4.08.16 – PHX Base Flying and Pairing Construction/Meetings with FSM’s/APFA EAP

Friday, April 8, 2016

• PHX Base Flying and Pairing Construction
• May 2016 Flight Attendant Timeline
• New Wings and Name Bars Orders Due April 14
• Uniform Orders Due May 13
• Meetings with Flight Service Managers
• APFA EAP and Professional Standards
• PHX Base Contact Information

 

PHX Base Flying and Pairing Construction

If there is one thing constant in the airline industry, it is change. As the two legacy groups of Flight Attendants move closer to Flight Attendant Operational Integration (FOI), each base and each legacy group will see changes to pairings and routes. Destinations in Hawaii are defined as Non-Transoceanic International (NTI) flying per the 2013 Red Book Contract. For the month of May, the Company will be utilizing the 757 for some domestic/non-NTI flying, and the Scheduling department will be combining some of those domestic/non-NTI segments with the Hawaii NTI segments to create 4-day pairings. While some Flight Attendants may welcome the increase in credit, others will not appreciate this change in the construction of the pairing. These are important considerations to keep in mind while bidding.

The 2013 Red Book Contract allows this type of flying, and we see it with our destinations to Mexico and the Caribbean. Only the NTI segments carry the “international premium pay”, the domestic segments do not. Here is an example of a HNL pairing, for illustration purposes only:

The Company has built approximately 18% of the Hawaii pairings as 4-day pairings. We will see the 4-day pairings in addition to the 3-day pairings to all of the Hawaiian destinations.  While the credit is higher than the 3-day pure NTI Hawaii pairings, it does have a downside due to the added segments. APFA continues to explore different options with Company to create more efficient flying and pairings within the language of the Contract. Those discussions are ongoing.

May 2016 Flight Attendant Timeline

New Wings and Name Bars Orders Due April 14

The deadline is quickly approaching for ordering your Wings and Name Bars for the new uniforms.

Flight Attendants have three options in how they want their name displayed:

1. First Name
2. First Initial and Last Name
3. First and Last Name

For those who use approved nicknames, please select the ‘first name only’ option and submit the order. Then, contact Customer Service via email at [email protected] within 24 hours to adjust your order. It is important that you include your name and AA employee number in the email.

Flight Attendants on a Leave of Absence will have the ability to order wings and name bars upon returning to work.

Flight Attendants who have not ordered by the deadline will receive a name bar with their legal name and without language qualifications printed.

Please visit this website, set up a profile, and make your selections today. Ordering ends on Thursday, April 14, 2016.

If you have any questions or would like to speak to a Customer Support Services Representative, please email [email protected] or call 800-516-7385 or 704-818-1068, between the hours of 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM EST.

Uniform Orders Due May 13
 
The new American Airlines uniform fit tour is on the road until Friday, April 29. This is your opportunity to try on, get fitted for, and order your new uniforms. Representatives from Twin Hill will be on-site to assist.

The last PHX fit session was on March 4th. Here are locations still holding fit sessions through April 29th: CLT – DFW – JFK – LAX – MIA – ORD – PHL

Many of the April slots are already full. Walk-in appointments are available, but are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Schedule your appointment today, by clicking here.

Once you have been fit, place your uniform order with Twin Hill, by clicking here.

You also have the option of being measured at any Men’s Wearhouse stores. Please note that uniform pieces will not be available at these locations.

Orders must be placed by Friday, May 13, 2016. The new uniform rolls out on Tuesday, September 20, 2016.

Meetings with Flight Service Managers

While no one wants to be scheduled for a mandatory meeting with his or her Flight Service Manager (FSM), occasionally a situation arises where one is necessary. Please remember that you can count on your PHX Base Representatives to sit in with you during meetings with your FSM. A minimum of 48 hours of notice is requested before the scheduled meeting. This helps to ensure that your Representative has time to prepare for your meeting. When a meeting is necessary, please call (480) 966-1231, Ext. 4, leave your Name, CATCREW number, a brief reason for the meeting, and a good contact phone number. A Grievance Representative will contact you within 48 hours of your meeting to confirm. If it is necessary to cancel or reschedule a meeting, please call the number or your Rep. to let them know as soon as possible.

APFA EAP and Professional Standards

The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) of the APFA is here to enhance the health, welfare and safety of all APFA Members by providing quality peer support services. The Members of the EAP Committee are a group of trained Flight Attendants that not only value and understand the professional job we all do every day, the committee also specializes in providing you and your family with a number of workplace resources and the guidance for the concerns that may impair your ability to function at your best.

APFA’s EAP provides the following services and is here for you! 

• Assessment, information and resource referral support for confidential assistance call (817) 540-0180, ext. 8701
• The promotion of professional standards through effective conflict resolution for confidential assistance from a PHX Based Rep. call (817) 540-0108, ext. 8620
• Offer response and support to critical or traumatic incidents for confidential assistance call (800) 998-8194

Each department provides a wealth of information that better informs you of how EAP is directly related to your career as a Flight Attendant at American Airlines as well as the services provided to you and your family.  For more detailed information and contact information please visit the APFA EAP webpage by clicking HERE or call (817) 540-0108, ext. 8701 for confidential assistance.

PHX Base Contact Information

PHX Base APFA Representatives can be reached by calling 480-966-1231, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This number is a voicemail system that allows the caller to leave a message for a specific Representative.  

Press:

• 0 to leave a General Message
• 1 to reach the APFA National Contract Desk
• 2 for PHX Base President, Joseph Seelye or [email protected] 
• 3 for PHX Base Council Rep. on Duty or [email protected] or [email protected] 
• 4 for the Mandatory Meeting Hotline
• 5 for the PHX Benefits and Insurance Rep.
• 6 for the PHX Reserve Rep. on Duty

Please keep in mind that most APFA Representatives fly the line, please allow 24 hours for a Rep. to return your call. If your issue is an emergency or requires immediate attention, someone will return your call as soon as possible.  

In Unity,

Joseph Seelye
APFA PHX Base President
[email protected]