7.03.19 – Weekly Scoop
Wednesday, July 3, 2019
You Asked and We Answered!
SMS Text Notifications are Coming!
Announced last week at the Miami Negotiations Road Show, APFA’s bringing another way to keep you informed!
SMS Text Notifications will launch in the next few weeks. You’ll have the option to join this service to get urgent and important updates from APFA. Multiple groups are available for you to opt in to, such as PBS bidding reminders and base specific messages from APFA National Leadership or your Local Base Leadership. More groups can be added as the system evolves.
This is an optional service and is not intended to replace hotlines, rather it’ll be another way to stay informed when it comes to time sensitive or urgent matters.
Keep an eye out for a special hotline from your Communications Department on how to sign up and join different groups!
– Robin Charbonneau, Communications Chair, [email protected]
Legislate AND Negotiate!
Flight Attendants are entitled to a safe place to work, reasonable working conditions and guaranteed medical leave. These should NOT be part of our contract negotiations and bargaining processes—they should be fundamental rights of all working men and women. We should never have to give anything up in contract negotiations to achieve basic workers’ rights.
For instance, the 2012 FAA Reauthorization Bill contained language that addressed issues related to cabin conditions. The aircraft was finally classified as a “work environment” thus providing protections under the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA.) In 2009, the Family Medical Leave Act was amended to guarantee crew members are able to qualify for family leave and time off from work. Now we are fighting to get a new law implemented that, once in effect, will raise the minimum FAR rest to 10 hours nonreducible. This is just the start!
While contract negotiations are just that—negotiations—we have the opportunity to improve our working conditions and promote the Flight Attendant profession in between and during contract negotiations by working with Congress to pass new laws and supporting new regulations that make sense.
– Allie Malis, Government Affairs Representative, [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 registered nurse who will be available 24/7 to accept calls:
1-844-RPRT-IOD (1 844-777-8463)
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.
Please send reports of suspected odor/fume events to:
caq-uniforms@apfa org, [email protected], [email protected] and [email protected]
-Bellia Peckson, APFA National IOD Chair, [email protected]
Have a Fume Event? Call Us!
With over 700 “reported” fume events to date in just 2019 – it’s imperative to know what to do if you are involved in a fume event. Always reference the APFA Fume Event Card or click the image below for the APFA Fume Flow Chart. We’re here to help.
– Bellia Peckson, APFA National IOD Chair, [email protected]
– Jeffrey Ewing, APFA National Safety and Security Chair, [email protected]
-Thomas Houdek, APFA National Cabin Air Quality & Uniform, [email protected]
Generic BidsGeneric UBL requests are unlimited, however if you have reached your max request limit with TTS, you will not be able to add a generic UBL request. You must remove one TTS request in order to open your ballot. After adding your generic requests, you are able to enter the additional TTS request.
-Renee Mayer, JCBA Specialist, [email protected]
Upcoming Retirement Seminars: EWR, JFK and LGA
The Retirement Department will be conducting the following seminars in July:
- 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, Retirement Specialist, [email protected]
FAA and Personal Fines
Personal fines may be levied on Flight Attendants who are not in compliance with FAR 121.137 and FAR 121.391(d):
- FAR 121.137 – Flight Attendants must have an up-to-date manual. Please remember to sync Comply365 and ensure that the PDF version is also up-to-date before reporting for duty. The tablet must be charged to 90% or better at the start of the duty day, as well as have the supplemental battery attached. Ensure that you have the tablet turned on and easily accessible to you at all times while performing safety related duties. You may contact Stratix for technical assistance, as required, to ensure that your tablet is receiving the proper updates.
- FAR 121.391(d) – During taxi, Flight Attendants are required to remain at their duty stations with safety belts and shoulder harnesses fastened except to perform duties related to the safety of the airplane and its occupants. Ensure that you take your assigned jumpseat after completing all safety related duties.
Monitor & Challenge
When arming and disarming doors for departure or arrival, Flight Attendants should be utilizing “Monitor & Challenge”
You can find the specifics of Monitor & Challenge in the IFM: General Policies & Procedures -> Monitor and Challenge.
– Jeffrey Ewing, Safety and Security Chair, [email protected]rg
As of today, there have been 5,060 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)