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Good evening, this is MEC Chairman Roger Cox
with the MEC Hotline update for Thursday, March 16. Tonight’s topics are:
I am pleased to announce that Congress last week overwhelmingly passed a bill that will
significantly increase money for airport safety and modernization in the next few years.
This is a major achievement for ALPA since this funding has been on hold since last
October because the House and Senate could not agree on how to set aside money for
aviation modernization. Although it may not be apparent today, each of you will benefit
personally in years to come because of the related improvements to airspace, airport and
air carrier management that will come about as a result of this bill.
Yesterday the two companies announced they would share frequent flier programs, and
AWA’s stock price went up $1.13. At this rate we only have to sign five more
alliances to get the stock back to $20. There is always the possibility of closer ties
between the two companies in the future, and we stay informed by staying in contact with
our ALPA counterparts at that airline. Heaven forbid that we should hear anything about
this from our own management. If it weren’t for big bad ALPA we’d never know
anything.
I am very pleased to report that more than 250 people attended last Saturday’s Family
Awareness get-together at Falcon Field. There’s a real spirit of pitching in out
there, and it’s great to see so many pilots and their families from all across the
seniority spectrum joining together to make our pilot group work. Thanks to all the chili
heads who cooked up their own recipes for us. The first place winner of the chili cook-off
was Steve Bartholf, who donated his $100 winnings to the Stuart Smith Memorial Fund. Dick
Wilson and Frank Helton tied for second place, and each donated half of their $50 winnings
to the Memorial Fund, as well. I would like to thank Frank and his wife, Lori, for
coordinating these events and the CAF for donating the use of the hangar.
Several pilots have been asking for additional green pin backs because they have either
lost or misplaced the one previously distributed to them. Currently, we have another 1,000
pin backs on order, and they are expected to be delivered to the MEC office within the
next week or so. If you would like an additional pin, please call Sandi Siniaho at the MEC
office. Once the additional pins arrive, we will distribute them to anyone on our list.
Every time the United States takes a census there’s an undercount because some people
think it’s some sort of plot to “get” them. When we pay a private pollster
to ask your opinion every month, a few people hang up. Maybe they think we’re trying
to sell them a credit card or a time share. This is for your benefit, so don’t be a
grouch; answer the questions.
Bid 165 is flexed 5:15 for airbus and 757 pilots. If you’re in training for the
month, your pay goes up correspondingly, so watch your paychecks. The contract requires
that 737 pilots be flexed equally before the end of the year, so we’ll be looking for
that. One additional note: flex flying makes you even more tired than usual. We’ve
had several incidents where it was apparent that fatigue was a factor. Just like you can
get the airplane into “coffin corner” by flying it too high, too heavy, you can
get into your own “coffin corner” by flying too hard, too long. Be alert.
We’re pleased to see Captain Dave Weeks back on his feet and in attendance at the MEC
meeting this week after a rather frightening illness. Dave has been a tireless volunteer
and we wish him and his family our best regards as he recovers. We look forward to seeing
you back on the line soon, Dave.
The next local council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, April 11 at the Doubletree Hotel
in Phoenix. As a reminder, the local council meetings are held every second Tuesday of
each month. The location may change for each meeting, so try to stay informed via this
hotline or the web site.
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