From Dear AFA Transcript (April 11, 2008)

IPTE 747 Training Update

On Tuesday we advised you that AFA had strong objections to management moving forward with conducting Flight Attendant emergency procedures "training," related to evacuation procedures on the reconfigured Boeing 747-422 aircraft prior to confirming the effectiveness of the training.  The Boeing 747-422 is the newly reconfigured International Premium Travel Experience (IPTE) modified aircraft.  The aircraft is now certified and the training is approved by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).  AFA continues to object to several aspects of the FAA approved training and how it was conducted over the weekend prior to approval and aircraft certification.  We will continue to advocate our position.

To be clear, the E-learning and hands-on training is mandatory prior to working a trip on this aircraft.  We will keep all Members closely advised as more information on the training procedures becomes available and as we move our objections forward with the FAA.

Earlier story from April 8th:

AFA strongly objects to management's bad decision on Friday, to move forward with conducting Flight Attendant emergency procedures "training", related to evacuation procedures on the reconfigured Boeing 747-422 aircraft.  Late last week, United began assigning SFO Reserves for this "differences training" prior to the aircraft being certified or the training approved by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).  The Boeing 747-422 is the newly reconfigured International Premium Travel Experience (IPTE) modified aircraft.  This "training" is for the new safety procedures for this aircraft, and should not be confused with the IPTE e-Learning service training on Skynet.

If you receive this "training" as a Reserve assignment, you are required to attend, but you should be aware you may need to attend "training" again, since the "training" and certification remain subject to approval.  Lineholders who are being asked to volunteer for "training" should wait until the program is finalized, and not pay heed to United's premature scheduling request.

This "training" is premature until issues such as training program competency, emergency procedures and use of emergency equipment onboard the aircraft are resolved.  The new safety procedures remain untested and unapproved.  By United scheduling the training before approval, management is making a mockery of the certification process.