1.17.14 – (LAA) – Work Rules Restored, Reserve, Staffing, Speaker Staffing, Proffer/Transfer Requests, Cell Phones, DOT, Prefunding, WTS

Work Rules Restored, Reserve, Staffing, Speaker Staffing, Proffer/Transfer Requests, Cell Phones, DOT, Prefunding, WTS

 

Maximum Duty Day and Duty Aloft Reinstated With CLA
On January 31, 2014, two important domestic work rules will be restored:
1 – Max duty day reverts to pre-LBFO limits
2 – Duty aloft maximum is restored to 8:59 scheduled
Please note that, as was the case when the LBFO changes were implemented and carry-over trips were not modified to the new rule mid-sequence (for example, PVDs in carry-over trips were not paid as partial trips missed/partial daily rate), carry-over trip sequences will not be modified mid sequence in this instance. FAs will complete those sequences under LBFO rules provided your carry-over trip sequence originates on or before January 30th. Any sequence originating on or after January 31^st must conform to the newly applicable maximums. For more information, refer to the updated ODCG.
 
Reserve
We have heard from several of our members who have expressed frustration upon seeing bases other than their own experiencing relief from Reserve as a result of new hires at those bases. APFA continues to approach the company on the topic as well as a potential timeline for a combined Reserve list allowing bases with adjacent operations to share in some Reserve relief. A meeting on the topic is scheduled for the last week of January and we will report any updates from that meeting with the membership.
 
Q: I’m on vacation next month. If I’m on the back up list and bid onto Reserve, will that count as having served my Reserve rotation? 
A: You cannot bid onto Reserve on a vacation month and have it count as your rotation. However, if you are pulled onto Reserve, it will satisfy your rotation.
 
Staffing
As a reminder, if you have reports concerning staffing related issues, please email details to [email protected]. In order to evaluate any potential violation of our contract language, which states that APFA has the right to grieve an unreasonable workload, we must have detailed reports in order to build a successful case to present to an arbitrator.  In the past, when the company violated this provision, it was the initial detailed reports from our members that helped us develop a successful case. Generic or non specific reports are not helpful in this instance. Necessary details include city pair, cabin worked, loads, booking and final numbers, specific galley and catering challenges, etc.  
 
We thank you in advance for your email to [email protected]. Should you require a representative to contact you to discuss further, please indicate as much in the email subject line, as this email box is used for feedback and research purposes only.  
 
Speaker Staffing
APFA and the company continue discussions about speaker-staffing requirements on the 777-300 due to the relatively small size of the First Class Cabin and relatively large size of Main Cabin. While any prospective changes would be on a trial basis and require additional programming, which will not be available in time for February bidding, there is a possibility that discussions could lead to the possibility of a test solution for the March bid run. Speaker requirements for 777-300 will remain the same for February and include the exception for the First Class galley position to satisfy the speaker requirement in FC on that aircraft. 
        
Proffer and Transfer Preferences
Proffer/Transfer preferences were purged on January 3, 2014. You must reenter your preference(s) if you want to be eligible for a proffer, transfer or mutual.  
 
The deadline to update your preference for the current International proffers to IDF, IMA, LAXI and RDU is at 0700 Central on Wednesday, January 22. The deadline to update your preference for the next Domestic transfers is at 0830 Central on Friday, January 24.  You can view your current proffer/transfer preferences by entering 3* in DECS.  Keep in mind that you must keep your preferences up to date and remove any preference that you are no longer interested in being awarded as it is not possible to rescind a transfer, proffer or mutual once it has been awarded.
 
Cell Phones in the Cabin
This week, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) opened a comment period for the public to weigh in on the use of cell phones on planes. Flight Attendants know all too well the day-to-day challenges of managing flight safety and security and the complications this proposed policy would create. Please take a moment and provide your comments to the FCC on this important issue.
 
Follow this link to provide comments: http://www.fcc.gov/comments, then select: 13-301 – Expanding Access to Mobile Wireless Services Onboard Aircraft
 
Legalized Recreational Marijuana and the DOT
U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) issued a letter responding to inquires about the impact to DOT regulations after the states of Washington and Colorado recently legalized the recreational use of marijuana and will soon begin over the counter commercial sales.
 
The letter states:
We want to make it perfectly clear that the state initiatives will have no bearing on the Department of Transportation’s regulated drug testing program. The Department of Transportation’s Drug and Alcohol Testing Regulation – 49 CFR Part 40 – does not authorize the use of Schedule I drugs, including marijuana, for any reason.
 
So while Washington and Colorado no longer treat the possession of certain amounts of marijuana and the use of marijuana as criminal activity, the DOT will continue to consider safety-sensitive transportation employees, such as Flight Attendants and Pilots, as failing a drug test when they test positive for marijuana, even in those states where recreational use is permissible.
 
Prefunding Refund
APFA continues discussions with the company regarding the refund of our prefunding. We will let you know as soon as we have more information.
 
Executive Committee Willingness-to-Serve
The National Ballot Committee would like to advise all members in good standing that a Willingness-to-Serve (WTS) has been posted on the APFA website for Ad Hoc Positions 1 and 2 of the Executive Committee. If you are interested in serving on the Executive Committee, you are asked to return the WTS to Jeff Pharr, APFA Secretary, by March 10, 2014. Jeff’s email address is [email protected]. For more information, visit www.apfa.org. Please direct any questions to the National Ballot Committee at [email protected] or 817-540-0108, ext. 8311. 
 
Administrative and Committee Positions
APFA is now accepting resumés for the positions of Division Representatives (5), National Coordinators (6) – Communications, Contract, Health, Hotel, Safety/Security, Scheduling), the National Balloting Committee (5), and the National Budget Committee (4). Resumés must be submitted to APFA Secretary Jeff Pharr by March 12, 2014.

 

AmericanAirlines + US Airways 
“On Our Way”

Leslie Mayo
APFA National Communications Coordinator