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ONE VOICE

CAL AFA Elections:No interviewsWHY?

United Route Map:Who is flying what?

Top Ten by William Schrul

WHO ARE WE? Let’s get to know each other!

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Expedited Negotiations: A ResolutionWhat are we on the hook for?

NEW: The Gypsy Chef:Upgrade your lunchbox:Grilled Veggies Sandwich

HOW CAN THIS PAPER EXIST?THE NUMBER QUESTION ON

THE LINE!The answer is right inside.

Bringing Continental, Continental Micronesia and United together in one place.

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Hi Everyone,

We’ve been flying a lot and slowly but surely the word is getting out about the magazine and we are thrilled. We can’t thank you enough for all the positive feedback and tips. We are listening and slowly you will see some of your suggestions come to life.

One Voice committed to being the magazine of Flight Attendants with no affiliation to either the company or the union. With that in mind, we have published in this issue more vocal and opinionated perspectives. We have invited AFA, our union on property to respond when appropriate to some of our colleagues questions. Unfortunately, to this date they have remained silent. We will leave our door open to them. Until then we will continue to be the place where you can express your opinion. It may not be the Editors’ but if it is appropriate, we will publish it. Again, we remind all 25,000 Flight Attendants that this is THEIR place. Come join the talk.

Since the last issue, Expedited Mediation is in its first weeks at Legacy United. AFA has posted on their website the sections they plan on addressing as well a detailed explanation.They have also posted just the sections the Company is presenting. Here at One Voice, you will be able to find detailed information regarding both sides of the mediation table. No one will have to click more than once to get the complete and simple picture of how our future is taking shape or what each side is talking about. We also dug up a previous commentary regarding Expedited Negotiations from February 1996. When you read it, you will think history is repeating itself. Same words just fast-forward 15 years.

An article was to be included on the CAL AFA elections. In the interest of fairness, One Voice will not be interviewing candidates. Rather, before you cast your vote make sure you read our column and ask yourself and the candidates the right questions.

Ah yes, our website is up and running. There you will be able to find Kinda-Breaking News. Let’s face it, news will be happening and we may be in the middle of the beverage service or on our break, so we will get to it as soon as the wheels touch the ground. Don’t forget, your editors sit the jumpseat just like you. We will also have featured columnists who will add their insight to what is going on around them.

Remember, all viewpoints are welcome. We are not representing the Company, nor the Union. We are representing those of you sitting the jumpseat.

Enough talking, enjoy the issue and don’t forget to tell us what you think.

Brian Wozniak CAL IAH

Fabienne Zwerling UAL IAD

Morna MacDonald CMI GUAM

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From the Editors’ Jumpseats

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2012 Preliminary Route Structure:Who’s flying what next year?

Courtesy of Apollo, Reservations, OPBVV (Aircraft Routing)

LCO flights previously flown by LUA

New LCO service

DEN/HNL/DEN -- Starts 30OCT; CO B767-400

EWR/LIS/EWR – Lisbon; 2nd flt; seasonal; LCO; B757

SFO/HNL/SFO -- Starts 30OCT; CO B767-400

NRT/HKG/NRT -- Starts 30OCT; CO B737-800; LUA currently does not operate this

LAX/HNL/LAX – Starts 01NOV; replacing LUA 6:15pm departure with LCO B737

ORD/FLL/ORD – Currently operating; LCO; B738

HKG/SIN/HKG -- Starts 30OCT; CO B737-800; Currently a daily LUA B747-400

EWR/FRA/EWR -- Starts 02JAN2012; 2ND daily non-stop (seasonal); LCO; B757

HKG/SGN/HKG – Starts 30OCT; CO B737-800; Currently a daily LUA B747-400

IAH/RNO/IAH – Starts 15DEC11; LCO; B738

IAD/AMS/IAD -- Starts 01SEP; CO B757; Currently a operates as a LUA B767

IAH/LOS/IAH – Lagos, Nigeria; Starts Dec. 2011; LCO; B787

IAD/CDG/IAD -- Starts 05OCT; CO B757; 9:45pm departure only; currently a B777

IAH/AKL/IAH – Auckland, NZ; Starts Jan. 2012; LCO; B787

IAD/CDG/IAD -- Starts 29OCT; CO B757; replacing both LUA B777 flights (2x/day)

