COVID-19

FAA Medicals : 20200319

COVID-19 and FAA Medical Exams

All,

There has been some misinformation circulating concerning FAA Medical Exams for pilots who have traveled internationally, within 14 days prior to the exam. The Aeromedical Committee has received word from the FAA that this IS NOT accurate. Below is the FAA Bulletin sent to all FAA AMEs within the last few days: – In light of the ongoing COVID-19 efforts, we appreciate the challenges AMEs are facing in the current practice environment. At this time, airmen medical certification procedures have not changed. All airmen medical certification examinations must be performed on the schedule specified in 14 CFR part 61.23. We are exploring contingency options during this National Emergency. In the interim, we highly encourage AMEs to follow CDC and local public health guidance. To the greatest extent possible, please try to separate well airmen from ill patients either by space or time. There is erroneous information that the FAA has directed airman flying international routes not to see an AME or complete an airman medical exam. This is simply not true. Airman who have followed FAA guidance for international flight crews (to include sanitized crew quarters and limited overseas social contact) are at low risk for COVID-19 and should proceed with their required exam. On the other hand, if your office pre-screening identifies an airman with respiratory symptoms, please refer to CDC and local Public Health guidance.- (Source: FAA Office of Aerospace Medicine via Susan E. Northrup, M.D. Southern Regional Flight Surgeon) Therefore, as most of our pilots are at low risk for COVID-19 infection, there should be no significant problem with obtaining an FAA Medical Exam as necessary. If you do have an AME who is unwilling to perform an FAA Medical Exam due to recent international travel, consider using a different AME for the time being. Additionally, please notify the Aeromedical Committee with the name of the AME, so that we may pass along information to the Regional Flight Surgeon’s Offices to address the issue and assist in finding a replacement AME (as needed). Lastly, some pilots on Special Issuance (S.I.) Medical Certificates may begin finding it difficult to obtain the necessary appointments with specialist, as required to maintain a S.I. Medical Certification. If you find yourself facing this problem, please contact the Aeromedical Committee ASAP.
Regards, Aeromedical Committee

19 March 2020

Hotel and Travel Committee Update : 20200317

Hotel and Travel Committee Update

Your Hotel and Travel Committee volunteers are working day and night closely monitoring the worldwide COVID-19 outbreak. As always, the safety and security of our fellow crewmembers is our highest priority. Our entire committee is at work monitoring travel restrictions and recommending appropriate measures to the Company to make sure you can get rest, find food, and depart the area without disruption arising from immigration restrictions. It is critical that you notify us immediately if there are any safety concerns at any station or hotel.

As the virus spreads, we have seen numerous cities, regions, and countries announce full closures of all restaurants and bars. The Hotel and Travel Committee considers food availability just as vital as safe and secure lodgings when on a Company overnight.

We have approached the Company with the following criteria regarding food availability on overnights:Â Â Â

If only the hotel restaurant and/or room service is available the Company will provide a $50 meal voucher to be charged to the Company credit card. This authorization only applies for the hotel restaurant and/or room service.
If no food options are available AND room service cannot be delivered, the Company will move the affected crewmembers out of that region and make that station a non-overnight location.

We have stressed to the Company the need for all of our hotels to take the necessary health precautions to ensure the safety of our crews. Through its third party hotel vendor, Atlas company representatives have stressed the need for daily sanitization of all rooms and public areas as well as health checks for hotel employees. Additionally, Atlas has assured us that ground transportation vehicles are sanitized daily along with health monitoring of drivers. If you find a station not following these protocols, file an FCR and notify us at hotels@iap2750.org immediately. Now more than ever, do not accept a non-compliant or sub-standard hotel.

The FAA recently published recommended procedures for crews on a layover in the United States or internationally. The full text is available here. When on a layover crewmembers should:

Minimize contact with ground personnel and time in public areas while moving between the aircraft and the private transport.
Do not use public transportation, including when traveling between the airport and hotel.
Stay in your hotel room to the extent possible.
Minimize going out into the general population and use social distancing (maintain a distance of approximately 6 feet, if possible) whenever out in public. Avoid crowds, stores, sporting or mass entertainment events, and other situations likely to attract large numbers of people.
Eat in your hotel room with either room service or delivery service. If in-room dining options are not available, eat at a restaurant located in the hotel. If not available at the hotel, eat at a restaurant located close to the hotel.
Avoid contact with sick people.
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use at least a 60% alcohol based hand sanitizer. Use soap and water when your hands are visibly soiled.
Avoid touching your face.

