11.16.22 – APFA ORD Base Brief – Wednesday, November 16th

Wednesday, November 16, 2022

Happy November, Chicago! Winter is finally here. We want to take the opportunity to remind everyone in Chicago about a few hot topics.

Picketing Event

Thank you to everyone who attended the picketing event yesterday, the 15th. The event in Chicago saw around 150 people! The weather might not have been the best, but it didn’t dampen our spirits. We showed solidarity and comradery by staying united in telling the company, TIMES UP! We are ready for the contract we deserve! There were people of all seniorities, language qualifications, bases, probationary flight attendants, friends, family, members of AFA, TWU, Go Jet, APA, SEIU, the Chicago Federation of Labor, and more! We look forward to more displays of unity in the coming months.

If you were unable attend this event, pick up a “We Are Ready” APFA lanyard from any of our mailboxes down in K19.

Contract and Scheduling Department

With the winter weather quickly approaching, the disruptions to our operation will become more and more frequent. When you have questions regarding legalities or reschedules, please be sure to take advantage of the resources available to you. The contract and scheduling desk is available to help you! Save their number. Bookmark the “live chat” option for after-hours chats.

APFA Contract & Scheduling Desk
Call 817-540-0108
Monday – Friday, 0700 – 1900 (CT)

APFA Live Messaging
Monday – Friday: 1500 – 2300 (CT)
Weekends and Holidays: 0900 – 1700 (CT)
(Link may be found on homepage of APFA.org)

Wheelchairs

We are all keenly aware that the company will go to great lengths to avoid a delay. The practice of lining wheelchair passengers on the jet bridge to allow them to be positioned to board the aircraft at the designated boarding time is nothing new. This practice is now becoming more and more prevalent, despite it being against the AA Boarding Policy. This encourages contractual violations concerning early boarding but also can be a safety hazard.

If you experience a flight where passengers are haphazardly lined up on the jet bridge before boarding, be sure to document this experience. There are several ways to document this: CERS (Corporate event report), ASAP (Safety concerns), and letting the APFA Safety department know at [email protected]. Be sure to include the following information:

• Contractual boarding time.
• Time passengers were lined up.
• Were they always supervised?
• Weather conditions.
• Other pertinent information.

As a reminder, contractual boarding times are outlined in the JCBA (11.M and 14.F). You never have to board earlier than contractually permitted. As #1, always ensure you hold a Departure Dependability Briefing with the agent to specify the time passengers should cross the threshold onto the aircraft.

Fume events
While fume events shouldn’t be something we are accustomed to, it is something that happens more often than we would like. If you are involved in a fume event, there are a few important factors to know.

Each Flight Attendant should file the applicable company report. For all odor/fume events, file an IOD and a CERS Report. 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.

Flight Attendants may also consider reporting their specific safety concern regarding the odor/fume event to:
— Cabin ASAP reports are reviewed by the Event Review Committee (ERC) consisting of individuals from APA, APFA, the FAA, and Company.
— Please send reports of suspected odor/fume events to [email protected], [email protected], and [email protected].

Event During Flight:

If any of the crew members begin to experience any physical symptoms (headache, metallic taste, coughing, irritated eye/nose/throat, dizziness and/or nausea), notify the Captain and coordinate the appropriate medical response.

Not all injuries require immediate medical attention. If you do not see a doctor right away, be advised that you will need to do so within 24 hours of any lost time. In the event of a medical emergency, do not wait to speak with a nurse – go to the nearest emergency room. You must be removed from work by a doctor to become eligible for Work Comp pay benefits once the claim is accepted.

Symptoms Following an Event:

If immediately following the flight 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 (682-315-7070) 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.

In Solidarity,

Susan Wroble
APFA ORD Base President
(630) 802-2268
[email protected]

Dray Howard
APFA ORD Base Vice President
(630) 215-8410
[email protected]

Justin Patterson
APFA ORD Base Council Representative
(509) 720-0067
[email protected]