7.22.11 – (LAA) – Flyer App, Recall Notices Mailed, Make Up Procedures Get a Facelift, New Fleet, Other Airlines Announce Profits, APFA PAC, Hot Cabin Temperatures, State of the Union Meetings

Weekly Hotline

For the week ending Friday, July 22, 2011

WE’VE GOT AN APP FOR THAT!

APFA is pleased to announce the release of the APFA iPhone and iPad app.

This brilliant app developed by IOR Flight Attendant Alex Rodriguez allows flight attendants to determine legalities, access contract documents, and determine 2-for-1 calculations as well as a host of other day-to-day uses.

The app currently only works with iPhones and iPads and must be installed directly to these devices. Click here to install directly to your device.

The devices must be updated to at least version 4.0 and you must be a member in good standing to download the app.

APFA is truly grateful to Alex Rodriguez for his time and dedication to this project that simplifies the work lives of many Flight Attendants. Alex exemplifies the ingenuity and creativity of our Flight Attendants.

RECALL NOTICES HAVE BEEN MAILED

Recall notices were sent to the next 100 Flight Attendants on the recall list on Monday, July 18, 2011 via two-day FedEx delivery.

Those FAs being recalled will return to the line effective October 1.

If you are included in this recall and have not received your recall notice, please send an email to [email protected].

Flight Attendants being offered recall have until Friday, July 29 to return their acceptance notice to a FedEx location. The company must receive the notice by Tuesday, August 2.

Keep in mind there is no option to bypass or defer recall. If you fail to respond to the recall offer by the deadline then you will forfeit your recall rights.

Information related to the October recall is posted on the Recall page of the APFA website.

MAKE UP PROCEDURES GET A FACELIFT

Effective July 31, Make Up (MU) procedures will be changing for flying originating on August 1. Here are few highlights.

-Crew Schedule will now attempt to call all FAs on the MU list, who search as legal and available regardless of option. This means you no longer have to change your option to qualify for MU flying.

-Crew Schedule will only attempt to call two numbers in the 1200 MU round. These two numbers are the ones in the ìHî and ìCî column of your HI1. The “T” number will not be called.

-FAs who are left a message during the 1200 MU proffer and do not return the call, will NOT be called during 1600 round of MU. You MUST call Crew Schedule and advise them if youíd still like to be called during the 1600 proffer.

– Please know that all current HISEND parameters are still in effect. If you are awarded a trip via HISEND message, prior to 1900 LBT, the trip will be considered confirmed. HISEND messages are NOT accepted for current day flying.

APFA hopes this will help streamline the process in an effort to reduce the number of crewmembers who believe they have been passed on MU.

The complete letter of agreement can be viewed under the Scheduling Department section of the APFA website.

FROM THE VICE PRESIDENT’S DEPARTMENT

All Flight Attendants should be aware that if you are issued a 1st Written Warning, 2nd Written Warning or Pre-Termination letter under the Attendance Policy, and you feel this action is unwarranted, you must file a Notice of Dispute (NOD). Note that when you are progressed to any of the steps mentioned, this is considered a disciplinary action and a NOD should be filed to protect yourself.

It is also important to know that the Attendance Policy does not require your Flight Service Manager (FSM) to issue discipline at certain point levels, it simply says they “may” issue discipline. Your FSM must take your individual situation into consideration prior to issuing any type of discipline.

Should you have any questions or need to file a NOD, promptly contact your Chairperson or Vice Chairperson. Your Division Representative is also available to provide assistance.

Contact information for your Base Representatives is available on the “Base Pages” section of the APFA website.

AHHH THAT NEW AIRPLANE SMELL

Earlier this week AA announced that it has ordered 460 new narrow-body airplanes. The company plans to acquire 260 planes from the Airbus A320 family and 200 Boeing 737s.

“I applaud management’s decision to take the company in a new direction, diversify our fleet, and modernize the in-flight experience for our passengers,” states APFA President Laura Glading. She further notes, “The work is not done. Shareholders should not be satisfied until management has secured both the physical and human capital to be successful and addressed a labor situation that has lingered for three years. Today’s announcement shows the company is capable of making strategic decisions. We call on management to put the same effort toward reaching a comprehensive agreement with its employees that recognizes the sacrifices flight attendants and others made to avoid bankruptcy and allow for today’s promising announcement.”

MONEY, MONEY, MONEY

This week United Continental, US Airways Group and Alaska Airlines each announced second-quarter profits while AMR’s loss widens with a posted loss.

United Continental posted $538 million in profits exceeding analyst expectations. US Airways Group also exceeded analyst expectations by showing earnings of $92 million. Meanwhile, Alaska Airlines met analyst expectations with $28.8 million in profits.

