4.11.13 – (LAA) – Only Fourteen More Days Until Knives Are Allowed in the Cabin

APFA Hotline – April 11, 2013  

ONLY FOURTEEN MORE DAYS UNTIL KNIVES ARE ALLOWED IN THE CABIN 

NO KNIVES ACTION IN WASHINGTON, D.C.,
APFA along with the Coalition of Flight Attendants plan to host a fly-in on April 24th – the day before knives are allowed in the cabin – as a last-ditch effort to persuade the TSA Administrator to change his recent policy announcement allowing knives on board. Please plan to join us in Washington that day. If you’re on a layover, live near the area or want to fly in and join us, all are welcome. We will publish details soon.

NO KNIVES UPDATE – HOUSE SUBCOMMITTEE HEARING ON TSA’S RISK-BASED SECURITY
Today in Washington the House Subcommittee on Transportation Security held a hearing on “TSA’s Efforts to Advance Risk-Based Security: Stakeholder Perspectives.” APFA legislative affairs representative Julie Frederick attended along with DCA Vice Chair Tim Weston and DCA-based Flight Attendant Juan Carlos Ayub. Many of our colleagues from across the Coalition of Flight Attendant Unions also attended, signaling a strong and unified front in our campaign against knives in the cabin.

Although the witness panel touched on many subjects, the issue of TSA’s knife policy was discussed extensively. David Borer of the Association of Federal Government Employees delivered strong testimony against the policy. Although the panel did not include a flight attendant, written statements prepared by APFA and AFA were entered into the record by Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA). Click here to read APFA President Laura Glading’s testimony .

Reps. Eric Swalwell and Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX) offered some of the strongest statements and questions against the knife policy set to take effect on April 25. There was also broad agreement that the TSA’s decision-making process was seriously flawed, especially on the part of Reps. Cedric Richmond (D-LA) and Bennie Thompson (D-MS). APFA would like to thank the members for their strong and vocal leadership.

APFA Legislative Representative Julie Frederick provided live tweets from the hearing from the @apfalegislation  handle. Be sure to follow her for additional updates as the Flight Attendant campaign against knives continues.

NO KNIVES LEAFLETING CONTINUES
Monday April 15th, We will continue our efforts to inform the public of the dangers of knives on board the aircraft with a leafleting event at the Miami International Airport. Flight Attendants should meet in Concourse 1, Terminal D by 10:00 a.m. to receive your leaflet assignments throughout the airport. Please arrive in uniform. Leafleting will be from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. so come out and join your coworkers.

NO KNIVES CAPWIZ – CONTACT CONGRESS TODAY!
We need Congress to pass legislation that will support us in our efforts to keep airplanes safe. Multi-layered security, including prohibition of items that could pose a threat, will help ensure U.S. aviation remains among the safest in the world. The ban on dangerous objects is an integral layer in aviation security.

Congressman Ed Markey has introduced H.R. 1093, the “No Knives Act of 2013.” Please write, email  (via the easy-to-use Capwiz application), or call your elected member of Congress today at (202) 224-3121. Ask the Capitol switchboard to transfer you to your Representative. There, you can leave a message with a member of her/his staff stating your request that knives should not be allowed in the cabin again. For more talking points, visit www.noknivesonplanes.com.

TABLET SURVEY CONCLUDES
APFA would like to thank those of you who took the time to fill out the Tablet Survey at www.apfa.org. The survey is concluded and we are in the process of compiling the information to determine how best to address the issues with management.

HOLLY HEGEMAN’S LOUNGE LIZARD TRANSCRIPTS
Read Holly Hegeman’s Plane Business Banter edition this week where she interviews APFA President Laura Glading in Holly’s special feature: “Lounge Lizard Transcripts.”

images/president/lllauraglading.pdf

(This item is a repeat from last week and will be repeated frequently until we exit bankruptcy)
NO MORE LBFO ONCE WE EXIT BANKRUPTCY
Wondering where we came from, where we are now and where we are headed once we exit bankruptcy? Here’s a quick review:

*PAST*
November 29, 2011 – AMR filed for bankruptcy
February 1, 2012 – AMR introduced the Section 1113 contractual cuts it was seeking on all three AA labor groups
July 20, 2012 – APFA Executive Committee votes to send LBFO to membership for ratification as part of merger strategy
August 19, 2012 – APFA membership ratifies LBFO, paving way for merger deal
October 1, 2012 – LBFO goes into effect
February 14, 2013 – AA/US Airways merger announced

*FUTURE*
3Q 2013 – AMR is expected to exit bankruptcy. This means that the AA Flight Attendants will have lived under bankruptcy cuts for approximately one year (10/1/12 LBFO to Fall 2013 BK exit). This is the shortest amount of time any flight attendant workgroup will have had to live under a contract in bankruptcy.
3Q 2013 (Post-BK) – AA Flight Attendants begin working under the Bridge Agreement APFA negotiated with US Airways last Spring. Read the items that will begin to be restored  once we exit.
2014 – Bargaining for an industry contract begins once single-carrier petition is granted.

AmericanAirlines + US Airways 

“On Our Way”

Leslie Mayo
APFA National Communications Coordinator