05.03.06

Hello, this is Denise Pointer with an InfoRep Hotline message for Wednesday May 3, 2006.

The recent announcement of the creation of the new 2000 Open Replacement Series has generated several questions. I will try to address as many as possible in this hotline. If your question is not answered, please send me an email at [email protected] .

Q: Why was this new Open Replacement Series 2000 established?

A: Open Replacement Series 2000 was established as a result of the Company’s announcement earlier this year to eliminate Open Replacement completely and place those jobs on the reserve list. Crew Planning stated they were not experiencing proper coverage when they needed it because Open Replacement flying, also considered the buffer, was not subsidizing the flying it was intended to. AA stated their need for adequate staffing, and APFA realized the importance of keeping our members off reserve, especially at a time of such limited growth.

Q: Isn’t disallowing pre-plotting for Open Replacement a violation of our Contract?

A: No. Per Article 9, Letter I, dated May 22, 2001: “Should Operational or System needs require, the Company may temporarily discontinue access to the AVRS automated self-plotting system.”

Q: Can I add myself to the makeup list on my Days off and max out early?

A: Yes.

Q: Is Open Replacement 3000 and 4000 changing?

A: No.

Q: Can I drop the trip I plotted on day-before coverage?

A: Yes. There are no restrictions to dropping your trip once it is on your schedule.

Q: How many Flight Attendants will be affected by this change?

A: A total of approximately 200 Flight Attendants system wide will be affected by this change, which will result in keeping hundreds of Flight Attendants off of a Reserve rotation.

Q: What is the difference between 2000 Open Replacement and 3000-4000 Open Replacement?

2000 Series Open Replacement Holders will bid for set days off like the current Availability lines, and are restricted to pre-plotting trips the day before.

Q: How long will this new procedure be in effect?

A: This test is begins June of ’06 for a three-month period. The Company has made it clear, however, that if this solution is ineffective, they intend to place more F/As on Reserve during the summer and holidays.

Q: What about all the different ideas submitted by the membership?

There were numerous ideas submitted by the membership. For example we had suggestions to create a Heavy A and a Heavy B schedule for days off and changing sick clearance time.

The days off pattern proposed by a Heavy A or a Heavy B scheduled did not accomplish anything because the scheduled days off don’t have much impact on how RP’s really fly. Flight Attendants still have the ability to relieve themselves of AVBL obligations and the concept would not improve coverage on weekends and holidays. Remember, coverage was the impetus for this change to begin with.

On the legislative front, APFA sent an email yesterday to all members with email addresses on file requesting they call their Senators on the issue of Foreign Ownership. To follow up, Senator John McCain withdrew his amendment that would have removed the Inouye/Stevens provision in the Iraq/Katrina Supplemental Appropriations bill now being debated on the Senate floor. Calls to our senators were successful.

The Inouye/Stevens provision prevents any appropriations monies from being used to implement a Department of Transportation (DOT) proposed rule that would change the department’s way of determining foreign ownership of U.S. airlines. It would allow foreign entities to control the marketing and economics of an air carrier while leaving the safety and security under U.S. control.

Continental Airlines is taking the lead in opposing this proposal saying that this plan is unworkable. Aviation labor groups have unanimously opposed greater foreign ownership because of the threat to U. S. jobs, which is no idle threat. During their recent contract negotiations, Northwest Airlines proposed replacing all their international flight attendants with foreign nationals. This was eventually rescinded but sent a strong message of the potential threats to U.S. workers. Congress weighed in with Northwest management at the request of the Northwest flight attendants. Congress will hold little sway over a foreign entity once it controls a U.S. airline.

The APFA Safety and Security Department has several items to address this week: Starting May 8, 2006, AA will change its catering security measures on U.S. departing flights. After 9/11, TSA introduced two types of security standards for catering that airlines could elect to implement. AA chose to utilize "Search & Seal," a method in which each catering cart is sealed with a numbered lock seal after the cart is searched. AA has decided to change to "Search & Monitor," a method in which catering carts remain under constant visual surveillance after search and until the carts are loaded into the catering truck. The catering truck will continue to be locked and sealed by security with a numbered seal. The only change F/As will recognize is each cart will not be sealed with an individual lock seal.

Recently we have received several reports where F/As have sustained serious injuries after being bitten by dogs that were brought on the aircraft as pets or service animals. F/As should never assume that it is safe to reach down and pet an animal in the cabin. These animals may seem cute and cuddly but remember that they may be frightened due to their unfamiliar surroundings.

APFA has been advised that the FAA will be in New York this week checking manuals. If you are flying into or out of New York, domestic or internationally, make sure your manuals are up to date. Recently in ORD, the FAA found 26 flight attendants in non-compliance.

Several months ago, I advised all InfoReps to spread the word to co-workers who were still unnecessarily having a $5.00 per month “donation” taken out of their paychecks for PCFOS, to send an email and request that “donation” be stopped. The Company recently notified us that the email address they provided is no longer valid. For those F/A’s who have attempted to stop PCFOS deductions but have been unsuccessful, or for those wishing to request deductions for PCFOS be discontinued, please send an email to [email protected] . Include your name and employee number and state your request to discontinue payroll deduction of PCFOS.

From the hotel department, we have a few rumors to clear up and few updates as well.

With regard to our Paris layover, we want to squelch the rumors that we are leaving the Suffield. Those rumors are not true. The Marriott has bought the Soffitel and will be undergoing a name change. Our contract is intact and we have no plans to leave. Also, AA has not been asked to leave the property despite what some of you may have heard.

The Hotel department will be paying a visit to the Sofittel in Houston to attempt to work out some issues at that hotel and will keep everyone updated on those improvements.

Updates at the Resort Quest in HNL are scheduled to begin this week. Just as a reminder the hotel is now all non-smoking. Please be mindful of any hotel area that is non-smoking. If you enter your room and it smells like cigarettes, notify the front desk immediately.

Construction on the 10 x10-storage area at the HNL Marriott will begin May 14, 2006. Please remove all personal items including bikes, surfboards, mopeds, etc. no later than May 13th, or they will be discarded by the hotel.

Hotel reviews in PHL, ATL, EWR, ELP, MAN and VVI will be conducted during the month of May. If you have an opinion, write it up! Send your email to [email protected] .

Thank you to everyone who has joined the InfoRep program this month. The response has been tremendous. Keep up the good work and continue to encourage those you fly with to do the same. Remember – its important to keep your email address up to date with APFA. Please let us know of any changes to your email, address, phone, etc.

That’s it for this week. Again, thanks for all you do for the InfoRep Program.

Denise M. Pointer
APFA InfoRep Program
1004 West Euless Blvd.
Euless, TX 76040
817 540-0108 Ext 8743
[email protected]