MEC Update October 31, 2013: New FAA Guidelines on Portable Electronic Devices (PEDs)
Dear Flight Attendants,
Today the FAA outlined new guidelines regarding the expanded use of portable electronic devices (PEDs) in the cabin. It is important to note that this does not take place immediately and implementation will vary airline to airline. Here are some highlights from today’s announcement by the FAA that are directed towards the traveling public:
1) The FAA will provide guidance that will assist airlines in demonstrating that aircraft won’t be at risk because of potential interference from PEDs. Airlines must also evaluate changes to stowage rules and passenger announcements. Each airline will need to revise manuals, checklists for crewmember training materials, carry-on baggage programs and passenger briefings before expanding use of PEDs. Each airline will determine how and when they will allow passengers broader use of PEDs.
2) Electronic items, books and magazines, must be held or put in the seat back pocket during the actual takeoff and landing. It is important to poperly stow heavier devices under seats or in the overhead bins during takeoff and landing. These items could impede evacuation of an aircraft or may injure you or someone else in the event of turbulence or an accident.
3) Always follow crew instructions and immediately turn off your device if asked. During the safety briefing, passenger should put down electronic devices, books and newspapers and listen to the crewmember’s instructions.
AFA has had a crucial role on the committee that offered the detailed recommendations to the FAA and worked tirelessly to ensure that the Flight Attendant voice was heard throughout this process. We expect the new PED regulations to receive plenty of media attention in the the coming months.
This is also coincidental timing as AFA and Alaska Airlines management have been in talks regarding implementation of Inflight mobile devices. The new devices will eventually replace the current point of sale (POS) devices. Be assured AFA is advocating for a more sensible policy regarding crewmember use of PEDs. AFA strongly believes that the policy in the Flight Attendant Manual must be updated to reflect the realities of modern PED use. Stay tuned for developments on that front in the near future!
Many thanks to the AFA-CWA Communications Department for their assistance in developing this update.
In solidarity,
Your MEC – Jeffrey Peterson, Terry Taylor, Yvette Gesch, Melanie Buker, Laura Masserant, Cathy Gwynn and Sandra Morrow
“Five Bases, One Voice”
[AFA-CWA Media Release] Flight Attendant Union Contributes to FAA Panel – Recommends Safe, Managed Expansion of PED Use
Washington, DC – The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA) issued the following statement today after the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) publically released final recommendations from the Portable Electronic Device (PED) Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC). AFA was selected to serve as the voice of Flight Attendants on the committee due to years of expert work on cabin safety issues. The committee was tasked with providing detailed recommendations on the expanded use of portable electronic devices in the aircraft cabin.
“Flight Attendants are the professionals responsible for responding to any emergency in the cabin. We provide an expert voice on how the use of these devices presents complex challenges for crewmembers in the cabin and unique issues for the safety of the passengers in our care.
“AFA supports technical innovation, but our first priorities are the safety and security of flight, as they are for the FAA, other aviation stakeholders and the traveling public.
“In order to expand the use of PEDs safely, the commercial aviation industry must first demonstrate that airplanes can tolerate electromagnetic interference from passenger devices. AFA is a strong advocate for streamlining the testing and validation processes needed to demonstrate this capability, and requiring that airlines and manufacturers complete this work as quickly as possible on all passenger airplanes.
“At the same time, appropriate policies and procedures, supported by effective crew training programs and focused safety messaging from the industry to travelers, are needed to ensure that expanded use by passengers does not degrade safety and security. AFA encourages the FAA and industry to develop and quickly adopt uniform technical, operational, and training standards that will allow for the safe, managed expansion of PED usage by passengers.
“As the use of PEDs on aircraft expands in the future, AFA will work diligently alongside the FAA and industry to find creative, science-based approaches to ensure that passengers comply with the new operator policies and that their attention is not diverted from the important safety information provided by cabin crew during routine pre-flight briefings and unexpected emergencies, and that risks posed by loose items in the cabin are safely managed during the most critical portions of flight.”