EWR/STR/EWR -- Stuttgart, Germany; Currently operating; LCO; B757

IAD/STT/IAD -- Starts 12NOV; Sat. only; replacing LUA A320/19

EWR/PAP/EWR – Port Au Prince; Currently operating

ORD/STT/ORD -- Starts 12NOV; Sat. only; replacing LUA A320/19

EWR/PLS/EWR -- Turks & Caicos Islands; LCO; B737

PHX/DEN/PHX -- Started 28AUG; Daily; replacing LUA 6:40am dept. on A320/19

DEN/FLL/DEN – Starts 10DEC11; LCO; B738

ORD/PBI/ORD -- Starts in Feb 2012; 3x/day

New LCO Expressjet service: New UAX service:

ORD/PNS/ORD – Pensacola, FL

IAD/SDF/IAD – Louisville, KY

IAD/MSP/IAD -- Minneapolis, MN; 3x/day

IAD/TUL/IAD -- Tulsa, OK

BFL/IAH/BFL -- Bakersfield, CA

DEN/DAL/DEN – Dallas, TX (Love Field); 2x/day

DEN/AMA/DEN – Amarillo, TX; 2x/day

DEN/LBB/DEN -- Lubbock, TX; 2x/day

LAX/IPL/LAX -- Imperial, CA; 2x/day

SFO/IDA/SFO -- Idaho Falls, Idaho

SFO/OKC/SFO – Oklahoma City, OK

SFO/MMH/SFO -- Mammoth Lakes, CA

SAN/MMH/SAN – Mammoth Lakes, CA

SNA/MMH/SNA – Mammoth Lakes, CA

LCO flown by LUA:

HNL/GUM/HNL – Starts 29OCT; UA B777; Domestic configuration, 2 class.

EWR/ZRH/EWR – Currently operating with LUA B763 a/c

IAH/LIM/IAH – Currently operating with LUA B767MD

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After sending out requests for candidate responses it became clear that a large number of those seeking office did not want to answer questions. So you will have to vote for them based on what you can ask them or what you know about them. This is not a popularity contest. These individuals will be responsible for looking after our interests in the merging of our seniority, negotiating our contracts and making sure the gains we have fought for over the years are not sold out to make the larger group sign a contract. With this in mind ask yourself and the people who want to represent you the following questions: 

·         Are they strong enough to put the need of the Flight Attendants ahead of their own, do you truly believe they have your best interests at heart?

 ·         How will they work within a system that

they are the minority? Will they stand up and publicly fight for what is right or will they just say “we tried”?

 ·         What qualifies them to represent you? Do

they have any experience? 

·         Some held positions at other unions and fought hard against the current one on property? How will they uphold the present union’s belief if they were so against them during a campaign?

 

If you have flown with them do they work hard on the aircraft or just do the minimum to get by? Do they show up on time or do you have to wait for them? This could easily be how they would act as your representative. This will not be an easy transition. Make sure you know that the people you are voting for are not in this for themselves. There have already been people who discovered how difficult this job is on a day to day basis: it demands 24/7 accessibility. Are they going to put the job first, or are they going to find out it is too hard and resign? Finally ask them for their personal phone number,. Why? Because if they won’t give it to you or hesitate you can bet they won’t answer your call when you need them.

Continental AFA ElectionsNo interviews and why?By Brian Wozniak - CAL IAH

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SFO Crash Pad:All Male$220/month 3 bedroom/2 bath setup. Minutes away from the SFO airport. Walking distance to bay trails, shopping, dining and more. Several amenities including a bike, grill, appliances, dishes, wifi, cable, flat screen TV, VCR/DVD players and access to gym/pool. Secure safe premises. Heavy cleaning done every two weeks and towel service also provided every two weeks. Contact Fiji Dezi fijifun77@gmail.com

CORRECTIONS TO OCTOBER ISSUEWe incorrectly listed twice the Reserve Section on the Company’s Proposal. What was left out is the

following:

On and off-line deadhead seating: 11.B.2 and 3., 11.E.Address revenue loss on-line and cost off-line.

