6.11.04 – (LAA) – AA Announces Recall of 233 FAs, FA Fatigue, Layover Safety, FAA Safety Inspections, Turbulence

Hello. This is Liz Geiss, National Communications Coordinator, with the APFA Hotline for Friday, June 11th, 2004.

As was reported on this hotline on Wednesday, the company has announced the recall of 233 Flight Attendants, effective July 1st, 2004. The company’s decision was based on our Flight Attendant headcount, expected levels of flying, and attrition. The junior most Flight Attendant receiving a recall letter has a hire date of August 3, 2000. A list of the employee numbers of those Flight Attendants being recalled is posted on the opening page of the APFA Web site under “Flight Attendant Recall Information”.

The company mailed recall packets to those Flight Attendants being recalled on June 9th, 2004. Responses must be completed and received by the company by June 19th, 2004. Failure to respond to the recall notice by that date will result in forfeiture of recall rights. The recall packet contains information such as training requirements, report to base dates, schedules, and more. All affected Flight Attendants will be sent to LGA. These Flight Attendants will serve a 90 day lock-in at the LGA base. Also, the company has built buffer into the 233 recalls. What this means is that if all 233 Flight Attendants on this recall list do not accept reemployment, the company will not offer recalls to additional Flight Attendants.

The APFA is very pleased to be welcoming back to the line these 233 members from furlough.

Just one more week left to ask your senators to sign on Senator Hollings letter on the issue of Safety and Security Training. On the issue of Flight Attendant fatigue, Senator Boxer’s office will continue coordinating signatures for several weeks. We have both the Boxer and Hollings letters posted under the icon “ACTION ALERT” on the opening page of the APFA web site, which will take you directly to the Capwiz feature. This feature allows you to submit an e-mail to your Senator asking for his/her support and requesting that they sign on to these letters. Senator Hollings letter is asking the TSA to develop a basic Safety and Security Training Program for all Flight attendants. Senator Boxer’s letter is asking the FAA to review and recommend changes to the flight attendant duty and layover rest regulations for flight attendants. Once you have sent your letter, click on TELL-A-FRIEND to send up to six flight attendant friends an e-mail message and allow them to respond with their own letter. Please pass the word to all of your flying partners, and ask their assistance in contacting congress on these very important issues. You may also obtain a list of phone numbers for the senate offices by going to the Government affairs page of the APFA web site and clicking on 108th Congress-U. S. Senate. We need our voices to be heard in Washington, so log onto the APFA web site and start sending those letters and making those calls.

Taking you around the APFA:

• The Contract Administration Department would like to remind our recalled flight attendants if you cashed out your Prefunding of Retiree Medical Benefits, you may return the full amount back to American Airlines within 30 days of recall. American will reinstate your account. Your contributions will begin under the prefunding table and at the age, which applied before the furlough, subject to table adjustments. If you do not return the funds within 30 days of recall, you may re-enter the prefunding program at the higher applicable age based rates, in addition, you will be required to prefund for a minimum of 10 years prior to being eligible for retiree medical. If you have any questions please refer to Article 35.C. of the APFA Contract.

  Recalled Flight Attendants who are currently employed by American Eagle must present a letter of resignation to American Eagle and notify their American Eagle Flight Service Manager as soon as possible if you plan to return as an American Airlines Flight Attendant.

• From the Scheduling Department: Starting June 21st, 2004, Flight Attendants will be able to exchange and drop sequences obtained through optional exchange (OE). Detailed information concerning procedures will be forthcoming on the APFA Web site -Scheduling Page, prior to implementation.
• From the Safety Department: In recent weeks, we have received reports of Flight Attendants being mugged and/or attacked by vandals while on layovers. Please make sure you stay in well-traveled and well-lit areas when on a layover and make sure you communicate with other crew members if you plan to venture out from the hotel. If you should be the victim of any type of vandalism or personal attack contact the local authorities, APFA Safety Department, and Crew Tracking as soon as possible.

  The Safety Department would also like to remind you that FAA Safety Inspectors are watching. They may board the aircraft at anytime. Please make sure your In-flight manual contains all current bulletins and revisions, and refer to the Safety and Security section, page 4.12 for the Inspectors scope of rights and your responsibilities. Make sure to document the ID information, questions asked, and requests made by the Inspector, and send it to the APFA Safety Department via the APFA Lock Box in your local Flight Service Operations area, or e-mail this information to [email protected] .

• From the Hotel Department: The APFA continues to meet with the Company to discuss the issue of both the Paris and Rome long layover hotels. The hotel review was conducted in January 2004. We are very disappointed that, to date, the company has not yet made a decision. We will continue to update you with any new information via the hotline and the APFA web site.
• The Health Department would like to remind you that unexpected turbulence is the leading cause of Flight Attendants injures. Anytime that you experience sudden significant turbulence, with limited or no warning, take immediate action to protect yourself. If a jumpseat is not close by, occupy a passenger seat and strap in. If no seats are available, sit on the floor and hold onto a stationary object. Do not perform compliance checks at this time. Remain seated until receiving further instructions from the Captain. Do not attempt to stow carts. Angle carts and engage the brakes. Instruct passengers to hold on to the carts. If possible, remove hot liquids from the top and place inside the cart. If not, place items on floor and cover with a blanket, if available. If you are able to communicate with the cockpit, do so by describing the turbulence in terms of FAA definitions. For example, “Captain, this is Flight Attendant #2 in the back. Walking and food service is impossible. We are taking our seats and strapping in. Injuries to the crew and passengers are unknown at this time.” This will help the Captain put the turbulence that you are experiencing into better perspective. If any passenger or crew sustains an injury due to turbulence, notify the cockpit immediately. Seek emergency medical treatment if necessary. Submit an AMR Event report and report your injury to the company by submitting an Accident Notification Report with a flight service manager or MOD. For more information, refer to the updated turbulence procedures that may be found in the July 1, 04 revision of the in-flight manual.

In Industry News:

American announced on Monday that it would begin new service between Miami and St. Kitt’s on November 1, 2004. The airline will use a 737-800 to serve the new destination three times per week.

Continental’s latest attempt at a fare increase has failed. The airline has been among the most aggressive airlines in the attempts to raise fares to meet increased fuel costs. The fare increase failed due to the fact not enough of other carriers matched the increase.

United may further delay its exit from bankruptcy. The airline, who is still awaiting approval of a $1.6 billion federal loan guarantee, may not emerge from bankruptcy until fall 2004.