after the economic upheaval caused by the 9/11 attacks upon the airline industry of the united states, ata and its then parent company amtran suffered substantial financial hardships. among one of the small group of airlines to receive atsb backing from the us government, this alone proved not enough for american trans air to remain out of reorganization caused from the hardships and ill-timing of the refleeting to 737-800's just prior to the terrorism attacks.