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    You are here: Home / Archives for Committees / EAP/Professional Standards Committee

    A September 11th Anniversary Message From Your AFA EAP

    September 8, 2017 05:00 By Brian Palmer (MEC Vice President)

     

    We know that the anniversaries of significant events in people’s lives can sometimes trigger reactions.  September 11, 2017 will be no different.  Some of us may harness our responses by participating in commemorative activities and memorials.    For others, September 11th will be marked by private reflections and personal tributes like a moment of silence or picking up a trip on the 11th.  For others, September 11th will serve as a reminder that September is National Preparedness Month.  Many will channel their responses into creating or updating family disaster communication/preparedness plans.

    How ever you choose to structure your day this September 11th or how ever it just naturally unfolds, please remember that your AFA EAP committee representatives welcome being a part of it.  If you or a flying partner needs a confidential ear, please call us at:

    Pre-Merger Alaska

    (949) 470-0493 or find your local EAP representatives’ contact information at afaalaska.org/eap

    Pre-Merger Virgin America

    (800) 424-2406

    Remember, we’re just a phone call away.

    Strategies for Dealing With The Anniversary of September 11th

    Anniversaries of tragedies can be difficult times for many people.  For some, the anniversary of 9/11 continues to be a powerful reminder of loss.  For others, who thought they had put the tragedy behind them, the anniversary may produce unexpected anxiety or grief.

    The anniversary and the media replay of that day’s destruction may stir strong emotions and difficult memories in many of us.  But there are ways to cope:

    • Observe the anniversary in a way that’s comfortable for you. Being with other people, getting involved in memorial activities and talking about the tragedy are all important coping strategies, but taking time to be by yourself – to think and reflect – can be helpful and healing as well.
    • Limit television as much as possible. The visual images can prompt especially strong reactions.  Instead, be prepared to turn to a movie channel, read a book, or go to Blockbusters.
    • If you start to feel overwhelmed, talk with a friend, family member, or your AFA EAP. Often, talking about your fears and feelings is enough to relieve stress and realize that other people share your feelings.  Taking action is a sign of strength and self-awareness.
    • Recall other times you’ve experienced strong emotions. Identify which coping strategies have worked for you in the past, and use them.
    • Don’t compare yourself to how others around you appear to be dealing with the September 11 anniversary. Everyone experiences and copes with stress differently.  Try not to judge people’s emotions by their outsides.
    • If you have children, encourage them to discuss their concerns and feelings with you.
    • If you have strong feelings that haven’t or won’t go away, seeking help from a professional may prove useful. Your AFA EAP can provide you with referrals.
    • Share this information with a flying partner who may be struggling with the upcoming anniversary.

    Modified from information from the National Mental Health Association

    Filed Under: EAP/Professional Standards Committee, Latest News Tagged With: 2017, assistance, EAP, September 11, support

    IMPORTANT: Changes To Airline Drug Testing

    July 13, 2017 05:00 By Brian Palmer (MEC Vice President)

    Background

    The US Department of Transportation (DOT) has issued a notice that it is proposing to add four (4) commonly prescribed medications to its testing program.  These 4 medications fall under a category of drugs known as opioids.   They include:

    • Hydrocodone (example: Vicodin, Lortab, Lorcet, Maxidone, Norco, Zydone)
    • Hydromorphone (example: Diluadid, Exalgo, Hydromorph Contin, Palladone)
    • Oxycodone (example: Percocet, Percodan, OxyContin, Roxicodone, Endocet, Xtampza, OxylR)
    • Oxymorphone (example: Opana, Numorphan)

    Opioid medications are typically prescribed for the management of pain after injury, surgery, dental procedures and diagnosis of a medical illness with painful symptoms.  The new DOT rule is projected to take effect sometime after October 1, 2017.

    Issue

    Once DOT expands testing to include these prescribed pain killers, Flight Attendants on valid and non-expired opioid prescriptions will have their test results verified by a medical review officer (MRO) as “negative”.  However, under DOT rule 49 CRF Part 40, Section 40.327, Flight Attendants who use these medications could be at risk of being reported to the company as a “safety risk” under the below DOT rule.  After a Flight Attendant’s employer is informed that a Flight Attendant’s use of a medication poses a “safety risk”, DOT regulation does not specify what actions the employer must or may follow thereafter.  DOT regulation also does not currently define for MROs what constitutes a valid and non-expired prescription.

    DOT Rule 49 CFR Part 40 Section 40.327

    (a) As the MRO, you must, except as provided in paragraph (c) of this section, report drug test results and medical information you learned as part of the verification process to third parties without the employee’s consent if you determine, in your reasonable medical judgment, that:

    (1) The information is likely to result in the employee being determined to be medically unqualified under an applicable DOT agency regulation; or

    (2) The information indicates that continued performance by the employee of his or her safety-sensitive function is likely to pose a significant safety risk.

