LEGALITIES and INTERNATIONAL FLYING
Recently, we had an ATH-PHL flight divert to Bangor, Maine (BGR) because of a mechanical problem. The crew became concerned regarding their duty day and called me to find out if 1) they could waive their 16 hour rule and go to 18 hours, and 2) when would they be illegal to continue to PHL.

This is a classic example of why you should have a copy of your contract, carry it with you and, most importantly, know your legalities.

To begin with, when you are scheduled for a duty day of 14 hours or less, you can be required to remain on duty up to 16 hours. Refer to Section 12-1, line 27 of your contract. You cannot waive this. The only flight segment that we will have in which you can be required to remain on duty up to 18 hours will be TLV-PHL.

That is it.

Once the BGR-PHL flight segment had been added to CATCREW, I calculated that the crew would go illegal at 1724 and it was around 1715 when I was talking to them.

Unfortunately, while talking to someone in systems, the crew were told that, according to FARs, they could go to 18 hours and continue on to PHL. This is true but what the scheduler didn’t tell them is what matters most - and that is by going up to 18 hours would be a violation of their contract. This was nothing short of misleading to the point that Hector Adler, VP Inflight, has told scheduling that this must stop. The crew did, in fact, go illegal but it doesn’t help matters when they are being given misleading information. Please know your legalities, whether you are flying domestic, international or non-transoceanic international.

FAMILY AND FRIENDS
Taking a family member and/or friend with you on an international trip can be fun. However, there have been complaints from crewmembers that have waited up to 45 minutes while the family member or friend has to go through passport control and then baggage claim. Please take into consideration your fellow crewmembers in situations like this. The company is now beginning to address this issue by posting a courtesy reminder in each briefing room with some guidelines to help you get your family member or friend through the airport as quickly as possible. If there is going to be a delay, you will need to make alternate transportation arrangements so as to not delay the crew. If you do not see this reminder in the briefing rooms, notify someone at the CSC in A-West. I have been told the company will also send out a CBS regarding this issue as well.

CWA CONVENTION
I attended the CWA Convention and Legislative Political Conference this past week in Washington, D.C. Vice President Joe Biden addressed the convention on Wednesday morning. To watch a video of his remarks, go to:  http://www.cwa-union.org/convention2009/2009-convention-biden-full.html For more information on the Convention, go to: http://www.cwa-union.org/

BAN CELL PHONE USAGE ONBOARD AIRPLANES
The job of the flight attendant is not to become an onboard referee in disputes between those passengers using cell phones and those trying to sleep or read in the next seat. Please take a moment and go to the following link to help ban cell phone usage onboard airplanes:
http://www.unionvoice.org/campaign/ban_inflight_cell_phone_usage?rk=_119as5qUtAGW 

EAST VOLUNTARY FURLOUGH LIST
The company has posted the VF list on the Hub. There were a total of 99 VFs granted. The 100th award will go to a f/a that is currently on MED status, if they become available prior to September 4th.

The breakdown looks like this:
BOS – 3, CLT – 22, DCA – 9, LGA – 2, PHL – 63

Of the 63 leaves taken in PHL, the most senior has a first training date of 9-70 and the most junior is 7-89.

In Regards,