7.21.21 – Vacancy Transfers and Priority of Return

Wednesday, July 21, 2021

Vacancy Transfers and Priority of Return

The company recently announced there would be both speaker and non-speaker vacancies in several bases throughout the system, with an effective date of October 1st, 2021. If you wish to transfer to one of these bases, you must have your transfer preferences updated in DECS/FOS. The deadline to put in transfer requests for a vacancy transfer effective October 1st is July 26th, at 0830 CT.

For instructions on entering your DECS/FOS preferences, please go to Jetnet > Flight Service > Crew Resources > Planning > Vacancy Transfers.

For displaced Flight Attendants who have a Priority of Return preference on file, you must also put in your transfer request in DECS/FOS to be considered for a transfer. If you don’t have your transfer request in DECS/FOS and your seniority would have held the transfer, you would forfeit your Priority of Return. (Displaced Flight Attendants who subsequently voluntarily transfer to another base will not forfeit their Priority of Return.)

The company has noted that the number of transfers they end up processing could vary from the numbers posted if they have to backfill slots vacated by Flight Attendants awarded transfers. This is why we encourage you to have your transfer request in even if your desired base doesn’t currently show as having a vacancy. It’s a good idea to review your preferences in DECS/FOS or on the Pending Transfer lists (this list is updated every Wednesday) to make sure your transfer requests are correct. If you no longer wish to transfer, make sure to remove your base transfer preference.

In Solidarity,

Jeff Petersen
APFA National Contract Chair