Beware NWA's Email System
Recently, NWA switched from CENTRY email to Microsoft Outlook for the Flight Attendant email system. We are now able to send e-mails to people outside the company network. Try it, you'll see it works. Just be VERY careful when you send ANYTHING through NWA email. They can read it all as the hosting email provider and you need to know not to do anything that can get you in trouble.

Please remember what we all went through in 1999/2000 when the company searched through Flight Attendant emails and computers when they sued our union and some individual Flight Attendants. Don't think that can't happen again.

With this new email system, they have complete control over them and can investigate us under the "Rules of Conduct' if they believe that we have violated any company policy in relationship to our personal use of the email system. Doesn't matter if it's sent to a private, out of company email address. Be sure to review Rules of Conduct #1, (General); #7, (Personal Mail and Supplies); #8 (Use of Company Communications Systems); #9 (Honesty); #10 (Cooperation with the Company); #12 (Abusive Language); #13 (Security of Company Information); #17 (Work Outside the Company); #19 (Solicitation and Organizational Work); #23 (Rules Concerning Attention to Work); #24 (Disturbing Others); and #27 (Abuse of Property); #30 (Conflicts of Interest). These rules are all from the last hard copy of the them I can find: dated 1997. However, I don't think they have changed drastically since.

If there is a merger in the near future you will need to have a clean record going into it. Don't add to any reason NWA or whatever airline management may find to thin out the seniority list. Don't ever give the company any ammunition.

Some of our flying partners don't have personal computers and are still Internet-Illiterate. Since this message may not reach them, get the word out and warn them not to use the NWA email system for personal use.

Sound like I'm paranoid? You bet I am. NWA management has taught me a thing or two by the examples they have set with other Flight Attendants. Just be careful out there and don't give them any reason to question your actions with the email system.