LAX President recently spoke at the local meeting and stated that should there be any caps on flying, s-UAL will furlough 4000 Flight Attendants next year. He also stated that a crossover program was never going to happen and that the membership should move on. A few days later, the MEC announced a resolution that included the possibility of utilizing a crossover. Finally, he mentioned that it will be 3-4-5 years before a combined contract is reached at the New United.

LAX President declined our invitation to address the statements made.

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Expedited NegotiationsWe have done it before.

Did you know that this is not our first time at the rodeo when it comes to expedited negotiations. Back in 1996, February to be exact, Mr. Jerry Greenwald, then Chairman of UAL and Mr. Kevin Lum, then AFA MEC President had presented a tentative agreement to UA Flight Attendants based on using what was termed “a unique agreement to engage in expedited negotiations and limit the scope of the talks to a small number of issues.”Fast forward to today and how is the process any different and how are we better off with this expedited mediation than we were back in 1996?We must ask think about the following facts as we progress in this process. It is our future.Fact: We are once again faced with NOT addressing our contract in its entirety. We did not in 1996 and we are not in 2011.Fact: We are once again tabling some issues while during the past two years we have been encouraged to stand strong to regain what we had lost and achieve even more.It is good to be hopeful and positive in a time of uncertainty such as the one we face with our negotiations. However, there is a saying:“Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.”Let’s make sure we don’t forget where we came from so that we don’t make the same mistakes on the road to where we are going.Can you remember in earnest, when in the last 20 years have we achieved and complete contract without givebacks?

The Gypsy ChefGrilled Vegetable SandwichBy Pam Dockerythegypsychef.blogspot.com

Eating on an airplane has it's hazards. Either you bring nothing or eat what is  available.  Whether it’s from first class or a “Bob meal” it is generally mediocre, tasteless and unhealthy.  It's hard to imagine anything more unappetizing than a cold, soggy, plastic encased day old turkey wrap with a side of sun chips. We even ask our ask pax to pay $9.00 for these gastronomic masterpieces. As a flight attendant I've been desperate enough to eat these offerings and let me tell you, it's not a banquet fit for a Queen. More like alms for the poor. I've found with a little planning you can eat well for very little.

One of my favorite “to go” meals is a grilled vegetable sandwich. It’s flavorful, delicious at room temperature and easy to pack. I wrap all the ingredients separately and assemble it on the plane. All you need is a set  of plastic flatware and your ready to eat a wonderful lunch while your fellow flight attendants and passengers  look on longingly.

I usually start by grilling my vegetables the day before. Brushed with olive oil, sea salt and freshly ground pepper they are delicious and healthy. Add some fresh herbs and garlic and you will be in heaven. The added bonus is you can serve these as a side dish, a pasta topping or a salad at dinner. The leftovers become your meal on the plane.Once my veggies are ready for packing, I place theme in a sealed plastic container or zip-lock bag. I then cut and split my bread, and wrap it separately in foil. I bring mozzarella or any other cheese I have in in a separate baggie.  Finally I pack it all together in a large zip lock bag to carry on board. If I have a small amount of pesto or sauce to spread on my bread, I place it in a small single serving "Gladware" container. Once on the plane, a put it all together and eat it cold.....or even better, take that foil you wrapped your bread in and wrap your sandwich. It’s terrific hot with the cheese melted. I like to unwrap it for the last 5 minutes because I like a crispy crust. If you have no grill, roast your veggies in an oven. For salad, cut the veggies in bite size pieces and dress in vinaigrette.

Grilled Vegetable Sandwich

1/4 cup olive oil1 red bell pepper1 small zucchini, cut lengthwise into 1/4 thick slices1 red onion, cut in half across the width, leaving the skin, root end and blossom end attached2 slices fresh mozzarella cheese2 Roma tomatoes, split lengthwise, brushed with olive oilenough fresh pesto to spread on the bread1 piece of ciabatta bread, split/ or for a wrap, a tortillasea salt and freshly ground pepper

Heat an outdoor grill.

