9.05.08 – (LAA) – Scheduling and Reserve Survey Available, APFA/APA/TWU Issue Press Release Affirming Commitment to Pressure AA to Restore Lost Wagers, Debbie Maitland Roland to Lay Wreat at 9/11 Pentago Memorial Dedication, AA Seeks Permission from Fed R

You have reached the APFA weekly HotLine update for September 5, 2008. This is Frank Bastien, National Communications Coordinator.

The APFA Negotiating Team’s Scheduling and Reserve Survey has been available for a week and already over 3,000 of our members have clicked on the link in their personal email invitations and sent in their answers to the Team’s questions on several hot scheduling issues.

If you did not yet receive a survey link, you may need to check your spam or junk email folder in case it was filtered out. Make sure you have your email set to receive all mail from: [email protected]. If your invite is not there, go online to www.www.apfa.org and click on the Survey tab to fill out a request form. Many of the emails in our membership database are in need of updating so your link may have been sent to an old or invalid address. Requesting a survey link will update the database to match your current address and ensure you receive timely invitations for future surveys.

The survey links will remain active through September 29. However, you are not limited to surveys to express your views to your Negotiators. The Team receives email at: [email protected]. Send them your thoughts and ideas on all the issues that concern you as the Team continues preparations for the resumption of talks with American next week.

On August 29, APFA, in conjunction with the Allied Pilots Association and the Transport Workers Union issued a press release affirming the commitment of the three unions, representing Flight Attendants, Pilots and Ground Workers to combine efforts to pressure American Airlines to restore lost wages and benefits. In the announcement, timed for the start of the Labor Day weekend, President Laura Glading accused American management of double dealing, paying lip service to employees while handing out million-dollar bonuses to top executives. The complete press release is available through the APFA website. Click on the Press Releases link.

APFA member Debbie Maitland Roland (DCA), a long-time safety advocate for our Union, will represent the airlines as she assists General Richard B. Myers (USAF Ret.) with the laying of the wreath during the 9-11 Pentagon Memorial dedication ceremony in Washington, DC. We share with Debbie the sense of great honor bestowed upon her and proudly recognize her work on behalf of our crew members. Details on the memorial are available through a link on the APFA website. Click on ìeventsî on the main page.

The summer issue of SKYWORD magazine is in the mail and will shortly be available for download through a link on the APFA website. The issue features updated Negotiations news with an overview of the road shows and questions and answers from the Team.

In industry news, American revealed this week that it has sought permission from Federal Regulators to delay the startup of its long-awaited Chicago to Beijing service until April 2010. It was slated to start in April 2009. American cited what it called “extraordinary adverse market and operating conditions affecting the entire airline industry.” Similar requests for delays in China routes have already been granted to United, US Airways and Northwest.

Zoom Airlines, the Canadian low fare carrier offering service between Canada and Europe, has ceased operations. After grounding a few aircraft in Canada and Britain for non-payment of bills, the airline finally cancelled all flights, leaving passengers stranded on both sides of the Atlantic. In Italy, Alitalia has filed for bankruptcy protection after continually bleeding more than $3 million per day. It is maintaining operations while the Italian government attempts to structure a reorganization plan.

Remember that we still have 1,188 APFA members on furlough awaiting recall. Check out the website for the Wings Foundation (www.wingsfoundation.com ) to learn the many ways you can offer aid to your fellow Flight Attendants.

Thank you for calling the APFA HotLine.

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This news from Linda Herod-Rivas, Chair of the APFA National Ballot Committee: September 2 was the deadline for the SFO-I Chair and SFO-I and LGA Vice Chair Willingness-to-Serve Notifications.

Robert Ross is duly elected to the office of SFO-I Chairperson and Kimberly Ross is duly elected to the office of SFO-I Vice Chairperson.

There will be an election held in LGA for the Vice Chair position. The candidates are Willie Aviles and Joann (Joey) McFadden. Ballots will be mailed out to LGA members on September 16th and must be received in the designated P.O. Box no later than 10:00 AM Central Time, October 15th, 2008.

September 4 was the deadline for the dual vacancy at DCA-I. Lena Gale is duly elected to the office of DCA-I Chairperson and Juanita Seifert is duly elected to the office of DCA-I Vice Chairperson.

The U.S. National Elections are fast approaching. If you moved recently, you may need to re-register to vote in order to participate. Pay attention to deadlines as they vary by state and are coming due. One good web resource is: www.longdistancevoter.org. This site contains not only information for registering, but for ordering an absentee ballot, always an important consideration for crew members who may easily be away on voting day.

Check the events link on the APFA website main page for announcements and related web links for a number of upcoming community activities of interest to crew members. In southern California, there will be a 9-11 Memorial Service on the USS Midway on the afternoon of the 11th; while Redondo Beach is the place for a 9-11 Tribute dedication on September 13.

The IDF and DFW bases invite all Americanís union members and their dates to a rally to be held at the Ft. Worth Stockyards the evening of Thursday, September 18.

The Allied Pilots Association is sponsoring an event in Southlake, TX during the September 11-13 weekend. Gary Sinise (of CSI:NY) and his 14 piece ìLt. Dan Bandî are playing a benefit concert at Southlake Carroll Stadium (Dragon Stadium) to honor and support our servicemen and women who have been wounded while engaged in the global war on terror. If you are based at DFW/IDF, live in or are laying over in the DFW area, check out this event and join our pilots for what promises to be a very special weekend.

(The following is reprinted from AA’s Jetwire): “Denver Crew Chief William Dise, working with the New Orleans non-profit St. Bernard Parish Project, wants to bring 400 American and American Eagle employees, active and retired, to New Orleans the week of Sept. 21 to help rebuild the Crescent City. The 28-year AA veteran, and former NCAA basketball player, is no stranger to humanitarian missions. Read Dise’s story on Jetnet. Employees, family and friends who want to help can sign up via the American Volunteers site. Enter “Parish” as the keyword, and sign up for a two-day shift.”

For those who have just departed on their Voluntary Bridge to Retirement, you might be wondering: How will I receive my severance payment? Will it be paid as a lump sum? The answer is: Severance payment is paid in a lump sum and direct deposited into your account 7-10 days after the VBR PTR (Payroll Transaction Record) is processed.

In just over one month, the annual benefits enrollment period will open. The APFA Health Department advises all Flight Attendants to carefully review the information sent in the mail and available through the benefits page of Jetnet for changes in enrollment procedures this year. If you should have any questions regarding your benefits selections, please contact the Health Department at headquarters extension 8301 or by email to: [email protected].

APFA’s Treasurer advises those retiring to be sure you settle any dues balance owed prior to thirty (30) days after retirement to prevent your account being turned over to a collections agency.

If you are going on an Overage Leave, remember that you remain dues obligated during the leave. Once you return from your leave, if you have not prepaid your dues or paid monthly throughout your leave, you will have sixty (60) days to set up a payment plan for the dues accrued and owed. This payment plan must result in payment of your dues accrued during the leave in a time period no longer than twice the length of your leave. It is easier to prepay your dues upfront, or to leave a credit card on file for monthly billing. You will still receive a monthly statement.

Make your arrangements via email to the Dues Department at: [email protected]. Or call headquarters extension 8154.