This is Eric Edwards with the MEC hotline
on Thursday, December 5. Tonight’s topics:
1. Communication
2. Local Council Rep Elections
3. Radio Transmissions and Freedom Air
4. Pilots for Kids
5. Arming Pilots Program
6. Sick Bank Accruals
7. New ALPA Toll-Free Number
8. Third Annual Union Christmas Party
9. Holiday Neckties Available
Communication
With the addition of Capt. Peter Blandino
in the MEC office, the workload per person should fall back to the “normal”
level. Having heard the request for more communications at the last MEC
meeting, we will do our best to meet the pilots’ needs. Capt. Brian Bevins
has built a good communication structure so the MEC will try to utilize
it more. I have also started meeting with Capt. Greg Hughes once a week
to distribute current information through the Pilot-to-Pilot network.
As always, I will keep the message factual, while attempting to remain
rational in a time of delay, frustration and anger.
Local Council Rep Elections
As a reminder, balloting for the Local
Council representative election ends at 8 a.m. Phoenix time on Tuesday,
December 10. Voting is being conducted by phone and the Internet and you
need your ALPA member number and password to cast a ballot. If you have
any questions, call ALPA at 1-888-FLY-ALPA and select option three. The
representatives-elect will be introduced at the December 11 Local Council
meeting, which begins at 6 p.m. at the Doubletree Guest Suites at 320
N. 44th Street in Phoenix.
Radio Transmissions and Freedom Air
Our Contract Administrator Andrew Shostack
reports that in response to complaints received that pilots were jamming
frequencies when Freedom Air pilots were attempting to communicate, the
FAA has convened a Frequency Monitoring Team in Phoenix this week. This
team reportedly can pinpoint an aircraft that might be blocking another
aircraft’s transmission, and that upon identification the FAA will seek
emergency revocation of the crews’ certificate. The company has taken
a hard-line stance that if any America West pilot is identified as stepping
on a Freedom Air transmission, that pilot will be discharged.
It is important to note that even the FAA
recognizes that transmissions are unintentionally stepped on from time
to time in the course of regular operations. That is not what the FAA
is targeting. What they are targeting are instances where pilots who should
have no reason to be communicating with the FAA are transmitting dead
air, or pilots who could have reason to communicate with the FAA are doing
so in multiple communications instead of the normal one or two. The bottom
line: pilots should not run into any problems just by doing their job.
Any questions on this should be directed to Andrew at the MEC office.
Pilots for Kids
The upcoming Christmas season will again
afford us the opportunity to visit Phoenix Children’s Hospital to pass
out toys and spread good cheer to those spending their holidays under
medical care. Captain Win Copeland leads this annual event, and has spent
time organizing our visit and buying gifts. This program thrives completely
on your generosity and envelopes have been placed throughout the pilot
lounge for donations. Amounts of any kind are appreciated and all donations
are tax deductible. Please take a moment this holiday season to stuff
one of these envelopes and drop it back in Win’s mail slot in the pilot
lounge. Our visit to the hospital this year will be on Dece.ber 19 at
10 a.m. Win will be looking for a cadre of 20 pilots so consider this
a worthwhile venture if you have that day off. We will e-mail everyone
one week prior as a reminder, but in the meantime you can call Win to
sign up at 623-492-9912 or 602-740- 0810.
Arming Pilots Program
ALPA’s National Security Committee has
produced a synopsis of the newly signed Homeland Security bill pertaining
to the Federal Flight Deck Officer (FFDO) program. The summary is available
on the ALPA website at www.alpa.org, under the “ALPA Headline News”
section.
Locally, America West Airlines and ALPA
are studying the Homeland Security legislation and its potential impact
on the company, our pilots and other employees, as well as our customers.
There are a number of substantial issues regarding the legislation which
have yet to be resolved, particularly within the provision authorizing
guns in the cockpit, and we will be in direct discussion about these issues
with America West over the coming weeks. We will move forward with one
common goal: to ensure the safety and security of America West employees
and customers.
Sick Bank Accruals
An error was made in the most recent payroll
checks in regard to your sick bank. You will not see an accrual on these
checks for this month, but it will appear as normal on the checks you
receive in two weeks.
New ALPA Toll-Free Number
In response to many member requests, the
Association has introduced a new toll-free telephone number with an automated
services menu for members to use to access ALPA departments. The new number
is 1-888-FLY-ALPA.
The 1-888-FLY-ALPA number allows callers
to reach ALPA departments or individual staff members conveniently. Callers
may reach a member of the ALPA staff by either entering that staff member’s
extension or by simply spelling out the individual’s name on the telephone
keypad, last name first.
Additionally, the new automated system
allows members to access the Membership Services Department to check their
membership account 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and also request
information or products — for example, a duplicate ballot letter, a membership
card or pin, or information on insurance products. Members having specific
questions can transfer to one of ALPA’s airline analysts during regular
business hours or may leave a voice mail message after hours.
Additional options are available to obtain
information on ALPA’s office hours and directions to the Herndon, Virginia,
and Washington, D.C., offices.
Members who wish to report an aircraft
accident or incident, or a time-critical safety issue, should continue
to call the ALPA Worldwide Accident/Incident Hotline at 202-797-4180.
But this new service has the capability to route those accident and incident
calls to the accident hotline.
Third Annual Union Christmas Party
The Third Annual America West Union Employees
Christmas Party is set for Monday, December 16 from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. at
Club Rio in Tempe. Tickets are $10 per person if reserved before December
10. The cost includes a dinner buffet, dancing and door prizes. Once again,
there will be a silent auction to benefit Aid to Adoption of Special Kids.
More information on buying tickets can be found by logging in to the pilots-only
section of the MEC website at www.awalpa.org.
Holiday Neckties Available
We have holiday-themed ALPA neckties available
for purchase that feature a Christmas tree decorated with several ornaments
reflecting various contract issues. They are compliant “holiday-
themed” ties in accordance with the FOM. You can see a picture of
the tie on the MEC website. They are for sale at the ALPA office for $10
and proceeds go to the flower fund.
That’s all for tonight; the next regular hotline update will be on Thursday,
December 12. Thanks for listening.
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