5.18.18 – (LAA/LUS) – Government Affairs Update/Scheduling Dept Update – LAA/Cabin Heat Events/JSIC TTH/Trending FAQs/New Hire Class 18-13/Uniform Reaction Rpt
- Government Affairs Update
- National Scheduling Department Update – LAA
- Cabin Heat Events
- APFA JSIC Telephone Town Hall Recording
- Trending FAQs on Rescheduling & Pay Protection
- Welcome New Hire Class 18-13!
- Uniform Reaction Report
Government Affairs Update
Legislation to Combat Sexual Harassment on Airplanes
APFA supports a bipartisan bill released this week that calls for new reporting requirements and policies to counter sexual assault and physical harassment of both employees and passengers in commercial air and other modes of transportation.
Op-ed in Dallas News by APFA National President Nena Martin >>
Language to harmonize onboard service animals with the ADA definition was also included in the FAA Reauthorization Bill that passed in the House last month. We will continue pushing to see similar language included in the upcoming FAA Reauthorization Bill on the Senate side.
Allie Malis
APFA Interim Government Affairs Representative
[email protected]
National Scheduling Department Update – LAA
Crew Planning to Recognize DFP Requests for RP Lines
Starting with the June Bid Month, programming will be adjusted to recognize duty-free period (DFP) requests for RP (3000) lines only. When adding your DFP preferences, it is better to request individual days off as opposed to blocks of days. Keep in mind, as with all preferences, seniority and contractual legalities will apply.
June Reserve Numbers
The dreaded reserve rotation from February is back for the June bid month. This, along with the elimination of AVBL days on RL and RP lines, contributes to the spike in reserves for June. Also, keep in mind that the recent implementation of JCBA Rescheduling language (10.J.) restricts the Company from utilizing a line holder as a reserve. When misconnects, delays, and cancellations occur, Crew Scheduling must make every effort to return the line holder to base no later than originally scheduled. In order for this to happen, there must be reserves available to replace the crew.
This year’s new hire classes begin graduating this month, bringing some expected relief, though temporary, as they begin their 1 on 1 off rotations in July. However, APFA and the Joint Scheduling Committee continue to push for long-term solutions to increasing reserve numbers including lowering line averages and postponing non-essential training such as Elevate.
Elevate & PBS Training in June
The Company is not allotting any slots for reserves to attend PBS or Elevate training for the month of June. If June is your reserve month, you are not required to attend either of these trainings in June. If you would like to attend, you must call the Training Support Desk to make arrangements.
Renee Mayer
APFA National Scheduling Chair
[email protected]
Flight Attendant Boarding Protocols
Upon arrival, in cities where the outside temperature exceeds 80 degrees, Flight Attendant 1/A delivers the “Warm Weather Cabin” PA requesting passengers to close window shades, turn off reading lights and open air vents. This request is to follow all routine “Arrival/Taxi-in” announcements. This will help ensure that the cabin remains as cool as possible for both the crew and the passengers on the next flight.
Too Hot to Board
If you step onto a hot aircraft with a cabin temperature above 90 degrees and there are no Pilots, call Flight Service Daily Operations at 888-222-4737 and inform the Gate Agent. You must report the cabin conditions so it can be immediately addressed. Do not remain on the aircraft if it is too hot. Proceed to the boarding area, if possible.
The Captain has final authority to determine if cabin conditions are adequate for passenger boarding. Please continue to communicate and coordinate with Gate Agents and the Pilots as appropriate to ensure the best possible boarding conditions.
As a First Responder, remember to review signs and symptoms of heat related illnesses and remain prepared. Should you become ill, submit a CERS Report and consider filing a Cabin ASAP Report as well. ALL cabin heat events, especially those involving a delay in the boarding process and/or departure, should be reported to APFA via the Hot Cabin Report Form located on the APFA website.
In Safety and in Unity,
Noëlle Weiler
APFA National Safety & Security Chair
[email protected]
Coming Soon: JSIC Telephone Town Hall on Rescheduling and Pay Protections
Trending FAQs on Rescheduling & Pay Protection
Since the Rescheduling and Pay Protection language went into effect this month for LAA Flight Attendants, the Contract/Scheduling reps at HDQs continue to receive many questions. Beginning this week, we will include trending FAQs in the weekly hotline:
Q. Do I have the option to not spilt on to my trip when I become FAR or contractually illegal?
- When you are FAR or contractually illegal, it is your option to split on to the trip. If you decline to split on when you are FAR illegal, you will be pay protected up until you could have been split on to the trip.
If you are contractually illegal and decline to split on to the trip when you are contractually legal, you are not pay protected for the value of the sequence. (10.K.1)
Q. How will I be paid if I opt to split on to my trip when I become contractually legal?
A. This is considered a Flight Attendant initiated split and the following pay applies:
- Trip rigs do not apply
- Duty rigs are calculated for all days except for the day of the split
- Greater of 3-hour minimum day, scheduled or actual for all days except the day of the split
- The day of the split, you will be paid only for actual time flown (10.M.3)
Q. If I have a 4-day trip and it doesn’t come back through my base until day 3, can Crew Tracking try to split me back on sooner?
For both FAR illegallity and contractual illegality, Crew Tracking will first try to split you back on to your trip when it comes back through your base.
If it does not come back through your base, you may be deadheaded to your trip at the point you become legal. (10.K)
Q. If I am removed from my trip and pay protected, can I pick up another trip on the same days?
You can double-dip over any pay protected days of your pay protected trip, if you pick up a trip from the Company (MU, CC, II, L2, CR), and you will be paid in addition to any pay protection. (10.E.3.m)
Q. When can I be removed for a 3-hour delay?
A. You can be removed if there is a posted delay of 3 hours or more, or if you have incurred a 3-hour delay at the origination of your trip. Reserve Flight Attendants must be available, and you may be required to remain until reserves report. CS will process calls on a first come, first served basis as requests are received and by seniority if the crew is all on the same call. (10.J.8)