Air Safety, Health
and Security
If you are involved in an
incident or accident requiring a formal safety investigation by
the company, FAA or the NTSB,
CALL AFA IMMEDIATELY
(480) 966-1231 or
(800) 200-2555
Fax Number: (480) 966-7374
If you are involved in a critical
incident as outlined
in Section
26-F, please contact
the ASHS committee’s 24 hr/7day emergency pager:
1-800-313-5457 |
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AFA's Response
to the Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) regarding "Crewmember
Requirements when Passengers are Onboard."
Just a few reminders:
Volunteer to
Exceed
14:30
Hours:
We are all
familiar with the provision in Sec 7.D.4. In the AFA Agreement of
1999 which gives the in flight crew assigned to a pairing the option
to agree to exceed
14:30
duty time hours due to an Irregular Operation. Recently we were
notified of two crews that elected to exercise this option which
resulted in duty periods of
21:26
hours and
20:35
hours respectively. Always keep in mind that this provision in our
contract does not relate to “Scheduled” as the company may not
schedule in excess of the provisions in the Sec.5.F chart.
In the above
extensive duty periods the crews involved volunteered to fly over
14:30
hours and then requested to rescind the voluntary provision at the
first unscheduled fuel stop and at the next scheduled stop in the
pairing due to fatigue. Since flight attendants are not afforded a
“fatigue” provision like pilots, and the company does not recognize
fatigue in flight attendants (sic), these crews were forced
to continue due to the volunteer status. The crews involved
immediately contacted AFA to query if the above described situations
were FAR Duty Time violations. Amazing, but true, there was no FAR
Duty Time violation in the above extended duty time. So, when you
are electing to exercise this provision we suggest you obtain as
much information from scheduling and the flight deck as possible and
be aware that a “situation beyond the control of the carrier” may
result in the above extended duty times and is legal.
FAA Fatigue Study:
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is currently sending out
the official survey on crew duty, rest, scheduling, health,
alertness, and fatigue to approximately 23,000
U.S.
flight attendants. Since only a minimal number of flight attendants
from each airline will be selected, it is very important that you
participate if you receive the Flight Attendant Fatigue Survey. The
survey may be completed online or by returning the paper version
mailed to you. The
FAA will analyze the responses next year.
Flight attendant fatigue survey participants are being randomly
selected from the 60,000 who were sent postcards from the FAA
Flight Attendant Certificate Registry. In order to be eligible
to participate in this survey, you must return the postcard.
AFA Council 66 urges our members to take advantage of this if
selected. It will help further our work to have fatigue
recognized as a duty limitation in the FAR’s.
Security:
AFA has attended monthly meetings to the company sponsored Security
Working Group (SWG) to address all security issues that may impact
flight attendants. Dauna Slater has represented our issues with
great tenacity and passion throughout 2008. Many of the issues
brought to this group result in substantive policy and procedure
changes in security related issues both on the ground and in the
aircraft. The recent attacks in
Mumbai,
India
also brought forth concerns from AFA that guidance to our crews
operating to any International destination must be enhanced. Our
source for any concerns is our members. We ask that you remain
vigilant, follow procedure, always communicate with the Captain, and
contact AFA. If you see Dauna, please give her a big hearted thank
you, as she carries your safety in her heart.
Rumors?
Many calls and e mails have been received regarding a very large
fine sustained by a flight attendant for their IEM being found
to be out of compliance. Every figure from $11,000.00 to
$300,000.00 was mentioned. Not being fond of tracking down
rumors, this particular one was irrestible to attempt. A few
phone calls later?
1. The FAA is being very aggressive when doing line checks if
they review an out of compliance manual.
2. Flight attendants are liable for and may be subject to a
personal fine after the appropriate FAA investigation.
3. FAA fines are levied per segment of flight flown
with an out of compliance manual.
4. Yes, flight attendants from our airline have received letters
from the FAA regarding cases under investigation advising them
of possible fines.
5. No, we do not have a confirmed dollar amount levied against a
flight attendant.
6. Keep in mind that after the FAA deals with the non
compliance, In flight Services will also be contacting you for
disciplinary action.
The moral of this posting is:
ALWAYS KEEP YOUR MANUAL UP TO DATE AND IN COMPLIANCE.
ISD (Inadvertent Slide Deployment)
Great job this year, kudos to all! We still had a few and would
love to go through 2009 with zero. No preaching here, but just
keep in mind that after an ISD and during the follow up
investigation, you will have the opportunity to explain why you
Did Not use Monitor and Challenge. According to the NASA
experts, if the procedure is followed precisely, there cannot be
a slide deployment. This theory of course excludes any
maintenance issue.
Happy Holidays and Fly Safe,
Dorene, Ken, and Dauna
Each month we
participate in a meeting with the company's Cabin Safety
Department to review data received from Safety Event Reports and
other reportings to get a better understanding of the safety,
health, security and compliance challenges affecting Flight
Attendants flying out online.