Place the cut side of the onion on the grill. When the grill marks appear, turn the onion and position it on the grill so that it is sitting up right. brush it with olive oil. Place it on the side and continue to cook until it's soft. Peel the skin, and slice into 1/4 inch rounds.Place whole red pepper on the grill. When the skin has blacken on one side, give it a quarter turn and continue turning it until all sides are black. Place it in a paper bag, seal it and allow to cool. This will steam the pepper and enable you to peel it easily. Once cool, peel the pepper removing seeds and stem. Cut into large pieces. Place the tomatoes cut side down until they are marked by the grill, turn and continue roasting until the skin starts to blacken. Lay the zucchini slices on the grill, when grill marks appear, turn and brush with olive oil. Turn again after the other side is marked and brush with olive oil once again. Remove when the zucchini is soft.To assemble, spread pesto on bread. Lay zucchini slices on the bread, top with red pepper slices, onion rings, mozzarella and oven roasted tomatoes.This sandwich is good as is, but exceptional toasted.

Vinaigrette

2 Tbls white wine vinegar6 Tbls extra virgin olive oil1 tsp dijon mustardSea saltFreshly ground pepperany combination of fresh herbs, chopped

Place in a jar with a lid and shake!

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Did you know?

You can now go online and sign up to receive your own personal issue of One Voice delivered straight to your inbox every month?

Go to:www.thefanews.org

www.skyprincess.scentsy.usYvonne Ybarra-Mathews

361-331-0886

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What is your favorite haunt?Email us at facrewmeals@gmail.com

1. Dyan"s Pic..........SMF .....The Golden Bear                                    www.goldenbear916.com

                         "  A mile from the hotel, just don't walk                            it alone! The food was really good"!

2. Carl's Pic...........SFO......Tangerine, Pacific Rim                                   www.tangerinesf.com

                           " A little pricy but GREAT drinks and                             wonderful food! Great place to treat

yourself"!

3. Susan's Pic......LAX.......Thai Dishes                                   www.thaidishesla.com

                              "They deliver"!

4. Adele's Pic.......LHR........Scarsdale Pub                                     "Excellent Food"!!

What is the definition of a union?By Robbie Fanning - UAL Groups form for many reasons from self-perpetuation (Book-of-the month club) to changing the world’s ideas (Wall Street protests). But what is the purpose of a union? Why does a union form? The starting point is to look at the lowest common denominator, the thing that underlies everything a group does. So for a union, the answer is: “to advocate” and “to represent”. Survival is the goal of most things in life. Groups existing to combat poverty or weight loss theoretically hope for extinction; that is to say, their purpose is to be so effective that the group is no longer needed.  But do unions work this way? Is survival the purpose of a union?  Or is a union's primary function to change the nature of management so that a union is no longer necessary? This is a chicken-or-egg concept:  How would a company treat a worker absent a union?  Or does the mere presence of a union create the very animosity for which a union supposedly exists to dispel? Which is it? defense-less-ness of the employee, or defens-ive-ness of the Company?

 This is the hypocrisy of trying to define a union: its purpose implies the very conditions it works to expel. Unlike a lawyer, you don’t fire your union once you achieve harmony; you keep paying them each month for representation. A union’s goal is harmony but does not exist without the assumption of discord. Here is where people for & against the concept of a union part ways:  a union must protect against management versus management would take care of the worker better than any union. (Delta). So in fulfilling the first part of the definition --to advocate-- a union achieves harmony through a contract.  Once it is signed, the final part of the definition emerges through representation—to enforce the contract, to maintain the harmony. The resulting equilibrium fosters a healthy relationship between you and your employer. As union members it's important to understand that above all things, a union’s primary function is a state of harmony—achieved through advocacy--not disharmony—perpetuated through colored ribbons, trademarked strike slogans and neon green t-shirts. The centerpiece of every union’s activity is to justify itself to you, to prove their worth and value.  They exist to support your belief

that your dues money works to enhance the quality of your work life through an agreement with management, not its perpetual dysfunction. So in unpacking the purpose of a union, we strangely find how AFA’s failures have somehow become their success:  the more they fail, the more power they give to disharmony. The more disharmony, the better the union? Time is the key variable; the dynamics between union & management are healthiest when both parties are in agreement.  That is the goal of a union:  to be in the state of agreement.  For AFA, however, it should puzzle the legacy UAL flight attendant to find that AFA is not startled in any way that time is not a factor until now--Expedited Negotiations.  

