3.28.22 – APFA PHX Base Brief – End of Month Update

Monday, March 28, 2022

Yes, we are once again London bound. Our PHX-LHR service resumes on April 5, 2022, with PHX crews working the segments. PHX Flight Services held two virtual Townhalls and a 2-day London Blitz in the crew room last week in preparation for this service. We hope some of you were either able to attend the LHR Townhall or visit the crew room last week for the Blitz. The PHX Base Pursers have been preparing for these flights, meeting to review Purser packets, required paperwork, and any new TSA/Heathrow security issues.

Some of the takeaways from the LHR Townhall are the importance of maintaining on-time performance for the LHR flights and adhering to all rules and regulations set forth by TSA and Heathrow security. We also want to ensure that the crews work together with ground personnel for the truly outstanding customer experience we have always delivered.

The number one issue crews have faced in London is LAG (liquid, aerosol, and gels)bag violations. Remember the following published on the London Heathrow Security page:The following restrictions apply to all liquids, creams, gels, pastes and aerosols taken through security control:

• Liquids may only be carried in containers holding 100ml or less.
• They must be carried separately in a single bag which is:
  • Transparent and resealable
  • No larger than 20cm x 20cm (8in x 8in)
  • Able to close properly with all the items inside.
• At security control, place the bag in the tray with your other items.
• Liquids in containers over 100ml will not be permitted through security – please pack them in your hold baggage instead. (hold = checked).

 

Pursers will have all the necessary information you need to assist with the London experience. However, it is up to all FAs to know the aircraft as well as your position and position responsibilities both boarding and onboard service. To assist with this we are suggesting you bookmark the following information in your EFB or, for those who have not yet transitioned, the Tablet.

IFM

• Section 2.3 — Border Regulations
• Section 2.14 — Passport and Visa Requirements
• Section 9.2 — Bassinet
• Section 10.1 — IFE forms
• Section 10.2 — Audio equipment
• Section 10.3 — Wireless internet
• Section 10.4.5 — Panasonic (eX2-eX3)
• Section 11.10.2 — TTL Aircraft Reference Guides, 777-200ER (Super Diamond) 777-200ER (Concept-D) sections
• Section 11.10.4 Passenger Seats—Troubleshoot and Malfunction Guide, Concept D and Super Diamond seat details
• Section 14—777

Destination Information publication

• All sections and the Europe Destination section

Onboard Service Manual

• 4.2.3.5—777-200 IPD
• 4.3—Service Position Assignment Charts
• 4.3.28—IPD FA 1- Purser and BC aisle for position 1
• 4.3.31—IPD FA 4*, 5- BC galley & aisle for position 5
• 4.3.32—IPD FA 4, 6, 7, 10 (12)- BC aisle for positions 4 and 7
• 4.3.33—IPD FA 2- MC galley & aisle for position 2
• 4.3.34—IPD FA 3, 6, 8, 9, 11 (10), (13)- MC aisle for positions 3, 6, 8, 9
• All of Section 5

 

The outbound flight to LHR (Flight 194) is scheduled to depart from Gate B13 for the first few weeks. For this reason, we are strongly suggesting that the briefing for the first weeks be done upstairs in the Purser office adjacent to the crew room. While we cannot require you to attend the briefing up there, since we have not flown IPD/LHR in 2 years, meeting up in the Purser office may give all of us a strong cohesive reintroduction to IPD flying and our requirements.

Please remember IPD flights require a report for duty of one hour and fifteen minutes (1.15) prior to departure. Flight Attendants will be required to be onboard the aircraft ready to receive the passengers at fifty (50) minutes prior to scheduled departure. (JCBA Section 14 – International Flying). This does not mean that you arrive on the aircraft 50 minutes prior to departure; this means that you have briefed, stowed your bags, done your precheck and are at your boarding positions ready to receive passengers. Exceptions to this are last minute standby call outs or reserves called from home with less than 2 hours to sequence report. Those FAs will report to the aircraft and brief with the Purser.

It is also important to know your JCBA! Please review JCBA Section 14 – International Flying. It covers all information with regards to contractual guidelines for IPD flying.

Let’s keep this flying operated by PHX Flight Attendants!

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Welcome Home!!

We would like to welcome home the displaced PHX FAs that have returned or will be returning to PHX on a Priority of Return since January 2022:

We also welcome to PHX the mutual transfers from LAX effective March 2, 2022.

To date, 57 Flight Attendants have returned on a priority status since the beginning of the year and 75 total.

We still have 192 Flight Attendants on the priority of return list. This does not mean that there are only 192 displaced Flight Attendants that haven’t returned, but refers to those that filled out a priority of return at the time of displacement.

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AFA/APFA Optional Short-Term Disability Insurance
In early 2013, former Legacy US Airways Flight Attendants were provided an optional Short-Term Disability plan through the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA). Many Flight Attendants, both active and retired, remain enrolled in this plan. The short-term disability plan was completely voluntary and provided tax-free benefits in the event you are disabled due to an injury, illness, or pregnancy.

American Airlines currently offers an optional Short-Term Disability plan during Annual Enrollment through MetLife. Under the Company’s plan, you would not be able to collect OSTD benefits until you have exhausted all of your sick time.

In January of 2019, APFA announced a newly negotiated direct relationship with AFLAC for voluntary supplemental benefits to be offered to APFA Members. One of the benefits is also a Short-Term Disability plan.

It has recently come to our attention that some Flight Attendants are enrolled in and are paying into all three of the above Short-Term Disability plans. It is important to note that the AFA-CWA and APFA plans are both underwrote and wholly-owned under AFLAC incorporated. Therefore, you are unable to claim both plans.

If you are currently paying into both plans, it is important to contact either National Group Protection or AFLAC to cancel either plan and request a refund for your paid premiums. Here is the contact information for both companies:

National Group Protection (NGP): 800-344-9016

AFLAC: 877-453-2385

No action is needed if you have only the AFA-CWA plan or only the APFA plan. Also, if you have the STD plan through American, you are allowed to double-dip once you deplete your sick bank.

If you have any questions, please contact Joe Klimek, Broker with CAOP, LLC at [email protected].

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PHX Parking Card Issues
The City of Phoenix Parking Office has indicated an issue that involves employee parking cards. Some parking cards have been removed from their system and as a result, some do not work at the designated lot.

If you are experiencing problems with your parking card, please call the Parking Office at 602-683-3615. Make sure to have your card handy, they will ask for the first 5 digits on the back of your card in order to reactivate it.

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Last Leg Deadhead

We have seen quite a few Flight Attendants that are still having issues with a deadhead on the last leg of your sequence. If you are a Lineholder, you do not have to ask to be released from the deadhead, however, per JCBA Section 16.H. you are required to notify Crew Scheduling of her/his election prior to the scheduled deadhead. If you do not do this and Crew Scheduling calls you to reassign you to work the deadhead or another segment, you will receive a Missed Trip (TM) and 2 points. And if you are a Reserve, you can be released from the deadhead with Crew Scheduling’s consent. (JCBA Section 16.H.1.)

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Reserve Calling Out of Time