Turbulence
Procedures: Based on this Cabin Safety data we are seeing an
increase, month to month, in reported Flight Attendant Injuries.
Please continue to utilize the Cabin Crew Briefings to discuss
procedures with regards to Light, Moderate and Severe Turbulence.
In an effort to reduce the number of hot liquid injuries please
remember that if the Fasten Seat Belt Sign is on the procedure is to
"Discontinue service of hot liquids and remove hot liquids from tops
of carts." (Source: IEM 6.1.6 Turbulence Level Chart).
Securing of
Galleys: Complying with 14CFR part 121.576 requires ensuring galley
curtains, equipment and compartment doors are secured. All items
stored in galley drain wells (napkins, condiments, stir sticks,
etc). must be placed in a cart or latched compartment. This
procedure is be followed during Taxi, Takeoff, Landing and when
Moderate/Severe Turbulence is forecast.
IEM Compliance and
Flight Attendant Amnesty: "Are all our manuals up-to-date?"
"Everyone have the latest revision/bulletin in our IEMs?" Two
popular Cabin Crew Briefing questions however when was the last time
you performed an LEP check of your manual? Manual checks are now
being performed during Recurrent Training. Having an up-to-date IEM
is not only required for getting into Recurrent Training, it is one
of the required items needed when reporting for a trip. In an
effort to encourage Flight Attendants to work with an Inflight
Supervisor to ensure an up-to-date manual a Flight Attendant Amnesty
period has been granted for the month of September. Time is running
out. Please take this non- punitive opportunity to meet with a
supervisor to go over your IEM. Once the amnesty period is over you
can still meet with a supervisor however to avoid receiving any
disciplinary action against you if your manual is not up-to-date,
schedule to meet with a supervisor when NOT ON DUTY (ie: prior to
checking in for a trip or reserve shift, after your trip has ended
or on your day off). Take advantage of this opportunity to gain
peace-of- mind in knowing your manual IS up-to-date the next time
you are asked by company management or FAA to see your IEM.
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AFA-CWA Air Safety Health and Security Committee is collecting
data on Inoperative Potable Water Systems onboard US Airways
aircraft and we need your assistance.
ASHC Form |
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Important Links
AFA
International ASHS Homepage
AOPIS - Aviation Organophosphate
Information Site - Dedicated to all those flight
crews around the world no longer able to fly, due to the medical
effects of organophosphate / fume exposure
Federal Aviation Administration
FAA Cabin Safety
Flight Safety Foundation
ITF - International Transport Workers'
Federation - represents
and promotes transport workers' interests through global
campaigns and solidarity
National Transportation Safety Board
NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System
NIOSH Flight Crew Research Program
- links to flight crew studies and NIOSH Health Hazard
Evaluations
Occupational Safety and Health
Administration
Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO
Workers Comp Insider - weblog
about workers compensation insurance and related topics
The Union is your collective bargaining agent that is
obligated to keep its members advised of the role of the union
in protecting your safety as well as addressing cabin safety
issues. Many of these issues are taken directly to the FAA or
into the U.S. Congress. The AFA ASH National Department has
achieved tremendous success over the last few years regarding
the following issues:
- Whistleblower Protection
- Increase Civil Penalty for Crewmember Interference From
$1,100.00 to $25,000.00
- Cabin Air Quality Study
- OSHA Standards Application to Crewmembers
On a local level, we consider all of our flying partners to
be honorary members of ASH. It is through your continued
communication to the MEC and various committees that we are
alerted to trends and existing problems. We troubleshoot these
issues with the Company, AFA National, and the FAA. We sincerely
thank those Flight Attendants who have taken the time to call or
forward reports to ASH.
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The purpose and scope of the Air
Safety, Health and Security Committee
is to interface with US Airways and the AFA National Air Safety
and Health Department on matters pertaining to cabin and Flight
Attendant safety and health.
Section 26 of our AFA contract sets forth-specific
responsibilities, which creates a binding agenda for ASH. Please
take a moment to read that section.
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If you ever become involved in an incident, accident, or have
a safety concern, we now have a proper protocol to address these
issues. AFA strongly recommends that our fellow flying partners
take a proactive posture in all matters of safety and health.
If you are asked to participate in any form of diffusing or
debriefing by AWA Management, FAA, or NTSB you are entitled to
Union Representation during this process. We strongly recommend
you exercise this right. The above parties are aware of this
contractual right and they do respect it.
If you encounter an unsafe or unhealthy working condition, or
have a question for ASH, please call the Union office and ask to
be transferred to Mailbox 16. You may leave a voice message and
a committee member will return your call as soon as possible.
Please keep in mind that all committee members are line flight
attendants.
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