with the ongoing relief effort there.

Equally important, they were able to bring back 101 evacuees to Chicago. No one could have prepared the crew for what they saw - the physical and emotional condition of these individuals was unimaginable.

Yet, purser Edna Cook, along with crewmembers Laurie Stout, Amy Askey, Darron Longs and Sharon Van Divier cared for these dazed and traumatized refugees with the utmost professionalism, respect and concern. The crew made their beleaguered passengers feel welcome and at home - helping to restore the dignity they'd all but lost because of their dire circumstances.

This crew would not be deterred by the extraordinarily difficult conditions on the aircraft. They responded to each customer's unique needs with special, individualized care, earning praise from many of the United employees traveling with them.

I want to add my sincere appreciation to this amazing crew for their extraordinary performance onboard this flight. I also want to thank our pilots, Captain Dennis Taylor and First Officer Halli Mulie, for their outstanding efforts on this relief flight. I'm certain the compassion and care of the entire crew meant so much to these individuals. Thank you.

I know that many of you are wondering how you can help and many of those answers are still unknown. However, the U.S. government has made arrangements with United and other commercial airlines to operate charter evacuation flights out of New Orleans. The first of these flights left Chicago today at 1700 Central. In preparation for any additional flights that might be scheduled, we will compile a list of volunteers to work these airlift evacuation flights.

If you are a Chicago-based flight attendant on days off, and you are interested in working one of these charters, please call 1-800-FLT-LINE to access the O'Hare crew desk; select option No. 5 to put your name on the list. However, before you make the call, please check the Onboard homepage on SkyNet to determine whether you are eligible to volunteer.

My continued thanks for the great job that you every day. Fly safe and thank you for listening.