4.3.19 – The Weekly Scoop

Wednesday, April 4, 2019

 

Update Your Standing Bid

As a reminder, your mock standing PBS bid does NOT transfer over to your live PBS bid. You will need to create a new standing bid when PBS opens for live bidding on the 10^th at 12 noon DFW.
– Alin Boswell, Julie Hedrick, Linda Haertling, Vicki Balistreri, APFA Joint Scheduling Implementation Committee, [email protected]

Rumor: Has APA (pilots)  recalled Twin Hill uniforms and is April 1 a Hard Cut-over?

Starting March 31, 2019, Pilots will begin wearing new uniforms manufactured and produced by M&H. This is not a recall of their Twin Hill uniform, but rather the conclusion of their uniform replacement program and the official switchover. Flight Attendants will go through the same process when the cutover to Lands’ End takes place. Not all pilots are in their new uniforms and are still transitioning into them. M&H is their version of our alternate “Aramark” uniforms. They decided to keep them as their
new uniforms.

Why was M&H chosen?
M&H became the supplier of the Pilot’s alternate uniform option in 2017, much like the ARAMARK and Off the Rack options for Flight Attendants. Roughly 4,000 Pilots transitioned to M&H Uniforms, and over a period of several months of wearing the alternative replacement successfully, M&H was chosen on March 1, 2018 as the preferred supplier of the new Pilot uniform.

-Robin Charbonneau, APFA National Communications Chair, [email protected]

Stephen Dickson Nominated to Head the FAA

Stephen M. Dickson was nominated by President Trump to become the next permanent FAA Administrator. Dickson is a former Delta Airlines pilot and executive and if confirmed would serve a five-year term.

Since January 2018, the FAA has been run by acting administrator Dan Elwell, a former American Airlines pilot and executive. Elwell and the FAA came under heat since the scrutiny surrounding accidents and the certification of Boeing 737 MAX. The accidents have raised a new set of issues regarding certification, the use of designated inspectors and the lack of pilot training on the new aircraft. The FAA will have to address these issues and more in the coming months.

The FAA has not had a permanent administrator since Michael Huerta, who was appointed by the previous administration, finished his term. Dickson’s confirmation hearing has not yet been scheduled and it is likely he will face close scrutiny.

– Allie Malis, APFA National Government Affairs Representative, [email protected]

StayWell Rx

Managing high blood pressure, diabetes, and asthma can be challenging; however, managing the prescriptions you take to treat these conditions should not be.
Did you know that by participating in StayWell Rx, you can receive a 90-day supply of eligible generic medications for free and eligible brand name medications for only $15?

Eligibility
Employees, spouses and dependents age 18 and older, covered by the Core, Standard, Value or PPO/80/90/100 medical options and domestic partners covered under the Core medical option are eligible to participate in this program.
Dependents under age 18 automatically receive the StayWell Rx discount on eligible medications and supplies and are not required to complete a call with a health assistant.
To find out if your medication is part of this program, please visit the link below:

View Eligible Medications

How to Enroll:

1. Connect with your Accolade health assistant at 833-346-3929 (833-FIND-WAY) or on your Accolade member portal to enroll in the StayWell Rx program.
2. Chat with your Accolade health assistant where you can learn about ways to keep your condition under control.
3. Fill your eligible high blood pressure, diabetes or asthma prescription medications through Express Scripts mail order or at a CVS or Safeway-owned retail pharmacy.
4. Make one call with Accolade every year to maintain enrollment in the program so you can continue saving money and time.

Allow 7-10 days for your enrollment to process before filling your prescription.
– Michael Tipton, APFA National Health Chair, [email protected]

All International Layovers

Effective immediately, all automatic wake-up calls, normally received 1 hour prior to pick up, will NO longer be provided. This has been instituted to prevent violation of FAR 117 (Pilot Flight Time Limitations & Rest Requirements).

You (or the Purser) will have to request your wake-up call with the front desk as it will not longer be automatic.  If you do not arrange your wake-up call, you will NOT receive one.
– Julia Simpson, APFA National Hotel Chair, [email protected]

Unexpected Turbulence – Protect Yourself!

Thunderstorm season is approaching and this is the time of year that injuries occur due to unexpected turbulence.

If the Captain has not advised the Flight Attendants to be seated and you are experiencing turbulence, TAKE THE NEAREST OPEN SEAT IMMEDIATELY, if possible. If that is not possible, sit on the floor and hold onto a stationary object. When conditions permit, notify the Captain.

Don’t wait for the Captain to make an announcement. If you sustain an injury due to turbulence, it is imperative that you notify the Captain that you have been injured and request that the turbulence be documented. It is important that you let the Captain know that you will be seeking medical treatment.

Turbulence related IODs can be filed 24/7 by calling 1-844-777-8463.
You are NOT required to follow the nurse’s recommendations and are free to seek medical treatment. Simply advise the nurse if you intend to seek immediate medical care.

All Flight Attendants should also file a CERS Report. The CERS Report is located on the Flight Service website by clicking on Safety and Security.

For more information about turbulence safety, please refer to the Inflight Manual
Safety and Security – General Safety or contact the APFA IOD Department.

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As of today, there have been 4,985 Flight Attendants who have filed uniform reaction reports.

Please continue to utilize the Uniform Reaction Report Form on the APFA website if you experience a suspected reaction to your uniform.