• jetBLUE AND FRONTIER TO OFFER RECIPROCAL CABIN SEATS

• SOUTHWEST (SWA) RECIPROCAL CABIN SEAT AGREEMENT REMINDER

• RESERVES AND THE COMMUTER POLICY

• Accessing The Hub

• AFA Local Numbers

jetBLUE AND FRONTIER TO OFFER RECIPROCAL CABIN SEATS

Both Frontier and jetBLUE procedures are similar to the Delta and Southwest agreements with one notable exception- jetBLUE will allow US Airways Flight Attendants to occupy an available jetBLUE cabin jumpseat if no passenger seats are available. Currently our contract does not allow such reciprocity and therefore, jetBLUE Flight Attendants are not permitted to occupy a US Airways cabin jumpseat.
 
Both carriers also use the "first come first served" boarding priority contained in the Delta and Southwest procedures, which brings me to my next topic…
 
 
SOUTHWEST (SWA) RECIPROCAL CABIN SEAT AGREEMENT REMINDER
 
It has been brought to the Union’s attention there may be some confusion with the procedure regarding the Reciprocal Cabin Seat agreement with Southwest Airlines. This confusion has apparently caused several incidents between US Airways Flight Attendants and SWA Customer service agents in the SWA gate areas.
 
As with all of the other agreements, travel on SWA is on a "FIRST COME FIRST SERVED" basis. Seniority is not a factor in determining boarding priority. Furthermore, the SWA agreement only allows exemption from the "one bag plus one personal item rule" if a Flight Attendant is in uniform.
 
The Reciprocal Cabin Seat agreements are not set in stone. The agreements are not contracts between the two carriers. They are agreements that were entered into upon mutual consent between two carriers. In other words, they don’t have to remain in effect if one or both carriers decide to discontinue their participation.
 
The Union and the Company both worked very hard to secure these agreements. These agreements will provide a very tangible benefit for our members who commute and for those who are traveling for pleasure. I would be remiss if I did not take this opportunity to remind everyone to be courteous and follow each carrier’s respective procedure. I would be further remiss if I did not remind everyone that each carrier has the right to their own policies and procedures and can and, in one case, already has denied boarding US Airways Flight Attendants. Each carrier has their own airline to run and will not sacrifice their operation to sort out boarding disputes among US Airways Flight Attendants.
 
As with any new procedure, there exists a learning curve. If you experience a problem with another carrier participating in the reciprocal cabin seat agreements the proper channel to address the problem would be to contact your supervisor or your local AFA office.

RESERVES AND THE COMMUTER POLICY
 
Q – ARE RESERVES ENTITLED TO THE PROVISION OF SECTION 30 (GENERAL-COMMUTER POLICY). I?
 
A – YES, UNDER THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS:
 
Reserves that have been awarded a trip and released until check-in are entitled to the provisions of Section 30.I provided they follow the provision of the contract (copied below). Please be aware the rules set forth in the Commuter Policy apply only to those Flight Attendants who designate themselves as commuters with Inflight Services via theHub and list an airport served by US Airways or US Airways Express.  The link to the form is copied below (this link will require you to sign in to theHub).
 
http://thehub.usairways.com/divisions/operations/inflight/forms/CommuterForm.htm
 
 
Q – IF I HAVE BEEN AWARDED A TRIP AND RELEASED UNTIL CHECK-IN AND AM UNABLE TO COMMUTE AND HAVE COMPLIED WITH ALL THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 30.I WHEN DO I HAVE TO BE IN MY DOMICILE?
 
A – YOU MUST CONTINUE TO TRY TO GET TO YOUR DOMICILE ON THE NEXT FLIGHT AND ONCE YOU HAVE ARRIVED IN DOMICILE YOU MUST NOTIFY CREW SCHEDULING.
 
You could be at the airport for some time, but a Reserve must continue to make the effort to arrive in domicile as soon as possible.
 
SECTION 30.I
 
I. Commuter Policy
 
The rules concerning flight attendants who live in other cities and commute to his/her assigned domicile on US Airways will be as follows:

1. The rules set forth in this Agreement apply only to Flight Attendants who designate themselves as commuters with Inflight Services via theHub and list an airport served by US Airways, US Airways Express and/or MidAtlantic.
 
2. The commuting flight attendant must make all reasonable efforts to arrive in domicile at least one hour prior to scheduled check-in.
 
3. If the flight attendant’s first scheduled commuting flight cancels as a result of weather, mechanical, or Company convenience, and the subsequent scheduled flight for which he/she is listed for travel cancels as a result of weather, mechanical, Company convenience, or the flight is significantly delayed (flight posted at least 30 minutes late), or the flight is full, the flight attendant shall notify Crew Scheduling as soon as possible prior to his/her scheduled check in, and Crew Scheduling will have the option of assigning the commuter to any one of the following:

a. Split the flight attendant back on his/her original pairing;
 
b. Assign the flight attendant to any comparable pairing (i.e., same duty days);
 
c. Release the flight attendant from his/her duty and drop his/her original pairing. The flight attendant will be responsible to make up time lost if possible.

4. The first two Unable To Commute incidents of the nature described in Paragraph 3 above will not be treated as dependability infractions so long as the Flight Attendant provides the required supporting documentation from Sabre to his/her supervisor within seven (7) days of the Unable To Commute incidents.

Examples:

Thank You,

Mike Flores, President
The US Airways MEC
AFA-CWA

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Accessing The Hub:

http://thehub.usairways.com 
Logging in the first time your user name is u0(zero) and your five digit employee number. Your initial password is the first five digits of your social security number. Questions about the Hub? Please contact the EDS Help Desk at 336-744-6000 for assistance. More information can also be found HERE.

AFA Local Numbers

Council 40 PIT 724-695-3329
Council 41 DCA 703-212-8090
Council 69 BOS 781-289-8454
Council 70 PHL 215-492-0840
Council 82 LGA 315-736-3483
Council 89 CLT 704-527-0325

New Hotline Number Toll Free: 866-USA-AFA2
US AIRWAYS Benefits Information 800-872-4780

Reply to Inflight: askinflight@usairways.com

Got Questions? Get Answers

The *E-Line* is now in a new and improved format. By updating your profile at unionvoice.org you will be able to enjoy improved services in the near future! Visit your subscription management page at: http://www.unionvoice.org/

Got questions about This *E-Line* from AFA - US Airways or any other Union matter? Do NOT REPLY to the *E-Line*. PLEASE contact your local AFA officers or committee chairs directly: http://www.afausairways.org/emailaddresses2.htm

Your MEC Officers
Association of Flight Attendants
Hotline & *E-Line* - US Airways