Pan Am Roots
Pan American World Airways, commonly known as Pan Am, was the principal international airline of the United States from the 1930's until its collapse on December 4, 1991. Founded as a seaplane service out of Key West, Florida, the airline became the airline became a major company credited with many innovations that shaped the international airline industry, including the widespread use of jet aircraft, jumbo jets, and computerized reservation systems. Identified by its blue globe logo (widely known as the "the blue ball") and the use of the word "Clipper" in aircraft names and call signs, the airline was a culture icon of the 20th century and the unofficial flag carrier of the United States.
After Pan Am was forced to declare bankruptcy on January 8, 1991, Delta Air Lines purchased the remaining profitable assets of Pan Am, including its remaining European routes and the Pan Am Worldport at JFK Airport, and injected $100 million as a 45% owner of a reorganized, but smallers Pan Am serving the Caribbean, Central and South America from a hub in Miami. The airline's creditors would hold the other 55%. During that time, Pan Am began to relocate its offices to Miami. The new airline would have operated approximatley 60 aircraft and generated about $1.2 billion in annual revenues with 7,500 employees.
Pan Am ceased operations on December 4, 1991, when Delta's CEO Ron Allen and other senior executives reached a decision to cut of its scheduled final payment due to Pan Am of $25 million the weekend after Thanksgiving. This was at a time when Pan Am's senior executives outlined a projected shortfall of between $100 and possibly $200 million, with the airline requiring a $25 installment just to fly throught the following week.
On the evening of December 3, Pan Am's Creditors Committee advised U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Cornelius Blackshear that it was close to convincing an airline (TWA) to invest $15 million to keep Pan Am operating. However, the following morning a deal with TWA owner Carl Icahn could not be struck. Pan Am opened for business at 9:00 am and within the hour, was forced to withdraw Pan Am's plan of reorganization and execute an immediate shut-down plan for Pan Am.
Over 9,000 employees lost their jobs. As a result of this action, Delta was sued for more than $2.5 billion on December 9, 1991 by the Pan Am Creditors.
**Committee: Shortly thereafter, a large group of former Pan Am employees also sued Delta.**
**Delta was able to combine and move the cases from New York to Atlanta, and the lawsuits were later dismissed.**
The Start of Tech Welding
As a result of the 1991 collapse of Pan American Airlines. Ed Klepeis founder and owner of Tech Welding, relocated his family and trade to Paducah, KY in September 1993. In October 1993 the first layer of bricks were laid down for the foundation of what was soon to be known as Tech Welding.
After 24 years of dedicated service as an A&P mechanic/welder for the world's largest airliner, Edward Klepeis Jr. opened his own welding and fabrication business in April of 1994, Tech Welding.
As a master of the trade Ed Klepeis has provided skilled welding services to a variety of customers.
Reoccurring and Current Clients:
For the past 15 years Ed Klepeis has provided quality welding services which has built his reputation as one of the best welders & fabricators in the Western KY region. Since then every job has been done with a touch of quality and the customer's satisfaction in mind!
Services Offered
Tech Welding is moving on to new, and improved systems and projects for Subaru, Geo Metro, and Rotary engines. We now equip some of todays small aircraft owners with quality cooling & exhaust systems.
Tech Welding is thriving to make the auto/aircraft engine conversion hassle free with safe, durable, affordable, and quality products.
Our market doesn't stop at aircraft only. If it can be welded, most likely we can do it. Boats, aircraft, motorcycles, trailers, and custom lawnmowers, pretty much anything metal will be fixed, repaired or fabricated to our cutomers needs and satisfaction.
Looking Towards the Future
Innovative ideads are constantly flowing throughout Tech Welding's shop.
Ed Klepeis and son John Klepeis are now in the final stages of completing their own version of a three-wheeled car. The body of the car is currently under development while other technical aspects are being worked out.
The end product should be available on showcase in Spring 2010.
P . A . L . I . P
Since the opening day of business customers have always asked what does PALIP mean?
To give everyone an anser, it means:
Pan Am Living In Paducah
