A recording of the Divisional Assembly 2020 is available online.
We encourage everyone, who was not able to attend the assembly on 02 July 2020 to watch this screencast.
In case you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact your ALPL Board at cvboard@alpl.lu.
With increasing COVID-19 cases in many countries, it has become obvious that we will be confronted with this pandemic for an undetermined time and that it is far from over. The hotspots keep on changing and the dynamics are experienced by all of us through e.g. frequent roster changes and restrictions while having a layover.
Commercial Positioning
It has been communicated by management in early June that commercial positioning between selected airports and on selected airlines will resume. However, given the general situation in the US and a pilot report that we recently received, the Delegation sent a letter to Senior Management with the request to immediately stop commercial positioning within the US. Please click here to read the letter.
Application of the CWA
We would like to remind you of the new FTL in the CWA that are applicable as of 1 July 2020. Please familiarize yourself with the respective paragraphs. Information can also be found by reading our “Know your CWA 2020” series that was sent to you via email and is also available on our ALPL website under Publications/Cargolux Board/Know Your CWA.
Having said this we would like to reiterate, that there is no agreement between the Unions and the company for a derogation of elements within the CWA because of COVID-19. We have been informed by individual members that e.g. crew control mentioned towards them that the rules in the CWA governing “back to back” operation are waived. This is not the case and it is still up to the individual pilot to accept any deviation from the CWA. Should you be faced with such a statement by crew control, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us via cvboard@alpl.lu for clarification.
Sectional Tripartite
The government has asked for a meeting between the Unions, Luxair, Cargolux, Luxairport and government representatives, also referred to as “Tripartite pour le secteur de l ´aviation”, in July. At this point it is unclear what the government’s agenda items are but considering the general economic situation of the global aviation industry we realize that we are not immune against those challenges and that our fortunate situation could be jeopardized. We will keep you informed.
Stay safe and healthy!
The Know Your CWA page has been updated by adding information regarding FDP for an Augmented Flight Crew.
Click here or on the ‘CWA’ menu item to access this page.
Please find below an update regarding:
New FTL as of 1 July 2020
As of 1 July 2020, the new flight time limitations for Standard and Augmented Crew Operation of the CWA 2020-2022 will become effective. This marks a big change in our daily operation and is the last main claim of the CWA negotiations that is going to be implemented.
Remember, during the CWA negotiations we all – you, your fellow members and we as your Board – put in a lot of effort to achieve these changes in the CWA with the aim to reduce fatigue levels and increase flight safety. As of 1 July, it will depend on us as individuals being part of the Cargolux pilot community to ensure, that these new rules are followed. This requires that we all have a good understanding of them.
Please familiarize yourself with the new tables and read the emails of our “Know your CWA 2020” series, which can also be found on the website under Publications/Cargolux Board/Know Your CWA.
Please bear in mind that we can negotiate conditions for our members but safeguarding their implementation first and foremost is the obligation of each individual pilot. Therefore, we urge you to be vigilant and remember, if you need assistance, the Board is there to help you.
COVID-19 Update – Changes at Destinations
At various destinations where infection rates are dropping there will be a return to ‘normal’ operations and hotels.
Below is the list of these initial changes:
ATL: Layovers will commence shortly
GDL: Mexico City is still above the trigger point on infections. Layovers may commence into GDL initially and then move back to MEX. This will cease staging flights from IAH
ORD: Layovers will move back to downtown
BAH: Layovers will resume
JFK: Layovers move back to NY and initially to the Garden City Hotel on Long Island. The COVID cases in downtown Manhattan are close to the trigger point and once the situation further improves, we will be moving back.
In mainland China, the authorities will require COVID testing for layovers and will impose that crews stay at their nominated hotels. Our position remains that in the current situation, no layovers in mainland China are to be scheduled. We expect BKK to ease their lockdown in early July and SIN continues and will maintain their lockdown most likely at least until September.
The trans-pacific flights operating through CGO have been prioritized during turnarounds to ensure they are able to be completed within the planned FDP. Without you filing ASR’s and informing us, this process would not have been on the radar of Senior Management. This shows once more that your efforts pay off!
Demonstrations
In the US, many cities we operate to have imposed curfews to reduce the violence. Please be vigilant in SEA, LAX, DFW, ATL and ORD. It appears to be abating and demonstrations appear to be more peaceful. At LCK and SEA the layovers were temporarily moved away from the hotspots.
