We would like to give you an update on some hotel related matters.
BKK
We are glad to finally leave the Novotel BKK Airport hotel, as per the CPO Update, and to move back to our former contracted hotel in BKK, the Crowne Plaza Lumpini Park. As this hotel has probably also been faced with many challenges during the Covid pandemic, there might be a few hiccups that may not conform to our hotel standards.
To facilitate a swift normalization of potential problems it would be very helpful if you report deficiencies on the suitability of the hotel via the iQSMS Voyage Report and forward a copy to you Hotel Committee via cvhotels@alpl.lu. Only then we can address any short comings to ensure the required rest quality.
JFK
Due to inadequate amount of hotel bookings in our contracted hotel, the Interconti, crew have been booked to an unsuitable alternative: The ROW 8th Ave. A report sent to the company as well as to the Hotel Committee showed an unacceptable standard especially in terms of cleanliness.
We recommend refusing this hotel!
Alternative hotels that have been used in the past and were either inspected or recommended by the Hotel Committee in order are:
- Westin NY at Times Square
- Sofitel New York
- Andaz Hotel 5th Ave
- Grand Hyatt NY Central Station
- Garden Inn by Hilton Long Island.
ANC
It has been brought to our attention that apart from our contracted Sheraton hotel downtown, another hotel, the ALOFT, is used.
Please note that the Hotel Committee neither inspected nor suggested this hotel as an alternative accommodation.
We already received a high number of reports on the Aloft hotel ANC with the primary problems being noise issues and a breakfast which is insufficient and rather of a fast-food type.
In general, an alternate accommodation should not be necessary when sufficient rooms are booked in a timely manner. If this fails a downgrade to a potentially substandard hotel is unacceptable, particularly as we received reports from crew members that rooms were still available at formerly contracted hotels (1. Marriott, 2. Captain Cook, 3. Alyeska Resort Girdwood, 4. Hilton (refurbished tower).
Again, any reports are to be sent via the normal reporting process mentioned above.
HKG
We received several reports about misleading information published in the FCA regarding the HKG layovers. While the FCA states that a 24-hour breakfast is available, ordering a breakfast outside of the hotel published breakfast times will result in deprivation of drinks that should normally be included in a breakfast of good standard. The hotel will charge the crew members for those drinks and miscellaneous expense reports that have been submitted were consequently denied. Please keep this in mind when ordering a breakfast.
There are air washers located in the rooms with instructions to keep the machine operating in high mode. We understand the temptation to switch the air washer off, however, it is not recommended to act against local hotel regulations, even if they seem odd. If the noise level affects your quality of rest, please determine whether it is safe to operate an aircraft when insufficiently rested and consider asking for more rest and filing a fatigue report.
In general, any disruption to you as crew member due to noise or other factors may lead to potentially not being fit for duty. Please always determine if it is safe to operate a flight or series of flights and act accordingly.
