• VOLUNTARY FURLOUGHS
• "EARLY" BOARDING
• RECIPROCAL CABIN SEAT AGREEMENT CLARIFICATION
• Accessing The Hub

• AFA Local Numbers

VOLUNTARY FURLOUGHS

As part of the announced capacity reductions and international seasonal flying reductions the Company found themselves in an overstaffed situation. Prior to any involuntary furloughs the Company is required to offer Voluntary Furlough (VF) programs and a Voluntary Separation Incentive Program (VSIP).

The VF and VSIP program bid closed yesterday at 1500 EDT. Initial results have been communicated to the Union. I am happy to report that both the three (3) month and eight (8) month VF programs were well oversubscribed; therefore, there will be no involuntarily furloughs on the East at this time.

The Company is still validating all of the bids and determining if displacements will be necessary as a result of the VF bids.

The final awards will be released on Monday July 21, 2008 and the Union will advise you as soon as we have been provided the final results.  

"EARLY" BOARDING

The Company is on a mission to improve on time performance-a worthy goal.

However, the goal should not be at the expense of either violating the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), Federal Air Regulations (FAR) or Work and Conduct Rules.

The Union has been made aware of several instances where agents have requested crews board the aircraft early in an attempt to get the flight out on time or off the gate early.

The Union has also been made aware of several instances where agents wanted to close the door early without allowing the Flight Attendants time to ensure all carry-on baggage had been properly stowed and all overhead bins were closed.

The Collective Bargaining Agreement contains the following provisions for boarding:

On-Board Requirements       

A flight attendant will be required to be on board the aircraft ready to receive passengers thirty (:30) minutes prior to scheduled departure, with the following exceptions:

            1.  On a domestic departure on an aircraft of one hundred sixty-five (165) or more passenger seats, a flight attendant will be required to be on board the aircraft ready to receive passengers thirty-five (:35) minutes prior to scheduled departure.  [A321, B757, B767 in a domestic operation and A330 in a domestic operation]

 2.  On an international departure a flight attendant will be required to be on board the aircraft ready to receive passengers forty-five (:45) minutes prior to scheduled departure. [All aircraft in an international operation]

The Company expects Flight Attendants to live up to the terms of the CBA and the Union expects the Company to live up to the same standard. The Company has put a great deal of pressure on our customer service agents to "get the flight out". That direction does not give the Company the right to violate our CBA. Please do not be intimidated into boarding early as each of us has every right to refuse an “early” boarding request.

With respect to door closure, FAR 121.589 states the following:

(b) No certificate holder may allow all passenger entry doors of an airplane to be closed in preparation for taxi or pushback unless at least one required crewmember has verified that each article of baggage is stowed in accordance with this section and 121.285 (c) and (d).

The boarding door of the airplane can not be closed until all carry-on baggage has been properly stowed and all the overhead bins have been closed. The Union has received reports that agents have been closing the entry door prior to this verification. Flight Attendants have a certificate to protect and are subject to a fine if FAR 121.589 is not complied with. Although you should not have to remind the agent of the required procedure, you have every right to protect yourself and remain in compliance with the FAR.

RECIPROCAL CABIN SEAT AGREEMENTS

US Airways has reciprocal cabin seat agreements with the following airlines:

• Delta Air Lines
• Southwest
• American Airlines/American Eagle
• United Airlines
• Frontier Airlines
• Jetblue
• Northwest Airlines
• Spirit
• Comair
• Sky West
• Atlantic Southeast Airlines

The agreements allow Flight Attendants from these carriers to occupy cabin seats onboard US Airways mainline flights. Under no circumstances are Flight Attendants from other carriers permitted to occupy the Flight Attendant jumpseat on US Airways mainline flights.

East Flight Attendants on the system seniority list are permitted to ride on “West” metal and vice versa.

The Union has been notified of several instances where the agents and/or pilots have interpreted the agreements to mean Flight Attendants from other carriers are allowed to occupy the Flight Attendant jumpseat. The confusion stems from the procedure the agents use to list a Flight Attendant from another carrier. The procedure requires the Flight Attendant to fill out the jumpseat request form.

A reminder was sent to the agents on July 15, 2008 that stated Flight Attendants from carriers with reciprocal agreements are only allowed to occupy cabin seats.

Thank you,

Mike Flores, President
The US Airways Master Executive Council
AFA-CWA

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AFA US Airways Website

www.afausairways.org

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AFA Local Numbers
 
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

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