6.05.19 – Weekly Scoop
Wednesday, June 5th, 2019
Complete the Survey
The Reserve Survey is available via the APFA website, and will remain available until Friday, June 14th, 2019. Thank you for taking the time to offer your thoughts on how Reserve should be structured.
How do I access the survey?
You may access this survey by using this direct link or by clicking on the image above.
https://www.apfa.org/reserve-survey-introduction/
How long will the survey be open?
This survey will be available during the following times:
Opened – Friday, May 24, 2019
Closes – Friday, June 14, 2019
I can’t seem to log in to the APFA website. How do I get help?
To register or reset your password, click register on the home page. You will be prompted to input your email address or employee number.
If you are unable to reset your password or need help registering you may contact:
- APFA Membership Department (817) 540-0108 ext. 8153
- APFA Dues Department (817) 540-0108 ext. 8151
Upcoming Negotiations Road Shows
June 25—MIA (11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.)
Miami International Airport Hotel
NW 20th Street & Le Jeune Road
Miami, FL 33122
Terminal E, Auditorium D1 & D2
June 26—RDU (11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.)
Hilton Garden Inn Raleigh-Durham/Research Triangle Park
4620 S. Miami Blvd.
Durham, NC 27703
Phone #: 919-941-6066
*Complimentary Parking
June 27—CLT (11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.)
Hilton Garden Inn Charlotte Airport
2400 Cascade Pointe Blvd.
Charlotte, NC 28208
Phone #: 704-790-7000
-Lori Bassani, Sara Corrigan, Kelly Hagan, Paul Hartshorn, Jr, Timothy Legeros, Brian Morgan, Mario St. Michel, APFA Negotiating Committee,[email protected]
TWU Appreciates APFA
Brian Parker, Strategic Action Coordinator and Gary Scheible, President TWU Local 591, stopped by APFA Headquarters last week to present Craig Gunter, APFA National Treasurer with a Thank You gift basket recognizing our support in TWU’s efforts to secure a contract with AA.
Joint Statement from APFA National President and TWU International President
“Instead of investing in its workers, American Airlines has chosen to enrich their executives with hefty compensation packages and bonuses at the cost of customer service and employee morale. They’ve saddled employees with unfair contracts and failed to address the consistently low rankings that leave AA dead last of the big three airlines for flight delays and customer complaints.Blaming and attacking their employees and the unions that represent them will do nothing to improve American’s ranking or the future of this once great airline.”
Calling All Activists! We Need YOU!
Help distribute information and materials for important issues and events during this round of bargaining and beyond.
As an Activist you’ll be one of the firsts to receive accurate and factual information to share on the line.
-Robin Charbonneau, APFA National Communications Chair, [email protected]
Aircraft Lavs – Accessibility and Size
This week, the APFA Safety & Security and Government Affairs Departments provided input to the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) regarding lavatories on our aircraft. The GAO was mandated by the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 to study the availability, accessibility, size, functionality and complaints about lavatories on commercial passenger aircraft. Among topics discussed included how smaller lavatories affect flight crew, protocols for nonfunctional lavatories, Flight Attendant training to assist passengers with disabilities and whether Flight Attendants are consulted in lavatory design. APFA shared many concerns about shrinking lavatory sizes for all passengers related to both safety and comfort. As was the case with the Boeing 737 MAX when it was first introduced, APFA also added that certain types of lavatory doors can block Flight Attendants’ visual access to the cabin.
In addition to submitting your CERS report, anyone can file a complaint with the DOT or FAA. Airlines are required to report complaints.
Increased Wait Times?
Ahead of what TSA is predicting will be the busiest summer of travel ever, the White House is considering moving 400 TSA agents from airports to the U.S.-Mexico border. Homeland Security Secretary Kevin McAleenan said moving agents is “going to be very carefully managed” but did acknowledge that “we might increase wait times, here and there.”
Commerce Committee Chairman Roger Wicker (R-MS) and Ranking Member Maria Cantwell (D-WA) issued a statement of concern over the plan last week. Senator Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ), Ranking Member of the Senate Commerce Aviation Subcommittee, prodded McAleenan on Thursday to provide specifics. He responded that no TSA screeners had been reassigned yet. Airports Council International’s North American division also suggested that the diversions would only compound existing understaffing at airports. APFA is monitoring carefully.
DOT In-Flight Sexual Misconduct Task Force
The DOT In-Flight Sexual Misconduct Task Force wants to hear from a Flight Attendant who has been a victim of onboard sexual misconduct by a passenger. If you are willing to share your story to help prevent this type of misconduct from happening in the future, please contact APFA, ext 8109 as soon as possible.
-Allie Malis, APFA Government Affairs Representative, [email protected]
Caring for a Parent
Are you caring for an aging parent or loved one and need some assistance? If so, you may want to visit A Place for Mom at https://www.aplaceformom.com or call 1-866-518-0936 for more information about the various programs in your area.
Place for Mom is the largest senior living referral service in both the US and Canada. The company refers private pay families to assisted living communities, independent senior apartments, residential care homes, memory care communities, and home care.
