particular flight at any gate/ticket counter up to 4 hours before departure. ... It is mandatory to pre-list when planni
FROM THE SAFETY COMMITTEE - FOM 2.15 MANDATORY REPORTS FCIF 15-0532: NEW MONTHLY BIDDING TIMELINE JUMPSEATING ON AMERICAN AIRLINES MEC OFFICE HOLIDAY SCHEDULE FROM THE MILITARY AFFAIRS COMMITTEE NOVEMBER RETIREMENTS CHANGE OF THE NORMAL RETIREMENT AGE FOR FEDEX CORPORATION EMPLOYEES' PENSION PLAN REMINDER FOR PILOTS RETIRING IN 2016 2016 POCKET CALENDARS FROM THE TRIP SERVICES COMMITTEE LITHIUM BATTERIES CALL TO ACTION DISPUTED PAIRINGS INDUSTRY NEWS
FROM THE SAFETY COMMITTEE - FOM 2.15 MANDATORY REPORTS: In a prior communication, we informed you that the FAA was taking particular interest in crew errors associated with the Pilot Deferred Maintenance (PDM) process during the ASAP Event Review Committee (ERC) meetings. There has been a marked improvement since that communiqué to you and the FAA has noticed. However, there is a new trend that has sparked the interest of the FAA. Their concern is the lack of entries required by FOM 2.15. Example 1: A crew encounters wind shear during take off. They perform the wind shear escape maneuver flawlessly. There was no engine exceedence and therefore the crew decides to continue to destination. The crew submits an ASAP report fulfilling the requirement for a Flight Safety Report (FSR) as well as submitting the safety information into our ASAP program. The Common Error: The crew leaves the airplane without writing up the event as required by FOM 2.15.
The Explanation: Although the engines stayed within normal parameters and there is no apparent damage to the airframe, the aircraft may need an inspection. Without documenting the event in the AML, the inspection will never be completed, and a compromised airframe may be flying the line putting fellow crewmembers at risk. Example 2: When asked for “Flaps Up” the Pilot Monitoring (PM) inadvertently moves the handle all the way to the Slats Retract detent. The stick shaker activates momentarily, the PM realizes the mistake and moves the flap handle back to the proper position. The flight continues to destination normally. The Common Error: The crew fails to write up the stick shaker activation upon landing as required by FOM 2.15. The Explanation: Even though the crew knows what caused the stick shaker to activate, the aircraft did not sustain any apparent damage and the stick shaker worked as it was supposed to, the event must be documented in the AML per FOM 2.15. This type of event may not be obvious to the crew because everything worked as it should. In other words, nothing was apparently wrong with the aircraft. We all know any maintenance issue with the aircraft requires an AML entry per the FAR’s. However, if an event occurs that is out of the ordinary take a look at FOM 2.15. It is not always obvious that an event that requires a mandatory report also requires an AML entry—especially if there is no apparent damage to the aircraft. If it requires a Flight Safety Report, it may also require an AML entry. Telling the mechanic does not make it legal; the event must be documented in the AML. An ASAP report will cover any FSR requirement. Double check to see if an AML entry is required and ensure that this procedure is accomplished as well. Make sure you keep your flight safe and legal. [back to top]
FCIF 15-0532 - NEW MONTHLY BIDDING TIMELINE: Please be sure to read FCIF 15-0532 regarding new timelines for bidding. The new monthly bidding timeline will be effective with the February 2016 bid month. To view the FCIF, please click here. [back to top]
JUMPSEATING ON AMERICAN AIRLINES: If you are using reciprocal privileges on American, please ensure you follow the protocol as posted on jumpseatinfo.org: American CASS Carrier Reciprocal agreements with American are required. All pilots are required to check in with the captain and be prepared to show boarding pass, company I.D., pilot license and current medical. Some off lines are "limited;" meaning only as many jump seaters from limited airlines as there are cockpit jump seats. If an unlimited pilot is checked in first and there is only one seat, then there is technically no room for a limited pilot, even with seats in the cabin. Check with your local chairman for your status. This includes American Eagle destinations. You may check in for the jumpseat of a particular flight at any gate/ticket counter up to 4 hours before departure. Uniform or business casual attire is required. International jump seats, are limited to all listed carriers, to the number of actual jump seats installed on the aircraft (TSA restricted to cabin space available only.) On
