4.12.20 – April 2020 PHX Base Brief – COVID-19/May Allocations/Clarification on CQT/Fly Safe

Saturday, April 11, 2020

PHX Flight Family,

Normally, around this time each month, we start off our base brief with “today your base reps had our allocations call and….” But currently, nothing is normal. Everything is uncertain and ever-changing as we speak. Not only at our airline, but all over the world, and in our daily lives. I know that everyone is stressed, anxious, and pushed to the brink with information that is thrown at them from all areas. Whether it is from the Company, the Union, or the latest headlines from the news. We are watching many of our closest friends and co-workers make hard decisions on whether to take a VLOA or to take a VEOP and leave the job they love and have dedicated their lives to so they can help the industry stay afloat and help their co-workers keep flying. I know this is upsetting to a lot of us and can weigh heavily on your minds.

I want to assure you that your PHX Base Leadership and reps are here for you in these trying times, whenever you need us. Please reach out to us at 480-966-1231. Leave us a message, and let us know what we can do to help you, and one of us will call back as soon as possible. If you need EAP assistance you can also leave a message for them at that number, and they will help right away.

COVID-19 

If you have been exposed, tested positive, or have symptoms, please call the Company phone number for their pandemic response team at 1-800-447-2000. They can assist with what to do next or what the process is for a leave of absence.

It is also important to complete the APFA COVID-19 Exposure Report Form, so that the Union can continue to track those who have been exposed or are positive for the virus. Our National Health and Injury on Duty (IOD) representatives are also available to help at 817-540-0108

May Allocations

Yesterday, the Company shared some of the numbers for next month’s flying. We already knew the bad news that American has reduced the system-wide Flight Attendant block hours by almost 80%. For all our colleagues at the other bases this is hard hitting news. For us it can be seen as good news, as a very significant amount of the Flight Attendant block hours will be flown by PHX-Based Flight Attendants!

We have the second highest amount of flying system-wide. When the Company was inputting parameters for the sequence creation, they had some important criteria. The parameters that most affected the outcome of our sequences:

• Minimize the number of layovers
• Reduce sequence length to help ensure continuity for the sequences when in actual operations
• Optimize the sequences to no more than 2 duty periods (with the exception for a few hand-built sequences those sequences were not in the PHX bid sheet)

Although, minimizing the number of layovers did not produce as many 1-days or ODANs as we would like to see. The same pattern was also seen in most of the other bases. Right now, the Company is taking APFA’s feedback to see if anything can be done to help increase 1-day and ODANs for June.

We are seeing some sequences with higher duty days which can be attributed to increased sit times because of reduced flying backs out of each base, as well as deadhead legs to position crews for their next assignment.

We expressed to the Company that all of us want certainty when we bid for things like VLOA, Lines, or Reserve. We need information as soon as it is available so that the Flight Attendants who continue to fly can make the decisions they need to make for their bids.

Clarification on CQT

This month, the training department is conducting training for Flight Attendants returning to active status. Although the Training Department has not posted an official date for CQT to start back up, they are currently booking dates in May, and will be adding additional slots as needed. If you need training, book it. Do not defer or opt for a later class so you don’t possibly jeopardize pay protections, benefits, or employment status.

Clarification on what is due when is in the chart below:

Fly Safe

Please continue to be the amazing safety professionals you are. Protecting the safety and the security of everyone onboard means you need to look out for yourself, and your fellow crew members, as well as the passengers. PHX Flight Service has received a bulk shipment of hand sanitizer, and 4 ounce bottles are now available to you in the crew room. Also, limited amounts of face masks are available for pick up in the PHX crew room.

***Remember… “Please put on your oxygen mask, before assisting others…”***

I want to take a moment and thank all of the PHX Base representatives who are here to help our Flight Attendants in PHX. They have given more of themselves than asked, and we couldn’t do it without them:

• Robin Rakiec Jones (EAP, FAIR meetings)
• Alana Billingsley
• Nancy Lewis
• Gene Labat
• Dan Friel
• Ralph Huerta
• Gidget Clayton
• Johnnea Bigcraft
• Marla Harris Jinks

 

And in closing, we say goodbye to Vicki Lewis, who has been an advocate for our PHX family for many years and was our PHX Professional Standards Rep. She has taken a leave, and will be missed.

Please, do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or concerns.

In Unity & Solidarity,

Mischel Babi
APFA PHX Base President
480-737-6487
[email protected]

Robin Agee
APFA PHX Base Vice President
480-238-2303
[email protected]