8.04.00 – (LAA) – APFA Website, UOR List, Ghost Rides, Airplane Orders, Delta, AFA

This is Leslie Mayo, National Communications Coordinator, with APFA HotLine News for the week ending August 4th, 2000.

The new enhanced APFA web site is up and running. We hope that you will take the time to visit the site and become familiar with all it has to offer. In order to log on, you will use your last name. Your initial password will be the last 4 digits of your Social Security Number. We encourage you to change your password once you have accessed the site. One of the unique areas of the new web site is the secured portion for member’s only which contains an area for chats and posts similar to those found on the various e-groups. In order to access this area, you will use your last name along with your 6-digit employee number. You will notice a disclaimer that all members must read and agree to before posting to the bulletin board. We hope that you enjoy the new web site and use it to access current and accurate information about our Union. If you have problems signing in, you may want to contact the APFA Membership Department at 800-395-2732, extension 8153 to ensure that your Social Security Number is on file and accurate.

Flight Service Managers are still conducting UORs or Unannounced Observation Rides. That’s the Company’s euphemism for what’s always been known as “Ghost Rides”. Allegedly they’re being conducted to ensure that all levels of service are delivered “as promised”, but isn’t it a little coincidental that these Ghost Rides are taking place smack dab in the middle of contract negotiations? Who’s the genius that came up with this one? Must be the same guy that thought it would really “show ’em who’s boss” if the #1 Flight Attendant in the system was on the back-up Reserve list during our last negotiations. Unfortunately, itís the same “Management By Intimidation” tactics the Company has always employed during negotiations. It didn’t work before, and it’s not working now. We call on the Company to put a stop to these witch-hunts immediately. Until then, be on your guard, mind your Ps and Qs and pay special attention to 15-minute walk-thrus, compliance with all service procedures and standards, and the amount of time spent in crew rest, which is an oxymoron these days. And lest you think YOU would never receive a negative rating on one of these ghost rides, thing again! You, too, can get caught in the web, since the whole point is to take hostages here and make an example out of someone. After all, when Suzy Stew gets a “Non Effective” in phase III, then NO ONE’S safe, or so the logic goes! APFA believes that we have the best Flight Attendants in the industry and that subjecting everyone to this type of treatment just to supposedly catch those naughty Flight Attendants who would dare sit on the jumpseat an extra 5 minutes, is ridiculous.

The combined July/August issue of SKYWORD is in the mail. Please check the center section for an early Halloween treat!

In American Airlines News this week:

The Company announced that it will be discontinuing the 4-day a week Orlando-Sao Paulo flight effective September 6 due to “disappointing” load factors. APFA will be addressing this issue with management next week in order to find out just how this management decision may affect our membership.

American placed another order for airplanes this week. The order includes 6 777-200 and 3 737-800s to be delivered in 2001 and 2002. AMR also placed an order for 6 additional regional jets for delivery in 2002.

American has offered to settle another lawsuit; this one by the Federal Government. The Company has agreed to pay up to $500,000 to settle a class-action lawsuit by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission on behalf of people who had applied for Flight Attendant positions. The lawsuit claimed that American and American Eagle violated the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990 by implementing medical restrictions which disqualified applicants that would have otherwise met other necessary requirements. Some applicants affected by the settlement may reapply under the new guidelines.

American won the right to sue the Federal Aviation Administration for the crash of flight 1420 in Little Rock in June 1999. However, the ruling did not give American the right to sue the air traffic controller on duty at the time. The suit alleges that the FAA did not give the Pilot in charge accurate information regarding the weather or the condition of the runway at the time.

In other industry news:

Flight Attendants at Delta are showing concern over the recent merger mania in the airline industry. According to a recent poll conducted by AFA, 69 percent feel that Delta will merge with another carrier. 92 percent are concerned about their seniority. AFA is using the merger issue to step up their organizing efforts at Delta. Delta management on the other hand is once again using pleasant videos (not required this time) to reassure the Flight Attendants they will take good care of them!

APFA Base Meetings for the month of August are:

• LAX August 9th at the LAX base office
• DFW August 9th at the DFW base office
• IDF August 8th at APFA Headquarters
• SFO/SFO-I August 30th
• DFW/IDF Reps in Ops Days are: Terminal A August 16th, and Terminal C August 17th.
• ORD Reps in Ops Day is the 18th of every month.

The APFA would like to welcome our newest members from Flight Attendant class 2000-20!

We thank you for calling the APFA HotLine and don’t forget to wear your Union Pin proudly!