5.17.13b – (LAA) – Reserve Improvements, Negotiator Elections, NY Manual Checks, APFA Flyer App

 

 APFA Hotline – Reserve Improvements, Negotiator Elections, NY Manual Checks, APFA Flyer App

May 17, 2013

 

APFA/Company Meeting on Reserve Improvements
APFA and AA met with the company late this afternoon on the topic of Reserve improvements. Representatives from Employee Relations, Crew Resources and Flight Service were present. APFA attendees included APFA Vice President Marcus Gluth, National Scheduling Coordinator Clinton Breen, National Contract Coordinator Brent Peterson, National Communications Coordinator Leslie Mayo and Joint Scheduling Committee Member Linda Haertling.

1 – AM/PM – The Company says it cannot implement the AM/PM computerization into the current programming soon enough to provide relief for our members. Therefore, has APFA requested this process be done manually. AA has agreed that no later than the contractual month of July it will begin manually implementing the AM portion (PM is already covered on long-call) for one large base (both domestic and international) and one small base (both domestic and international) – for a total of four bases, adding more with each month. What this means is there will be two (2) periods of release available for Reserves who have not received an assignment by 1700 the day prior. The number of AM/PM awards will comply with the LBFO as outlined in Article 10.

Since AM/PMs will be manually processed, it is important that it is done correctly. APFA will monitor this method and assist in making adjustments before the manual process rolls out to all the bases. Details on how FAs will specify preferences are forthcoming.

2 – Lack of Transparency: The lack of “transparency” for Reserve assignments when cross-utilized as well as a better idea of where Reserves reside on the ‘list’ is non existent and not acceptable. Although resolution was not finalized, the Company did agree to immediately discuss a potentially consistent method of assigning Reserves to the adjacent base, as well as providing the necessary transparency for Reserves prior to being cross-utilized.

3 – The Company has agreed to lower the Reserve percentages at both LAX-I and IOR beginning with the July bid month as the current percentages, which were based on estimates from several months ago, are now higher than necessary. The percentage of Reserves will continue to be monitored at all bases.

4 – APFA has requested that the company begin the process of combining the Reserve list even before a fully0combined operation occurs. The Company agreed. This will take awhile to implement, but will come much sooner than expected (originally planned to coincide with the implementation of Preferential Bidding – PBS). The synergy of a combined Reserve list will reduce the number of total FAs needed for Reserve at each base with a Domestic and International Operation.

5 – APFA asked the Company to incorporate an enhanced preference system, such as a web ballot/HISEND option for Reserves, that would offer all current preferences, additional preferences and Reserve assignments. They have agreed to discuss this possibility and we will meet with AA next week as part of a series of meetings on Reserve.

APFA will report on the meetings next week via Hotline.

APFA Negotiator Elections
Ballots were mailed on May 15, 2013 for the upcoming election of Domestic and International Negotiator. All votes must be cast by 10am CT on June 14, 2013.  In order for a vote to be counted, an active member in bad standing must arrange to become a member in good standing by 5pm CT on June 10, 2013.  If you have any questions, regarding dues, please contact the APFA Dues Department at (817)540-0108, ext. 8152 or email [email protected].
 
You may vote either by phone or internet – and as many times as you wish – since only your last vote will be counted. If you have voted in the past and have kept your VIN and PIN from that vote, you may use those numbers for all future voting.  To vote, you can either call (800) 698-3789 or click here to vote via the Internet. If you no longer have your VIN and/or PIN, please contact the APFA National Ballot Committee (NBC) at (817) 540-0108, ext. 8311.

LGA/JFK Manual Checks Next Week
As we all know, flight attendant’ manuals must remain up to date while on duty. An out of date manual may result in a personal fine to the Flight Attendant, removal from a sequence and/or civil action by the FAA. Until the FA Tablet is approved as an official manual at AA, FAs must keep their paper manuals up to date. Next week the FAA will be auditing LGA and JFK. Double check to confirm your manual is up to date!

APFA Flyer iPhone/iPad App
Some of you have probably received a notice on your iPhone/iPad that APFA’s Flyer App is about to expire. The updated version is now ready for download directly from the APFA web site. Click here for the download directly from your device.

Immediate Disaster Relief
In addition to the AA Credit Union’s regular Personal or Heart loans, it frequently provide disaster loans for Credit Union members impacted by a major disaster. If any of our members were affected by the tornadoes in Dallas Wednesday night, or another disaster for which you may need immediate relief, you should consider pursue the options available at AAFCU whose loans can provide funds very quickly to cover immediate needs following a disaster. For more information or to contact the Credit Union, dial (800) 533-0035 or go to www.aacreditunion.org.

Knives On Planes
The Hill published an article today reporting on the results of the national poll that APFA commissioned regarding knives on planes. Click here to read the full article.

Read the nationwide polling results as conducted by Penn Schoen Berland here.

Review A4A’s comments against knives on planes here. Airlines for America includes Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Atlas Air, Delta Air Lines, Fed Ex, Hawaiian Airlines, JetBlue, Southwest Airlines, Continental, UPS, US Airways and associate member Air Canada.
 
ATTN: Houston Commuters KNIVES – It’s Not Over Yet!
APFA along with members of the Coalition of Flight Attendants will be holding a press conference and leafleting event at Houston Hobby on May 20 between 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. regarding knives on the plane. Let’s remind Administrator Pistole, Congress and the media how we feel about knives on the plane.

Press Conference No Knives, Ever Again
Houston Intercontinental Airport (IAH)
Terminal A Departure Level Lobby
May 20, 2013, 11:30 am Central Time

New and Improved Process for Getting Your Retiree ID
Good news for FAs eligible for an AA Retiree ID: Now, when you retire you will submit a “Flight Attendant Retiree ID Request Form” along with a copy of your government issued ID (to prove it is really you making the request) and Flight Service will make your Retiree ID and return it to you. They will now be using the electronic picture of you from your last Crew ID, so there is no longer a need to buy new pictures and send them in with your Retiree ID request. This will save our retirees time and money.

AmericanAirlines + US Airways 
“On Our Way”

Leslie Mayo
APFA National Communications Coordinator