1.19.18 – (LAA/LUS) – Legacy Designators/Fume Events/Medical Treatment for Fume Events/VC Bidding LUS/Annual Convention/Uniforms

• LAA/LUS Legacy Designators 

• Smoke/Odor/Fume Events

• Medical Treatment for a Fume Event

• 2018-19 Vacation Bidding Information – LUS

• APFA Annual Convention in CLT

• Uniform Reaction Report Count 

LAA/LUS Legacy Designators

Effective with this hotline and moving forward, the LAA/LUS designator will no longer be used for topics that apply to both legacies. We will continue to use the applicable designator (LAA or LUS) for topics that apply exclusively to one legacy.

Smoke/Odor/Fume Events

We are seeing an uptick in cabin odor/fume events. Below are a few reminders to assist if you experience an event:

If you detect any abnormal odor or see any smoke or a haze in the cabin.
Follow the procedures outlined in your in-flight manual:

1. Notify the flight deck immediately – this is a safety of flight issue
   1. Be prepared to share the category, location and possible source of the odor as well as any symptoms you are experiencing
   2. They will use this information to complete the Aircraft Smoke, Odor, & Fumes Report/Form 8533 on their iPad and the logbook

2. Attempt to pinpoint the source and location of the smell
   1. Is it coming from the air vents? These vents are directly connected to the air conditioning systems that use engine bleed air sources
   2. If the smell is not coming from the vents, rule out in-cabin odor sources such as galleys, lavatories and overhead bins
   3. Did it start in the back or the front of the aircraft?  Is it stronger in some parts of the aircraft than others?

3. Identify the odor category
   1. Dirty Sock/Musty (Turbine oil)
   2. Acrid (Hydraulic)
   3. Kerosene (Burning jet fuel)
   4. Burning Rubber (Tires from a previous landing aircraft)
   5. Sweet/Vinegar (De-icing fluid)

4. Carry your Cabin Air Quality Card for reference
   1. Be prepared to provide details of your event to Flight Service Management as they complete the Cabin Odor Checklist

If you are at the gate when you experience an abnormal odor

• Notify the Flight Deck immediately
• Contact Flight Service Daily Operations at IOC (1-888-222-4737)

Remember:

• Notify the Flight Deck
• Seek medical treatment if needed (See IOD hotline below)
• Ensure Flight Service Management completes the Cabin Odor Checklist
• Follow up with APFA at [email protected], [email protected], and [email protected].  
• File a CERS Report within 24 hours via the Flight Service Website or the CERS App on your FA Tablet
• Optionally, report the event to the Global Cabin Air Quality Executive which is a global coalition of health and safety advocates committed to raising awareness and finding solutions to poor air quality in aircraft

Noelle Weiler
APFA National Safety & Security Chair
[email protected]

Medical Treatment for a Fume Event 

If immediately following a fume event, you begin to experience any physical symptoms (chest tightness, profound fatigue, muscle aches, sinus congestion and/or a persistent cough), contact the Flight Service Daily Operations desk at IOC (1-888-222-4737) to report the event and your illness/ injury in order to receive the necessary assistance in seeking immediate medical treatment at the nearest hospital for proper testing of a possible exposure.

Recommended testing should include a blood test to determine exposure. Each Flight Attendant should file the applicable company report. For all odor/fume events, file an IOD and a CERS report. Flight Attendants will report injuries to a Sedgwick representative who will be available 24/7 to accept calls:

If your injury requires immediate medical attention, go to the nearest emergency room.

Flight Attendants may also consider reporting their specific safety concern regarding the odor/fume event to:

• The Cabin ASAP program for review by AA, APFA and the FAA.
• The Global Cabin Air Quality Executive 

Bellia Peckson
APFA National IOD Chair
[email protected]

2018-19 Vacation Bidding Information – LUS

Fiscal year 2018-2019 Annual Vacation bidding opens on January 27, 2018 at 12:00 noon CT for LUS Flight Attendants.

To access the annual vacation bidding system, go to Crew Portal: My Information > Vacations. On this page you will find the bidding input screen and the annual vacation and filler day matrices. The following resources are available to guide you through the bidding process.

Complete bidding information can be found on Wings: Flight Service > Vacations; click on CLT/DCA/PHL/PHX 2018-2019 Annual Vacation. 

The AVBA guide is also available on your Flight Attendant tablet:  Document Library > Bidsheets > LUS > Scheduling/PBS Information > PBS Documents > AVBA Annual Vacation Bidding Guide.

The AVBA instructional video is available in the Flt Svc Training app > Other Videos.

APFA Annual Convention in CLT 

This year, the APFA 25th Annual Convention will be held in Charlotte, North Carolina February 27 – March 2, 2018 from 0900 – 1800.

Hilton Charlotte University Place
8629 J.M. Keynes Drive.
Charlotte, NC, 28262
All members in good standing are welcome and encouraged to attend all open portions of the meeting.

Uniform Reaction Report Count