Talk with Tom

Judy Buchman's Husbands Service

The services for Lew Scott, husband of Judy (Buchman) Scott, and retired UAL pilot will be on Tuesday, Nov. 22nd, at 2 PM, at the Embassy Suites Hotel - 3225 - 158th Ave SE, in Bellevue. Keg included !!Judy's daughter, Ashley, had a baby boy, Ethan, on Nov. 10th, two days after Lew's passing.Hope everyone is doing well and that you all have a peaceful Thanksgiving.

Jane

Luncheon

Hello Everyone,
Just a reminder about our upcoming luncheon in December
at the 'Black Bear Restaurant.
It is December 8th, Thursday NOT December 10th as
posted on seabuds.
December 8th, 2011 ~ Thursday
11:30 A.M.
For those of you who have already RSVP'd, would you
be kind enough to do so again so I can have an
accurate number for the restaurant since we have
around 50 attendees.
Remember ~ our luncheons are always the 2nd Thursdays in
March ~ September ~ December.
Thanks so very much.
Respectfully,
Jan M. Loomis

Pass Travel Update November 3, 2011

Capt. Pat Palazzolo
ALPA and the other unions are working to reestablish a working relationship with the company on pass travel issues. To be frank, the new management has no prior history of working with their employees in this manner. But so far I think we seem to be making progress on building trust.
We will be adding a Continental pilot to our ALPA Pass Travel Committee soon.
Online travel:
The integration of the two pass travel programs will not happen in early January. It will more likely happen sometime in March. A major determining factor is the date CO’s passenger reservation system migrates over to United.
This brings up a few questions, such as:
· When will UAL retirees lose their companion passes?
· When will UAL employees and retirees get to use vacation passes?
· And how will UAL employees and retirees use them?
· When will companions be able to travel on each others airlines?
The company said they will have answers to these questions and more very soon in a communication to our active and retired employees.
Leveling the playing field with Vacation Passes. At a recent meeting with the various unions, the company acknowledged the unfairness of the accumulation of vacation passes at CO, and no accumulation at UA. They said they would attempt to come up with a solution, and they hope to communicate that as well.
A note about Vacation Passes: The vacation passes accumulated to date by CO employees are not the same type of vacation passes that will be awarded in 2012.
The older generation of vacation passes that have been accumulated, unlike the new ones, are for one person per leg only.
As you know, the Vacation Passes to be allocated next year are good for as many legs as required to get from origin to destination, and are good for every eligible traveling together in your party.
Finally, the Company has told us that the name for Vacation Passes may be changed to a different title to avoid confusion about when they may be used (which is any time for any reason).
Companion Passes for Retirees: The Company has eliminated this benefit for our retirees and for us when we retire effective sometime next year (date to be announced by the company). The reasons could be summarized basically as – management doesn’t like them and they’re trying to find any reason they can to reduce their usage.
The Company suspects an unacceptable amount of revenue dilution – where there would be a number of companion pass users who would have purchased a ticket on United if it weren’t for the ability to use them. They also mentioned companion travelers clogging airports, fraud, and undesirable behavior on the part of some. When I mentioned that of all the groups, retirees tend to be the most mature and responsible, they did acknowledged that is likely to be true.
I’ve discussed these concerns with the company and made the observation that so far they haven’t presented any data to support their concerns , as they appear to be anecdotal or a gut feeling. While the company said they will not entertain any discussion of changes until the new program has been implemented and the dust has settled, they have agreed to discuss this later.
I’ve also told the company that finding a way to resolve their concerns about retiree companion passes and afford retired employees the option of using either companion passes or enrolled friends is a high priority for ALPA.
I was asked why it’s such a high priority and I replied that unlike many other employee groups, virtually all United pilots will retire, and it is an important benefit we would like for ourselves.
Web List will go away when the new pass travel program is implemented and be replaced by Continental’s employeeRes.

