8.01.18 – (LAA/LUS) – The Weekly Scoop

Izumi Okada Isherwood, DFW                    Johnnea Bigcraft, PHX
Lyana Dang, DFW                                      Nedika Perrill, PHX
Phelicia Dang, DFW                                   Gabe Bierbach, PHL
Jamma Kang, DFW                                    Heba Abdalla. PHL

– Bellia Peckson, APFA National IOD Chair, [email protected]
– Michael Tipton, APFA National Health Chair, [email protected]

Take Your Jumpseat!

Turbulence is the leading cause of injury to Flight Attendants and events have been on the rise. At least one turbulence event with injuries has been reported nearly every month. A Turbulence Task Force consisting of APFA, APA, Flight Service, Flight Safety, AA Medical and Meteorology meet weekly to discuss and focus on turbulence safety awareness.

Turbulence terminology has been reduced to 3 categories:

• Light
• Moderate
• Severe

These terms are what will be communicated between crew members on board. In any case, DO NOT jeopardize your personal safety; take appropriate actions to secure and protect yourself. If you encounter unexpected turbulence, you don’t have to wait to hear from the Flight Deck. Take care of you first.

Fly Safely!

Age Based Contribution Ending 12/31/2018 – LAA

The Five Year Age-Based Contribution agreement for LAA Flight Attendants who had their pensions frozen in the AA bankruptcy will be sunsetting December 31, 2018. Beginning with the first payroll run of 2019, those affected Flight Attendants will revert to provision Section 26.G.3.e in the JCBA, which provides a 3% company contribution and 2.5% company match, equal to what all LUS Flight Attendants and all post 2012 LAA Flight Attendants hires currently receive.

The 3% company contribution is made regardless of what the Flight Attendant contributes, but to secure the 2.5% company match, the Flight Attendant must have at least a minimum 2.5% election (either pre-tax or Roth) on file starting in 2019. You can always contribute more than 2.5%. While employee contributions can be either pre-tax or Roth (contributions made after taxes) all company contributions and matches are designated as pre-tax funds.

– Kim Coats Tuck, APFA National Retirement Specialist, [email protected]

Write It Up!

The number of Hotel/Transportation Debriefs has increased by more than 20%! Keep them coming! Please provide as much documentation as possible. We encourage you to take photos. Don’t forget to include specifics, such as names, dates, times and room numbers, if possible.

Flight Attendants have expressed their desire to join the APFA Hotel/Transportation Committee. If interested, please contact your local Base Reps. Our department’s goal is to utilize the local Base Hotel Reps whenever possible as their knowledge and experience is invaluable!

Upcoming reviews include: PWM, OKC, TUL, ELP, LHR, YVR and AMS.

– Julia Simpson, APFA National Hotel Chair, [email protected]