From: AFA Elines

The August 30th Edition of Onboard Updates provides additional detail around the company’s recent decision to revise boarding and pre-departure beverage procedures. 

AFA has gone on record strongly objecting to these changes and has identified our concerns to management.  We are troubled and disappointed by management’s apparent lack of understanding of the real issues involved.   Contrary to assertions being made that AFA is saying “serving passengers anything other than water or orange juice presents a significant security risk and that boarding zone procedures are inadequate for cabin monitoring” what we are really saying is that the revised pre-departure service is now more labor intensive, requiring Flight Attendants to spend more time in the galleys and less time in the aisle –reverting to a model that was previously determined to be flawed.

AFA has confirmed with management that additional staffing will not be provided to accomplish these additional tasks despite the fact that United continues to make claims of substantive over-staffing.  We’ve also confirmed that staffing at the CO subsidiary is substantially different from ours.  

For example, for domestic flights at the CO subsidiary, with the exception of the 737-500 & 737-700, all 737 aircraft are staffed with a minimum of four (4) Flight Attendants, 757 aircraft are generally staffed with five (5) Flight Attendants except when operated into a Florida market where staffing is set at four (4) Flight Attendants, 767-200 aircraft are generally staffed with six (6) Flight Attendants, 767-400 aircraft are staffed with seven (7) and minimum staffing on the 777 aircraft is set at nine (9).  When comparing that standard with United’s domestic staffing levels – three (3) on A319 & A320 aircraft, four (4) on 757 aircraft, five (5) on 767 aircraft, and eight (8) on 777 aircraft, the difference becomes immediately apparent.

Implemented just days before the tenth anniversary of the events of September 11th, these changes are particularly disturbing.  Based on the guidance and recommendations of United’s own security consultant who stressed the need “to change the focus of pre-departure activities to allow Flight Attendants more ability to observe and interact with passengers while boarding,” pre-departure beverage services were modified based on the combined work and efforts of former United management and AFA Safety, Health & Security experts. 

Boarding positions were established to ensure equitable distribution of Flight Attendants throughout the aircraft to provide opportunities for this interaction.   It is this apparent disregard for this significant body of work – collaborative, “working- together work” - that is truly disconcerting.

Further, when you compare these actions with the September 2nd, Edition of Onboard Updates where, delivered in what must be recognized as a clearly threatening tone, being “positioned in the aisle” where passengers can “recognize the crew as the credible safety professionals that you are” has clearly a different priority.

In our view, if “Safety is our number one priority” then our actions, particularly during the boarding process, should reflect this priority.”  It is our first and foremost responsibility in our role as first responders providing the last line of defense.  For this reason, if you find that your expanded service responsibilities are compromising your ability to effectively carry out your vital safety and security activities, including the expanded pre-flight safety checks, we strongly encourage you to complete an OSAP or FASRS report.  Be certain to describe the particular concerns and challenges you faced on your flight.  As always, remember to tick the box to assure the AFA MEC Air Safety, Health & Security Committee is copied in on any report.