international legs they are available to the following pilots: Alaska, Delta, FedEx, United, US Airways, Airtran and Southwest. It is mandatory to pre-list when planning to ride as a jump seat passenger and you can do this up to several days in advance by using the new online listing system. Within 24 hours of travel call 888-933-5922(888-WE-FLY-AA), option 3. Identify yourself as an OAL (other airline) or D6 employee wanting to list as a jump seat passenger on an American or American Eagle flight. You can retrieve your boarding pass prior to going through security. If already inside the sterile area, please check-in with the gate agent. American has opened specific Non-Rev Lounges at ORD, JFK, LGA, and DFW that are open to offline jump seaters with lengthy periods between flights. Ask any agent to direct you to them. American has recently rolled out a new and revised online booking tool. To use this online tool, you will have to get in touch with your interline travel department or your management as American Airlines is sending specific instructions to your respective carriers on how this will work. Most carriers except for JetBlue will go to the website http://myidtravel.com/myidlisting it is imperative that this website be entered exactly. There will be a pulldown menu to select the carrier you work for. Next will be a username and password. Your username will be your two letter airline code in CAPS followed by the word staff for instance Delta would DLstaff. Your password is either your 3 digit ticketing code or if you don't have one it is myIDListing001 once inside the website you need to select "commuter travel" from the pull down menu. If you are having trouble determining your username or password please contact your company travel department or representative. For myidtravel problems, contact
[email protected]. If it doesn't work, use the telephone method, document your troubles with the online system and report it to your jumpseat coordinator for forwarding to the AA jumpseat coordinator. Thank you for your patience with this new system! Please note our listing code is 023 and complete instructions are on the Jumpseat page of the FDX ALPA website. Click here for American Airlines' website. [back to top]
MEC OFFICE HOLIDAY SCHEDULE: The MEC office will be closed on Thursday, December 31 and Friday, January 1. The office will reopen on Monday, January 4 at 8 a.m. We wish each of you a happy and safe holiday! [back to top]
FROM THE MILITARY AFFAIRS COMMITTEE: Piece, Love, and Understanding Piece: The MEC and company have cooperated in identifying those on long-term MLA to ensure they get their piece of the bonus, per the CBA and Policy—there’s even a plan to handle any who fell through the cracks, once they resurface. Contact MEC Secretary Treasurer First Officer Rich Zins at
[email protected] for details. Love: If you are not feeling it from management regarding MLA notifications, or other issues; per our Tri Annual LMS training—“if you feel you or another employee has been harassed for … veteran status,” report it through the Alert Line at 1-866-42-FEDEX. Also, the VETS (Department of Labor) USERRA Compliance hotline is 1-866-487-2365. And if you are one of a growing number of folks who has had a trip not removed in time for your MLA: 1) remember, once you’ve notified the company of MLA (email to the PAC is a preferred method of many, and 100% covered by USERRA), you’ve done your part, and 2) consider an Ops report (and please cc me on the
report (and any MLA related communications with the company) and response at
[email protected]). Understanding: PII, OpSec, PerSec, or whatever TLA (three letter acronym) your branch uses to identify sensitive information. There have been a number of instances where management has mishandled details about a member’s military service by distributing details of it to other individuals. Mechanically, it was a minor cut-and-paste error by the company replicated an unknown number of times, but all of us have done enough InfoSec CBT’s to know how seriously the Guard and Reserves take these types of breaches. Many have reported being “hounded” by management for specifics about MLA, including orders, and I know how stressful it is to play “chicken” with an upcoming trip on your calendar, days (sometimes weeks) after submitting MLA, while the company presses you for more information before “processing” your MLA, but remember, USERRA is crystal clear that 1) you “notify” your employer of MLA (not “request” it), 2) you may do it verbally or in writing (email to the PAC counts, and that has become the preferred method for many of us), and 3) you never have to submit anything in writing prior to MLA, and only after returning from an absence greater than 30 days (and by the way, a letter from your command stating that you are “eligible for reemployment under USERRA” counts—and contains no sensitive info). R/ Steve Miller
Military Affairs Committee Chairman
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NOVEMBER RETIREMENTS: The FDX MEC and R&I Committee would like to congratulate the following ALPA members who retired in November and to thank them for their years of participation in the Association.
