AFA E-Lines: Nov 04, 2022

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  • TSA Rap Back Criminal History Record Check and Fingerprinting
  • First Round Vacation Awards Posted
  • Native American Heritage Month
  • Transfers Reporting for December 2022 Schedule month
  • MEC Annual Benefits Training

AFA Debrief – November 4, 2022

  • TSA Rap Back Criminal History Record Check and Fingerprinting
  • First Round Vacation Awards Posted
  • Native American Heritage Month
  • Transfers Reporting for December 2022 Schedule month
  • MEC Annual Benefits Training

TSA Rap Back Criminal History Record Check and Fingerprinting

Earlier this year, United shared information with us about the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) requirement for all airlines to participate in the Record of Arrest and Prosecutions BACK (Rap Back) program for all employees who are designated CREW members and other airport employees who currently hold a Secure Identification Display Area (SIDA) badge. As a result of this requirement, as much as 50% of the Flight Attendant population will be required to submit new fingerprints to the TSA. Infight has set an internal goal for completion as January 31, 2023.

There are two components to this process: the electronic Criminal History Record Check (CHRC) and fingerprinting.

It’s important for the Criminal History Record Check (CHRC) form to be completed before you attempt to get fingerprinted. All fields must be completed and you may use "N/A" if not applicable. The form must be signed via DocuSign.

If you require fingerprints, you may go to ANY company fingerprint location

1.     Be certain your CHRC form has been completed online via Help Hub before you attempt fingerprinting.

2.     Two forms of valid ID required; your United Crew badge may be used as one form of ID.

The Inflight bases below are open for walk-ins, appointments are not necessary. 

Fingerprint Locations and Hours of Operation until January 31, 2023

Inflight Base

Hours of Operation

Holiday Closures

DEN

0700 – 2000

11/24, 11/25, 12/26 & 1/2/23

EWR

1000 – 2000

11/24, 11/25, 12/26 & 1/2/23

IAD

1000 – 2000

11/24, 11/25, 12/26 & 1/2/23

IAH

0600 – 1900

11/24, 11/25, 12/26 & 1/2/23

LAX (below base)

0630 – 1700

11/24, 11/25, 12/26 & 1/2/23

ORD

0700 – 1900

11/24, 11/25, 12/26 & 1/2/23

SFO

0630 – 1900

11/24, 11/25, 12/26 & 1/2/23

If you have additional questions about this process, visit CHRC-Fingerprint Inquiry on Help Hub for more information.

First Round Vacation Awards Posted

First round vacation awards were posted yesterday and are available for viewing via CCS > Vacation >> My Vacation. Second Round Vacation Bidding opens on November 8, 2022 at 0800 (HDT) and will close on November 16 at 0800 (HDT).

In Round One vacation bidding, of the almost 16,000 Flight Attendants who submitted bids, more than 900 did not bid to cover themselves and, as a result of having submitted a bid, were awarded vacation as an insufficient bidder. When assigned as an insufficient bidder, vacation is assigned from the back of the year, starting in December, toward the front of the year. As a result, most November and December allocations have already been closed out and will not be available for bidding in Second Round Vacation bidding. In addition, the June, July and August months as well as the early part of January at most locations are also closed out for the Second Round.

More detailed information on bidding and assignment is available from the Vacation Microsite on unitedafa.org.

When bidding for round two, we strongly urge you to bid to cover yourself to ensure you are awarded a vacation based on your seniority and preferences as opposed to being assigned after all vacations have been awarded.

If you have questions on your Vacation award, please contact the Vacation Team by e-mail to FAVacationTeam@united.com.

Native American Heritage Month

National American Indian Heritage Month was signed by then President George H.W. Bush from a congressional resolution in 1990, designating its observance in the month of November. Each year since 1994 proclamations have been issued.

The resolution was far from the first step in establishing National Native American Heritage Month, as it is officially called, it is the result of almost a decade of efforts by pioneering individuals who worked to raise awareness and establish recognition.

