7.25.07 – (LAA) – Welcome Back to Some Furloughed FAs

Today is Wednesday, July 25th. This is Leslie Mayo with a special APFA Hotline.

After nearly three years of stagnation, we are very happy to welcome back some of our furloughed members to active status. A total of 131 recalled Flight Attendants begin flying today our of BOS, DCA and LGA. This is great news for our furloughed members who are returning to their chosen career. It is also positive news for those who have been subject to rising reserve lists, reassignments and reschedules and understaffed flights. While these numbers are far from huge and will not provide the relief we truly need in our day-to-day operation, we are hopeful the company will recall more of our furloughed members in the very near future.

APFA would also like to alert our members to reports of an increasing number of crew member bag searches by Customs agents in MIA. In some cases, U.S. Customs is taking pictures of items found in crew members bags and reporting this information to AA corporate security. APFA is meeting with AA Corporate Security to determine what has brought about this noticeable change in MIA. So far it appears this is a rogue action by a few MIA customs personnel. Please spread the word with this reminder for all crew members who clear customs in any city, and MIA in particular.