LAX Chief Pilot Office Newsletter

May 2015 In this issue… Single Point Disconnect Comes to LAX A LITTLE CRM GOES A LONG WAY TIP FROM 7ER LINE CHECK PILOT CHAS RUTH Upcoming Events: Bob Hope USO and Habitat for Humanity From LAX Line Safety Coordinator Captain Guy Cadaing Delta Airplane Trading Cards Make Their Return KUDO CORNER Searching for the Best Hotel Value? Service Pin Recipients Contact Information

Single Point Disconnect (SPD) Comes to LAX Also on the subject of pushback, a procedure already in widespread use throughout the Delta system made its way to LAX during the last week of April with the arrival of single-point disconnect (SPD). Below-wing ACS personnel are being gradually trained on how to use newly re-designed tow bars that streamline and quicken the disconnect process after pushback, saving an average of 1 minute 40 seconds per push. Although single point disconnect has been in use for several months in locations such as ATL and DTW, its arrival in LAX couldn’t come at a better time to help safely speed up ramp operations. SPD tow bars can be readily identified during walk arounds by the prominent white-on-green lettering painted on the side. Pilots should expect to be cleared to start as soon as the pushback begins and pilots should be ready to taxi at the salute; query the pushback crew if start clearance isn’t promptly received. Delta’s overall initiative to reduce taxi time is already saving Delta tens of millions of dollars annually, and single point disconnect is an important part of that effort. LAX will utilize SPD on 757 and smaller aircraft and it should help us clear the C8/C9 alleyways expeditiously and help increase the flow of traffic into and out of our alleyways.

A LITTLE CRM GOES A LONG WAY For those who are flying the HND trips, here are some CRM items to consider:  Flight Attendants would very much appreciate a face-to-face briefing prior to getting on the aircraft. They brief 1 hour 30 minutes prior to the scheduled departure. Please consider a face-to-face briefing in the flight attendant briefing room (their facilities are across the hall from our lounge) at 1 hour 15 minutes prior to scheduled departure. Their lounge door code is the same as our door code. Please brief availability and use of Business Class seat with Purser to ensure everyone is on the same page.  As a reminder, there are no dedicated crew rest seats in Business Class for flight crew use. Please use the designated crew rest facility (a negotiated contract item) to the maximum extent possible. If offered a Business Class seat by the flight attendants, please ensure that you do not disturb our high value customers.

 Crew meals should be eaten in the cockpit. Due to the lower lobe rest facility layout challenges, please do not ask flight attendants to bring/hand meals down to this facility.

TIP FROM 7ER LINE CHECK PILOT CHAS RUTH Before Takeoff Checklist item: Runway Position/Departure/First Fix. This checklist item has been identified as a weak area during line checks by our 7ER Line Check Airmen. We know that everyone accomplishes this item as part of the Before Takeoff Checklist and sometimes it is not completed properly. In verifying Runway Position, everyone should be on the same page in regards to full length or intersection takeoff. This verifies taxi instructions as well as making sure your WDR and TDU data are in sync with your intentions.

As a reminder, BOTH pilots need to accomplish this checklist item. The intent is not for the FO to watch the Captain go through the steps on their FMS and then say - “I agree”. To complete the verification process, the FO is required to “independently” verify these items on his FMS as well.

MISCELLANEOUS “ITEMS OF INTEREST” 1. LAX DEPARTURES 250KT SPEED RESTRICTION: There are several LAX departure SID’s that have a speed restriction depicted in a “not so obvious” location on the departure chart (SPEED: MAINTAIN AT OR BELOW 250KT UNLESS OTHERWISE DIRECTED BY ATC). Several flights have recently been identified as not complying with the speed restriction. To avoid a possible violation, take note of any speed restrictions on your assigned departure SID. Here are the LAX departures with a posted 250K speed restriction:

