• Swine Flu Station Updates from the Company
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Dear Members,

The AFA and the company have had daily conference calls to be briefed and discuss solutions to protect the employees and customers during the current H1N1 outbreak.

Swine Flu Station Updates from the Company

Mexico:
The Mexican government is conducting passenger screening out of all Mexican stations. In MEX, this includes body scans to identify passengers traveling with elevated temperatures.

These passengers are subject to secondary screening and only allowed to travel if cleared by medical personnel. Crewmembers are exempt from body scan screening.

Bahamas: ("A" Flight Attendant)
Bahamas Customs has made it mandatory for the "Declaration of Health" portion of the General Declaration to be completed by the "A" F/A prior to landing in the Bahamas.

France:
The French Government has published a pamphlet on H1N1 for both departing and arriving airline passengers. Airport Customer Service (ACS) is distributing to all east and westbound travelers.

Italy:
The Italian Health Ministry has published a pamphlet on H1N1, which is being distributed by ACS to all eastbound travelers.

Madrid:
The MAD Health Department is requesting that a special form be given to all passengers arriving in MAD from the United States. These forms are being distributed by ACS prior to departure from PHL.

Munich:
Per the regional Bavarian Health Department, a "Flu MUC Info Text" is to be distributed to all passengers departing on flights to MUC for informational purposes. ACS will distribute this document for flights from PHL to MUC.

To learn more about swine flu visit the CDC Web site at http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/.

Everyday Actions to Stay Healthy:

The CDC recommends that you take the following simple steps to avoid getting sick. These tips not only to H1N1, but also for the common cold and other strains of the flu virus:

- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue
in the trash after you use it.

- Wash your hands often with soap and water to remove potentially infectious material from the skin. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.

- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth - this promotes the spread of germs.

- Avoid physical contact such as handshaking.

- If someone is exhibiting flu-like symptoms, contact the captain - who will contact MedLink. Follow MedLink instructions.

Company's actions:

- They are in contact with Air Transport Association (ATA), the Center for Disease Control (CDC), and the World Health Organization (WHO) to receive daily updates to pass along to base leadership.

- Base leadership is conducting crew briefings relaying pertinent information to F/As.

- They are ensuring that flight attendants have the necessary tools onboard to deal with health concerns, if they should arise. This includes:

- Hand sanitizing packets boarded in PSKs for all Mexico flights. Note: if a PSK is
not present, the packets will be boarded in the seat back pocket of the last row of first class seats A/C left - a PSK is not a "no go" item.

- Ensuring adequate plastic gloves are boarded by Catering for flight attendants to
use for normal refuse pick up (non-latex gloves are for medical emergencies).
 
- Ensuring masks are present in the PSK. Note: masks should only be used on passengers that are symptomatic - at the advice of MedLink.

- Initiating increased cleaning measures on aircraft inbound from MEX.

- Providing crew meals to crews working all Mexico flights.

- There will be round-trip provisioning first class meals from the US gateway to all Mexico destinations (exception: MEX/CUN morning/originating flights).

Reminders:

- In flight the captain should be notified of anyone exhibiting flu-like symptoms - the captain will work with OCC and MedLink to advise you of the next steps. Remember, MedLink should also be used as a resource while on the ground, both at the gate and on the aircraft. Contact the captain who will work with OCC and MedLink to determine whether a passenger is medically fit to fly.

- All US Airways aircraft air recycling systems are equipped with HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filters. HEPA filters are designed to inhibit the spread of airborne bacterial and viral organisms, and therefore, infection.

We will continue to up date you as information becomes available.


Buddy Brannon
MEC Vice-President
US Airways
Master Executive Council AFA-CWA

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AFA US Airways Website

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AFA Local Numbers
 
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

Reply to Inflight: askinflight@usairways.com

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