One of the earliest proponents was Dr. Arthur Caswell Parker, a Cattaraugus Seneca Indian, historian, anthropologist, and author from New York state. Through his work, a number of American Indian rights organizations were formed, two of note are the National Congress of American Indians in 1944 and much earlier, the Society of American Indians in 1911. His advocacy included that American Indians be given U.S. citizenship.

In 1914, Native rights advocate Reverend Red Fox James, a Blackfoot Tribe citizen, embarked on a 4,000-mile trek on horseback to Washington, D.C., to petition the president for an “Indian Day.”

Calvin Coolidge issued a proclamation on Sept. 28, 1915 that declared the second Saturday of each May as an American Indian Day and contained the first formal appeal to recognize Indians as citizens.

It would be over sixty years later, at which time Jerry Elliott (Osage-Cherokee) authored the Congressional legislation for the first Native American Awareness week in October.

In National Native American Heritage Month, we celebrate Indigenous peoples and seek to better honor Tribal sovereignty, promoting Tribal self-determination.

There are 573 federally recognized Indian Nations plus other tribes located throughout the United States who are recognized by their respective state governments. From the National Park Service webpage are some specific terms they offer to educate us:

  • Alaska Native This term refers to the indigenous people of the area. Native Alaskan is anyone from Alaska (including non-indigenous).
  • American Indian Some tribes (and their associated parks) prefer Native American. Use specific tribal name(s) whenever possible, accurate, and appropriate. See also First Nations, tribal names.
  • First Nation, First Nations Refers to aboriginal people in Canada who are neither Inuit (people of the Canadian Arctic) nor Métis (descendants of First Nation people who married Europeans). Often used in the plural in the collective sense, as in a program for First Nations youth. The term is widely used in Canada but is not used in the US, except in connection with Métis whose homelands include northwest Minnesota, North Dakota, or other northern states. See also American Indian.
  • Native American Used, if requested, by specific tribes or parks. See American Indian.
  • Tribal name Use specific tribal name(s) whenever possible, accurate, and appropriate. Also, the preference is to use the singular noun: Navajo, Lakota, Tlingit. See also American Indian. Examples: The Navajo entered Canyon de Chelly about 300 years ago. The Anishinabek fished in Lake Superior.

Last year, our AFA Executive Board passed a resolution establishing our AFA Heritage Month program and AFA pin, recognizing Native American Flight Attendants, their contributions and influence to the history, culture, and achievements. Friday, November 25 is Native American Heritage Day.

We have grounded our AFA Diversity and Inclusion pins around color and symbols. This pin includes the Native American sun symbol in gold surrounded by the color blue to represent where Flight Attendants spend our time -- in the sky.

Read the Resolution >

Transfers Reporting for the December 2022 Schedule Month

System Transfers have been awarded with report dates in December 2022 as follows;

Base

BOS

CLE

DEN

EWR

FLL

GUM

IAD

IAH

LAS

MCO

ORD

Total

Awarded

18

6

25

47

0

10

85

152

20

20

55

438

Accepted

13

3

14

28

0

3

61

130

9

14

44

319

MEC Annual Benefits Training

This week, representatives from EWR, DEN, GUM, HNL, IAD, IAH, LAX, LHR & SFO attended our Annual MEC Benefits Training in Chicago. These dedicated volunteers take time from their personal schedules to educate and inform themselves on the complexities of our various benefits component. These individuals will be available in their respective Local Council locations to assist members who need information and assistance. 

Reminders

  • NOV 6 – Return to Standard Time – Fall Back at 2:00 AM
  • NOV 8 – November 16, 2022 – Second Round Vacation Bidding Opens
  • NOV 8 – Midterm Elections
  • NOV 14 – December 2022 Special COLA Requests Due at 0800 CT
  • NOV 25 – Native American Heritage Day
<<<FULL BRIEF>>>

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