4.12.22 – APFA LAX Base Brief – Update for Tuesday, April 12, 2022 – Part 1

Tuesday, April 12, 2022 – Part 1

LAX Staffing and Allocations Information for May 2022

May 2022 Staffing Report

LAX Reserve Numbers

• May 2022: 401
• April 2022: 394
• 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

• May 2022: 21.0%
• April 2022: 19.3%
• 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%

System Reserve Averages

• May 2022: 19.6%
• April 2022: 19.3%
• 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%

May 2022 – Reserve System Seniority

NOTE: LAX Reserve numbers and seniority continue to be a major problem, one shared with the other West Coast bases, and to which the company continues to refuse to provide relief in any way.

The company continues to make vague references to sick call percentages as the basis for their argument that the reserve numbers are warranted. Rumors propagated by some that California’s worker-friendly provisions such as California Sick; California School are the reason for our reserve numbers ignore the fact that PHX is being treated in the same manner as LAX in the reserve area, with even the most senior PHX flight attendant having being forced onto reserve. Clearly, PHX flight attendants do not benefit from these California laws yet the company has placed them at a disadvantage too. The company’s arguments seem to change with the season, yet none seem to survive close scrutiny.

The company’s continued refusal to: 1. return the displaced LAX flight attendants to the base; 2. To open vacancy transfers; 3. return our headcount closer to 2019 levels all seriously conspire to create what we are experiencing today. Once the displaced flight attendants are returned; the transfer list is cleared; and our headcount increased, we would then be able to receive newly-graduated flight attendants, further reducing reserve seniority. I bring this up on every conference call with the company. Their answers about headcount remain vague and uncompelling.

On a related note, while LAX and the West Coast bases grapple with seemingly being starved out, other bases have their own major issues and are experiencing the same intransigence and lack of cooperation by management. The company’s excuses across the board sound more like my Mom and Dad’s  “Because I said so” replies than what we would expect from an engaged, approachable management team. (At least with my Mom and Dad, I knew on some level that it was for my own good. That’s not the case with this company.)

Preliminary LAX Headcounts

May 2022

• Total: 2,119
• INA/PPO: 210
• Lineholders: 1,508
• Reserves: 401

April 2022

• Total: 2,158
• INA/PPO: 210
• Lineholders: 1,554
• Reserves: 394

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

• May 2022: 81.0 Hours
• April 2022: 79.4 Hours
• March 2022: 76.7 Hours
• February 2022: 80.3 Hours
• January 2022: 82.2 Hours

Targeted line averages systemwide for MAY 2022 range from a high of 81.6 to a low of 78.5 with an average of 81.0

Observations:

Reserve continues to be a problem with no sign of change from the company. As you all know, I have sent the company viable proposal after viable proposal which would reduce reserve: create more flexibility for flight attendants; enhance our earning ability and improve our work lives. Each one has been studiously ignored. Management has no desire for real change even though our system is, as I have pointed out to them, broken beyond repair. The company’s answer to everything is either no answer, or to just kick the can down the road to a negotiated contract. Can we last that long? NO. Our work lives are in turmoil; we are stressed beyond belief; morale is at an all-time low; our health is suffering in some cases and many are at the end of their ropes. I will not stop pushing from where I sit.

***Ironically, it is NOT as if the company’s “plan,” has worked for them.…at least whatever the “plan” is that month. ***

The company’s oft-repeated argument that LAX is over by 200 flight attendants is refuted by facts. That 200 number is only based on the amount of flying THEY decide to assign to the LAX base. It is a number based on the parameters THEY input into the computer. Overages rise and fall based on what percentage of originating flying they decide to assign to a base. Yes, there are other factors within the context of the systemwide perspective, but so much is controlled by the parameters they put into place.

On a related note, DFW has complained that they are now being forced to cover LAX trips. Where is our overage? They can’t simply blame everything on sick time. I pointed out to the company on a call this month that their insistence on growing DFW significantly while starving out the West Coast bases bases is of their own making, and that what they are doing is centralizing the reserve pool to DFW. And we all know what happens when DFW shuts down for weather. It’s a failed strategy. Spread the staffing increases out, and allow us to cover our OWN trips.

May 2022 Allocations

LAX Total Block Hours 

• May 2022: 111,611
• April 2022: 111,959
• 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

May 2022

• LAS – 1,484
• ONT – 4,658
• SAN – 1,921
• SNA – 5,803

April 2022

• LAS – 1,467
• ONT – 3,913
• SAN – 1,954
• SNA – 5,825

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 

• May 2022: 1,345,585
• April 2022: 1,311,522
• 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

May 2022

• 1-Days: 24%
• 2-Days: 34%
• 3-Days: 38%
• 4-Days: 4%

April 2022

• 1-Days: 26%
• 2-Days: 27%
• 3-Days: 41%
• 4-Days: 6%

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%

May 2022 Bidding Timelines

Please stay tuned for Part 2.

In Solidarity,

John Nikides
APFA LAX Base President
[email protected]