5.23.24 – Jumpseat Processing on Weight-Restricted Flights

Thursday, May 23, 2024

Jumpseat Processing on Weight-Restricted Flights

APFA Representatives are receiving reports of gate agents processing flight deck and cabin jumpseats out of priority list order when a flight is weight-restricted. The communication issued yesterday by the company has caused confusion. This confusion stems from new language in the recently ratified Pilot contract, which allows Pilots to remove expected taxi fuel from maximum gross takeoff or landing weight calculations to accommodate jumpseaters on weight-restricted flights.

If the operating Pilots can accommodate jumpseaters with this new procedure, please note that there are no changes or exceptions to the processing of the priority list at the departure gate. Like always, gate agents process Pilot and Flight Attendant jumpseats in the order they appear on the priority list. This means that if an APFA Flight Attendant is first on the list for a jumpseat, even if ahead of a Pilot, the Flight Attendant should be accommodated first when a weight restriction is lifted in the process described above.

Our JCBA includes language that ensures any processing of aircraft jumpseats is non-discriminatory. JCBA 37.G.8 states:

“If the Company agrees that Pilots may not be removed/denied boarding for weight restrictions then such provision shall apply to Flight Attendants as well. Any policy for removal/denial for weight restriction reasons shall be non-discriminatory as it relates to pilots and Flight Attendants.”

APFA filed a Presidential Grievance addressing this issue in October of 2023, and the company is rectifying the JCBA contractual violation. Please keep in mind that the blame for this contract violation lies with management, not our Pilot and Agent Union Siblings.

If you experience a weight-restricted jumpseat denial and a Pilot jumpseat is awarded a jumpseat out of order on the priority list, please screenshot the priority list and immediately inform your APFA Base Leadership. 

In Solidarity,