CREW ACCOMMODATIONS JANUARY 2010
01/12/10

Dear Members,

Happy New Year to all! We have some new overnights and just wanted everyone to be aware of some things:

GIG: We are at a beautiful property here with plenty of options for eating and entertainment within a safe distance. However, please keep in mind, this is one of the most dangerous cities in the world in terms of poverty related crime. Corporate Security went here and okayed a couple of areas for us to look at hotels. Of those, the company, AFA and USAPA agreed our incumbent was the best choice. Many other airline crews stay at this hotel. Please keep in mind at this overnight as well as in many other international destinations, we must remain hyper-vigilant and pro-active to prevent becoming victims.

MAD: Speaking of which, crewmembers continue to be victimized here with purse/wallet snatching and theft of personal items. We had a crewmember's tote bag stolen in the hotel lobby pretty much right from under her nose. Please remain situationally aware here also.

Please remember to also protect your credit card information. The only time a hotel requires an imprint of your credit card is if you plan on using any incidentals like in-room movies, room service, phone calls, etc. At a restaurant, hotel or otherwise, do not let your credit card leave your sight. There have been reported cases of credit card fraud resulting from the credit card imprint being stolen and the 3 digit PIN number being accessed from the back of the card

Additionally: we are staying at quite a few island destinations that were previously only one-day turns. At PUJ, you must check out and get a receipt from the front desk in order to board your transportation to the airport. Some of these island destinations are all-inclusive resorts but, only PUJ offers crewmembers the all-inclusive wrist band at check-in. This was done at the hotel's discretion and was not negotiated by our company. None of the other hotels offer an all-inclusive and the food options there are quite pricey so, please plan accordingly. These hotels are all being used on an ad-hoc basis since the overnights are for one or two months only and are not scheduled to continue throughout the year. AFA was not consulted or advised of any of these hotels nor were we made part of the selection process. Although I appreciate your many phone calls and e-mails, as always, the proper forum for comments is to go to "Wings", Inflight Services, Crew Accommodations and fill out a hotel complaint/comment form.

We have completed site inspections in a few cities including the following:

ORF: According to our company rep., the incumbent hotel closed their doors with little to no advance warning. We stayed in an ad-hoc hotel for the first month or so until a full site inspection could be completed. It was generally agreed that hotel didn't work but it was a temporary band-aid. The company has chosen the AFA recommended hotel for short overnights.

FLL - Long: The company chose one of the AFA recommended hotels.

BWI - Short: The incumbent hotel no longer requested the pleasure of our company. We are staying in one of the AFA recommended hotels.

MCO - Long: This was our second most complained about hotel and, I'm happy to report we are finally out of there. The company chose the AFA recommended hotel. I think you will all be very pleased with this one.

HNL - The company chose one of the AFA recommended hotels.

And now for a few housekeeping issues (pun intended)

We continue to receive reports of crewmembers smoking in non-smoking rooms. Be advised, the hotels are charging the company up to $250 to deep clean these rooms and the charges will be passed along to the crewmembers. If you enter a room and you think it has been smoked in, change rooms immediately. That is the only way to protect yourself against this fee if a room has been smoked in.

Van times continue to be an issue, both to and from the hotel. I've reiterated it in just about every e-line I've ever sent out - refer to your contract and, if your transportation isn't there in the contractually guaranteed time, TAKE A TAXI! Also, at no time should a crew be forced to go to the airport early for a transportation company's convenience. Conversely, we can't delay any departures due to late transportation to the airport. We have had problems in some cities (PHL) with crews getting to the gate late. Please notify the gate agent if this happens because of an issue with TSA or something other than a hotel transportation problem. We don't want blamed for something outside our control nor do we want our transportation times from the hotel pushed back even further.

Bedbugs continue to bite. I will be publishing an update dealing with just these critters in the near future.

PHX - This continues to be our most complained about hotel. I'm happy to report we finally have an arbitration date in June so don't give up hope and keep those cards, letters and, especially photos coming in!

In closing, I would like to extend my sympathy and empathy to Lynne Caramello, Rob Wessinger and all the BOS and LGA crewmembers on the closing of their bases. We understand how difficult this is for all of you and our thoughts and prayers are with you all as you are forced to uproot your lives.

Happy New Year to everyone - here's to better days and better overnights.

Jody Compton
AFA MEC Crew Accommodations Chair
jcompton@afausairways.org
724-719-0936