Exhibit 16.1 May 24, 2002 Office of the Chief Accountant Securities and Exchange Commission 450 Fifth Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20549 Dear Sir/Madam: We have read the first four (4) paragraphs of Item 4 included in the Form 8-K dated May 24, 2002 of Consolidated Freightways Corporation to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and are in agreement with the statements contained therein. Very truly yours, /s/Arthur Andersen LLP Arthur Andersen LLP cc: Robert E. Wrightson Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Consolidated Freightways Corporation