10.13.22 – SFO Virtual Town Hall Q & A

Thursday, October 13, 2022

SFO Virtual Town Hall Q & A

On October 6th, APFA National and Base Leadership held a virtual town hall to answer questions about the San Francisco base closure. In addition to the information in the video, Flight Attendants sent in questions. The video addresses most questions; however, we wanted to address the questions submitted electronically.

Transfers

Q1: Why can’t the company get all Flight Attendants to their preferred base? The company can distribute and build the flying hours based on headcount for each base. A: The numbers that the company has published for openings at each base are the minimum number of openings for the October award. The company has said that they will try to accommodate as many SFO Flight Attendants in each base as possible, with the exception of LAX.

Q2: I would request that that a special LOA be made that there is no 3- month lock in.  I implore the union to demand this agreement. Second, if one doesn’t get their choices on the Oct. 26th transfer run, what will the next plan be for the forced voluntary transfers? 

A: APFA negotiated a letter of agreement allowing for transfer flexibilities as an exception for SFO Flight Attendants only. A hotline was sent out this week detailing the bidding options for displaced Flight Attendants.

Q3: Most FAs want to go to LAX, but that is not an option. If we receive a LAX transfer in 2023, why won’t AA pay for relocation, as that is our first choice?

A: If you are awarded your first choice in either the September or October transfer award, relocation expenses are based on your base of record as of January 31, 2023. If you are awarded a transfer to your first or second choice by January 31, 2024, and you have not already been reimbursed for moving expenses, you will be eligible for reiumbursement of moving expenses.

Q4: Will October vacancies still include 403 slots for displaced SFO FAs? Will they delay the base closure? 

A: All SFO FAs will be accommodated in the October transfers. APFA asked the company to allow everyone to exercise the opportunity to have a new transfer bid for October. Unfortunately, the base closure won’t be delayed.

Q5: If I decide to go earlier – January 1 – versus the default of January 31, will my lock in start on January 1st? 

A: Yes – your lock in begins when you are in your new base if you were awarded your first choice.

Q6: Can you ask the company to reopen the early transfer request? Ten days wasn’t enough time for us to make a decision so quickly. I want to transfer in December to avoid reserve.

A:  The company has agreed to allow for September transfer awards to be voided, giving SFO Flight Attendants the ability to start from scratch in the October bid. Details are discussed in the town hall and the APFA transfer hotline.

Q7: Unfortunately, I did not get my transfer request in on time. I thought I had another couple of days. Will the company be offering January transfers? 

A: Yes – please review the ‘transfer’ section of the town hall video as well and the new APFA SFO transfer hotline.

Q8: Why is there a 3-month lock in when this is a forced transfer? 

A: The language in JCBA 22.C allows a Flight Attendant not awarded their first or second choice to be eligible for a subsequent transfer award to one of those bases, regardless of the lock-in. Additional flexibilities were agreed to in the SFO base closure letter of agreement and are spelled out in the updated SFO transfer hotline.

Parking

Q9: Are we able to park at the international garage A and G for the daily rate of $13 and get reimbursed? I also heard that the Westfield parking garage for $7/day is an option? A: Parking will be reimbursed by submitting a receipt via the reimbursement form on Comply365. If your base parking rate at your new base is less than $100, the company has agreed to reimburse up to $100 for six months following displacement. After those first six months, commuter parking reimbursement will be based on the contractual amount for the base into which you transfer.

Q10:  I don’t see the forms for parking. 

A:  The reimbursement forms for parking are in Comply 365 under ‘My Forms’:

APFA sent out this PowerPoint showing the path to access the forms. More information may also be found in the town hall video under ‘Parking’.Q11: If I commute from San Jose, will I still get a parking permit in PHX, and parking paid in SJC? 

A: You may have both, but the company will only reimburse you for the less expensive parking.

Q12: If I am going to a base that covers more than $100 (like LGA), do you have to put in for parking reimbursement, or do they pay it automatically? 

A: You will need to submit the reimbursement form with a receipt for parking.

VacationQ13: Can I rebid vacation days I have in January to my new base for February? 

A:  Yes – vacation monthly rebid is open from the 1st through the 10th of every month. The deadline to rebid a January vacation is November 10th.

Q14: I have six days of vacation in January, and am doing a vacation rebid. However, the matrix that comes up is SFO. If I bid under the SFO vacation rebid tab, will the vacation be transferred to my new base? 

