11.20.01 – (LAA) – Memorial Service information for Crewmembers of Flight 587

This is Leslie Mayo, National Communications Coordinator, with the APFA HotLine for Tuesday, November 20, 2001.

I will read up-to-date memorial service information for the flight attendants from flight 587 at the end of this HotLine.

All of American’s A-300s have been inspected and no signs of fatigue or delamination were found. According to the FAA Airworthiness Directive, all Airbus A-300s in the US must be inspected within 15 days of the Directive. The investigation of flight 587 is ongoing and we will keep you updated when we get more information.

AA has reported a new toll-free number for crewmembers to report your security concerns: 800.527.0276. This number will be manned Monday through Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. CST. Voicemail is available during off-hours. If you leave a message, please include your full name, employee number and contact number for the following day.

If you or someone you know needs assistance in dealing with the recent tragedies, help is available through both the EAP and Life Balance. The numbers of the EAP Regional Offices are as follows:

Many of you have expressed interest in the number and breakdown of the Flight Attendants who elected Appendix T and/or Retirement. APFA should be receiving final numbers from the company next week and we will update the HotLine accordingly.

The Merger and Acquisition Committee met yesterday and today with management at APFA Headquarters. We hope to have an agreement soon and we will continue to keep you posted on this very important issue.

In order to ensure no one unintentionally missed the opportunity to elect the Supplemental Medical Coverage during this year’s benefits enrollment process, the Company has agreed to extend the deadline for electing this coverage until November 27. Please contact PeopleLink at 1-800-447-2000 and choose option 2 or online at peoplelink.aa.com to enroll.

For those of you on an overage leave, please remember that you must have your benefits election form in the mail and postmarked by Monday, November 26, 2001. The election form includes the one-time enrollment for supplemental insurance. There is also a worksheet included in the benefits packet American sent to you, copies of which should be returned with your insurance payments.

President Bush signed the Aviation Security Bill on Monday and we would, again, like to thank all of our members for contacting Congress and the White House to ensure passage of this important legislation. The bill provides that baggage screeners will be federalized and 100% screening compliance of checked bags as well as all employees and vehicles that enter the secure area of the airport. The FAA is conducting criminal background checks on all 750,000 employees who enter secure airport grounds, as well.

American has lifted the D-3 travel embargo, though it is restricted to family members only including adult children, brothers and sisters, in-laws, grandparents, and grandchildren. Family members must meal list eight days or more in advance in order to travel. American has suspended the use of D-3 travel beyond family members, indefinitely.

The following are memorial service details for some of the flight attendants from flight 587.

A Memorial Service for Deborah Fontakis will be held on Wednesday, November 21 at 10:00 a.m. at Our Lady of Victory Church. The church is located at 2 Floral Parkway in Floral Park, NY. The phone number is 516.354.0479. A reception will follow at New Hyde Park Inn, 214 Jericho Turnpike in New Hyde Park, NY. Phone number is 516.354.7797. A foundation has been established in honor of Deborah for her children’s college education. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be sent to: The Foundation for Deborah Fontakis – 1562 Richmond Road, Staten Island, NY 10304.

There will be a Memorial Service for Carol Palm (Hill) on Wednesday, November 21 at 1:00 p.m. at the Hillebrand Funeral Home. This is located at 62-17 Woodhaven Blvd in Rego Park, NY. The contact number is 718.639.5511. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Carol’s name to North Shore Animal League – 16 Lewyt Street – PO Box 1301 – Port Washington, NY 11050.

The visitation for the family and friends of Michele Mills will be held on Friday, November 23, 2001 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. This will be held at the Grace Funeral Chapel. The chapel is located at 607 Conduit Blvd. in Brooklyn, NY. The phone number is 718.235.8088. Funeral Services for Michele will be held on Saturday, November 24, 2001 at 9:00 a.m. at the Brownsville Community Baptist Church in Brooklyn, NY. The address is 600 Mother Gaston Blvd. in Brooklyn, NY. Contact number is 718.342.3637.

A Memorial Service for Joe Lopes will be held on Saturday, December 1 at noon at St. Paul’s Chapel. This is located at Columbia University Campus in Manhattan, on the Upper West Side. Enter the main campus gate at 116th St. and Broadway or Amsterdam and follow the map. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Bide-A-Wee Foundation, ATT: Darlene Larsen at 410 E. 28th. Street, NY, NY 10016. Donations should reference Joseph Lopes. If you would like to donate by credit card, please call 212.532.6395.

Uniforms are requested at all of the services. As soon as we receive details for the remaining memorials, we will post them on this HotLine and on the website.

APFA Headquarters will be closed on Thursday and Friday of this week for the Thanksgiving Holiday. Thank you for calling the APFA HotLine – we will update this HotLine on Tuesday, November 26. We wish all of you a safe and happy Thanksgiving Holiday.