Winter Storm Grayson/Commuter Clause Reminders

Grayson's low-pressure center, as expected, is explosively developing off the mid-Atlantic coast. A large shield of snow blankets the East from eastern North Carolina into New England. Embedded in that are bands of heavier snow, with snowfall rates of 1 to 3 inches per hour. Several locations from northeast North Carolina and the Virginia Tidewater to Delaware and the Jersey shore have already picked up 6 inches of snow, including Wildwood, New Jersey, Stockley, Delaware, and Hampton, Virginia. Newville, Virginia, between Norfolk and Richmond, tallied 8.5 inches of snow. The National Weather Service warned of "whiteout conditions" in coastal New Jersey and Delaware, with heavy snow and wind gust from 45 to 60 mph. Snow was falling at the rate of 1 inch per hour at New York's LaGuardia Airport, and 1 inch of snow was already on the ground at JFK Airport as of 7 a.m. EST. Blizzard warnings remain in effect for much of the coast from Maine to far northeastern North Carolina, including Boston, Portland, Maine, Atlantic City, New Jersey, and Norfolk, Virginia. Forecast Timing Thursday-Thursday night The still-intensifying low will move from off the mid-Atlantic seaboard to southeast of Nantucket Island by midday, then into Nova Scotia Thursday night. Any snow along the I-95 corridor south of Philadelphia should end by midday and in the New York City Tri-State area by late afternoon or early evening. Snow will intensify quickly during the day in New England, especially in eastern New England, tapering off from south to north Thursday night. Winds will also intensify quickly in New England, potentially becoming damaging in eastern New England by afternoon. Some strong wind gusts will also buffet other parts of the Northeast from western New England to the mid-Atlantic states through at least Thursday night, if not into Friday. Forecast Snow, Wind, Coastal Flood Impacts Wind Damaging wind gusts of over 70 mph are possible in coastal eastern Massachusetts, including Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket Island by Thursday afternoon. These gusts, combined with the weight of snow, are capable of widespread power outages, downed trees and some structural damage. Gusts to 50 mph are possible in other parts of New England, and the Eastern Seaboard, including parts of Long Island, the Jersey shore, Delmarva Peninsula and Virginia Tidewater. These winds will produce blizzard conditions, at times, near the coast from eastern New England to the Virginia Tidewater. While not nearly as strong, wind gusts at times over 40 mph may persist in parts of New England Friday and Saturday. Snow The heaviest snow is expected in eastern New England and eastern Long Island, where a foot or more of snow is possible. Some lighter accumulations are possible on Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket Island given more sleet or even rain is expected to mix in for a time. Accumulations of at least 6 inches are possible as far west as parts of Vermont, western Massachusetts, Connecticut, parts of the New York City Tri-State metro, central and southern New Jersey, coastal Delmarva Peninsula and the Tidewater of Virginia. Generally less than 6 inches of snow is expected along the immediate Interstate 95 corridor south of New York City, with decreasing amounts toward Baltimore and Washington D.C. Heavy snow, possibly changing to rain in some locations, is likely in parts of Atlantic Canada (Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, far eastern Quebec, Labrador) Thursday into Friday. Post-Storm Cold, Power Outages Reinforcing bitterly cold air will descend into the East behind Winter Storm Grayson. Lows will plunge into the single-digits or teens Friday morning, then into at least the single-digits below zero this weekend in New England. Daytime highs Friday won't rise out of the teens, and Saturday may struggle to rise above the single-digits. Those suffering a loss of power will have to find an alternate means of heating or face a life-threatening risk. Under the CRJ CBA you are protected under Section 28.O. The Company is obligated to work with you for the purposes of removing you from scheduled duty if your home/domicile is involved in a natural disaster. Each situation is evaluated on a case-by-case basis for attendance policy applicability. Please review the Commuter Clause Policy ( LOA #1 - Commuting Policy) and seek guidance if needed. The Commuter Clause Policy requires one to list on at least one flight no more or less than 24-36 hours prior to that flights departure time, which must arrive at a reasonable time before his/her report time. One must call scheduling with a 2-hr notice, to "invoke" the commuter clause. Please be prepared to answer any questions from scheduling, including flight #'s, time one listed, next flights to try, etc. That information will be noted in your record for review by a CFA to ensure the proper code is used. If the commuter clause is invoked, one must continue to try to get to work. For ERJ flight attendants the CBA protects you under Section 3.W.2.b., if you are unable to report to work due to hazardous or impassable roads resulting from severe weather you will not be assessed with an attendance occurrence. In addition, please make sure you are following therequirements of the Conscientious Reporting aka the Commuter Clause by taking a screen shot of the PBTs showing open seats for two flights that are scheduled to arrive at least one hour prior to your report time. If those flights are canceled please take a screen shot of the cancellation(s). Boarding passes will not be required for canceled flights. However, if the flights are operating you must obtain a boarding pass from the airport. Please provide as much documentation as possible to show the hazardous or closed roads in your area, such as news reports or pictures and give as much notice to the Company as possible while keeping in touch with your grievance representatives. If you've experienced a contractual violation please email your local lodge representative as soon as possible with all supporting documentation. As always please put your safety first and if you have any questions or concerns please contact your local grievance representative. In Solidarity, Your IAM Local Lodge 2339-N E-board