If you haven’t checked out employeeRes, you should try it sometime. It not only shows you the available seats , but allows you to view the stand by list, and also show the standbys who have actually checked in for the flight. When you inquire about a flight’s stand by list, it will show you where you would fit, even though you’re not listed.
You can also set up a very welcome and user friendly notification system to advise you of gate information, departure delays or cancellations for any of your listed flights now or in the future.
The stand by list and notification features that I described are not yet available for United flights on employeeRes (only Continental) until the integration, next year.
employeeRes can be found on the left side of the Flying Together page under Travel Tools.
Offline Travel:
Lots of good news here. A few years ago ALPA proposed to the Pass Travel Committee the concept of purchasing and refunding all offline tickets over the internet. This would avoid the cumbersome Kubuki dance of having to purchase paper back up tickets and then have the unused tickets mailed in or taken in for refunds. At our request, the company began looking at this concept about 18 months ago.
Concurrently, other airlines began looking at this idea as well. As a result, the airline community has decided that beginning March 31^st, all airlines will abandon the use of paper tickets – even for ZED travel.
Some airlines have already migrated over to e-ticketing for offline travel, such as British, Jet Blue, Hawaiian and Frontier. Every other airline will follow by the end of March.
United would like to have this internet capability in house or in conjunction with other airlines. But with our limited IT capabilities due to the merger, UA will probably sign on with a third-party vendor to provide this service as other airlines have done – at least for the foreseeable future. So the next time you need a back up ticket, it can be as quick and easy as a few taps on your phone.
The third party vendors charge a per-ticket fee for purchasing ($3-5) and for refunds. But with the widespread use of smart phones and tablets, it often will not be necessary to buy backup tickets until you actually need them. In those cases, you can go to your smart phone, list and purchase an offline ticket and then proceed to that airline’s gate. The need to refund backup tickets will drop dramatically.
ZED fares: Some good and some not so good news.
The good news. Virtually all of Continental’s interline agreements are ZED, as opposed to ID agreements. All of their ZED agreements will most likely become our agreements as well sometime next year. As a result we will acquire a few new airlines to travel on.
The bad news: The ZED fares increased 15-16% on October 1^st. This is clearly an unacceptable jump.
But I’m hopeful for some relief down the road. United will have a representative on the ZED fare committee who can have some influence over how these fares are computed. The fares are currently calculated as a percentage of an average fare for each distance category. That revenue fare is calculated by market forces – normally supply and demand, or whatever the market can bear.
There is no reason why our employees’ and retirees’ interline benefits need to be based on whatever the market can bear for revenue customers. After all, our ZED fares are an employee benefit, not a profit making venture.
I’m hopeful we will get support from United management on this change of focus on ZED fare calculations. I’ll keep you posted.

Sad to announce Ester Phillips Passed away

It is with a heavy heart that I must pass on to you that Esther passed away Tuesday morning after a year long battle with cancer.Cards can be sent to her husband, Mike, and daughters Alicia and Andrea (Carlos) at 18712 - 5th Pl SW, Seattle, WA 98166

The memorial for Esther will be held on Fri, 11/11/11 at 11 AM. at the Bonney-Watson Funeral Home at WA Memorial Park, 16445 International Blvd, SeaTac, WA 98118, ph #206-242-1787.

.

Jane

*Retiree Association of Flight Attendants*

*Retiree Association of Flight Attendants*

RAFA Council 10R's Oct. Mtg. is Oct. 18th at 11 am.  We will once again be at the Burien Library.  The address is 400 152nd St., Burien 98166.  The conference room is on the second floor.  Ballots will be counted and reported on.  You may also bring your ballot to the meeting.  Also on the agenda will be the new Travel Pass Policy.  Plus we will have a refresher about health benefits for retirees as UAL's enrollment period will be coming up soon.
Please remember to send in your ballots or bring them to the mtg.   Ballots are an attachment to this announcement.

RAFA Ballot 2011

President: Martha Casne

Write In

Vice President:

Write In

Secretary: Julie Beffa

Write In

Treasurer: Debbi Vandenberg

Write In

Christmas Luncheon 2011

Hello Everyone,
Remember our luncheon on December 10th, Thursday at 11:30 A.M. ~ at the 'Black Bear Restaurant' in Federal Way ~ at the end of 320th & Pacific Highway South.
Please, RSVP to me ~ Jan M. Loomis @ jloom@aol.com so that I can let the restaurant know the number of attendees.
Thank you.
Have a wonderful 'Thanksgiving!
Hugs,
Jan

Sandy Wilkinson Passed Away

Tom and all SEABuds...

It's with lots of sadness that I tell you that Sandy passed away this morning, I will let you know early next week what the plans are for her memorial service.  It will probably be on Sept 23rd in Poulsbo.

Thanks and take care,

char morrison

South end Fall Luncheon

Fall is approaching!
Laughter & Visits @ 'Black Bear Restaurant'
With Flight Attendant Friends!

