July 9, 1998 Hotline

  July 9, 1998

ALPA, Intl

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PBS
Members of the Negotiating Committee, the Professional Standards Committee and the PBS
implementation committee met this week with the MEC to discuss the framework for a
Professional Standards Letter of Agreement. Negotiating Committee chairman Pete Neff
briefed participants on the discussions with the company to date, and took input from the
other committees. Negotiations are proceeding with the goal of resolving contractual
obstacles to the implementation of PBS. If the negotiations are successful, pilots can
expect to see a package presented for ratification in upcoming months. If the discussions
are not successful, ALPA will press for expedited arbitration on the PBS issue.

Fleet Changes and Enhancements
The MEC met with Vice President of Flight Operations Lee Steele this week for a briefing
on operational issues as well as pending fleet changes and enhancements. Two additional
737-300s are to be added to the fleet in early August, one of which is new off the Boeing
line, the other of which, while not new, is of recent vintage. At least one of these
aircraft is being budgeted as a spare. The company is in the final stages of selecting an
ACARS vendor. After the contract is signed, estimated time for fleet-wide implementation
will be eighteen months. An architect has been tasked with redesigning crew lounge, crew
mailbox room, and flight ops office facilities in Terminal 4. The first change will happen
this week as Mr. Steele moves his office from the hangar to T-4. And Mr. Steele has
assured us that new chairs are on order for the pilot computer room. Long-term design
changes include providing a dedicated area for crew scheduling computers, and a larger,
more comfortable, and computer-less pilot lounge and break room.

Seniority List
The July seniority list is in press and should be distributed to pilot boxes shortly. The
MEC pressed for a return to the long-standing format in use prior to the list published in
February. Crewmembers should note that several of the criteria used by management to
adjust longevity, including disability and OJI, are the subject of grievances slated for
arbitration next month.

Contract Administrator Request
Speaking of arbitration, in preparation for an upcoming case, ALPA Contract Administrator
Andrew Shostack would like to hear from any pilot who received a letter from management
requesting medical documentation of sick leave use in October of 1995. Andrew can be
reached at the MEC office.

FAA Rumors
Unofficial leaks continue to fuel rumors regarding impending FAA sanctions against America
West. We believe that FAA Washington is only now at the stage of finalizing the case, with
an announcement expected shortly. In any case, the airline has been and will continue to
be under heightened surveillance. America West pilots are to be commended for the
professionalism they’ve shown, and should continue to exercise every precaution to ensure
that operations are conducted in full compliance with FARs, with the FOM and with the
contract.

Stay focused, fly safe, fly the contract, and thanks for listening. The
next scheduled hotline update will be Thursday July 16th.