EARLY RELEASE FOR 30 DECEMBER VFLR PARTICIPANTS

When the Company created the VFLR II program with a September 1, 2005 release date the MEC received several requests to ask the Company to allow those awarded the December 2, 2005 VFLR to either be allowed to bid into the VFLR II program or move up their release date. Subsequent to the initial VFLR program the Company, faced with a further reduction of aircraft pursuant to the bankruptcy case, announced a second VFLR program to further reduce the headcount. The second VFLR follows the contract language allowing the Company to offer additional VFLR programs as needed. Each program is separate and bound by its own specific terms. Therefore it was not possible to allow someone to rescind an original VFLR award and bid into a different VFLR program. AFA did request the Company allow those awarded the December release to move up their release date if the VFLR II program was undersubscribed. Out of the 300 positions posted for the VFLR II 237 flight attendants requested and were awarded a September 1, 2005 release. According to the Company the attrition rate has exceeding forecasts and therefore will not be able to "early release" up to the 300 posted positions. 

At AFA's request, the Company reviewed its staffing numbers for the remainder of the year and has agreed to allow thirty (30) flight attendants who were originally awarded the VFLR with a separation date of December 2, 2005 to have the option of moving their separation date to October 1, 2005. This process will be accomplished in the following manner:

*PLEASE PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO THE SICK OCCURRENCE REQUIREMENTS*

1. Inflight Administration will mail a letter to all flight attendants scheduled to take the VFLR on December 2, 2005 advising them of their ability to bid for an earlier release date of October 1, 2005. The letters will be sent via U.S. Mail by Friday, September 2, 2005 and will contain all of the information provided in this letter as well as bidding instructions.
2. The bids will close on Thursday, September 22, 2005 at 12:00 noon.
3. The bids will be processed in seniority order, with the 30 most senior flight attendants being awarded the earlier release date.
4. The names of those awarded the earlier release date will be placed on theHub no later than close of business on September 23, 2005.
5. The vacation pay out date of October 30, 2005 will be in line with the timing of the applicable pay outs for the other VFLR release dates.
6. The $10,000 cash payment will occur on the same date (November 30, 2005) as the pay out for those flight attendants awarded the VFLR II.
7. To receive the $10,000 payment, the 30 flight attendants will be subject to the same terms as those awarded the original VFLR with a September 1, 2005 release date for purposes of "claiming excessive sick" per the March 17, 2005 letter from Ernie Pickell to Teddy Xidas. Therefore, if a flight attendant choosing the earlier release date incurs more than two (2) sick calls between the original award date of April 21, 2005 and his/her new release date of October 1st, he/she will be denied the $10,000 payment. As an exception to the above, if a flight attendant had already incurred three (3) sick calls prior to September 1, 2005, in accordance with the "claiming excessive sick" provision for December releases, he/she will not be denied the $10,000 payment if he/she does not incur any additional sick occurrences between September 1st and the release date of October 1st. It is important for flight attendants to take their sick records into consideration when evaluating their options.

Please be very careful with your sick occurrences. If you do have to call in sick it would be prudent to have medical documentation. If you have an injury or illness resulting in an occurrence that exceeds the guidelines contact your Local office and your supervisor immediately. 


Thank you,

The MEC