ATA files chapter 11 bankruptcy and vanishes like a thief in the night.

Indiana airline, ATA ( a subsidiary of Global Aero Logistics Inc.) announced this morning that they are closing their doors for good, making this the second bankruptcy in 3 years for the ill-fated company. Flights were canceled without notice. Pilots, attendants, and all other positions were laid off. Passengers are stranded in Hawaii, as well as all over the continental US. of the 10,000 or so daily travelers that use ATA’s airline, all were greeted with the same level of customer service. The ATA counter in Los Angeles was deserted Thursday. It had a sign on it that read, in part, “We regret the inconvenience caused by the sudden shutdown of ATA.”

A sign, with a faceless, nameless apology. Not “I’m terribly sorry you missed the flight to your wedding”, or “It is with deep regret that you will not make it in time for your board meeting”, or even a little “It’s ok, we’ve made arrangements to secure alternative flight options for you”. Just an empty desk and a cold sign. It is said that the near 2,300 employees of the ATA airline weren’t given much more than that either. A blindsiding pink-slip and a kick in the ass out the door, leaving them to find new means to support their families and lifestyles with no warning at all.

In this day of modern business and internet consumers have we gone so far away from interacting with our customers that we have NO moral code when it comes to delivering bad news? Are we no longer afraid that the failure of one venture will inhibit the success of a future venture? Has it become so easy to cut ties, wash our hands and walk away, completely disregarding the wake of despair our disaster left behind as people lose jobs, homes, childcare, the very food off their table? Where is the outrage? Where is the lynch mob? How does a company of this stature pay for the damage they have caused?

Sundance Film Festival, is a yearly event many look forward to. On January 17th-27th 2008 you might find Park City, UT a little more crowded than usual.

The Sundance Film Festival was named by Robert Redford after his character The Sundance Kid from the movie Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, probably because this is his favorite character among those he played

“Sundance began in 1978 as the Utah/US Film Festival in an effort to attract more filmmakers to Utah. Founded by Sterling Van Wagenen and Charles Gary Allison with Chairperson Robert Redford, the goal of the festival was to showcase what the potential of independent film could be. At the time, the main focus of the event was to present a series of retrospective films and filmmaker panel discussions; however it also included a small program of films made outside the Hollywood system, commonly known as independent films.”

Between the films, parties, and people you might run into stars such as: 50 Cent, Jessica Alba, U2, Paris Hilton, and Entourage’s Adrian Grenier to name just a few.

Robert Redford, meanwhile, spoke out against Paris Hilton’s appearance, telling a press conference: “Paris Hilton and so forth doesn’t have anything to do with anything.”

Sundance Film Festival Information

• Festival Info
• Box Office
• Film & Events
• Press & Industry

I had the chance to stop by the Queer Lounge last Saturday night, and the lines were huge! Not only to this particular place, but everywhere. Police had to put up metal gates to get people to walk on the side walks instead of the streets. It was absolute madness, but that’s exactly why I love going. You’ve got people from all over who come and visit for the Sundance Film Festival, and have always had an amazing time. I tried to get tickets this year to go to some of the films, but of course just like last year, it’s almost impossible. That still wasn’t an excuse for me not to go though. After getting into the Queer Lounge, I was immediately put to work. Among the long list of things to do for an event, I was in charge of stacking all 250 VIP gift bags (around $1,400 each) neatly next to the VIP room to hand out at the end. I was able to get done in time to go up to the 3rd floor to watch The Donnas perform. The whole night was a blast, and the event I attended was sponsored by Absolut, so I was in heaven. I have a few more days to recuperate till I head up again before it ends. Just make sure to have a warm jacket, gloves, ID , money, chap stick, camera, and last but not least, if you’re lucky enough to meet someone of significance, a pen.

~Honeybee