    (b) The third parties to whom you are authorized to provide information by this section include the employer, a physician or other health care provider responsible for determining the medical qualifications of the employee under an applicable DOT agency safety regulation, a SAP evaluating the employee as part of the return to duty process (see §40.293(g)), a DOT agency, or the National Transportation Safety Board in the course of an accident investigation.

    (c) If the law of a foreign country (e.g., Canada) prohibits you from providing medical information to the employer, you may comply with that prohibition.

    Resources to Help You Balance Safety and Medication

    There are a number of resources under the Flight Attendant Drug and Alcohol (FADAP) Website (www.FADAP.org) to help you balance safety and the use of prescription medications including the proposed 4 new medications for which DOT will test.

    Medication Safety Film for Flight Attendants

    Preview this short film to understand the safety issues and best practices around medication use by Flight Attendants.

    Medication and Flying Article “What Medications Can I Take While Flying?

    Read this 3-page article to get a more rounded understanding of the issues surrounding medication use by Flight Attendants and best practices.

    “Flight Attendant Essential Job Functions” Wallet Card

    There is no list of DOT banned prescriptions for flight attendants, other than prescription marijuana. The decision of what medications (including dosage, frequency and timing of use in relation to your work schedule) which you can take and safely perform your Flight Attendant duties is generally determined by your health care provider. To help you inform your provider of your safety sensitive duties, provide your health care provider with your job description for incorporation into your medical file. You can also download wallet size lists of Flight Attendants’ essential job functions for your provider’s quick reference each and every time a medication is discussed.

    Health Care Provider’s Medication Note

    Should your health care provider prescribe a medication containing an opioid or amphetamine (both of which are detectable under DOT testing and could subject you to Section 40.327) have your provider sign this note for your submission just in case you are challenged about the safe use of the medication.

    Questions?

    Your AFA Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Committee can provide confidential assistance around substance use related concerns.  You can find contact information on the EAP Committee page at afaalaska.org.

    In Solidarity,

    Your MEC – Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Linda Christou, Lisa Pinkston, Terry Taylor, Mario de’Medici, Melissa Osborne, Tim Green, Brice McGee and MEC EAP Co-Chairs Elizabeth Dillon and Jeanne McCleave

    Filed Under: EAP/Professional Standards Committee, Latest News Tagged With: 2017, drug testing, EAP, FADAP

    Support the AFA Disaster Relief Fund through Amazon Smile

    July 12, 2017 05:00 By Brian Palmer (MEC Vice President)

    Flight Attendants Helping Flight Attendants

    The Disaster Relief Fund provides a means for AFA members to assist other members and retirees who have suffered significant damage to their primary residence and/or faced relocation as a result of a disaster.  Since its beginning in the fall of 2001, the AFA Disaster Relief Fund (DRF) has provided financial support in the aftermath of many large-scale disasters including the September 11th terrorist attacks, Hurricane Katrina, and other natural and/or man-made disasters.

    AFA is committed to ensuring funds are available when the need arises so we are raising funds so that we may help more members in need.  AmazonSmile has been selected as a simple and automatic way to raise funds for our cause.  When you shop at smile.amazon.com – Amazon donates a portion of the sale to the DRF.

    When shopping at Amazon, your next purchase could support the AFA Disaster Relief Fund (DRF) at no cost to you.  The exact same low prices and selections are available as at Amazon.com.  When you make your purchase through AmazonSmile, 0.5% of your purchase price will automatically be donated to the DRF each and every time you shop.

    To begin helping other Flight Attendants through AmazonSmile:

    1. Go to http://smile.amazon.com/ch/52-2341209
    2. Use your same log-in information as you use for Amazon
    3. Shop
    4. Bookmark AmazonSmile so you use this instead of the regular Amazon website

    In Solidarity,

    Your MEC – Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Linda Christou, Lisa Pinkston, Terry Taylor, Mario de’Medici, Melissa Osborne, Tim Green and Brice McGee

    Filed Under: EAP/Professional Standards Committee, Latest News Tagged With: 2017, AFA Disaster Relief Fund, Amazon.com, AmazonSmile, DRF

    Combatting Rising Tensions in the Cabin

    June 9, 2017 17:00 By Jeffrey Peterson (MEC President)

    The past couple of months have been incredibly challenging for Flight Attendants after back-to-back in-cabin disturbances in the US were broadcast on social media. Those disturbances subsequently “broke the internet” and were widely carried by news outlets. The mob mentality response to the video clips, with little correct information about the incidents, has put Flight Attendants in the cross hairs. AFA immediately focused on a national de-escalation to keep travelers from coming to the plane with bias against crewmembers and the authority we must maintain to keep everyone safe.

