Celebrating a Decade of Excellence

Still the largest, longest, tallest, widest, and most expensive ocean liner ever built. This year, the only
ocean liner and the most famous and fastest passenger ship in the world, QUEEN MARY 2 will be celebrating her tenth birthday in style!

The decade since QUEEN MARY 2's launch was launched with fireworks as she left Southampton beside QUEEN ELIZABETH on the 2nd of January. Official birthday celebrations begin with a Gala Day in her homeport of Southampton on 9 May 2014 prior to sailing to New York and back - a return Atlantic crossing that underlines her role as the only passenger ship in the world maintaining a scheduled service across the Atlantic, something a Cunard ship has done since 1840.

The Gala Day itself will have several exciting moments including the sight of all three QUEENS in port together, special sails pasts, a celebratory lunch and tremendous firework display as all three depart Southampton.

When QUEEN MARY 2 heads to New York, she will carrying special guest lecturers who will be presenting fascinating insights into the operation and construction of the world's grandest ocean liner.

Also hard to believe that Cunard will be celebrating their 175th Anniversary in 2015.

Do you purchase Duty Free while traveling abroad?

New TSA Liquid, Aerosol and Gel (LAG) Directive for Duty Free Purchases on flights arriving the U.S.

Changes Effective January 31, 2014

 

Flyers who travel internationally into the United States with a connecting flight will now be able to clear security with Duty Free LAGs more than 3.4 ounces (100ml), provided the items are in Secure Tamper Evident Bag (STEB) with a receipt reflecting the purchase was made within 48 hours.  

 

Here’s what you need to know:

·        Customers purchasing LAGs at duty free airport locations need to request STEBs from the duty free vendor. STEBs are not available onboard for items purchased at the airport

·        Onboard LAG duty free purchases must always be secured in a STEB if the customer is connecting in the U.S. Please request a STEB  at time of purchase

·        STEBs must remain sealed and be presented to the TSA when the customer clears the security check point

·        TSA has the right to open & inspect STEBs at security check points

·        LAGs in opaque and metallic containers as well as those not secured in a STEB must continue to be placed in checked luggage prior to customer’s clearing security

 

Staring January 31, 2014, on all International flights departing or arriving the U.S.:

 

Duty Free Service

After your airline serves (dinner / lunch / brunch), your flight attendants will be in the aisle offering their airlines duty free service.  Take a look at the duty free catalog in your seat pocket and let them know as they come by if they can show you anything. Remember, their supplies are limited onboard, so for the best selection, let them know at your earliest convenience if you would like to make a purchase.

 

STEB Flights Arriving into International Destinations (continue)

If you purchase duty free items that contain liquids, gels or aerosols, flight attendants will be happy to seal these items in an approved bag at the time of purchase that you can take through security if you have a connecting flight in the U.S.  Always keep the bag sealed until you reach your final destination.

 

STEB Flights Arriving into the U.S. (continue)

If your duty free items contain liquids, gels or aerosols have opaque or metallic containers, they cannot be sealed in the approved bags.  Please be aware that if you have these items and will be making a connecting flight in the U.S., you will need to place these items in your checked luggage after you clear customs. These items cannot be taken through security as carry-on luggage.

 

Use of Approved Handheld Personal Electronic Devices

Back in November, and after extensive research, the FAA has concluded that customers can safely use handheld personal electronic devices (PEDs) during taxi, take-off, and landing and has expanded the approval for use of handheld PEDs to include all phases of flight, with limited exceptions. This approval applies to departures and arrivals in the U.S.  ONLY.

What is changed?
 

• Customers may use smartphones, tablets, electronic readers, MP3 players and other similarly-sized devices during taxi take-off and landing in the U.S., with limited exceptions.
  • Exception: Certain instrument approach landings, known as CAT 2 or CAT 3, require all electronic devices to be turned off. The flight deck will notify Flight Attendants when this is necessary.
• Larger electronic devices, such as laptop computers, are NOT considered handheld PEDs and must be stowed in an approved stowage location during taxi, take-off and landing.
• Approved handheld PEDs must be secured for taxi, take-off, and landing. Secured is defined as being kept controlled by the customer, e.g. held in the hand, seatback pocket or personal pocket rather than laying on the seat.
• Airlines have received FAA approval to allow customers to stow lightweight items in seatback pockets for all phases of flight, including taxi, take-off, and landing.  
• Items restrained in the seatback pocket must:
  • Not exceed a total of 3 pounds
  • Not block or hinder passenger egress
  • Be properly restrained to prevent being dislodged 
     
• The following are some examples of some items that are acceptable and not acceptable for seatback pocket stowage: 
   

Acceptable	Not Acceptable
Safety Instruction Cards Magazines Airsick bags MP3 players Eyeglasses Cell phones Tablets Beverage (less than 32 fl oz) and small food items	Laptop computers Purses (handbags or pocketbooks) DVD players Camera bags

  What has not changed? 