 CASTA 4 (10-3-0)  FIXIT 2 (10-3-1)  GABRE 8 (10-3B)  GORMAN 4 (10-3C)  MUELR 1 (10-3J-0)  ZILLI 1 (10-3Q)

2. MAKE SURE YOU GET THAT “WAVE-OFF/SALUTE”: With summer arriving soon, there are a lot of new faces working both in both the below wing and above wing ACS positions. These “new hires” will be part of your pushback crews at every station. Prior to setting the flaps and calling for taxi clearance, please ensure the ground crew/tug equipment are clear of the aircraft AND you receive a proper “wave-off/salute” from the marshalling agent. Please document non-compliance via the FCR system.

3. LOGBOOK ENTRIES AND ATL MTC CONTROL: ATL MTC Control in the OCC should be notified of any logbook entry for your flight. This can be accomplished via ACARS messaging or via telephone if necessary. This is particularly important if you are at an international station that has contract maintenance. To avoid flight delays, please ensure ATL MTC Control is notified of any logbook entry so they can coordinate to have the logbook entry resolved.

4. DO NOT DEPART ISLAND STATIONS EARLY (7ER Category): We are once again reminding everyone of the importance of not departing the Hawaiian Island stations early. The FOM allows you to leave up to 5 minutes early without dispatch approval, but any request to leave more than 5 minutes early requires Dispatch approval. For gating ease and to prevent an extended gate holdout, please plan to land in LAX within your designated Target Landing Window.

KUDO CORNER Our very own Dave Bumgardner recently received the “Saved the Day” Award from the Delta Air Lines Corporate Safety, Health & Environment Department. This Certificate of Achievement Award reads – “Awarded to David Bumgardner for displaying professionalism, proficiency and courage, while reacting quickly and efficiently to a medical emergency, you are credited with ‘Saving the Day’.”

While en-route to the GUM layover hotel on 23 MAR, the Westin Hotel’s van driver became incapacitated at the wheel. The driver became unconscious, bleeding from his nose and mouth, and lost control of the vehicle. Dave immediately took control of the vehicle before it went off the road, pulling the foot of the incapacitated driver off of the gas and then steering the vehicle safely to the side of the road. Dave and the whole crew then immediately took action, administering first aid to the driver, directing traffic, flagging help and calling 911. Dave’s quick action to take control of the vehicle likely prevented an accident and protected his crew members from possible injuries. Thanks Dave for a “job well done!”

Upcoming Events: Bob Hope USO and Habitat for Humanity LAX FLOPS is partnering with LAX IFS to serve a Delta sponsored BBQ meal to US Marines who are transiting LAX on their way to their initial assignment. The meal will be served from 1400- 1700. This is a great opportunity to show our Marines how much we appreciate their service. If you are free, please join the group for this worthwhile service opportunity. Please contact Dave, Patti or Gary if you are able to serve, or sign “on the dotted line” on the poster in the lounge. Here are the service dates for May and June:

 Tuesday – 19 May  Tuesday – 16 June

Additionally, Delta’s sponsorship of Habitat for Humanity continues in Los Angeles this year with something new for a Los Angeles-area build: a complete residential home construction from the ground up! Previous LAX builds have focused on rehab of existing structures, but not this time: be prepared for pouring foundations, framing and all the other fun activities that make up the total home building experience – all while helping a deserving and personally invested family realize the dream of home ownership. The target timeframe for our Delta 2015 Habitat build is mid-September – look for more details in future LAX CPO Newsletters and on DeltaNet.

