11.20.20 – LGA Base Brief – Friday, November 20, 2020
Friday, November 20, 2020
Greetings LGA Flight Attendants,
We hope you have a good Thanksgiving week. For those of you who are traveling, fly safe.
COVID-19 Specific Information
For the latest information on COVID-19 information and announcements, use your Company-issued tablet and go to Comply 365 > My Publications > 01 IFM/PAs/COVID19 > COVID19 > Destination updates. This information is constantly changing, and we encourage you to review it prior to every trip.
TSA 3-1-1 Rules
This week information was released on social media regarding TSA 3-1-1 Liquids, Aerosols, and Gels (LAG) rules for crew members. The information was incorrectly shared and did not contain all the details.
The details are that Flight Attendants need to begin being more vigilant about 3-1-1 compliancy when travelling to IPD and NIPD markets. Nothing is changing for pure domestic sequences within the Continental United States. What is and has been changing is that many stations/countries are becoming stricter when it comes to liquids, aerosols, and gels. This not only affects customers/non-revs, but crewmembers are also needing to comply with these rules. Much of this information can be found in the Destination Information section of the IFM inside of Comply365. So, the next time you have an island layover/turn (even if mixed into a domestic sequence), or are flying anywhere outside of the Continental US, please confirm the rules that apply for that destination.
Some countries and Hawaii have agricultural rules and regulations that must be followed as well. Please make sure to comply with these rules when bringing any food/agricultural items in or out of these destinations.
If you plan to non-rev this holiday, APFA recommends being 3-1-1 compliant, even if you are going through Known Crewmember® (KCM). Crewmembers in uniform are allowed Liquids, Aerosols and Gels (LAGs), and other exemptions applicable to uniformed flight crewmembers at TSA Pre✓™ lanes and standard passenger screening lanes.
Crewmembers not in uniform are not allowed LAGs exemptions and other exemptions applicable to uniformed flight crewmembers. Crewmembers not in uniform and randomly selected at KCM for extra screening will be required to comply with the 3-1-1 policy per TSA guidelines.
If you are non-revving internationally, you should NOT go through KCM (per KCM guidelines). You will be required to go through standard security.
Social Media and Crew Member Privacy and EAP
Galley gossip and social media chatter is inevitable. However, be aware that they can have consequences if you are sharing something that you do not have permission to share. Do not share fellow crew members personal information with members of Management. If you feel that a crew member is in danger of self-harm, contact a member of EAP either here at LGA or call APFA headquarters and speak with a member of EAP there. These are incredibly stressful times, and we need to look out for each other.
ASAP Reports
Remember to document any inadvertent violations of FARs via the ASAP program. We have seen an increase in tablet malfunctions lately. The tablet has had issues updating. In other instances, Flight Attendants have experiences with low battery on the first flight of the day even though the tablet was charging overnight. Report these occurrences via the ASAP Reporting Form.
The ASAP program is vital to the APFA. It allows us as Flight Attendants, along with the FAA, to learn from our experiences on the line. It gives all of us the opportunity to foster an even greater culture of safety on our aircraft.
EAP Information
The APFA Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Department and the AA/APFA Critical Incident Response Team is dedicated to offering support 24/7. If you need to talk to someone, please reach out. APFA EAP may be reached at (817) 540-0108, or AA/APFA CIRT may be reached at (800) 998-8194.
Return AA Issued Equipment
Furloughed Flight Attendants who fail to return their AA issued equipment and ID badges will have their flight privileges cut off. APFA has not been given a date as to when this will happen, but it’s not worth taking the chance, so make sure you return your company issued equipment in a timely manner.
Drug Testing Procedures
If you receive a non-negative drug test you must speak with the MRO in person or on the phone. The MRO will use text messages in addition to phone calls in an attempt to notify you to call back. There should be no details about the results of your drug test in the text messages. Failure to call the MRO back could result in termination.
Deadheading
Once you change or alter your deadhead at the start of a sequence you can no longer trade or drop that sequence. This is covered in section 16 2. G.14
If you are deadheading at the end of a trip you are still subject to random drug and alcohol testing.
Keep the 7,985 flight attendants on furlough in your thoughts as we head into this holiday season. These are challenging times, and we need to support each other in any way we can.
Thank you again for all that you do. Your LGA APFA officers and the APFA National Leadership stand in solidarity with you. Please reach out to us via email or phone if you need any assistance. Stay safe, wear a mask, and take care of each other.
In Solidarity,
Robert Norvell
APFA LGA Base President
[email protected]
(718) 350-6023
Penelope King
APFA LGA Base Vice President
[email protected]
(718) 350-7043