5.12.23 – APFA ORD Base Brief – Friday, May 12, 2023

Friday, May 12, 2023

Hello Chicago! Spring is finally here with some warm weather. We continue to welcome new hire Flight Attendants weekly to Chicago. We have people being sent to Chicago all the way up until July- :we hope to keep them coming! Be sure to welcome them with open arms. We all remember our probationary days.

Chicago Tidbits

• May 2022, we had 2,318 Flight Attendants vs 2,443 in May of 2023
• Anyone who takes the CTA can register as an employee of O’Hare and pay a discounted amount when leaving O’Hare on the CTA – sign up with the MOD at K19 if you have not already done so.
• Save the date: May 19th, the Contract Action Team (CAT) will be out and about in the terminals systemwide 0900-1300. This is a great opportunity to talk with them about negotiations, hear the latest updates from the union and get some swag! There will be plenty of lanyards and union pins to go around! Keep an eye out!
• Stand in solidarity with brother and sister unions: SAG-AFTRA Chicago Local will host a rally in support of the Writers Guild of America (WGA) on Wednesday, May 17th, 12 PM at NBC Tower at 455 Cityfront Plaza Drive in Chicago.

Did You Know?

When traveling on an “A” pass, such as deadheading on a trip or traveling from training, you are not allowed to use your ticket from your deadhead to request the agent add the “T’ for your non-revenue travel? Page 31 of the Travel Guide states: Team members, including Flight Crew members, traveling on company business (e.g., A12 connecting to D2 or D1) will not be given through status if they continue their travel for pleasure.  

Hot Topics

EFB Performance Base Grievance 

On May 11th, a Base Grievance was filed by your base leadership regarding the issuance of mass discipline regarding EFB updates. The company has failed to provide adequate education to flight attendants about the required updates. They have neglected to ensure if people were in a flying status or not.

Our Attendance and Performance policy works on a progressive disciplinary scale. While this time they might not discipline you, this may count against you in the future with other performance infractions.

The company needs to provide EVERYONE with the opportunity to explain, learn or prove their innocence.  

EFB Compliance 

Speaking of EFB compliance, with such a large number of Flight Attendants systemwide whose EFBs are not ‘updated’, really highlights the poor job the company has done at communicating the 3 items we must have up to date on our EFB:

1. IOS update – most recent update
2. Comply365 App – most recent update within the Self Service App
3. Comply365 – synced + recent update

Read the recent APFA Hotline – Updating Your EFB on how to update these three items if you have any questions. Or ask Flight Service at K19, your FSM or contact the Denali/EFB Help Desk at (800) 203-5949 or (817) 786-0853.

Quarterly Training

The most recent quarterly training is due June 21st at 2359. This second quarter lesson consists of the American Airlines part along with a separate section needed for anyone who works in the state of Illinois. Due to the extended training, it pays $50 instead of the usual $25.

During closeout, which is typically the 1st-9th following the end of the month, pay comp will add a line within your HI1 showing “WBT TRNG”. Each unit pays $25. Be sure you see two of these units. If you do not, file a Direct Connect for “training.”

In Solidarity,

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

Justin Patterson
APFA ORD Base Vice President
(509) 720-0067
[email protected]