On a blistering Las Vegas morning in mid July, your TWU Rep., Kevin Barber and Las Vegas N.T. Member, Debra Petersen headed across the country to meet our Members in our Florida bases. 

 

The first stop on the Base Tour was PIE.  And there’s nothing better than PIE first thing in the morning.  As hard as it was for two West Coast Time Zone people, they wanted to be there to meet crews first thing at 7 am (4 am in LAS).

 

With temperatures in the 80's and that famous tropical humidity, sitting outside to wait for crew members took some getting used to.  Note to self - no water based hair products.

 

The two stayed at the airport until they were confident they had met as many FA's as possible, and it turned out to be a rewarding day.  The two were able to answer a lot of questions and find solutions to some pesky ongoing problems.

 

As the two said goodbye to the last four PIE FAs, they jumped in the car and made the ride over to Sanford.  Morning  arrived early and Kevin and Debra made every attempt to once again meet as many flight attendants as possible.  At first check-in the task proved more difficult as crew members utilize several different entrances to the airport. It was nearly impossible to know where to go to be the most visible.

 

Toward the end of the day though, a storm passed through the area and lightening forced a ground hold at the airport, and it proved to be quite beneficial as flight crews that were missed before, now had time to come back out of the crew lounge and chat for a bit.  Lots of great information & feedback was shared.

 

When the rain finally cleared enough that driving was once again possible, the two headed out for their nearly three hour drive back to PIE for a late night flight to FLL.

 

FLL is a small base with only two crews originating from there that day.  Even though there was only a total six Flight Attendants available to meet that day, Kevin and Debra showed up to the airport and with the assistance of FLL N.T. Member, Andrea Farwell managed to meet them all.

 

When asked why they went to so much time and expense to visit FLL, Debra stated,  "We know sometimes smaller bases can feel as if they are out there all alone, as if they are too small to matter.  But each base has it's issues and opinions and it's important that everyone have an opportunity to be heard and to feel like part of the TWU family."

 

Andrea Farwell went on to say, "Most people don't realize what a huge asset Kevin is to us here at local 577. He brilliantly keeps our website updated and our newsletter current. He tirelessly works on ways to keep our local informed of the latest news and information to help bring us together.  We are very lucky to have him." 

 

So, as our official representative for TWU, Kevin wants the opportunity to meet as many of the Flight Attendants system wide as possible.  He’s there to answer questions, give out bag tags and remind everyone that the only “Official” source to log workplace issues or get current information is at www.twu577.org. 

 

And with bases spread all over the country, the website is our only way of making sure we all get the same information, at the same time in order to remain United.  

 

Now, with the Florida Base Tour and visits to LAX, BLI & LAS complete and a huge success, Kevin now continues his journey to get to the rest of the bases and meet as many of our members as he can over the next few weeks.  Look for him at a base near you.