Monthly operational bulletin, Issue 5, October 1990

              H. E. Adler’s Column
Over 1400Flight A (tendants volunteer for CRAF flying
It is no secret that the sweeping forces of world events are creating yet another glitch which we must overcome. The Middle East crisis has driven fuel prices up sharply, making a weak economy even worse. And since travel always falls off as an economy weakens, airline revenues are certain to fall off. Financial concerns beset every carrier in the industry and we are not alone in dealing with the anxiety over an uncertain future.
These are troubling times and the last thing I wish to do is engage in yet another monologue about productivity and competition. I recognize there is an emotional pain which we cannot ignore; still, we must not lose faith. And, more importantly, we must not underestimate the power of our collective talent as a team to produce the kind of quality customer service that can make a difference between success and failure.
“What can I do to help?” flight attendants are asking me. Well, there is no simple answer. Neither flight attendants nor the management group alone can solve all of the complex problems. But each of us can contribute to the task within our individual sphere of influence. Thus, from an inflight service standpoint we must continue to seek every opportunity to maintain the good will of our customers and to demonstrate through tangible actions that their business is important. Each of you can also help by continuing to send your ideas about things we can do to eliminate waste and reduce costs.
Our future isn’t going to be decided tomorrow; it is going to be decided today by doing the best we can with what we have. Please join me in the effort to break out of the clouds in 1991 and accept my best wishes for a happy holiday
“Operation Desert Shield meets Pan Am Operations.” As you know, Pan Am crews are continuing to operate military charter flights to the Middle East. Not since the ‘60’s, when Pan Am operated Rest and Recuperation (R&R) flights for U.S. troops from Vietnam to several Pacific islands, has the U.S. Government’s call for airplanes and crews impacted us so greatly. Now, virtually every U.S. passenger and cargo airline participates in the Civilian Reserve Air Fleet (CRAF) program, providing additional airlift capability for U.S. troop mobilization.
On August 17, 1990, with only two and a half hours notice, the CRAF program was activated and the first Pan Am crew was scheduled. Since then, Pan Am has operated over 52 missions involving more than 74 actual flights to position crews. Over 1450 Flight Attendants have contacted Scheduling and volunteered for CRAF flights with Scheduling continuing to add and delete names upon individual request to the list of volunteers.
Behind the scenes, Variable Manning personnel receive charter set ups and must then work to staff the flights working under severe time constraints — an average lead time of 36 hours and often less than 24 hours notice. Sometimes the CRAF patterns are posted on the Open Time Board, but with less than 48-hours average lead time to build a crew, many of the flights must be staffed directly from the volunteer list. At times over 100 Flight Attendants have been contacted before obtaining 11 crewmembers who were available to operate the CRAF pattern. The following sequence is used to contact volunteers whenever possible:
1)	Flight Attendants who are assignable
and who can operate the flight
without adjusting their lines.

2)	Those who are assignable but have a trip conflict, if the trip drop will not place a burden on the Scheduling operation within the next 48 hours.
3)	Those who are not assignable and the assignment will not exceed high line (unless high line has been lifted).
4)	Reserve Flight Attendants who have volunteered.
The CRAF program is expected to continue into 1991. If you are interested in volunteering for future CRAF flights, contact Crew Scheduling on the general information line (800) 621-7340 and join the CRAF team.
Look Inside
Safety and Security...........2
Pan Am Shuttle ...............2
People News ..................2
Flight Service Procedures ....3
Employee Benefits ............5
Crew Scheduling...............6
Duty Free.....................6
Flight Service Communication
Center......................7
In-Flight Provisioning........7
Station News..................7
TIT A.........................8
A/C Maintainance and
Appearance..................8
Airline Performance...........8
FLIGHT SERVICE HANDBOOK REVISION UPDATED
The most recent RSHB revision is Revision 96.
MOB
OCT/NOV/DEC ’90
1