From LAX Line Safety Coordinator Captain Guy Cadaing As we transition from challenging cold weather operations to our summer operational schedule I would like to encourage you to stay ahead of the weather phenomena to provide the safest and most efficient experience for our crews and passengers. Please prepare yourself for increased weather radar operation, decreased performance during hot weather operations, packs-off takeoff procedures, unstable weather/turbulence, and the many other changes associated with our busiest time of the year. Specifically for LAX and the western region, here is a brief update on the current high-profile issues: • There have been four recent severe turbulence encounters with associated minor injuries of both cabin crew and passengers. Please be prepared as we transition to more unstable weather conditions. • LAHSO operations in HNL: ATC has sent several Delta aircraft around for not accepting LAHSO instructions when checking in with tower for landing clearance on RWY 08L. Please pay close attention to the note on HNL ATIS requiring crews to inform Approach Control on initial contact if they are unable to accept land and hold short instructions. • Soft spot in the C-9 alleyway at spot 2: Ground crews have been advised to disconnect slightly in front of, or behind, this spot. It is recommended that you provide an additional reminder to your ground crew as there have been recent disconnects directly on spot 2.

For fleet wide safety information please make it a habit to review the regularly updated LAX Safety board during sign in. Additionally, review the monthly “significant event summaries” on the Flight Safety website. In the most recent March issue you will find amplifying information on severe turbulence encounters, in-flight engine shutdowns, rejected take-offs, and more. It is an honor and privilege serving as your LAX LSC. Please continue to send me your issues, concerns, and recommendations.

Respectfully, Capt. Gaius L. Cadaing (760) 803-2406; [email protected]

Delta Airplane Trading Cards Make Their Return The ever-popular airplane trading cards that made such a big impact on our younger customers (and no small number of the older ones too!) are making a splashy return to the line in May. Redesigned, with a “3-D” look on the front and vital statistics on the back, the new cards should make an even bigger impression this time around. See Gary, Dave or Patti to receive stock for your current aircraft. It’s yet another great way to engage our customers and leave ‘em smiling. While on the subject of customer engagement, remember also the “Captain’s Cards” available at pilots.delta.com on DeltaNet. This is a unique, and free, Delta business card that allows you to include a message to your passengers. For example, you can thank a Diamond passenger or recognize a first flight. Thank you for all you do to make Delta #1 in the eyes of our passengers.

Searching for the Best Hotel Value? If you find paying retail to be a bummer and would like to offset escalating hotel room rates in the LAX area, consider adding the Delta Leisure Travel site to your discount repertoire. Because Delta appreciates all of your hard work and dedication, the company has partnered with Nationwide Hospitality, our BizTrip vendor, to provide expanded car rental and hotel deals. The site can be found at https://enterprise.nutravel.com or via the Delta Perks link on DeltaNet. You’ll also find these handy sign-up instructions:

Several pilots have reported good success in finding discounted room rates using the site. Particular thanks go to LAX Captain Steve Flanagan for raising awareness of this opportunity.

Service Pin Recipients Congratulations to the following pilots who achieved service anniversary milestones with Delta Air Lines this past March and April:

30 Years 25 Years 20 Years 15 Years 1 Year Michael Klysa Michael Connery Michael Don Carlos Craig Allen Nicholas Hoefer Richard Karwowski Dave Bator Mary Lou Johnson Mike Levis Daniel Brown Erica Sandey Scott Starnes Patrick Dulaney Tim Smith Jeff Strachan Jeff Faley Jim Finney Bryan Franks Dylan Miller Perry Parisi Tony Penner Mike Smothermon Michael Wagberg

Our thanks and appreciation goes out to each of you, along with our best wishes for continued success and prosperity!

“I buy expensive suits. They just look cheap on me.” -Warren Buffett

Thanks again for all that you do each and every day! Your LAX Chief Pilot’s Office and West Region Team

Contact Information: Regional Director and Chief Pilot West Region Phil Davis - [email protected] 801-744-4486 Office 404-291-4376 Cell

Regional Operations Manager – LAX, SLC and SEA Christina Wallace – [email protected] O 206-988-7390 C 907-223-7576

Chief Pilot Gary Cabriales [email protected] O 310-417-7506 C 404-697-4323

Flight Operations Manager David Weir [email protected] O 310-417-7502 C 404-632-7390

Administrative Assistant Patti Harling [email protected] O 310-417-7504