10.01.24 – Contract Implementation Update #3 Reserve Improvements

Tuesday, October 1, 2024

Contract Implementation Update #3
Reserve Improvements

The 2024 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) introduces some important enhancements to Section 12 – Reserve Duty. Many provisions take effect today, or in alignment with the November bid month. To help you stay informed and prepared when serving reserve, we’ve outlined the key changes below, so you can familiarize yourself with the system changes.

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Effective October 1st, 2024

Reserve Voluntary Leave of Absence (VLOA) (12.A.4.b)

• A Reserve Flight Attendant (FA) awarded a VLOA will no longer receive reserve credit while on the leave.

Rescheduling of Golden Day/ Flex Days (GD/FD) (12.D) 

• A Reserve eligible for a GD/FD reinstatement must mutually agree with crew scheduling for a replacement day. If there is no mutual agreement, then the day will be restored at the end of the block of days off into which you worked. 
• As is today, you have 48 hours from return to base to contact Crew Scheduling for reinstatement of day off or;
• If you don’t contact Crew Scheduling within 48 hours of return to base, if there are no more available days left on your schedule to reinstate the day off, or you choose not to have the day reinstated, you will receive pay no credit for the day(s).

Reminder: You do not have to accept an assignment into a FD if you do not have any remaining available days on your schedule to reinstate the day off (12.D.3). You cannot be assigned into a GD (12.B.2.a).
Voluntary Standby Extension (12.F.4)

• A Reserve sitting standby may request to extend the standby shift to a total of six (6) hours or eight (8) hours with Crew Scheduling approval. Pay and credit will be 5.15 and 7.00 respectively.

RAP Changes (12.G.1)

Effective October 1, 2024:

• RAP D will be modified to end once all departures are airborne and there are no known diversions or returning flights, with no reduction in reserve guarantee (FA calls to be released until further notice) (12.G.1).
• RAP A, B and C start times will be determined by the company (12.G.1-2).

No later than October 7, 2024:

• RAP A can start as early as 0000 HBT.
• RAP D will be scheduled from 1400-0200 HBT regardless of your base.

RAP Improvement (12.G.2)  

• Reserve on RAP with a FD following the RAP may only be assigned a sequence with a sign-in on or before 2359 HBT.

Release from a RAP (12.G.6)

• Reserve may request release from RAP the day prior or the day of RAP.
• Release will be at crew scheduling’s discretion.
• If released, RAP end time will be adjusted to the release time.
• Guarantee will not be reduced if released.

Transfer Flying Out of Base (12.J.1) 

• If necessary, Crew Scheduling will redistribute all known open time based on operational need to another crew base by 1200 HBT. Crew Scheduling may redistribute at any time due to extenuating circumstances not known prior to 1200 HBT.

UBL Run Report to include transferred sequences- implemented at DOS + 12 months.

Less Than Minimum Callout (LMCO) prior to Using Standbys (12.K.3.c) 

Sequences which open or remain open with less than the minimum callout (2 hours or 3 hours for co-terminals prior to departure) can be awarded to a Reserve who aggressively bids for the sequence and waives minimum callout before being assigned to a standby. Previous to this 2024 CBA, Reserves could pick up LMCO sequences but only after all standbys were used.

• Aggressive LMCO Reserves on reserve days will now be processed PRIORto standby Flight Attendants.
• Reserves who place an LMCO aggressive bid are waiving their contractual callout (2 hours or 3 hours in co-terminals). An LMCO bid alerts Crew Scheduling that you need less than minimum callout to report for departure, including bid option that you are already at the airport.
• You will be able to enter your adjusted callout time in your LMCO aggressive bid in ROTD.
• You may still be assigned a trip during your RAP, which will require minimum callout. You will only be awarded an LMCO sequence for which you have balloted.
• You may not use the LMCO waiver alone. You must also enter a generic/specific aggressive bid.
• You may add, modify, or delete your bid prior to an award.

Reserve Sequence Cancellation/Removal (CX) Process (12.M)
Prior To Report:

• A Reserve FA who is removed due to illegality or cancellation will remain on their original RAP. If the Reserve FA did not have a RAP, they will be placed on the remainder of the RAP under which the sequence originally reported.

After Report:

If the Reserve FA reports on time but the flight departs without the Reserve FA (due to minimum call out), crew scheduling has the following options:

• (With a RAP) Place FA on standby for the remainder of their RAP (not to exceed 6 hours); or,
• (Without a RAP) Place FA on standby not to exceed 6 hours (if the FA did not originally have a RAP); or,
• Release FA from duty; three (3) hours call out pay applies, if applicable.

FA reports and is subsequently removed due to a delay or cancellation (CX):

• Rescheduled in accordance with 10.J.3.d applies.
• If the FA is not rescheduled with accordance 10.J.3.d, the FA may elect to be processed for a RAP or Standby/Release.

Standby Assigned a Sequence

• A standby assigned a sequence which subsequently delays/cancels and the crew is removed, will be processed with the crew in accordance with rescheduling 10.J.3.d.
• If a standby sequence assignment is removed prior to origination (not covered under 10.J.3.d), the FA will return to the standby assignment.

After Origination:

• RSV who is removed mid-sequence from a multi-day sequence due to rescheduling or disruption will be released once at base for the remainder of the day (unless rescheduled in accordance with 12.O). For assignment on the day following your cancellation/removal:

ROTA/RAP Assignment for the Day Following Cancellation/Removal: 

• If the Cancellation/Removal occurs prior to tomorrow’s ROTA run, the FA will be awarded/assigned according to the ROTA process in 12.J.
• If the Cancellation/Removal occurs after tomorrow’s ROTA run, the FA will be placed on first full RAP after legal rest. Crew Scheduling may approve a FA’s request to modify the RAP start time.

Note: The Reserve FA will continue to have their reserve obligation for any remaining reserve days that were part of original sequence.

Reserve Deadheads (16.G.12)

• ROTA: A Reserve Flight Attendant electing to deadhead from a different co-terminal for a ROTA sequence would notify crew scheduling no later than 2230HBT. If on a sequence and unable to contact crew scheduling prior to 2230HBT, the Reserve will have one (1) hour from release to contact crew scheduling to request change deadhead to a different co-terminal.
• ROTD: If the sequence is ROTD, then the Reserve Flight Attendant would notify crew scheduling at the time of assignment.

ASG Clicks (12.L.1) 

• Some ASG click improvements are being implemented earlier than planned. All awards/assignment through ROTA/D will be credited for each calendar day of the sequence.

Voluntary ASG adjustments for actual calendar days flown and month-to-month carryover ASG- implemented at DOS + 6 months.

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Reserve Changes Beginning with the November 2024 Bid Month

• Projected standby shifts including start time, length, and location will be listed in the PBS cover sheet (10.C.2.j).
• RAP start times will be listed in the PBS cover sheet.

In Solidarity,

Contract Implementation Committee (CIC)
[email protected]