8.15.08 – (LAA) – Flight 31 Returning to LAX, Negotiations Continue, Mobilize to Maximize,AA Accelerates Fleet Renewal Plan, AA Unvails 757 with Pink Ribbon

This is the APFA weekly HotLine update for August 15, 2008.

In a press release on August 13, American Airlines announced that it had “determined that oil residue heated by the engine caused Flight 31, bound from Los Angeles to Honolulu, to return to Los Angeles International Airport on Aug. 5. The odor of the oil and a smoky haze was taken into the cabin through the air conditioning system. “The release continues that American is “proud of the way [the] entire crew handled Flight 31.” These sentiments echo those of APFA President Laura Glading in a letter of praise and appreciation to the five Flight Attendants involved, stating in part ” [Your work] benefits all Flight Attendants by demonstrating our vital role as first-responders and safety professionals.” An APFA press release also issued August 13 is available on the APFA website under the Public Relations/Media link.

Your APFA Negotiating Team continues preparation work for the restart of talks with American on September 11. Meantime, frequently asked questions from the July Mobilize to Maximize road shows, and from member emails sent to [email protected], will appear periodically on the Negotiations page of the APFA website. Simply log on, and then click on Mobilize to Maximize. In just the last week, over 500 of our members have done just that to keep up on the latest news from the Team. Donít forget to take a few moments on the main page to view the videos first presented during the road shows.

In a long expected announcement, American Airlines, British Airways and Iberia announced Thursday morning the formation of a Joint Business Agreement to cooperate commercially on routes between North America and Europe. AMR CEO Gerard Arpey explained in a letter to employees that “the three airlines will continue to operate as separate legal entities – with [their] own fleets, employees and brands”The three carriers, along with oneworld partners Finnair and Royal Jordanian, will now apply for anti-trust immunity from U.S. and European regulators. How any of this will affect schedules, routes and ultimately our members is to be determined. These marketing tie-ups are nothing new to the airline scene, though increasing costs faced by all airlines have given them a renewed urgency. Your APFA leadership will continue to examine this proposal as it develops with the focus on protecting our careers.

American has announced it is again accelerating its fleet renewal plan by taking delivery of another six Boeing 737-800 aircraft in 2010, bringing the total number of 737-800s to be delivered to American in 2009-2010 to 76 aircraft: 36 in 2009 and 40 in 2010.

Staying with fleet news, on Monday, the 11th, American unveiled a Boeing 757 and an American Eagle Embraer 145 painted with a pink ribbon, announcing an expanded partnership with the Susan B. Komen for the Cure, the worldís largest breast cancer foundation. American is also becoming the group’s official airline and its first-ever Lifetime Promise Partner. Similar ribbons will be added to six more aircraft in the coming months.

Pilots at Northwest and Delta have ratified their joint contract in preparation for the planned merger between the two airlines. Terms of the new agreement will then be applicable to both pilot groups once the merger is complete. Work now turns to seniority integration, which both pilot groups ñ having failed to reach agreement themselves ñ have agreed to submit to binding arbitration.

The Wings Foundation reminds all Flight Attendants that aluminum can recycling is alive and well. Check with your local base reps for procedures and save those cans! All proceeds go to helping your colleagues in need.

Please check the APFA website for additional emailed and online HotLine extras. You can receive the entire HotLine text via email by sending your request to: [email protected].

Remember that we have 1,188 members still on furlough and awaiting recall.

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Online and email HotLine extras

Flight Attendants living and based in California should check their mail closely for information regarding a change in the Workerís Comp Certified Medical Provider Network, effective September 8. If you have a pre-designated physician, or wish to pre-designate your personal treating physician to treat you for any work injuries, pay especially close attention. This must be done in writing before you are injured and you are required to complete the pre-designation form included in the mailing. Please contact the APFA IOD Representative at headquarters extension 8303, or email: [email protected], if you have any questions.

If you are based in Boston, the Boston Domestic and International base representatives will be holding a one-day Contract and Scheduling Training class on both September 8 and 9 from 9am to 5pm. Space is limited so please reserve your spot by September 1 to [email protected] or [email protected]. Include the day you would like to attend and type the word ìtrainingî as the subject.

From the Scheduling Department: after discussion with APFA, the Company is modifying current procedures following a Substitution of Equipment that requires one or more Flight Attendants to deadhead on the affected leg(s). Effective August 15, Crew Schedule or Tracking will assign the deadhead to Flight Attendants in seniority order. Requests to work the flight instead may be granted time permitting. Please check the Scheduling page of the APFA website for the complete text of the new procedure.

The Contract Department wants to remind Flight Attendants who are leaving the Company at the end of August via the Voluntary Bridge that you must exercise any unexercised stock options within 90 days of your separation date or they will be forfeited. This is true even if you plan to immediately retire following the VBR.

If you are considering other options to leave the company, keep the following in mind: if you simply resign from the Company, your unexercised options will be forfeited effective with the date of your resignation. If you plan to take Article 30 or normal Article 36 retirement (without the VBR) you have until 2013 to exercise any unexercised stock options.

Note that there is more than one way to exercise your options. In addition to the Cashless for Cash option there are other exercise options available such as purchasing the shares. Please refer to the Broad Based Stock Plan information under the Pay section of Jetnet to review all your options. You may want to review these options and any tax implications with a financial planner so you can make the best decision based on your individual circumstances.

For those Flight Attendants who will be going on an Overage Leave, please remember that you cannot order uniform items while you are on the Overage Leave. This is particularly important for those who will be taking the 8-month and 12‑month leaves as your last opportunity to use 2008 points is prior to August 31, 2008. Since you will not be active for the remainder of the calendar year, any remaining points will expire. If you have any current uniform needs, be sure to place an order as soon as possible but no later than August 30.