Pan Am Pilots Cross Picket Line

Pan American World Airways pilots crossed picket lines today for the first time since mechanics struck the airline eight days ago, and the first all-union crew left Kennedy International Airport bound for the Bahamas at 9:30 a.m.

The financially strapped company said it hoped to restore at least 50% of its flights “as soon as possible.” The back-to-work decision followed an agreement between Pan Am and the Master Executive Council of the Air Lines Pilots Assn., which represents Pan Am’s 1,478 pilots.