6.17.11 – (LAA) – State of the Union Base Visits, Departure Dependability, Paperless Cockpit, APFA Endorses Rep Hirono, Happy Birthday DCA, Cabin ASAP, UHC Lawsuit, FMLA

Weekly Hotline

For the week ending Friday June 17, 2011

STATE OF THE UNION – BASE VISITS
A Conversation with APFA

Beginning July 6, APFA President Laura Glading, Negotiating Team Members, National Coordinators and Representatives will be visiting each base city.

Please join us, along with your Local Base Leadership, and come with your questions and concerns for an informal, candid discussion and exchange of ideas on our Union’s past, present and future.

Here are the dates for each Base Visit ñ Time and locations will be announced soon.

• ORD/IOR – July 6, 2011
• RDU-I – July 7, 2011
• JFK/LGA – July 13, 2011
• BOS/BOS-I – July 14, 2011
• DFW/IDF – July 20, 2011
• MIA/IMA – July 28, 2011
• LGA/JFK – August 4, 2011
• LAX/LAX-I – August 10, 2011
• SFO/SFO-I – August 11, 2011
• DCA – August 17, 2011
• STL – August 18, 2011

DEPARTURE DEPENDABILITY

American’s new “Enhanced Boarding” has been met with mixed reviews. More often than not the result is congested aisles, and Flight Attendants having to explain to the bewildered and already stressed passengers why there is complete chaos in the cabin.

Being the consummate professionals, we do the best we can with what (little) we have to work with and our Agent colleagues to get the plane out on time.

We continue to receive reports from Flight Attendants that Agent requests to board early are on the rise as a result of this streamlined boarding initiative. Keep in mind it is not the Agents that designed the new boarding process. They are under pressure from their managers.

We have created a document that Pursers and #1 Flight Attendants can use to help address boarding times with Agents.† APFA believes it is not necessary to board earlier than our standard boarding times that have been in place for years to achieve an on-time departure.† In fact, according to the company’s own communication regarding streamlined boarding they anticipate the new boarding initiative would actually result in a quicker boarding process.†Therefore it should not be necessary to add additional time†for boarding to achieve on-time or early departures.

This document is designed to let the Agents know we are not their adversaries, and will work with them to get the plane out on time. Please print copies to carry on your trips and coordinate with the Agents to achieve an on-time departure within the 30 or 40 minutes allotted.

Click here to download the form.

PAPERLESS COCKPIT

This week, LAX based 777 Pilots began testing an Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) initially using the Apple iPad.† American is the first airline to use and EFB during all phases of flight.† AA reports the benefits being fuel conservation, employee safety and more current – real time information.

The test will run for six months and will expand to other tablet devices as the FAA approves them.

APFA’s Safety and Security Department is working diligently with American and the FAA in forming a program for an electronic manual for Flight Attendants.

APFA ENDORSES REPRESENTATIVE HIRONO (D-HI)

APFA Announced yesterday its endorsement of Rep. Mazie Hirono (D-HI) for the U.S. Senate seat from Hawaii, praising the representative for her support of Flight Attendants and working families.

“On every issue important to Flight Attendants and working families, Rep. Hirono is and has been in our corner,” said APFA President Laura Glading. “From protecting health and safety in the workplace to fighting for U.S. jobs, from health care reform to advocating for working families, Rep. Hirono has been outstanding.”

The full press release can be read here.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DCA

USAToday.com reports that Washingtonís Regan National Airport turned 70 this week. Known simply as National Airport hosted its first commercial flight in 1941.

The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority said in a press release that, “Airlines drew straws to determine who should land at National Airport first, and American Airlines won the honor.”

FROM THE SAFETY AND SECURITY DEPARTMENT

Please submit reports to the Cabin ASAP Program any and every time you experience an issue involving a hot cabin temperature, especially during the boarding process. Also, any sequence that results in extreme fatigue due to an extended duty day or a short layover rest should also be reported to the Cabin ASAP Program.

Any questions about Cabin ASAP please contact the APFA Cabin ASAP Representative at [email protected] or the APFA Safety & Security Department at [email protected]. Cabin ASAP is the best and most effective way to address all safety issues and concerns. ASAP is not just for reporting safety violations.

ARE YOU A WORKING AMERICAN?

Then community columnist Ray Burrsma’s article will likely offend you.

“So you’re an American employee. Maybe you make car parts. Maybe you’re an engineer or designer. Maybe you’re an accountant, store clerk or tradesman.
Whatever you do, you’re probably stupid or lazy. Yes, I wrote it, and I mean it. You are either stupid or lazy. Maybe both.”

So begins Mr. Burrsma’s column. He goes on to address Unions and those that have bought into the myth that union are the cause of America’s demise. And comments in part, “Stop being stupid. Union benefits provide a standard other companies have to match, or at least come close to. When those benefits are cut, yours are, too. Or do you think you operate in your own little employment vacuum?”

We’ve been given permission to re-post the column on our website. The article is a must read for all – both union and non-union supporters.

The document has been posted on APFA.org and can be accessed by clicking here.

UHC LAWSUIT

Although APFA is not a party in the United Healthcare lawsuit, some Flight Attendants are reporting that they are receiving letters requesting additional information. We have verified with Berdon Claims that these letters are being sent out however not all claimants will have to provide additional information. Please watch your mail for any contact from Berdon Claims.

If you have questions pertaining to the lawsuit please contact the claims administrator, Berdon Claims.

Website – www.berdonclaims.com
Email – [email protected]
Phone – 1-800-443-1073

FMLA Updates

The APFA website has recently been updated with the most recent Family and Medical Leave Act updates as well as a Questions and Answers section and the Flight Crew Technical amendments. Please click here to view.

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Please remember there are currently 594 members on furlough and awaiting recall. This number includes all recalls as of July 1,2011.
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