The situation on the ground is constantly changing as government authorities respond to this ongoing health emergency. If you find an overnight noncompliant because of food or health concerns, first notify the Company Hotel Desk and ask to be moved to a different property and/or city. Next, notify us at hotels@iap2750.org and file an FCR. Please continue to forward us all FCRâs.

Stay safe,

Travel and Hotel Committee

Corona Virus Message

TRUSTEE UPDATE

March 16, 2020

Dear Fellow Crewmembers,

The main topic of this update, of course, is the coronavirus as it spreads across the world and the unpredictable way that governments are dealing with this worldwide pandemic. Last Friday we put out two very important messages that I want all of you to make sure you all have read carefully.

First and foremost, you must take this pandemic very seriously. As an individual, you can do your part in getting us through this as quickly as possible, to that end, each and every one of us can directly affect not only the duration, but the outcome. Those who donât take it seriously will unfortunately prolong the effects of this pandemic on all of us. Those who take it very seriously, taking every precaution and following the CDC guidance, will help all of us get through this as rapidly as possible. Although we can make a difference individually, we are all in this together and must act unselfishly for the betterment of all. So, what exactly does âwe are all in this together mean?â It simply means that we all rely upon each other to use the proper personal hygiene, not be sick at work and follow the guidance issued by health experts. This premise is the same premise our union is built upon, the collective good, so the concept should be especially familiar to all of us.

In our continual dialogue to protect all of you, yesterday I submitted a list of additional steps to the company to deal with the evolving
coronavirus pandemic. These measures are designed to address the growing and, in many cases, unexpected challenges that you are facing on the road and at home. I have requested ideas from the ExCo, union Stewards and many of our committees. In addition, we are compiling requests and input from you our crew members to shape the discussions we are having with the company. Your safety and well-being are our top priority.

It is also important that you report any problems and/or concerns to a union official and to the company directly. Posting on Facebook or any other form of informal media has little effect toward getting any situation dealt with. Let me remind you that there is a union Steward on duty at all times as a Steward of the Week and our union committees are here to assist you.

In closing, rest assured that collectively we will get through this pandemic and, with our collective cooperation, in the shortest time period possible. So please, donât be complacent. Be responsible and make the hard sacrifices right now needed to deal with the pandemic in the best manner possible.

Be Safe for yourself, your family and each other here at Atlas.

Fraternally,

Bob Kirchner
IAP Local 2750 Trustee

COVID-19 CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL GUIDANCE

COVID-19 CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL GUIDANCE

March 13, 2020

Dear Fellow Crewmembers,

It is important that we exercise extreme caution and learn how to incorporate new habits in our daily lives both at home and at work. In addition, we not only think of ourselves, but also our fellow employees we work side-by-side with daily. We are all in this together. So, it is imperative to be considerate. We have received complaints from crewmembers of fellow crewmembers coming to work with colds, sneezing or exhibiting other symptoms that makes them nervous during the heightened state we are in due to the coronavirus.

To that end, our union reminds crewmembers of the uniform advice of public health authorities reflected in CDC guidance âstay home when you are sick.â Specifically, to Covid-19, this instruction applies whenever you have âflu-likeâ symptoms, cough, difficulty breathing, fever. Following this guidance is particularly important to follow under the current conditions where authorities want to reduce âcommunity transmissionâ of Covid-19. If you are sick at work you also will be a distraction to other crewmembers. We have reports of numerous crewmembers not using masks when on the ground. Think of everyone that you might come into contact with. If you donât do it for yourselves, take every precaution for others like your family and coworkers.

Prevent Illness First

There is currently no vaccine to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus. However, as a reminder, CDC always recommends everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases, including:

Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
Stay home when you are sick.
Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.

Checklist for Individuals and Families

As a family, you can plan and make decisions now that will protect you and your family during a COVID-19 outbreak. Creating a household plan can help protect your health and the health of those you care about in the event of an outbreak of COVID-19 in your community. Use this checklist to help you take steps to plan and protect the health of you and your family.

