In this edition of the Hotel Committee members update we would mainly like to write about the latest developments in ANC.
Many of you have noticed a hotel change in ANC and approached us with questions of why we moved to the Alyeska resort. Unfortunately and once again we were not consulted and therefore we were not able to provide you with any details. The CPO sent out their update on the change on 12 November 2020 with details of the hotel and what is available.
Pilot Representatives meet regularly with management on the current situation of changes due to COVID. In previous meetings we have requested to be informed as soon as possible to look for alternative areas with suitable hotels, when hotspots are appearing whereby the trigger points will require a change at a destination. This will ensure that facilities for proper rest and nutrition are met.
In the last COVID meeting, on 13 November 2020, the need to maintain the collaboration was once again restated to Senior Management, as the Hotel Committee was not consulted and as we will likely require further temporary hotel changes with the number of coronavirus cases in the US is increasing.
Regarding the hotel itself, our research shows that Alyeska resort is remotely located above the town of Girdwood. However, it is attached to the valley station of the Alyeska ski area. With the ski season expected to open in mid-December this may attract numerous guests that will likely populate the hotel and its restaurants.
We understand the need to ensure the safety and health of our colleagues, nevertheless consulting the Hotel Committee as stipulated in the CWA and the Hotel and Procurement Policy must be maintained in all circumstances.
The information from the CPO and what was discussed on 13 November 2020 indicates that nutrition would be available 24/7.
Therefore we have to ask you, the members, again for your feedback regarding the quality of the hotel and whether the minimum required standards can be achieved (with the priority of cleanliness, quietness and permanent access to nutrition). In particular we would like to know what the quality of the room service is like and the food boxed items that will be made available between 21.00h – 07.00h.
As we understand, there is a local doctors office in town, but the real medical facilities are still located in Anchorage which would require a transport downtown. We will research what medical services are available.
Apparently, this hotel has been used in the past when we had an overflow of flights and our normal hotel was not able to accommodate us. We would like to hear from pilots who had stayed there and their thoughts.
ALL standards have to be well met.
Please file the respective Voyage Reports about any deficiencies (pictures help) and forward a copy to cvhotels@alpl.lu
Rest of the US
You may be aware that the number of COVID cases is dramatically increasing in the US. The following destinations are being reviewed: ORD, DFW, HSV and LCK.
The good news is, that the Voyage Reports you filed do make a difference. The company is about to finish signing a contract with the Hilton hotel in LCK (Columbus). This move should fix most of the noise problems that crews reported so far. Unfortunately, another change might become necessary with the above-mentioned rise in COVID numbers.
Once we have discussed all of these hotspots and Senior Management wishes to continue layovers there, however, we will look at what areas are suitable to possibly make a hotel change. We appreciate suggestions from your side.
Thanks a lot for your support!
