1.30.19 – PHX Base Brief

Wednesday, January 30, 2019

 

On Monday, January 28^th, Robin Agee and I met with Tim McMahan, Director Inflight Services Western Region, Laurie Lofgren, Managing Director Base Operations and Administration and Barbara Trella, PHX Base Manager.  The meeting was originally scheduled two weeks ago to introduce Tim in his new position as Regional Director for PHX, LAX and SFO and to review issues that are currently of concern to PHX Flight Attendants.    Issues were discussed, notes were taken, and answers were either given or promised in the course of this meeting.

Some of the topics covered included:

1. The lack of back filling positions in PHX was our first issue that was discussed.  Neither Laurie or Tim were sure of the reasoning behind not filling these 79 positions.  Tim said he would find the answer for us.  Laurie believed it was probably due to the number of flying hours being given to PHX over the next few months but agreed that Tim would verify.  We asked directly if there was any reason for PHX Flight Attendants to worry and the answer was “NO”.
2. PHX/LHR Purser Positions:   Laurie discussed with us several options to help cover the purser positions that will be open in PHX on this route.  Currently we have 13 to 15 Purser qualified Flight Attendants in PHX.  The Company would prefer at least 20+ available Pursers and are planning to approach our National Officers with some proposals.  Remember, if a flight goes without a purser, there are provisions in the contract that include monetary compensation for the A/Lead Flight Attendant.
3. FSM’s Elaine Reynolds and Michelle Wentworth are the Market Managers for the London route.  Their primary focus is support for the working crews, up to and including ensuring smooth transition through customs in London.
4. I inquired about a program previously used by Legacy AA, to help our Flight Attendants apply the service procedures taught in class on these flights.  This program, called the Chase Program by Legacy AA, has 2 experienced trainers walking our Flight Attendants through mock service implementing what we learned in IFS training.  Barb Trella had anticipated that a program similar to this would be beneficial for our Flight Attendants and is currently arranging a program for PHX based Flight Attendants.
5. The high number of reserves and how deep in seniority it had touched PHX was also discussed.  As we pointed out, since we are fully integrated, there is no need for additional reserves to cover irregular operations in DFW for LUS flights.  Laurie and Tim both understand that because PHX has not received any new hires, thus stagnant, rotating reserve would go deep in seniority; but no one anticipated just how deep.  We could not have made it any clearer that PHX is a base ready to implode.  With rotating reserve, and scheduling violating the contract, notwithstanding the difference in opinion as to the definition of “positive”, by using terms such as “quick call” and “short call”.
6. Calling in Well and the training denied to senior Flight Attendants for February were also discussed.  Tim informed us that those senior Flight Attendants that were denied training in February because they were in their reserve rotation month would now be accommodated.  We were told a solution to the calling in well was almost complete and a communication should be coming out shortly.

We felt the meeting went well and we are optimistic in our ability to work with Tim on future PHX concerns.

As a side note, I also reached out to our Contract Chair Erik Harris when we saw that PHX had not received any back fills in the vacancy award.  He went to Cindy Simone for answers as to why this occurred. This was her response:

Each month we take a look at our flying projections for each base. Right now, our projections for the summer schedule don’t require us back filling the slots vacated by Flight Attendants who are transferring out of PHX in April.  (We will be posting this response to Facebook as well)