Their election mantra was "whatever it takes", whenever that happens to be. That unnatural state implies AFA’s romance with disharmony and wrongly attempts to justify the definition of a union as “survivors” rather than the real purposes of advocacy and representation.  You must always measure your union by their success with the latter , being suspect of the former. 

It really is no great mystery. I am a twenty one year Flight Attendant who in the last year became very vocal during the campaign and the election. I was and still am pro-IAM. After having so passionately and vocally supported my beliefs, I wondered now what? I had no desire for any union position or willingness to do anything that was not truly for Flight Attendants, but also felt that I would never remain on the sidelines again.

With the help of Brian and Morna we chose to create One Voice.For myself, my political views have nothing to do with the project. It was just so apparent that we were all tired of all the propaganda. We really had no place just for us where we could freely speak our mind, share ideas, and just have fun. There are sites out there, but your freedom to speak your mind is quashed or they have strong affiliations to a specific union or group.Our mission statement is that we are your voice. It’s that simple. No agenda.

Another question many have asked is how are we paying for this?Up until now, out of our pockets. That is now proving costly and we have started accepting donations. We have invited all to come and be a part of One Voice. In time, you will see, we are truly just journalists as well as Flight Attendants. We are determined to give everyone a place to share everything from their lunch bag to political views. Let’s give it a try.

HOW CAN THIS PAPER EXIST?THE NUMBER QUESTION ON THE LINE!

By Fabienne Zwerling

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AFA passes a resolutionBy name withheld

In what can only be termed as completely hypocritical, AFA has decided to "negotiate" a cross-over proposal' that is now tied to any Tentative Agreement provided it is ratified. For years we were told 'Whatever It Takes." Now a crossover is “hooked” to any possible deal/compromise made.Hundreds of UAL FAs could have made thousands of extra dollars since several versions of the crossover were presented to the union. Even for CMI, AFA negotiated they would be two days senior to any new hire that completes training. Now if any crossover is offered they will bidding below new hire Continental hires. and their earning potential severely limited.We were told if we do not keep AFA, we would lose thousands of jobs. Now AFA is warning us we are going to lose thousands of jobs; so we need an early out and a cross-over, to save FAs from involuntary lay-off.We were told we would have untold leverage to get what we deserve. Now the Company is still insisting on increased productivity and other major concessions. Why is the union listening to that?We were told we are entering into a "new" process called Expedited Mediation. Now we find out when AFA used the same process back in 1996 to negotiate the 10 year contract. We were told the CAL FAs were sold out for their expedited negotiations. Now it is the best thing since sliced bread and we will definitely get a contract. Let’s hope we get a big glass of milk to go with that sliced bread.

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Geneva: Another great layover

By Fabienne Zwerling

CAL AFA Elections

Do you really know who you are voting for or are you just clinging to that old sweater that is so comfortable?

Our layover is right on the Lake in a

beautiful hotel and all you have to do is take any number of free transportation options (supplied by our hotel) and you can be anywhere

quickly, even France.So we chose to go a different route: We paid for a train ride to Nyon (15 SF/rt).

La Guare (the station) is just a few minutes from the

hotel. You can even stop at a beautiful

(yep, picture to prove it!)

MacDonald’s and grab a great

croissant and coffee.

The train is easy and Nyon is the first

stop, just 15 minutes ride from Geneva. It is your typical small village with narrow streets, a square and

great little restaurants all along

the lake. The beauty of Nyon lies in its simplicity and peacefulness.

You just can help but slow down and just

wander. You can go there

right after your nap. The train runs every twenty minutes to a little slice of heaven

on the lake.

