• ETB PROBLEMS
• CREW ACCOMMODATIONS
• RECALL UPDATE
• MERGED CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS
• Accessing The Hub
• AFA Local Numbers

Problems associated with the ETB continue. AFA and the Company are working to solve these problems, although it's not happening as fast as I would like. Clearly some of the problems are a lack of understanding and training. When the ETB was created, a training component was also created, and crew room training was provided. Since the ETB was new to everyone not every problem that has since cropped up could be anticipated at that time. The Company and the AFA are working to provide more educational tools in order to raise everyone's knowledge base. We have agreed on a three-pronged approach to accomplish this. Further details will be announced next week. It is imperative that we curb the over fly situation and we believe a percentage of the problem will be solved through the education process. 

That said, I believe some of the over fly taking place is deliberate. It is quite evident some members are dropping trips via the ETB with no intention of simply lowering their monthly obligation but rather as a second form of trip improving. It is contractually illegal to drop trips on the ETB and then replace that time with trips picked up from the AIL. The simplest way to say this is that you must replace the time you drop from the place where you dropped it. If you drop time on the ETB and wish to fly more time you must pick up the additional time from the ETB. If you use the AIL to drop time you must replace that time from the AIL in order to satisfy your Company obligation. When someone drops time on the ETB and replaces that time from the AIL that person is disadvantaging their fellow Flight Attendants. There are three other points I would like to stress:

• Comments posted on the ETB are not seen by Crew Scheduling. Comments such as "for Blockholders only" or for a particular Flight Attendant only are only seen by Flight Attendants. 
  
• Under the ETB rules created Reserves have a right to pick up time from the ETB. I realize there is a battle going on between Blockholders and Reserves regarding this issue. The LTO system is not working and the only way Reserves can get paid above their guarantee is through the ETB. I have heard comments from Blockholders that they don't like the idea that Reserves are only flying a few days a month of Company time and getting "extra income" from the ETB. A Reserve is required to be on duty 19-20 per month and be within 1+30 from the airport. Whether they fly or not, that is what is required. Picking up time on days off to supplement their income often requires Reserves to be beholden to the Company in one form or another for up to 30 days. The solution is to change the Reserve System. If Reserves averaged 75-85 hours of Company time monthly I doubt you would see Reserves picking up a great deal of time from the ETB.
  
• Programming changes to the ETB are still being assessed by the Company and AFA. We need to make certain any programming changes made by FLICA to make the ETB more equitable will not cause additional problems.

CREW ACCOMMODATIONS

For the second time in a month the Company has unilaterally selected hotels that AFA will not endorse. The ORD long RON and the BOS long RON are now located at properties AFA was never consulted with or allowed to inspect prior to their selection. Both properties have deficiencies that make them unacceptable. Particularly troubling is the BOS decision. We have been discussing the BOS long RON with the Company since October of last year. Site inspections of downtown properties were conducted by AFA, ALPA and the Company last month and recommendations were made. Completely out of the blue, AFA was informed on Thursday that a decision on the BOS property had been made. The new property is a significant distance from the airport, nowhere near downtown and not among those visited or recommended by AFA. The ORD long RON was handled in the same manner; no input or consultation with AFA. This "drive by" approach by the Company with respect to property decisions must stop. AWA MEC President Gary Richardson and I will be discussing these two specific properties and the selection process in general on Monday with senior Company officials. 

Additionally, we have received news reports from PHX about a rash of armed holdups near the ASU Campus adjacent to our PHX long property. The PHX properties are in the relocation process but in the meantime please use extra caution and vigilance when you are staying at our current PHX property. 

RECALL UPDATE

The deadline to return recall forms is noon EDT May 3, 2006. The recall will be processed within a few days after the close of the notification. Those recalled will receive recall packets that will contain training information and uniform order forms. Specific training requirements for each recalled Flight Attendant will depend on the length of time spent on furlough and equipment requirements of the base a Flight Attendant is recalled to. Voluntary "orientation" sessions will be held in PHL, BOS and LGA on dates to be determined. As a result of our bankruptcy concessions there have been many changes to our contract. The 2004 Flight Attendant Agreement is available online at:

http://www.afausairways.org/contract/index1.html

MERGED CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS

An update on the merged contract negotiations will be sent to the membership tomorrow.

Thank you,

Mike Flores, President
US Airways Master Executive Council

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AFA Local Numbers

Council 40 PIT 724-695-3329
Council 41 DCA 703-212-8090
Council 69 BOS 781-289-8454
Council 70 PHL 215-492-0840
Council 82 LGA 315-736-3483
Council 89 CLT 704-527-0325

New Hotline Number Toll Free: 866-USA-AFA2
US AIRWAYS Benefits Information 800-872-4780

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