This is Scott Sherrin with a special
hotline update for Thursday, September 13 at 1300 Mountain Time.
This update repeats some information from our previous update.
America West has begun operating
flights from outstations that were diverted after Tuesday’s FAA
order. The airline plans to resume limited scheduled operations
today beginning at 3 p.m. EDT, 12 noon Phoenix time. The airline
has cancelled 381 of today’s flights and plans to operate around
260, with approximately 80 of those departures from Phoenix. America
West is one of a very small number of airlines planning operations
out of Phoenix today. As of noon Mountain Time today, all but 10
America West-served airports are in compliance with new security
measures.
According to the chief pilot’s office,
Crew Scheduling is only contacting those crew members two hours
before their scheduled report time. While we understand that you
are frustrated with the lack of information, we ask that you not
contact Crew Scheduling. They will contact you two hours before
your scheduled report time if you have been assigned to a pairing.
The company is asking all commuters who get to Phoenix to stay.
America West has indicated that commuters will get positive space
travel to Phoenix.
Several pilots have reported for
duty with expired company ID cards. Please check your ID to make
sure it is current. If you have an expired ID and are in Phoenix,
go to company headquarters to get a new card. If you are at an outstation
and have an expired ID, you will need chief pilot authorization
to get past security. Call the chief pilot’s office at (480) 693-2926
if you are at an outstation with an expired ID.
There may be some confusion as to
who is authorized to ride in the cockpit jump seat. Per the chief
pilot’s office, cockpit jump seat privileges are temporarily limited
to only U.S. certificated pilots employed by domestic Part 121 carriers.
No pilots from non-U.S. carriers, no flight deck authorization card
riders and no pilots employed by Part 135 carriers will be authorized
to use an America West jump seat.
Because of the increased security,
pilots are asked to remove pocket knives, leathermen, nail clippers,
cork screws or any other item that could be used as a weapon from
their flight bags. All aircraft are required to be searched prior
to boarding and after catering is completed. Station managers have
been assigned the responsibility of coordinating this so captains
at outstations should communicate with the station manager if they
have concerns about this. As always, the ultimate determination
of safety rests with the captain in command. We urge you to use
your discretion if for any reason you feel your flight cannot operate
safely. ALPA will support any decision a captain makes in regard
to safety.
This is a stressful time for everyone
as we try to resume operations. Please be patient and maintain constant
communications with fellow employees, especially your cabin crew.
We will update this hotline again
later today. Thanks for listening.
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