A:

January 2023 Monthly Vacation Rebid (bidding window November 1st-10th) example:

• FA is transferring to CLT as of January 1, 2023; they would need to look at the matrix for CLT.
• FA is transferring to CLT as of January 31, 2023; they would need to look at the matrix for SFO.

February 2023 Monthly Vacation Rebid (bidding window December 1st-10th) and beyond example:

• All FAs will need to look at the matrix for their new base.

Your awarded vacation will transfer with you to your new base.

You may view the vacation rebid matrix for each base here:

Settling Days

Q15: I have vacation 1st week in February. Can I use settling days after vacation ends? 

A: You may request up to five (5) settling days following your vacation – they must be consecutive. Three of the settling days are paid at 5.00/day, and two are unpaid.

Q16: Can I use my settling days the month when I physically move to my new base? Or do I have to use them the first month of transfer to my new base? 

A: You may only use your settling days once. If you use them prior to moving, you will not be able to use settling days again. If you wait to use them until you move, you will be able to use them at the time you are moving.

Q17: The company allows two A-12 passes for “housing search”. Is this round trip?  What are the parameters for getting these passes and how do we apply for them?   

A: In the company’s communication, they state that the two, roundtrip A12 passes should be arranged by completing the Travel Request Form and submitting it via email: [email protected].

Q18: I want to use my settling days in February, even though my move will be in January. Can I take them in February since it is actually the month after they move my items? 

A: Technically, you can use the settling days whenever you want, though ideally, they should be done when your move is happening. Requests for settling days must be submitted by the 23rd of the month two months prior to the requested month.

Moving Expenses

Q19: If the company claims bankruptcy before I move, does that void the moving expenses being covered?

A: If the company declares bankruptcy, it would be dependent on the type of bankruptcy filed and whether you have already filed your moving expenses for payment.

Q20: How long do we have to claim moving expenses? The contract seems to allow up to three years, but now I have heard that it is three years only if it takes that long to get to your first-choice base. How long do we have if we get our first choice initially? 

A: Your move must be completed by January 31, 2026.

Q21: Moving cost reimbursements/expenses are only covered for first base to which I report? 

A: Relocation expenses apply to your base of record as of January 31, 2023 if you received your first choice of new base. If you did not receive your first base choice by January 31, 2023, you have until January 31, 2024 to improve your awarded base to your first or second choice and qualify for moving expenses.

Retirement 

Q22: Would it be possible to have a retirement seminar for SFO only in the next month? This would be very helpful for those who are thinking about retirement. 

A:  The APFA retirement department will be hosting a seminar in SFO on November 2nd. Details may be found here.

Training/QualificationsQ23: All bases except DCA currently require 777/787 training. We all need to be qualified on what our seniority can hold.

A: There have been hotlines from both the company and APFA regarding the requirement for all FAs to be trained on all equipment we fly. If you experience any difficulty in getting into a class to become qualified on the 777 or 787, please reach out to [email protected], and we will ensure that the company offers enough classes so that everyone has an opportunity to go to training.

GeneralQ24: Have there been any talks between the company and the union to hash out things like improved parking for more than six months, positive space travel, keeping our reserve rotation, and more importantly a retirement package? 

A: APFA continues to meet with the company to press for all of these items.

Q25: Going forward, what will the union do to protect from another base closure? 

A: The JCBA has language regarding base closures. Ultimately, the company determines where bases are opened and closed. We will always make sure that the contract is followed anytime a base is closed.

Q26: Is there anything that is tax deductible with regard to commuting in our displacement situation?

A: It would be best to consult with your tax preparer regarding any deductions for commuting or relocating as everyone’s financial picture is unique.

Health and BenefitsQ27: I currently have Kaiser and have had the same doctors for 30 years. Can I keep my doctors and Kaiser?

A: Your coverage will depend on where you keep your address. If you have a California residence/address, you may keep your current Kaiser coverage.

Q28: Regarding health care sign ups – what if I’m only based one month in CA, and the remainder of the year in another state?

A: Your coverage would depend on your address/residence. Anytime you move, it is considered a life event, and you may elect to change your coverage. For more specific questions or answers, contact [email protected].

In Solidarity,

Jeff Petersen
APFA National Contract Chair
[email protected]

Marti McMillan
APFA National Scheduling Chair
[email protected]