Earlier this month we reported on Requalification Training Requirements following Voluntary Furlough and Other Extended Absences based on information we were provided by the company.  Subsequent to release of this information, we learned the company made some modifications to how the regulation on when training will be required will be applied post SOC. Previous requirements at the United subsidiary to attend initial training following an absence greater than 60 months have been eliminated.

The company will determine what requalification training requirements will be necessary based on the last calendar day of the Flight Attendant’s ‘must go’ or ‘base month.’ 

Normally, our training cycle is an annual cycle of twelve months.  The regulations provide an additional month or “grace month” in which we can maintain these annual emergency qualifications.  On the first day of the calendar month after our grace month, if we haven’t attended annual emergency training or CQ (formerly known as RET), Flight Attendants are no longer qualified to fly.  In order to become qualified to fly again, attendance at some form of requalification training is necessary to ensure qualification currency and proficiency.  As an example, if a Flight Attendant’s “must go” or base month is October, she/he remains qualified until the following October (12 months). The “grace month” is November.  If the Flight Attendant does not attend training within the month of November, on December 1^st, the Flight Attendant is not qualified to fly.  Depending on the period of time that elapses between this date and the date on which the Flight Attendant attends training will determine what “form” of requalification training is necessary.  Please refer to the following chart for further clarification.