    Reinforcing Our Role as Aviation’s First Responders

    AFA’s message in the media and on Capitol Hill has been to remind the public and our legislators that Flight Attendants are aviation’s first responders charged with the safety, health and security of the passengers in our care. AFA has cited the ever-shrinking personal space in main cabins and minimum staffing as some of the contributing factors to these recent incidents.

    In case you missed it, the Today Show recently featured Flight Attendants talking about their perspective on conditions in the cabin. Flight Attendants reminded Matt Lauer and the public about the good job aviation’s first responders do to usher millions safely and efficiently to their destinations every single day. Matt Lauer reiterated this point to millions of viewers who also fly on our planes!

    Watch the full interview >

    Passenger Incident Reporting Form

    AFA has been receiving reports from Flight Attendants about a variety of situations in which they are feeling harassed by passengers. It is imperative that AFA begin collecting confidential data on these types of confrontations so that we can more effectively advocate on your behalf to management, regulators, legislators and the media. For instance, we want to know: (1) How frequently are passengers videotaping us, (2) What exactly are they filming and (3) Are they trying to incite emotions from Flight Attendants by saying or doing inappropriate things?

    If you or your fellow Flight Attendants experience concerning behavior from a passenger(s), please take a moment to fill out a confidential reporting form by clicking on the following link. The form is very simple to complete. Filling out this form is optional (although greatly appreciated) and does not relieve you of other reporting requirements indicated in your Flight Attendant manual.

    Passenger Incident Reporting Form »

    *** If AFA releases any of the data to third parties, be assured we will remove any and all identifying information so that confidentiality is strictly maintained. ***

    Thank you very much in advance for assisting AFA in combatting rising tensions in the cabin. Fly safe and continue to look out for each other.

    In Solidarity,

    Your MEC – Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Linda Christou, Lisa Pinkston, Laura Masserant, Cathy Gwynn, Melissa Osborne, Tim Green and Brice McGee

    Filed Under: Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC), EAP/Professional Standards Committee, Government Affairs Committee, Latest News Tagged With: 2017, passenger incident reporing form

    A Holiday Message from FADAP

    December 12, 2016 05:00 By Brian Palmer (MEC Vice President)

    The following message is brought to you by your AFA Employee Assistance Program (EAP)/Professional Standards Committee and the Flight Attendant Drug & Alcohol Program (FADAP).  EAP is always available as a resource to any Flight Attendant; contact information can be found at http://afaalaska.org/eap.

    The holiday season is here!  Normally, we equate the months of Thanksgiving through the New Year with festive celebrations and good cheers.   However, for some, this time of year serves as a painful contrast to the joy that fills other’s lives, but maybe not our own.

    The Flight Attendant Drug and Alcohol Program is a specialized program just for flight attendants and their family members afflicted or affected by substance abuse.

    It’s called FADAP (The Flight Attendant Drug and Alcohol Program).

    If you answer yes to any of the below questions, your drinking maybe putting you and/or your job at risk.

    The Flight Attendant Drug and Alcohol Program (FADAP) can help you:

    • Identify if you have a substance use problem needing professional assistance;
    • Refer you into flight attendant specialized treatment services and
    • Support you in your recovery journey.

    So take the below quick screen and call the FADAP helpline if you answer yes to any of the below questions.

    Flight Attendant Alcohol Use Screen

    In the past year,

    • Have you shown up for a flight hung-over?
    • Have you bid a certain position to have easy access to alcohol?
    • Have you consumed alcohol past the cut-off time?
    • Have you felt bad or guilty about your drinking?
    • Have you felt you should cut down on your drinking?
    • Do you drink alcohol 4 or more times per week?
    • Have you had 5 or more drinks on a typical day when you are drinking?

    Remember, the Flight Attendant Drug and Alcohol Program (FADAP) is available 24/7 at (855) 333-2327 or (855) 33-FADAP.  The FADAP operator will patch your call directly into your airline peer assistance program or the peer on-call.  Your conversations are always confidential.

    “Wings of Sobriety” Telephonic Meetings

    Meeting times are scheduled on Wednesday at 3 PM EST and Saturday at 9 AM EST.  Each meeting will last between forty-five (45) minutes to one (1) hour.  The conference call in number is (855) 544-2320.

    In Solidarity,

    Your MEC – Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Yvette Satterlee, Lisa Pinkston, Laura Masserant, Cathy Gwynn, Tim Green, Brice McGee and MEC EAP Committee Co-Chairpersons Elizabeth Dillon and Jeanne McCleave

    Filed Under: EAP/Professional Standards Committee Tagged With: 2016, EAP, FADAP

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