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RESERVE SYSTEM
We are entering the summer months and that traditionally means delays, thunderstorms and the dreaded phrase "critical coverage". A flight attendant out on furlough called me and asked, "What is the reserve system like now here at US Airways?" I don't think there are enough expletives in the English language to properly describe how horrific this system really is. Trust me when I tell you that I understand and share your frustration with this system. I take calls daily on just how adversely the reserve group is affected. I could go into detail but it would take several book volumes to detail these issues. Basically, the entire Reserve system at US Airways is fundamentally flawed and has been since the restructuring agreements. In the absence of Preferential Bidding, it was dead on arrival. The company and crew planning must project the proper staffing levels however, with the current Reserve system the numbers will never work. There will either be too many or too few. One day we have 200 available Reserves and the next they fall off a cliff with only 30 available. So, what we see is the company attempting to protect the operation by recalling flight attendants. The company would rather have the available resources to cover the trips than have to cancel flights. The end result is we have a lot of people sitting around waiting for our number to pop up. So, what can be done? If you ask me they should dig a big hole and bulldoze this wretched system into it never to be seen again. The company knows it doesn't work, AFA knows it doesn't work and certainly everyone living on this system knows it doesn't work. As much as we would all love to go in and start making a new system up right now, we can't. It must be done through hard fought negotiations that are taking place right now. The company is not going to enter into talks and spend money on something that after the merger is complete will be replaced by yet another system. Your negotiating team is well aware of our distain and is going to do everything in their power to see that a livable reserve system obtained during negotiations. So, hopefully by next summer we will be seeing a lot of changes.
In the meantime, I urge all of you to go and sign for you copy of the new contract. All the changes over the past 4 years are finally in the crew service centers. It's the best weapon against getting violated. Most any question regarding what scheduling can and can't do can be answered right there in that white and red book. TAKE IT WITH YOU ON YOUR TRIPS.
RETURNING FLIGHT ATTENDANTS
163 furloughed flight attendants have returned to the line here in Philadelphia and some of them have been on furlough for 3 years or more. I ask everyone to welcome them back and assist them in adapting to all the changes that have taken place since they have been out on furlough. I fear they are going to be overwhelmed with all the new rules and your patience and knowledge will help them learn the ropes all over again. We were all "new" once but these returning coworkers are not "new hires" yet, they will have lots of questions regarding service/procedure changes, ect.
JULY SECONDARY LINE RESULTS
For July Secondary Lines went to 12-JUL-98 or employee number 84689. For those regaining a block, please remember to monthly sign in via the Voice Response System or on Option 2 in Catcrew.
FRENCH LODO DISPLACEMENTS
After a review of staffing in the LODO programs, Inflight Administrating determined that the French LODO program was overstaffed by 6 positions. The decision was made to bump the bottom 6 JR French LODOs off the program effective July 1st. If this affects you please remember to put a standing bid on file with Inflight Administration for future openings.
RECURRENT TRAINING ASSIGNMENT
As a reminder you must sign up for recurrent training prior to the opening of SAP for that bid month. For example: You recurrent month is AUG you would have to sign up for training by June 25th or be assigned a date. If you are assigned and it conflicts with a RSV OFF/INV day you have the right to move the day OFF.
Michael Elias
AFA Council 70 RSV Chair
melias@afausairways.org
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