2.06.22 – APFA LAX Base Brief – Update for Sunday, February 6, 2022

Sunday, February 6, 2022

LAX Staffing and Allocations Information for March 2022

Hey All,

The March 2022 Staffing and Allocations calls have concluded. This update will be somewhat limited, as I am currently sick with COVID symptoms. I tested positive on February 1. I will send out a comprehensive update when able.

March 2022 Staffing Report

LAX Reserve Numbers

• March 2022: 342
• February 2022: 309
• January 2022: 522
• December 2021: 585
• November 2021: 297
• October 2021: 264
• September 2021: 256
• August 2021: 332
• July 2021: 383
• June 2021: 340

LAX Reserve Percentages

• March 2022: 17.4%
• February 2022: 15.5%
• January 2022: 25.5%
• December 2021: 27.9%
• November 2021: 14.8%
• October 2021: 15.1%
• September 2021: 14.8%
• August 2021: 19.1%
• July 2021: 22.0%
• June 2021: 19.7%

The LAX reserve percentage for March is at 17.4%. The system reserve averages range from a high of 24.9% to a low of 15.0% with the system average at 19.1%.

Reserve Percentages for March 2022 by Base

• BOS: 22.6%
• CLT: 21.9%
• DCA: 15.9%
• DFW: 21.3%
• LAX: 17.4%
• LGA: 15.0%
• MIA: 17.5%
• ORD: 17.4%
• PHL: 18.4%
• PHX: 20.1%
• SFO: 24.9%

Reserve Percentages for February 2022 by Base

• BOS: 21.6%
• CLT: 17.9%
• DCA: 15.5%
• DFW: 17.7%
• LAX: 15.5%
• LGA: 15.7%
• MIA: 14.7%
• ORD: 15.2%
• PHL: 15.9%
• PHX: 21.4%
• SFO: 24.8%

While the reserve percentages systemwide remain excessive, and could EASILY be reduced dramatically through the implementation of creative proposals such as the ones I have sent in repeatedly, LAX’s reserve percentage remains one of the lowest in a field of comparators which, on a system basis, SHOULD be reduced overall. The current stale approach is NOT working.

System Reserve Averages

• March 2022: 19.1%
• February 2022: 16.8%
• January 2022: 27.2%
• December 2021: 26.0%
• November 2021: 16.2%
• October 2021: 16.2%
• September 2021: 21.1%
• August 2021: 19.6%
• July 2021: 21.8%
• June 2021: 21.1%

March 2022 – Reserve System Seniority

NOTE: The stratospherically high LAX reserve seniority…even with a reserve percentage BELOW the systemwide average proves the damage that is being caused to this base by the company’s refusal to return the displaced LAX flight attendants to the base, as well as in their refusal to open vacancy transfers and force flying in to LAX, returning our headcount and reserve seniority to what we had previously. Once the list is cleared, we would then be able to receive newly-graduated flight attendants, further reducing reserve seniority.

What the company is not admitting…but which is readily apparent when reviewing the reserve seniorities of the 3 West Coast bases…is that they have made a decision to completely ignore the West Coast. Even though each base can be a hugely contributing party to the network strategy, this management seems intent on simply giving up on the West Coast. There is nothing wrong with the 3 West Coast bases, Each has huge potential. There is, however, something seriously wrong with a management which:

1. remains smugly tone-deaf to all attempts at resolution; and
2. remains steadfastly committed to ignoring its own assets.

The reality of the current Manpower Planning management is that….

• no matter how many facts you provide:
• no matter how many resolutions you proffer;
• no matter how compelling your case;
• no matter how mutually beneficial your resolution would be;
• no matter how your proposals would enhance morale; quality of life and reliability:
• no matter one’s approach…

…they will only provide the vaguest of answers, if they deign to reply at all. The battle will continue to rage on.

