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Dear Members,
HERE WE GO! JUNE 02, 2008
the official hard launch of the new uniform. Good golly miss molly get me the
oxygen. Two plus years, four AFA MEC Uniform Chairs, two very different airline
cultures, one tiny and one tall designer and protégé respectively, and then
there were the members of corporate. Whew! Ah, HELLO . . . where is that oxygen
or merlot if that is closer.
The soft launch of the uniform in May was a breath of life in what has been a
very long two year process. However, it has not come without its own set of
issues.
The most glaring issue is size. Many of the items that were ordered, based off
the fit line, arrived smaller. Which than prompted the second largest issue
returns. Apparently unprepared for such a level of returns/exchanges TwinHill
became overwhelmed and customer service was at a premium. Orders were on
backorder and TwinHill was doing what they could to catch up with production. We
have been told that production levels are at full capacity and 80 percent of the
line is in stock. Although that may be challenged very soon as the wholly owned
express carriers Piedmont and PSA are about to start to receive their uniforms
very soon.
Lets talk returns . . . if you have issues with certain garments and wish to
return them or just exchange you can do so via TwinHill customer service or the
packing slip that arrived with your garments. Just fill out the simple form and
send it to the address listed at the bottom of the form. Now here is the
important part. If the item you are returning is because of damage, wrong item,
wrong size, wrong color or does not fit according to the size you tried on at
the fit line the cost of the return can be refunded back to you after you have
submitted a crew expense form. I n some cases the cost of the return will be
taken care of by TwinHill, but you must get a preauthorized return number from
customer service. However, if you ordered multiple sizes, don't like a
particular color or just decided that you don't want an item then the cost of
the return falls to the flight attendant. For those who wish to order additional
items you can do so by going back onto the
www.usairways.twinhill.com
website. Use your new employee number and your password to sign into your
account. Shop to your hearts desire. Sadly the company still has not completed
the necessary upgrades for payroll deduction (Good Heavens say it isn't true) so
you will still have to use your credit cards.
As I said in the beginning June 02, 2008 is the official launch of the uniform
and the date that all flight attendants must be in the new uniform. Now, for
those flight attendants who do not have their uniform due to wool/polyester
allergies or that has specially sized items in production the company has stated
that they will issue you a note that you are to carry with you that states you
are allowed to wear the old uniform until your new one arrives. It is very
important that you carry this letter from in-flight with you at all times should
you get stopped or questioned by a supervisor, TSA or Custom Officials. For
those of you who Candi and I have talked to know that AFA had a very different
stance on this subject, but after discussions with the company and input from
AFA legal we lost our argument for now. Therefore, the company policy will
stand.
A survey is being planned to be released in July/August as an opportunity for
the company to hear your concerns, compliments, or unbridled excitement about
the uniform. This will also help guide the uniform team in its review of what
items we need to keep, revamp or remove. So keep an eye out for this survey
later this summer.
Allergy Items . . . for those flight attendants who have wool and/or polyester
allergies your uniform pieces are in production. The wool allergy alternatives
are made of poly/rayon and are the core items only (no knit wear). AFA and the
company are working on the knit wear alternatives. More information on this
issue coming soon. Flight attendants with polyester allergies will have 100%
cotton long sleeve white women and men's shirts. The sleeves of the shirt can be
cut off by a tailor and the cost reimbursed by the company. Now, to be able to
order these items you must have a doctors note. If you do not have one on file
that documents the allergy you must obtain one. The cost for this will be a
flight attendant out of pocket expense as the burden of proof falls on the
flight attendant. After this information is obtained you must file it with your
supervisor and have her/him follow up Todd Vigil
todd.vigil@usairways.com to place
your order. Some of you have contacted myself, Candi and your local LEC Uniform
Chairs with issues of skin irritation to some of the core wool blend pieces and
believe that it is a wool allergy. In some case it may be, but in others it may
be a minor reaction to the chemical that is put on all new clothes. If this
could be a possibility for you have your items dry cleaned or you can put them
in the gentle cycle (Woollite detergent would be best) and after a couple of
cleaning cycles the chemicals are cleaned away.