The service is free, and they will match with a local Senior Living Advisor, who will then complete an assessment of needs on the telephone or online. Based on the assessment, the advisor provides general guidance as well as a list of senior living communities or care providers.
-Michael Tipton, APFA National Health Chair, health@apfa,org
MedAire
As of June 1, 2019, MedAire will assist crewmembers involved in SOF (Fume) regardless of whether they occur on a domestic or an international flight.
If you experience symptoms due to a Domestic SOF (Fume) event, you may now contact:
MedAire Crew Support
877-346-9174
480-333-3801
Support available 24/7
The new program will provide consistent medical and logistical support for Flight Attendants during SOF (Fume) events. It does not change current IOD procedures in place for reporting an Injury on Duty (IOD).
Continue to report all SOF (Fume) events by filing a CERS, IOD, and ASAP reports.
If you have any questions – we are here to help.
Thomas Houdek
[email protected]
817.540.0108 ext. 8288
-Michael Tipton, Bellia Peckson and Jeffrey Ewing, APFA National Health, IOD and Safety and Security Chairs
Compliment? Criticism?
Upcoming Reviews
RSW
PIT
MAF
PEK (Hotel converting to condos and is no longer interested in crew business)
-Julia Simpson, APFA National Hotel Chair, [email protected]
Keeping Good Records While on an IOD
It is extremely important to keep an accurate record of everything that happens from the time that your injury occurs until your case is eventually closed. It is in your best interest to start a file with all of the records listed below so that you will have all your documents in one place should you need them.
- All paperwork documenting your injury
- All medical reports and records
- All correspondences with AA, Sedgwick, doctors, nurse case managers, attorneys or anyone else involved in you case
- Records of all income and benefits received
- A record of mileage related to your medical treatment
- A telephone and email log including names, dates and what was discussed
-Bellia Peckson, APFA National IOD Chair, [email protected]
Check Your Ballot
Each time you make changes to your ballot and save them, it is logged under the Ballot Updates link. To access this information, click the History tab on the Crew Portal home screen and scroll down to Ballot Updates. Some of the items you can check on this log are if and what time you passed to UBL, if the call indicator was on, additional requests that were added and removed as well as the date and time a trip was awarded.
-Renee Mayer, APFA JCBA Specialist, [email protected]
I’m Ready
Upcoming Retirement Seminars: DCA, EWR, JFK and LGA
The Retirement Department will be conducting the following seminars in June and July:
- June 19th – DCA – 1100-1400 Hub Gathering Room, Center Pier (next to Flight Service)
- July 29th – EWR – 1100-1400 Conference Room off of Flight Service
- July 30th – JFK – 1100-1400 Third Floor Conference Room (next to Pilot Operations)
- July 31st – LGA – 1100-1400 Third Floor Conference Room
These seminars cover a wide range of topics including: Retiree Travel, 401(K), Pensions, COBRA, and Medicare.
Legacy American Airlines Flight Attendants: Download a pension estimate from the Pension Service Center page on jetnet.
Legacy US Airways Flight Attendants: Request a copy of their pension estimate from the PBGC by calling 800-400-7242.
Members unable to attend the seminars are always welcome to watch the retirement webinar series available on the APFA Retirement Page, as well as download the Good Slide! retirement handout.
Everyone is welcome regardless of base or seniority – no need to RSVP.
–Kim Coats Tuck, APFA National Retirement Specialist, [email protected]
Stowage of Carry-on Baggage
The aircraft boarding door may not be closed until verification that all carry-on items are properly stowed.
FAR 121.589: No certificate holder may allow all passenger entry doors of an airplane to be closed in preparation for taxi or push back unless at least one required crewmember has verified that each article of baggage is stowed.
Do not close the aircraft entry door until the verification of carry-on items has been accomplished.
-Jeffrey Ewing, APFA National Safety and Security Chair, [email protected]
As of today, there have been 5,032 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.
APFA Headquarters
1004 West Euless Boulevard
Euless, Texas 76040
M-F: 9:00AM - 5:00PM (CT)
Phone: (817) 540-0108
Contract & Scheduling Desk
M-F: 9:00AM - 5:00PM (CT)
Phone: (817) 540-0108
After-Hours Live Chat
Weekends / Holidays: 9:00AM - 5:00PM (CT)
APFA Headquarters
1004 West Euless Boulevard
Euless, Texas 76040
M-F: 9:00AM - 5:00PM (CT)
Phone: (817) 540-0108
Contract & Scheduling Desk
M-F: 9:00AM - 5:00PM (CT)
Phone: (817) 540-0108
After-Hours Live Chat
Weekends / Holidays: 9:00AM - 5:00PM (CT)
APFA Headquarters
1004 West Euless Boulevard
Euless, Texas 76040
M-F: 9:00AM - 5:00PM (CT)
Phone: (817) 540-0108
Contract & Scheduling Desk
M-F: 9:00AM - 5:00PM (CT)
Phone: (817) 540-0108
After-Hours Live Chat
Weekends / Holidays: 9:00AM - 5:00PM (CT)