AMR also exceeded analyst expectations, unfortunately not in a good way, with a net loss of $286 million.

THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING UNION

Last week we announced the support of APFA for The Association of Passenger Service Agents/CWA (APSA-CWA Local 6001). APSA-CWA is in the process of organizing the Airport, RES and Admirals Club Agents.

The importance of being Union was made clear this week as American announced plans to close the International Reservations Office in Dublin. The closure will result in the loss of 130 jobs.

Although the Dublin agents would not have been APSA-CWA members, the closure clearly illustrates the lack of protections that the US based agents have as non-unionized employees.

In a letter to agents last week, APFA President Laura Glading remarked, ìThe stronger our unity as a workforce ñ from the pilots and mechanics to the flight attendants and passenger service agents ñ the better chance we all have to improve our standard of living.”

ìThe leaders of the APSA-CWA Local 6001 have the expert knowledge and long history of experience in collective bargaining to offer you a helping hand. This is a shared battle, and we at the APFA stand with you and support your efforts in coming together as a united force.î

ON THE LEGISLATIVE FRONT

The response to our APFA PAC drive has been tremendous so far! Thank you!

By making a voluntary contribution, however small, you will be helping to elect candidates we can trust and who will fight for us. We can continue to improve the work lives of APFA members.

If you have not yet signed up to participate, forms are available at every base near the APFA drop box, at the APFA State of the Union base meetings as well as here.

Remember, AA is considered a “heavy hitter” contributing millions of dollars to Congressional campaigns.

Help us to make our goal of 20% participation by 2012. By contributing we can ensure we are supporting and electing those who support APFA.

Never has having a strong voice in the Halls of Congress been more important to unions like ours, than it is today.

UNSAFE HEAT, DONíT GREET

As the summer temperatures rise, we continue to confront hot cabin temperatures.

If you encounter an unsafe cabin temperature remember – UNSAFE HEAT, DON’T GREET. Immediately contact the Captain and the Agent and inquire if either the APU or ground air is available. If neither is available and you feel the cabin temperature is too hot, request that the boarding process be halted to address the temperature issue.

Safety must come first. Never put your health or safety at risk, especially when dealing with hot cabin temperatures that could lead to heat exhaustion. If boarding needs to be delayed or stopped, remember to request the assistance of the local MOD.

All delayed boarding of flights due to hot cabin temperatures should be reported to Cabin ASAP.

Please report all hot cabin temperature incidents and issues to both the Flight Attendant Reporting system as well as the Cabin ASAP program. Flight Attendants may submit a report directly to the Flight Attendant Reporting system while on board the aircraft via the OSR. The event should then be reported to Cabin ASAP at the end of the sequence.

Please contact APFA Safety & Security and/or APFA Health with all hot cabin temperature issues, [email protected] and [email protected].

STATE OF THE UNION MEETINGS

APFA needs you to come and get informed by getting the truth. The meetings are an informative spotlight detailing where we currently are in negotiations and where we are headed as a Union.

No questions will go unanswered so please come prepared with a list of questions or rumors you would like addressed by APFA President Laura Glading, members of the Negotiating Team, National Representatives or your local Base Leadership.

The response weíve received so far from Flight Attendants has been incredibly positive and many express their delight with the open candor of these meetings.

The meetings are open to all members in good standing. We look forward to seeing you there.

The remaining meeting dates are:

• MIA/IMA – July 28, 2011 from 1100 – 1400
  Hotel MIA, Terminal E, 2nd Level (Departures)
  305-871-4100
• LGA/JFK – August 4, 2011 from 1100 – 1400
  LaGuardia Marriott Hotel
  102-05 Ditmars Blvd., East Elmhurst, NY 11369
  718-565-8900
• LAX/LAX-I – August 10, 2011 from 1000 – 1300
  Ayres Hotel
  14400 Hindry Avenue, Hawthorne, CA 90250
  310-536-0400
• SFO/SFO-I – August 11, 2011 from 1030 – 1330
  Embassy Suites South SFO
  250 Gateway Blvd, South, San Francisco, CA 94080
  650-589-3400
• DCA – August 17, 2011 from 1000 ñ 1300
  Ramp Conference Room
• STL – August 18, 2011 from 1100 – 1400
  Renaissance Hotel
  9801 Natural Bridge Road, St. Louis, MO 63134
  314-429-1100
• ORD/IOR – August 23, 2011 from 1300 ñ 1600
  West Conference Room
  OíHare International Airport – Mezzanine Level
• DFW/IDF – August 25, 2011 from 1000 ñ 1300
  Yandry Center at DFW Airport across from Gate C2

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Please remember there are currently 319 members on furlough and awaiting recall.
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