Captain James G. Robie
Captain Brian D. Thometz
First Officer Michael T. McClellan
Captain Michael P. Johnson
Captain James V. Corkern
Captain Lawrence E. Myers
Captain Emilio F. Verastegui
Captain Mark E. Albritton
Captain James W. Bailey
Captain Charles D. Gallardo
Captain Charles A. Jedlicka
Captain Thomas J. Ream
Captain Virgil W. Youngers
Captain Richard W. Martin
Captain Jerome A. Dabrowski
Captain Garrick W. Bauer
Captain Brian R. Badger
Captain Patricia A. Jackson
Total Retirements from January through November 2015, were 103, of whom, 98 were ALPA members.
***Our condolences to the family of First Officer Robert B. Lucas, who passed away on November 13, 2015.***
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CHANGE OF THE NORMAL RETIREMENT AGE FOR THE FEDEX CORPORATION EMPLOYEES' PENSION PLAN: Last week, the R&I Committee published a message regarding the change of the normal retirement age for employees' pension plan. If you missed this message, please read the information below. The Company sent out a notice on December 10, 2015 regarding changing the Normal Retirement Age for the FedEx Corporation Employees’ Pension Plan (Pension Plan) from age 60 to the IRS “safe harbor” of age 62. This change will go into effect on February 1, 2016. To read the full message, please click here. [back to top]
REMINDER FOR PILOTS RETIRING IN 2016: Reminder for Pilots Retiring in 2016 who are at least Age 60 but under Age 65:
If you are planning on retiring December 31, 2016 at or after age 60 but under age 65, you have until December 31, 2015 to submit your Advance Notice of Planned Retirement to qualify for the retirement bonus in Section 28.F. of the CBA. The End of Career Sick Leave/Advance Notice of Planned Retirement Bonus requires that a pilot submit an advance notice of his/her retirement date at least 12 months in advance of the retirement date and actually retire on that date. The date may be any December 31st after the pilot’s 60th birthday or any day in the month the pilot turns age 65. Pilots can submit their planned retirement date using the Advance Retirement Notice form that can be completed on http://pilot.fedex.com by selecting “VIPS” then entering “retire” in the keyword search field. [back to top]
2016 POCKET CALENDARS: The 2016 pocket calendars will be mailed at the beginning of 2016. If you have not received your pocket calendar by the beginning of February, please contact the MEC office at 901-752-8749. [back to top]
FROM THE TRIP SERVICES COMMITTEE: CAN Hotel Update: The committee recently requested through the SIG process to have all Hotel Standby pairings moved from the Pullman Baiyun Airport Hotel to either The China Hotel or The Garden Hotel. The Regional Director of Operations APAC denied that request and all Hotel Standby pairings will remain at the Pullman Baiyun Airport Hotel. [back to top]
LITHIUM BATTERIES - CALL TO ACTION: We are asking all FedEx pilots to participate in ALPA's Call to Action concerning the safe carriage
of lithium batteries. We all know this is something that poses a major safety risk to us everyday. The FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 included language that limited the Department of Transportation’s ability to regulate lithium batteries to that of international standards implemented by ICAO. That has worked well for the passenger carriers but, to no one’s surprise, there has been nothing done for all-cargo carriers. We are asking Congress to remove the restrictive language and allow the Secretary of Transportation to issue safety regulations that will allow us to continue to carry these batteries but to do so as DG and in a manner that ensures our safety. Please contact your Congressman and ask for their support of our efforts. To complete the "Call the Action" and submit a letter directly to your Congressman, please click here. [back to top]
DISPUTED PAIRINGS: December LAX MD11
38/18December
39/22December MEM MD11
1342/05December
1359/12December
MEM A300 153/05December
161/12December
704/21December
816/28December MEM 767
162/All dates
176/24December January None [back to top]
How FedEx Will Continue Delivering Long-Term Value in 2016 What Do FedEx Corporation's Results Mean for United Parcel Service? Will UPS, FedEx Lose Out to Amazon? Hard to Believe, But FedEx Actually Did Better This Holiday Season FedEx Admits That Not All Packages Made It In Time For Christmas Amazon Using LeHigh Valley Airport for Secret Pilot Program FedEx Customers Furious Over Late Christmas Deliveries FedEx Cites 'Unprecedented' E-Commerce Surge in Christmas Delays Delta and Pilots Union Resume Contract Talks Is ASL Looking to Buy TNT Airways? [back to top]
