John Peterpaul oral history interview, August 14, 2012

Item — othertype: Oral History

Identifier: PeterpaulJ_L2012-38

Staff Only

John Peterpaul oral history interview

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Scope and Contents

Interviewed by Traci Drummond. Peterpaul begins by recounting his family origins and talks about growing up in Rome, NY. He discusses joining the Navy and working as a mechanic on a seaplane tender. After the Navy, he learns to fly and joins Mohawk Airlines. While at Mohawk, Peterpaul becomes chief steward and eventually general chairman at District 147. Peterpaul also served as assistant airline coordinator and airline coordinator in Washington, DC. He recalls serving as president of the National Airline Commission, started by Bill Clinton. Peterpaul talked about the effects of deregulation and recalls the Eastern Airlines strike and dealings with Frank Borman and Frank Lorenzo.

Dates

Creation: August 14, 2012

Creator

Peterpaul, John F. (Interviewee, Person)

Restrictions on Access

Oral history available for research.

Biographical Note

John Peterpaul was born in Rome, New York, 1935 to immigrant parents from Italy and Austria. His father was factory worker at the General Cable Corporation in Rome, NY and a member of the IUE and then the machinists union. After serving in the Navy, Peterpaul started flying and went to work for Mohawk Airlines. He started his tenure with the IAM as chief steward at Mohawk, then became General Chairman at District 147. Peterpaul moved to Washington, DC to take the position of airline coordinator and was eventually appointed general vice president. Peterpaul also held the position of the International Transport Workers Federation general vice president and was appointed president of the National Airline Commission in 1993. He also served on the board of Directors of United Airlines.