The Association of Flight Attendants is the world’s largest Flight Attendant union. Focused 100 percent on Flight Attendant issues, AFA has been the leader in advancing the Flight Attendant profession for 68 years. Serving as the voice for Flight Attendants in the workplace, in the aviation industry, in the media and on Capitol Hill, AFA has transformed the Flight Attendant profession by raising wages, benefits and working conditions. Nearly 60,000 Flight Attendants come together to form AFA, part of the 700,000-member strong Communications Workers of America (CWA), AFL-CIO. Visit us at www.afacwa.org.
Negotiations Update October 27, 2013: Updated Payscale Comparison, Boarding Pay and Rigs
Dear Flight Attendants,
In preparation for this week’s mediation session, the Negotiating Committee has updated the Flight Attendant Payscale Industry Comparison with the latest information.
ALA FA Payscale Industry Comps 2013-09-18
Keep in mind that all carriers except Southwest Airlines are paid in block-hours rather than in Trips for Pay (TFP). In order to fairly compare them the block-hour pay rates have all been converted to TFP equivalent by dividing by the conversion factor 1.13 TFP per block-hour (1.13 TFP/block-hour). The rates must be converted because on the average, a Flight Attendant flies approximately 1.13 TFP in every block-hour. Conversely, you can convert pay in TFP to pay in block-hours by multiplying by 1.13. If you are looking at another carrier’s published pay rates in block-hours and see a discrepancy with this chart, it is because the pay rates have been converted.
Why is TFP different than a block-hour? That is because TFP is based on point-to-point mileage whereas a block-hour is based on time from aircraft block-out to block-in. Did you also know that your TFP pay is “front loaded” for each segment? If you look in Section 21.C-D you will see that you are paid 1 TFP for the first 243 miles and then 1 TFP for every 400 miles after that, with no less than 1 TFP for every segment.
We often hear Flight Attendants say that we are not compensated for boarding, which is not strictly true. This is why the first TFP in a segment is “front loaded” at 243 miles vs. 400 miles. We thought you might find it interesting to know exactly how much you are paid for boarding at every step rate.
Now, we’re not trying to say that the front loading of TFP on each segment is sufficient compensation for boarding. That is why your Negotiating Committee is pushing hard to achieve a duty rigs as well as other rigs. The duty rig in particular will ensure you are paid appropriately for your time on duty—such as for boarding, sits, delays, etc. A duty rig will also cause the pairing optimizer to do its best to minimize sit times. Other rigs such as a trip rig and an average daily guarantee will ensure that we are paid appropriately for long layovers and eliminate 3-day trips worth 8 TFP. Very, very important!
Your Negotiating Committee is committed to achieving rigs in order to ensure we are adequately compensated for our time on duty, to improve pairing value across the board and to minimize sit time. Obviously, we are also focused on attaining a significantly improved compensation and benefits package for all!
In solidarity,
Your Negotiating Committee – MEC President Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Tracy, Karina Cameron-Fetters, Jake Jones and AFA Staff Negotiator Paula Mastrangelo
“Five Bases, One Voice”
Council 30 ANC Officer Election Results
Dear Flight Attendants,
The Council 30 ANC officer elections ended at 9am ADT on Friday, October 25, 2013. Nominations and elections are governed by procedures outlined in the Association’s Constitution & Bylaws, Article VIII and the AFA Policy Manual. The certified election results are as follows:
President: Becky Strachan
Vice President: Lisa Pinkston
Secretary: Jan Bottini-Strait
The upcoming three year term for Council 30 begins January 1, 2014, through December 31, 2016. The Master Executive Council (MEC) congratulates the officers-elect and we sincerely thank all those who stepped forward to run in the election.
In solidarity,
Your MEC – MEC President Jeffrey Peterson, MEC Vice President Terry Taylor, MEC Secretary-Treasurer Yvette Gesch, Council 30 ANC President Melanie Buker, Council 19 SEA President Laura Masserant, Council 39 PDX President Cathy Gwynn, Council 18 LAX/SAN President Sandra Morrow and Council 30 ANC President-elect Becky Strachan
“Five Bases, One Voice”
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