AFA US Airways MEC E-Line - "Staying Informed"

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2002 Archived - E-Lines

• More Secondary Line Augmentation Information

• HCTC Meeting in Tampa

• NORTH CAROLINA WANTS TO HELP PAY YOUR COBRA PAYMENT

• Accessing The Hub
• AFA Local Numbers

For those flight attendants who need a better understanding of "Secondary Line Augmentation" defined. This benefit is for Secondary line holders  and is not seniority driven, but rather first come first serve. Secondary Line Augmentation is simply looking at the "open time" in CATCREW and contacting scheduling to request the trip.

Again, it is strictly a "manual" process and seniority is not applicable.

Teddy
MEC President, AFA-CWA

-- Below is the CBS message that went out by the company. AFA neither agrees or disagrees with the message sent out on CBS. It is being sent to you for informational purposes --

The new Secondary Line Augmentation will begin on March 13th at 1800.

Subject: Secondary Line Augmentation

Q. Who can participate in the Secondary Line Augmentation process?

A. Any flight attendant awarded a secondary line for the bid month or any flight attendant who could have held a primary or secondary line, but due to his/her unavailable status (at the time of primary or secondary line bid closing) was NOT awarded a primary or secondary line. Primary line holders and reserve flight attendants are NOT eligible for this process.

Q.  Where is the "open time" posted?

A.  The "open time" is available for viewing in CATCREW on Option 11.

Q.  What is the maximum time that can be obtained during the augmentation process?

A.  For the bid month of April a flight attendant may pickup "open time" up to his/her option maximum.  Effective with the month of May a flight attendant will be able to pickup "open time" up to the monthly maximum.  Effective May 2005 the monthly maximum will be set by the Director of Crew Scheduling.

Q. When does the process open and close?

A. A flight attendant may contact scheduling at 1800 on the day after the closing of the secondary lines. The closing date of the Augmentation Process is the last day of the contract month at 1200.

Q. How are trips awarded?

A. Crew Scheduling will be responsible for the awarding of all request via telephone. Trips will be awarded on a first come, first served basis. This process is for picking up additional trips only.

Q. Does the flight attendant own the position associated with the trip awarded via the Secondary Augmentation process?

A. No. Position determination for SAP, Secondary Line Holders and Augmented Secondary Line holders is based on seniority among the flight attendants originating the trip.

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HCTC Meeting in Tampa

IAM Local 2319 located in Tampa is sponsoring an HCTC Meeting for union members who live in the Florida area who would like to attend to receive information on HCTC as well as get assistance on filling out their applications for both the state and the federal HCTC programs. There is a special program that Florida offers to cover those that are awaiting Federal HCTC approval. There will also be a Representative from BC/BS of Florida who could possibly provide members with rates better than the COBRA rates the company is charging. BC/BS of Florida is a "qualifying plan".

Meeting will be on Tuesday, March 15, 2005.
There will be 3 sessions: 9 a.m., 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.

Place: Holiday Inn Express, 4732 N. Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa, FL (just North of the Tampa Stadium)

If you plan on attending or need additional information please call 727-415-6628 if you plan to attend. Or E-mail David Supplee dsupplee@ix.netcom.com

Teddy
MEC President, AFA-CWA

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NORTH CAROLINA WANTS TO HELP PAY YOUR COBRA PAYMENT

Retiree Dave Danahey has been working on the State of North Carolina's procedures and policies for paying 65% or your COBRA payment.

1.    The local Employment Security Commission (ESC) office handles this for North Carolina residents.
2.    You MUST go to the ESC office and complete a form taking with you your US ID or NC DL.
3.    You MUST have proof/letter that your pension has been taken over by the PBGC and the COBRA invoice.

GOT QUESTIONS

-- Call Linda in the Matthews, NC ESC office at (704) 845-2660 ext 223.  Dave says she has agreed to assist any retirees with the documentation, etc. 
-- Call Steve in the Winston-Salem, NC ESC office at (336) 761-0700 ext 229. 

Both of these people are managers of those offices and willing to assist US Airways retirees in any way possible.

ALL NC offices should be familiar with the procedure and policies to get you 65% or your COBRA payment.  If they are not, ask that office to call Curtis Morrow in the state ESC office in RDU at (919) 733-6745.  He actually wrote the NC procedures and policies and is the TOP DOG!  He can answer any question.

• You must go to the ESC office to complete the form.  You CAN NOT do it over the phone or by mail or email.

• You must go to the ESC office for each month to complete the form.  It is NOT automatic for the 2nd or 3rd months - if it goes that far.

• After completing the appropriate form, it is faxed to the state budget office in RDU and a check is mailed within 24 hours.

• The check is made payable to the COBRA provider and that check along with your 35% and the COBRA invoice is mailed to COBRA for your premium payment.

• Retirees under 55 or over 65 are NOT eligible.

Accessing The Hub: http://thehub.usairways.com 
Logging in the first time your user name is u0(zero) and your five digit employee number. Your initial password is the first five digits of your social security number. Questions about the Hub? Please contact the EDS Help Desk at 336-744-6000 for assistance. More information can also be found HERE.

AFA Local Numbers
Council 40 PIT 724-695-3329
Council 41 DCA 703-690-6859
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

Reply to Inflight: askinflight@usairways.com

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