AFA E-Lines: Apr 22, 2022

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AFA Debrief April 22, 2022

• United Airlines readmits passengers banned over mask violations
• Benefits Transition for VSL-B Participants
• Inaugural and Special Purpose Flights
• Second Trimester CBT Due April 29th
• Pre-Boarding Clarification
• Welcome Class 2208!

United Airlines readmits passengers banned over mask violations

Announcements in the press this week suggest that United will be rescinding bans for certain passengers barred from our airline due to mask violations.  This decision, announced on the heels of a federal judge on Monday voiding federal mask mandates for airplanes and public transportation in the United States, came as a surprise to the Union as there were no prior discussions with the representative of United Flight Attendants providing information on how the decision was reached or the parameters that would be used in determining eligibility to return to the cabin. 

Further complicating this announcement is the fact that it was made during the same period where the nation’s top aviation official said he is making permanent a “zero tolerance” policy designed to curb unruly behavior on U.S. commercial aircraft. The zero-tolerance policy was the Federal Aviation Administration’s attempt to deal with a rise in reports of passengers acting out on flights.

In comments to the press, AFA International President Sara Nelson pointed out, "The timing of this is outrageous. The federal mask mandate has been lifted, but the pandemic is not over. We are charged with protecting everyone onboard. The public must trust that we have their safety as our first priority.

"The airlines need to slow down and consider all potential consequences of any policy changes. Not one banned passenger should be allowed back until there is a thorough discussion with unions, public health officials, and other stakeholders."

While the mask mandate is over, bringing formerly banned passengers back within 24 hours of lifting the mandate is no way to support Flight Attendants who are charged with the safety of the passengers in our care while ensuring confidence in our industry.

While it is no surprise to us that United planned to allow banned passengers to return to the skies at some point in the future, it is our view that this announcement is premature and without proper context for front line employees.  We will continue to engage United management to ensure our interests and those of the traveling public are addressed.

Benefits Transition for VSL-B Participants

Our MEC Benefits Committee continues to receive questions and concerns regarding the “terms” of the company’s VSL-B program. It is important to understand that the VSL programs are not programs that were negotiated with AFA and the benefits enhancements available through these programs apply beyond the benefits required under our Contract.

And, while AFA did not negotiate the VSL plans, we continue to work with management to ensure we have the best information possible to ensure our Member participants know what to expect as they transition into retirement on August 31, 2022.  As we continue these efforts, and over the course of the next several weeks, we will be working to communicate information that will be helpful to you in the transition through a series of articles providing additional information.

As a starting point, we recommend participants refer to several currently available resources.  These include:

• Review the release that all participants were required to sign
• Plan & FAQ documents on the VSL-B Program are available from Help Hub.  In any browser, enter helphub.ual.com and then search VSL B for the plan documents and FAQs.
• Review the Retiree Checklist which contains information for all Retirees.

VSL-B participants may be eligible for Retiree Medical (pmUA), or Retiree Bridge (age 60-65 pmCAL/CMI) Refer to the AFA Contract Section 29.F. on pages 232-239 of our Contract.

We will continue to update VSL-B participants as we pursue dates and processes for your transition to Retirement.

Inaugural and Special Purpose Flights

Spring travel is in full swing and peak summer travel is fast approaching. To capitalize on the recovering leisure travel market United is preparing to launch new routes to new stations around the system.

With the new inaugural routes will be some company designated high-profile flights. As with any new service, there are always questions as to who will fly the inaugural flights to these new destinations.  One of the underlying tenants in the creations of the monthly DSL is the assignment of flying based on cost efficiencies.  Flying is typically assigned to that base/domicile where it makes the most economic.  Having said that, there is a provision in our Contract that provides management with the limited ability to assign Flight Attendants to these inaugurals as Special Purpose Flights.

In keeping with our Contract Section 7.A.9.c.

“Special Purpose Flights. The Company may assign specific Flight Attendant(s) to a limited number of flights not to exceed ten (10) per year when it determines that the circumstances call for a particular crew, e.g., inaugural flights or those with a high profile or significant publicity opportunity.”

