11.05.20 – PHX Base Brief – Displacement of Phoenix-Based Flight Attendants

Thursday, November 5, 2020

Displacement of Phoenix-Based Flight Attendants

This morning, the Company announced the displacement of Flight Attendants from the Phoenix base, effective with the February 2021 bid month (January 31, 2021). As of today, we expect 284 of the most junior Flight Attendants, in addition to the already 184 furloughed Flight Attendants to be displaced from the base. The most senior Flight Attendant subject to displacement in Phoenix has an occupational seniority date of April 26, 2004. Effective with the February 2021 bid month, the Company expects to have approximately 1,135 Flight Attendants based at Phoenix (active and inactive).

In early 2019, the Company communicated the need to downsize our base. Since then, approximately 360 Flight Attendants have transferred to other bases, 129 have left the Company, and 211 participated in a Voluntary Early Out Package (VEOP). However, the Company maintains that we are overstaffed, and must downsize even more in our current environment.

This news of further downsizing is devastating. It is extremely difficult to watch our base shrink. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, we lost block hours and experienced the most senior Reserve rotation of any other base. However, we maintained focus on doing our jobs well, and continued to provide exemplary customer service to our passengers each and every day.

If you are one of the 284 PHX-Based Flight Attendants to be displaced, you should participate in the transfer bid process by updating your preferences (bids) in DECS/FOS. This will be your displacement bid. You must update these in DECS/FOS, as it cannot be done via Crew Portal. If you are displaced, failure to submit a transfer bid or an insufficient amount of of crew base choices will result in you being assigned a base. Click Here for more information on how to enter a base transfer bid. The deadline to update your transfer preferences in DECS/FOS is December 3rd at 0830 (CST).

With today’s announcement, we know that you may be experiencing anxiety, fear, and are unsure about what your future with our airline will look like. Obviously, there is more information that needs to be provided by the Company to ensure we can make important decisions. You do not have to deal with these feelings alone. APFA has an incredible Employee Assistance Program (EAP) team that stand ready to assist you:

Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Webpage on APFA.org

EAP: 817-540-0108, ext. 8701
Critical Incident Response Team: 1-800-998-8194
[email protected]

Your PHX Base leadership, as well as National leadership, will continue to advocate on your behalf and will ensure a smooth transition for all affected. APFA will host a virtual town hall to answer questions and help you make the best decisions moving forward for both you and your family.

On a final note, it is important to emphasize that the PHX base is not closing. PHX remains a profitable market for our airline. Our base will see 777 and 787 flying this winter to Hawaii destinations which requires eight (8) Flight Attendants onboard. We will get through these difficult times together.

In Solidarity,

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Please remember, we have 7,985 involuntarily furloughed Flight Attendants at American Airlines.