In HKG the airport hotel will continue to be used. As indicated in previous updates the recommended hotel was not chosen and your feedback is required if any deficiencies or disturbances occur during your rest. It is expected to move back to the Shangri La in Kowloon as soon as possible.
Human Factors
We would like to remind our members to support the Human Factors department in the Cargolux Flight Crew Job Analysis, if possible. The original email was sent before the COVID-19 crisis on 29 January. A reminder was sent recently on 4 June 2020.
The Human Factors Department is conducting this validation study on Cargolux’s pilot selection procedures in compliance with EASA regulation ED Decision 2018/012/R AMC1 CAT.MPA.175(b). The information you provide remains anonymous if you wish so.
If you would like to assist, please search your emails with the title ‘Invitation to Participate in Cargolux Flight Crew Job Analysis’.
The Know Your CWA page has been updated by adding information regarding FDP for a Standard Flight Crew.
Click here or on the ‘CWA’ menu item to access this page.
The Know Your CWA page has been updated by adding information regarding Positioning immediately before or following an operating sector.
Click here or on the ‘CWA’ menu item to access this page.
Please find below an update concerning:
Practical Drift from the CWA
Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic we all are facing unprecedented times. Numerous roster changes, heavy restrictions during layovers and additional flight deck procedures are burdens of this pandemic.
At the same time many colleagues show their dedication and willingness to support the company by offering their flexibility and going beyond the scope of the CWA to make things happen. Although it appears to be justified during these times, it bears the risk of a systematic practical drift from the CWA.
You might already have seen roster changes that are not according to the CWA, simply because the continuous commitment and flexibility shown by the pilot community raised certain expectations from the company´s side.
We therefore urge you to be familiar with your CWA, know your rights and obligations and to make a conscious decision when deviating from it. Don’t forget how hard it was to achieve the improvements in the new CWA. This effort makes it even more precious.
Flying into VAC
In the last negotiations the main objective concerning vacation was to protect vacation days and to make sure that pilots are scheduled to be free of any duty at least 12 hours before the first vacation day. The new CWA includes various levels of compensation a pilot is entitled to, should he/she arrive late on the day before the first vacation day. So far, so good.
However, we have been made aware of cases where pilots arrived on their first vacation day and the current interpretation by the company could result in a disadvantaged compensation compared to a late arrival on the day before the first vacation day.
We therefore strongly recommend refraining from accepting any extension of a rotation into your vacation period until we have clarified the issue.
Please remember that the company cannot plan a pilot – neither before nor during the trip – into his/her vacation period without expressed consent.
Fatigue Management due to COVID-19
In the regular meetings with Senior Management we have highlighted numerous times that managing fatigue in advance for crews must be planned. We have extensive data on what doesn’t work and have brought up certain FDP combinations that needed addressing.
As always, we ask that you complete a Fatigue Report after a fatigue event or if necessary, proactively via the “Reporting” App on the Company iPad. Guidelines for filing a Fatigue Report can be found here.
The Know Your CWA page has been updated by adding information regarding Duty consisting solely of Positioning.
Click here or on the ‘CWA’ menu item to access this page.
Following up on the recent information published by the Hotel Committee concerning the hotel situation in OVB, we would like to emphasize the following.
As mentioned already in our April 2020 Members Update, management has received reports of crews not respecting the social distancing and other COVID-19 protective measures whilst on layovers. Due to the large number of crews staying in the Marriott in OVB, this hotel certainly is a potential hotspot in this respect.
The hotel management has opened up now the 2nd floor for food services in addition to the 10th floor with chairs and tables adequately separated, so that the social distancing can be better assured. Also, room service is provided for pilots who wish to eat in their rooms.
While a large group of colleagues are applying the published protective measures and social distancing, there is unfortunately still a certain number of pilots, who take these procedures too lightly.
We strongly urge you to follow the COVID-19 protective measures in place to avoid unpleasant steps to be taken by our management, which would include the use of a second hotel in OVB in order to split up the crews to reduce the risk for infections.
For the time, we have been able to keep management from executing an unwanted hotel change, but we cannot guarantee anything if reports from pilots deviating from the procedures continue!
If you see anything that you are not happy with, please use discretion and politeness when approaching other colleagues and similarly be thoughtful if someone approaches you.
Thank you for your cooperation!
The Know Your CWA page has been updated by adding information regarding Vacation.
Click here or on the ‘CWA’ menu item to access this page.