If management decides to assign specific Flight Attendants to these inaugural flights, the decision must be made prior to the opening of bids for the schedule month involved because those flight segments will not be included in the monthly bid package for bid.

Additional information on the Special Purpose Flights will be included in our MEC Central Schedule Committee’s monthly report on our website.

Second Trimester CBT Due April 29th

The deadline for the Second Trimester CQ CBT is one week away. As a reminder, the deadline for completion of the CBT is April 29, 2022 at 2359 Central Time.

To Access the CBT from CCS> Training > Take Off: Learning. Continue by selecting Continuing Qualifications (CQ) 2022 Spring Trimester > Open Curriculum. This CBT session is anticipated to take approximately three (3) hours to complete.   

We have received some reports of technical issues while viewing and completing various modules. If you experience problems while completing training, contact the FAST team for support and to document the issue. We remind all Members to plan ahead to avoid any technical issues that may result in a failure to complete the required training by the scheduled due date.

We also suggest document completion of each of the modules as they are done and/or keep a copy of the email documenting your successful completion of the CBT.

Pre-Boarding Clarification

As we move into the heaviest travel season of the year, more flying is included in the pairings that we fly and often the compaction of this flying can create challenges in the operation, especially when thunderstorms create irregular operations.

While we are all familiar with Contractually compliant operational recovery provisions of our Contract which were negotiate by management to accelerate recovery and keep the airline flying, drafting and reassignment amongst these provisions, these are clearly defined in the Contract. 

In a similar way, pre-boarding was also negotiated to provide the company with a mechanism to prepare flights for departure in anticipation of late arriving connecting Flight Attendants. Unfortunately, to facilitate pre-boarding, there have been times when this has not been accomplished consistent with the Contract. 

And, while requests to do so can often be presented as part of being a Member of the team, it is important that we understand this is Flight Attendant work that should be done by on duty Standby Reserves under the terms of our Contract. There are circumstances where this work can also be done by qualified Flight Attendants on COBUS status as well as by qualified Inflight supervisors.

Pre-boarding, as covered in Section 8.N.7. of our Contract, is exclusively a Standby Reserve assignment.  Pre-boarding is limited to four (4) pre-boarding assignments per standby assignment

In the event there is an operational need for flight coverage, there are other provisions such as drafting, reassignment and deadhead rescheduled to work that can also be used to provide coverage to support an on-time departure that may be utilized by Crew Scheduling.

While we all want to work together to protect the operation, it is important that we do not sacrifice any negotiated provisions in favor of a short-term fix. Failure to adhere to our Contract can lead to unintended FAR violations, violations of the order of assignment and can distort the data used by scheduling to determine accurate staffing and scheduling needs that can be used to drive other scheduling decisions.

As an additional reminder, Reserve Flight Attendants who have been assigned a pairing on which they are no longer needed, may be assigned to standby status at their base and subsequently received a pre-boarding assignment from Airport Standby. This methodology ensures both accurate compensation and accounting of pre-boarding assignments to avoid violations of the Contract. Read more about Standby Pre-Boarding Assignments on Unitedafa.org.

If you have questions or concerns about pre-boarding, please contact your Local Council for assistance.


Welcome Class 2208!

We are excited to welcome our newest flying partners from class 2208 as part of our Flight Attendant community. Our newest flying partners will begin their careers in DEN, EWR, IAD, IAH, LAX and ORD.

We encourage you to welcome each of them amiably, help them learn from your experience to get them started on a path to success and adventure in their new career.

Please remember, our newest Members are on probation and to ensure that they are receiving the most accurate information to support them, be sure to direct them to their Local Council for assistance on Contractual issues.

And if you would like to become an AFA Buddy, reach out to your Local Council to learn how you can become part of this vital link to their success.

REMINDERS:
APR 22 – Earth Day
APR 29 - CQ 2022 Second Trimester CBT Completion Deadline
APR 30 – Joe Beirne Scholarship Closes

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