December 8th, 2011 ~ Thursday
11:30 A.M. ~ Federal Way
Hope to see you there!
RSVP@ jloom2@gmail.com

Dedication of "911 Memorial Park"

Dedication of "911 Memorial Park"  Sept 11, 2011  2:00 P.M.

(by flagpole and Island General Store)

Anderson Island, Washington

For ferry information  www.piercecountywa.org/ferry

Ferry leaves at Steilacoom (close to Tacoma or Dupont)

Questions email Pat Emerson patriciae@centurytel.net leave contact number and name. 

The program will last about one hour. Meet at my house after the program.  Wearing your uniform is encouraged.

Pat Emerson

Faye Moss Passing

The Portland Picnic

This is an invitation to

The Portland Picnic

Hosted by the Portland Flight Attendants of UAL

        Date:    Thurs July 21

Time:    High Noon

It is Potluck....bring a dish to share and bring a friend

We want to see lots of faces from the days when the Skies were Friendly

We will have Wine and Beer and Beverages or BYOB

It is going to be in Norma's big back yard in the country..lots of easy parking

You can even take the train to within 5 miles and we can figure out a shuttle

Or you can drive..or rent a driver and limo or a covered wagon

Not sure about flying these days

Get creative..you are former FA'S

Call you PDX friends for a spare bed so you can stay over

Please RSVP by Friday July 15th

to Norma 503-655-5673 or Laree at 503-635-5530

Directions from the north

Get off of I-5 onto 205...go south about 10 miles

Get off at Exit # 9...onto 99E toward Canby

Follow along the river and under a railroad bridge and opposite the Falls

Turn left at the lite...2nd st

Wind around [staying in rite lane] a couple of blocks

Make a rite on South End Rd

Go about 5 miles to May Rd

Turn left on May Rd

Go about 1 mile to Gould Ct....turn rite ...first property on left

If you use GSP it will send you a different way...whatever works

We are looking forward to this ...Hope to see lots of you

We just had another planning lunch last week

Norma, Betty, Laree, Barb,Sue, Diane

Clipped Wings Meeting

Nancy Hauser

Great Getaway

	Great looking place

3 Bdrm / 2Ba house in the Village of Oak Creek, Sedona, is available May-August.  Within a 1/2 mile of the Oak Creek Country Club golf course. Hiking trails closeby.   $400/ week, nightly $60.  2 Queen beds and 3rd bdrm has twin beds.  Furnished, washer and dryer.  Kitchen fully equipped. BBQ.Cleaning fee is $65.

Call- 360-830-0167, cell 360-908-2216 . Anne Bartow

pictures forthcoming.

UNIFORMS

THE MUSEUM OF FLIGHT HAS COMPLETED THEIR COLLECTION OF UAL UNIFORMS.  I HAVE A FEW LEFT IF ANYONE WANTS ANY OF THE FOLLOWING.

 

CAMEL COAT

RED JUMPER AND JACKET

RUST JACKET AND SKIRT

HARLEQUIM BLOUSE

DARK BLUE HAWAIIAN DRESS

BLACK FUR FOR RED COAT

MISC SMOCKS

ETC

 

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED, E MAIL ME AND I WILL BRING THEM TO THE FLIGHT ATTENDANT LUNCHEON AT THE MUSEUM OF FLIGHT

MAY 12TH...OR GET THEM TO YOU SOMEHOW...MEET FOR LUNCH MAYBE ??

 

THEY ARE ''FREE TO A GOOD HOME'''...")

 

HAPPY LANDINGS...PEG VERGER

Tavon/Clipped Wings Tea and Plant Sale

Join Us

Tavon Center, in partnership with Clipped Wings, presents an afternoon tea, tour of an Eastside historical home and garden, and plant sale.

This Mothers' Day, why not show your mom you care by spending time with her and supporting your favorite cause? Tavon Center teams up with philanthropic organization Clipped Wings for a one-of-a-kind experience. The Saturday before Mothers' Day (May 7), from 1–4 p.m., join us for afternoon tea at a historic Medina mansion, accompanied by a tour of the home and gardens and a plant sale, all to benefit Tavon Center.

Tickets are $25 ($30 at the door)

For more information contact Lana Thompson, lanat98033@aol.com

Luncheon (revised 04-05-2011)

New Pass Travel Program Overview

Click Here for Overview

If this link does not work go to SkyNet your normal way and check out the new policy

New Pass Travel Program

Here it is! United's new pass travel program for co-workers and retirees.

To view, click here.