8.14.03 – (LAA) – Power Outage in Northeastern US

This is Joann Matley National Safety Coordinator, with an APFA Hotline Update for Thursday, August 14, 2003

The Northeastern United States has been affected by a power outage. All major airports in the New York area including LGA, JFK, EWR, Islip, and White Plains, as well as Detroit, Cleveland, and Toronto are either closed or have limited access at this time. This has caused a number of logistical problems for the American Airlines Operation.

The Company is in contact with the APFA. APFA’s Safety and Scheduling Departments are being provided regular updates. If you are arriving at or diverted to a city other than your originally scheduled layover city – APFA urges you to designate one crew member to contact crew tracking to obtain your sequence information. Hotel/Limo vouchers will not be made by AA hotel/limo desk until crew tracking builds the new sequence. Be certain to obtain a release time from crew tracking to ensure proper layover rest in accordance with FAR 121/467 – 8 hours free of all duty.

Please be aware of your legalities. Remember, even with reduced rest, all Flight Attendants must be provided with “8 hours free of duty.”

Flight Attendants are urged to be patient. This is an extraordinary situation. APFA will continue to work with American on the issues that will most certain arise from this power outage and the impact it will have on our operation.

Continue to monitor the APFA Hotline for updates.