Advice for employees before traveling to take certain steps:

Check the CDCâs Travelerâs Health Notices for the latest guidance and recommendations for each country to which you will travel. Specific travel information for travelers going to and returning from China, and information for aircrew, can be found at on the CDC website.
Advise employees to check themselves for symptoms of acute respiratory illness before starting travel and notify their supervisor and stay home if they are sick.
Ensure employees who become sick while traveling or on temporary assignment understand that they should notify their supervisor and should promptly call a healthcare provider for advice if needed.
If outside the United States, sick employees should follow your companyâs policy for obtaining medical care or contact a healthcare provider or overseas medical assistance company to assist them with finding an appropriate healthcare provider in that country. A U.S. consular officer can help locate healthcare services. However, U.S. embassies, consulates, and military facilities do not have the legal authority, capability, and resources to evacuate or give medicines, vaccines, or medical care to private U.S. citizens overseas.

Additional Measures in Response to Currently Occurring Sporadic Importations of the COVID-19:

Employees who are well but who have a sick family member at home with COVID-19 should notify their supervisor and refer to CDC guidance for how to conduct a risk assessment of their potential exposure.
If an employee is confirmed to have COVID-19, employers should inform fellow employees of their possible exposure to COVID-19 in the workplace but maintain confidentiality as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Employees exposed to a co-worker with confirmed COVID-19 should refer to CDC guidance for how to conduct a risk assessment of their potential exposure.

Resources for more information:

CDC Guidance

Other Federal Agencies and Partners

OSHA Guidance: https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/novel_coronavirus/index.html

If you need any further assistance, call either the union Steward on duty or an ExCo member.

We will keep you posted as we learn more.

In Solidarity,

Your Executive Council
IAP Local 2750

Chief Steward Message: China Opt-Out MOU

Crewmembers,

The China MOU says that you must opt-out of China flying 96 hours prior to the start of your Trip Pairing. Recently, scheduling has begun to change the lines of crewmembers, who have not designated their desires under the MOU, and adding China flying where a crewmember previously had none; sometimes inside the 96-hour window. Â

The Chief Pilots are intent on following the MOU, thus, it is our recommendation that if you do not want to go to China, you opt-out immediately. This will prevent unneeded stress if or when scheduling changes your schedule after your trip pairing starts and you do not want to go. Alternatively, you may opt-in to China flying which will provide the company with a list of crewmembers who are willing to go. Our union suggests you take one of these actions and do this immediately.

All The Best,

CA Kevin McCabe
Chief Steward, IAP Local 2750

Korea COVID-19 Procedures

Atlas Crewmembers:

We want to bring you up to date on the latest measures we have been working on with the company. Listed below are the mitigating provisions our union Security Committee has been working with the company on to create as safe of an environment as we can for the Atlas crewmembers and which are being implemented immediately for all Incheon and South Korean flying. This afternoon we agreed to the procedures listed below. This is a fluid situation as you all well know and we are constantly reviewing and assessing all the different areas of the world affected. Just this afternoon ExCo member CA Matt Sturgis and CA Kurt Hayes Chairman of our union Security Committee participated in a webinar with World Aware, our worldwide security and safety consultants, regarding the best efforts to deal with the spread of the COVID-19 virus:

Effective immediately, the protocol is to handle and outfit our crews and aircraft operating to and from South Korea as we do in China:

Health Safety Kits will be available to crews transiting hubs (e.g. ANC).
Health Safety Kits will be available to the crews at ICN as they arrive and depart.

The following groups of workers are mandated to wear masks while working company flights:

Ramp : YES
Cleaners : YES
Warehouse : YES
Line Maintenance : YES

Taxi and Limo drivers are required to wear masks while transporting our crews to and from the hotel.
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There is to be minimal interaction between ground and upper deck, only on a need to access basis. Â Only line maintenance rep, station rep, cabin cleaner, catering staff and load planners can be allowed access to the cockpit area.

All ops teams understand the need to keep minimum contact with flight crew members when able.
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The aircraft are to be deep cleaned upon arrival in the US from China and South Korea. Tech Ops is responsible for cleaning the flight deck as per a Tech Tip procedure. A logbook entry is made validating the procedure has been completed. Ground Operations cleans the Galley and Supernumerary area to include the bunks.
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These procedures along with personal hygiene methods as outlined by the CDC and elsewhere are intended to protect our crews in the best way possible.

Please be sure these procedures are followed as operations to South Korea continue during the foreseeable future. If you have any questions please contact a union steward or ExCo member. We will keep you posted as the situation merits.

Atlas Security Committee
IAP Local 2750