Preliminary LAX Headcounts

March 2022

• Total: 2,183
• INA/PPO: 219
• Lineholders: 1,622
• Reserves: 342

February 2022

• Total: 2,230
• INA/PPO: 233
• Lineholders: 1,688
• Reserves: 309

January 2022

• Total: 2,264
• INA/PPO: 220
• Lineholders: 1,522
• Reserves: 522

December 2021

• Total: 2,279
• INA/PPO: 183
• Lineholders: 1,511
• Reserves: 585

LAX Targeted Line Average

• March 2022: 76.7 Hours
• February 2022: 80.3 Hours
• January 2022: 82.2 Hours

System Targeted Line Average

• March 2022: 77.9 Hours
• February 2022: 80.6 Hours
• January 2022: 82.0 Hours

Targeted line averages systemwide range from a high of 77.9 to a low of 75.3

Zero (0) VLOAs Systemwide –  I suggested that, in light of the low line averages, if they could offer some VLOAs at bases like LAX where there is an appetite for a higher like average. VLOAs, in part, can drive a higher line average. I explained how it would be a win-win. The answer was non-committal and not promising. If they do decide to offer VLOAs at LAX, you would see an update on the Crew Resources page within the next day or so.

Analysis

SADLY, NOTHING HAS CHANGED. The company remains committed to its tone-deaf, demonstrably unsuccessful approach to staffing systemwide and most notably, in LAX. Rather than devote a greater percentage of LAX-originating flights to the LAX base, they insist on restricting the size of the base. In a market where even the least expensive hotel rooms…when they can find them…is prohibitive, management refuses to listen to reason.

Opening LAX to transfers would be a win for all.

RESERVE NUMBERS REMAIN EXCESSIVE. The refusal of the company to consider creative options such as my repeated comprehensive proposal for a form of availability continue to feed this growing problem.

The company’s answer to every problem is to put more of us on reserve, rather than admitting to the endemic problems such as flight attendant fatigue; the overall exhaustion of the workforce; inhumane trip construction and the abuse of reserves.

March 2022 Allocations

LAX Total Block Hours

• March 2022: 110,417
• February 2022: 112,454
• January 2022: 115,198
• December 2021: 114,848
• November 2021: 122,878
• October 2021: 110,101
• September 2021: 102,229
• August 202l: 106,746
• July 2021: 107,921
• June 2021: 107,923

Co-Terminal and Satellite Block Hours

March 2022

• LAS – 1,470
• ONT – 4,606
• SAN – 1,915
• SNA – 5,774

February 2022

• LAS – 1,491
• ONT – 4,746
• SAN – 1,960
• SNA – 6.083

January 2022

• LAS – 1,436
• ONT – 4,706
• SAN – 1,876
• SNA – 6,014

December 2021

• LAS – 1,484
• ONT – 4,718
• SAN – 1,994
• SNA – 5,918

System Block Hours

• March 2022: 1,238,609
• February 2022: 1,208,005
• January 2022: 1,205,731
• December 2021: 1,223,645
• November 2021: 1,249,726
• October 2021: 1,191,749
• September 2021: 1,109,917
• August 2021: 1,173,936
• July 2021: 1,208,391
• June 2021: 1,035,572

Pairing Percentages

March 2022

• 1-Days: 26%
• 2-Days: 29%
• 3-Days: 37%
• 4-Days: 8%

February 2022

• 1-Days: 18%
• 2-Days: 37%
• 3-Days: 36%
• 4-Days: 9%

January 2022

• 1-Days: 19%
• 2-Days: 33%
• 3-Days: 40%
• 4-Days: 9%

December 2021

• 1-Days: 18%
• 2-Days: 37%
• 3-Days: 40%
• 4-Days: 5%

Final Analysis:

• 4-day trips remain the less popular trips, and are usually found languishing in ETB and TTS, also causing reserve assignment issues due to duration.
• Too many four-leg turns. These too languish in ETB and TTS, and ultimately create reserve coverage issues,
• The higher number of three-day trips, as well as four-day trips, help drive higher reserve numbers. They are more difficult to cover with reserves, and often end up being being broken up for coverage. These factors also play a huge role in rescheduling.
• Too much unproductive (sit) time in sequences. Too much sit time. APFA opposes the systemic use of sit time to create “reschedule fodder.” Sequences with excessive sit times have been identified and sent to the Allocations Department.
• Domestic widebody flying limited to LAX-MIA and LAX-DFW as 777/787s perform returning seasonal IPD flying at other bases
• HND – The last update from AA indicated that HND is supposed to return in APRIL 2022.
• LHR – Second LHR resuming the last week of MARCH.
• AKL/CHC – A return to NZ is based on a lifting of travel restrictions and aircraft availability.
• 787 deliveries delayed by Boeing.
• No word on SEA flying or staffing.

March 2022 Bidding Timelines

Negotiations

Scan the QR code below to join the LAX below to join the APFA HDQ Contract Team:

In Solidarity,

John Nikides
APFA LAX Base President
[email protected]