Oh Stewardess, I Speak JiveWhat Everyone’s Talking AboutBy William Schrul, JFKSW 

1. Tie A Golden Ribbon  By Tony Orlando and Yawn.2. Wear Your AFA Pin  Through your nose.  All the kids are doing it.3. Demo Positions Unsafe  Because everyone knows standing in the galley texting is the

safest place to be.4. New Uniforms  In the words of Heidi Klum:  Cynthia Rowley you're out, Garanimals

you're in.5. The New United Coffee Blend  Like revenge, it’s best served cold.6. The New Season Of Rupaul’s Drag Race  Featuring UAL’s own Miss Informed.7. Base Closure Rumors  God doesn't close a domicile without opening a window. 8. Pan Am The TV Series  When uniforms were sexy, flying was glamorous, and 8 in 24

was relevant.9. AFA Members Turned Away At Local Meetings  Dress to impress, kids.  Those

guys working the door mean business.10. The Bridge Agreement  9 out of 10 dentists surveyed agree:  Good for the pilots and

CMI, bad for UAL.  And freshens breath.

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On October 11th the afa/cwa issued a “bridge agreement” for CMI flight attendants. It is almost identical in nature to the crossover agreement the company proposed back in May 2011 to both UA and CMI . However the CMI flight attendants will retain their CMI pay scale and benefit accrual. In May the UA flight attendants were offered the IAM/CO contract and a $2,500 signing bonus. This would have benefited many UA/CMI flight attendants that are on voluntary furlough and extended leave . AFA/CWA  chose not to entertain the crossover.Why did AFA decide it was not good enough for the UA  Flight Attendants but, now it is good enough to be separated and offered only to the CMI flight attendants? CMI flight attendants view the offer as a huge insult and UA, yet another disappointment. Who would have loved the opportunity to increase their pay scale

and have a more productive work life under the IAM contract?

CMI flight attendant were given until October 17th to make a life changing decision. Seven (7) days to decide if they should move their families half way across the world. This is the third bridge agreement that has been offered to CMI flight attendants. The most recent negotiated in 2008, had significant monetary attachment, and over a month’s decision time and moving expenses  On October 18th six flight attendants had taken the offer. One is a full time working ISM and the other five are flight attendants who have been on extended leave since 2008 and are desperate to work again.

Six (6) Flight Attendants made the difficult decision in seven (7) days. UA had far more on furlough and active who wished

to have the same opportunity. An opportunity that never came. An opportunity that is now tied to expedited negotiations for some unknown reason.

AFA CMI stated that after surveying the Flight Attendants, an overwhelming amount were in favor of the crossover. Six (6) took the offer. Six (6) out of approximately three hundred (300).

Guam: How did the crossover go?By Morna MacDonald

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1. Strip of wood5. Marsh plant10. A daring exploit14. Stow, as cargo15. A white gem16. Wheel shaft17. Of no importance19. King of the jungle20. Consumer Price Index21. Holdup22. Drugged23. A platform or dais25. Fool27. No particular one28. Game plan31. Flake34. Having the same value35. Prefix meaning "New"

1. Piece of cake2. Lights3. Acknowledge4. Orange pekoe or Earl Grey5. Quick6. Creepy7. Speaker's platform8. A feeling of thankfulness9. L10. A clumsy man11. Being12. Gin flavor13. Be inclined

18. Express gratitude to22. Found on a rotary phone24. Piquant26. Heavy cart28. Calamari29. Cog30. Bygone time31. Central points32. Security for a debt33. Non-mandatory courses34. Listen in37. A large chime38. Stair

40. Not yours41. Old photo color43. Paramours44. A fine coating of oxide46. Vagabond47. Express a thought48. It cuts whiskers49. Delicacy50. Absent without leave51. Wash53. Home for bees56. Pair57. One circuit around a track

36. Greasy37. Tastelessly showy38. Cicatrix39. C40. Film41. Cubic meter42. Having a disposition to44. P45. Grasping tools 46. A relationship of mutual trust50. Not dead52. Hindu loincloth54. Average for a hole55. Farewell gesture56. Make insignificant58. Not under

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