• Cellular functions are still not permitted for taxi out, take-off or landing. All electronic devices must be placed in airplane mode. Cell phone calls are permitted after landing on arrivals into the U.S. and U.S. territories as they are today.
• Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) calls remain prohibited. Our current Wi-Fi providers block all known VOIP calls.

Marching Band season upon us

Hard to believe that Drum Corps season has come and gone, and we're in the thick of High School Marching Band competitions across the Country. From small local contests to large regional contests, many high school kids are spending many hours throughout the school day, and after school to learn a 10-15 minute half-time type show.

I've been extremely busy with work that I haven't had time to actually go to any competitions, or keep track of the normal shows I normally would follow. Either way, I continue to root for my favorites back home, and have come to enjoy a few new ones around the country.

It also amazes me how after the season comes to a close, we start seeing shows from Japan, and it's amazing how competitive their music programs are and the level of musicality. It's a shame that our own Country can't keep up with the level of Education as the Musical Arts is extremely important in our society.

Anyway, best of luck to all Marching Bands out there!

Until next time,
Sluggo

Looking for good news in next couple of days

Been a while since I've written a post, just trying to stay under the radar with so many things going on. This past week I had an interview down at headquarters for a new position. Hopefully I'll know something early part of next week if I got the position.

Other news: my niece got married in May, and my nephew will be renewing his vows with his wife in September. It's been a very busy summer for the Nebraska Valentines (my brothers family) and I'll hopefully be seeing my youngest nephew next week in Minneapolis.

Drum corps season is well underway, and it's been a very interesting year. The top 3 corps are really battling it out switching places it seems every night, while the 4th-6th corps are very close to each other as well. Seven through twelve is very tight too, but in their own rights. I truly hope that DCi crowns a new winner this year, but it truly must be deserved without a shadow of a doubt. Personally, I'm not 100% sold on the top seeded corps, but they seem to be selling their show extremely well to the judges, and that's all the matters.

One corps has been climbing strong, and could finally be a contender for the top 3 spots in the next few weeks. It would be great to see them win since its been over 20yrs since their last trophy.

I'm finally flying some Europe trips, and have been enjoying working with these great crews. Would be great to be able to hold these trips all the time. Thankfully, my company has been hiring and seniority has been inching higher and higher. (Feels good after being stagnate for so long)

Not much else has been happening, just hopes this update finds everyone well.

2013 Outstanding Employee

For many years now, we have seen the different plaques on the planes acknowledging a wide range of people for their outstanding contribution to the airline. Whether it's a Flight Attendant, Pilot, Mechanic, Agent, someone in Reservations, or even a group/station for significantly improving their job.

In the past, I have been selected to join a group of employees to have lunch with one of the airlines Vice Presidents. It was a great honor to say the least, and also to be part of one of our turn-around plans and being on a committee to improve our Customer Satisfaction scores when I was based in New York City.

For the the past year and a half, I have been based in Miami, flying mostly Caribbean flying. So, it cam as a surprise when I found out my Miami manager selected me one of Miami's Outstanding Employee for 2012. Of nearly 3,000 Flight Attendants in Miami, only 24 were selected for this prestigious award, and I was one of them.

I didn't know what the complete process was, but after being selected, I understood it was a rigorous process where other managers and the base manager sit down and go over performance records on all the selected individuals. They look at attendance records, customer letters, peer letters, etc. 

Those who were selected were invited to attend an Award Ceremony, where a lovely reception was to follow.  The Vice President of Flight Service was in attendance, along with Miami's managing force for Flight Service.

The ceremony was quick and efficient. We soon found out that all of our plaques would be on the airlines 777-200 planes. I soon found out that my plaque would be on nose # 7AD (picture at left). The great thing I can do in our computer, is look up the routes 'my' plane is flying.  (right now, it's currently doing some light maintenance in Dallas) This aircraft is also the fourth 777 that American Airlines acquired. Planespotters.net also gives me a little more info on the airplane too!

Next time you're flying overseas, or on American's 777-200 airplane, be sure to look for my plaque!

Honored to be an American Airlines Flight Attendant,
Purser  Sluggo

What to do when on vacation, and not going anywhere

Here I am, almost 3 weeks of vacation and literally no place to go. Usually for my vacation, I like to head down to Puerto Vallarta for the warm sunny beaches, but this year, I'm not going.

I have decided to go to the February camp for The Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps and help out where I may be needed, but that's just over a weekend....I know, I know...I'll see some awesome people and get a glimpse of the music for the summer, but it's not the warm sunny beaches I so long for.

I've also thought about heading home to Virginia and visit with family and maybe meet up with some friends, but I haven't decided yet if and when I want to go. I only have to work 1 trip this month with work, as my 2nd trip has been removed as I will be transferring bases from Miami to New York in March.

Nothing else to really report from my end. So, this year is starting off uneventful so far!!!