Rumors and Facts:
1) Stan Herman, the designer of the uniform is suing US Airways and TwinHill for
changing his designs.
False...Stan Herman is not
suing US Airways or TwinHill. He is very happy with his designs and happy to be
a part of this program.
2) Stan Herman hates the look of everything and the company is going to redo
most of the uniform pieces.
False...Again, Stan is very
happy with the uniform. However, the company worded the contract with TwinHill
to allow for changes and the ability to update the uniform to keep it fresh or
change items that are not working. No one wants to repeat twenty years in the
same uniform again.
Question and Answers:
1) I ordered a petite skirt and dress at the fit line and they fit me perfectly.
However, the ones TwinHill sent me are to short. I didn't hem them that way
either honest. I heard that I could get in trouble for having them to short, but
that is the way they came. What should I do?
- Return them. Call TwinHill customer service and let them know the problem
and that you need to reorder a regular. Ask the TwinHill agent for a return
authorization number and send them back. Keep in mind that the hem of your skirt
and dress can be only 1 inch above/below your knee and 2 inches above/below for
the skort. Thanks for your question.
2) I just washed my blouses and they have all shrunk. The buttons pull across
the chest. Now what?
- Well, before you put someone's eye out reorder a size larger. Work with
your supervisor on this one and do the following. While with your supervisor
place an order for new blouses one size up via TwinHill customer service and ask
for a return authorization number to send back the blouses that have shrunk.
This is where your supervisor comes in, let TwinHill know that you are keeping
at least three (I wouldn't go any higher) until you get your new ones so you
have something to wear to work. Since your supervisor is now aware of the issue
they can back you up with TwinHill and you will just have to send the other
three back, with the same authorization number as before, when you receive your
new ones or you will be charged for three additional blouses. Thanks for your
question.
3) I recently flew with a male flight attendant that was wearing the red striped
tie with the heritage striped shirt. OH MY GOD!! Can you do something about
this?
- I will notify the pink mafia immediately and have him taken out. I weep for
him. Gentleman, the only tie that can be worn with the heritage striped shirt is
the solid blue tie. NO EXCEPTIONS. Thanks for your question.
As the launch date draws near just a few reminders...
-
There is no three piece suit
in the uniform program. The vest is to be worn as the outer most garment.
Nothing is to be worn over it.
-
The scarves can only be worn
around your neck. Not in your hair, as a belt or around your wrist.
-
The dress was not designed
with a belt. Do not add one.
-
When wearing the dress, skirt,
or skort there is list of approved shoe styles in the guideline book....knee
high black leather 3 inch heeled boots is not among them.
-
The bottom of the blouse
should not extend lower than the half way point of your pocket. If it does
it should be tucked in or you can have it altered to the proper length. At
no time should it be worn out while you are wearing the vest, blazer, or zip
jacket.
-
Only the zip sweater can be
worn over the dress
Many of you have asked, "what
should I do with my old uniform?" Whatever you like. Just be sure to remove ALL
US Airways insignias.
Candi and I thank all of you for taking this two year plus journey with us. We
thank you for your comments good, bad, and other. We would also like to thank
the America West AFA MEC Uniform Co-Chairs and our friends Robyn Walters and Bob
Spinner who helped make up the AFA fantastic four. As a side note you can all
thank Bob for the mock turtleneck as this item was his concept and achievement.
Wahoo Bob!
We hope that you continue to send
us your concerns and comments as we strive to improve on our uniform program
although I don't think we need to be concerned. In the last few weeks we have
noticed a greater sense of pride from the flight attendant group and we strongly
believe that this uniform, like it or not, has brought some of that pride back.
Wear it well.
As always fly fast fly safe.
AFA MEC US Airways Uniform Chairs
Brian Morgan BMorgan@afausairways.org
Candi Covelli CCovelli@afausairways.org
Uniform Pictures Photo Gallery
LEC Chairs:
Heather Santello BOS council 69
Marianne Totin CLT council 89
Greg Knouse CLT council 89
Candi Covelli PIT council 40
Brian Morgan PHL council70
LGA council 82 - TBA
Sandy Needle DCA council 41
Stephen Smith DCA council 41
(To reach your local council representative please contact your local LEC office)
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