Flight Attendant Displacements

 
Q: What are my rights if I am displaced, and where in the contract can I find them?
 
A: The Flight Attendant Agreement provides certain rights for flight attendants that are displaced.  Please review Section 5 (Moving Expenses) and Section 18 (Filling of Vacancies).
 
Q: How will I be notified if I am being displaced?
 
A: Effected flight attendants will be notified my mail, effected active flight attendants will also receive notice via their Company mail-files.
 
Q: Can a flight attendant that is out on a leave, a voluntary furlough, or an involuntary furlough be displaced?
 
A: Yes.
 
Q: To what base can I transfer if I am displaced?
 
A: You will be able to transfer to any base where there is a flight attendant that is junior to you. [Sec 18.D] As of June 2007, flight attendant domiciles are BOS, CLT, DCA, LGA, PHL, PIT.
 
Q: Can I be displaced more than once?
 
A: Yes.  A flight attendant can be displaced until he/she is senior enough to hold his/her base.
 
Q: I’ve been displaced, but want to go back to my former domicile as soon as possible.  Do I have a priority right of return over other flight attendants?
 
A: Yes.  Flight Attendants who are displaced are entitled to a “priority right of return” to that domicile when openings become available.  In order to exercise this right of return, the flight attendant must fill out the preference form within 30 days of being displaced, and must not subsequently voluntarily transfer to another base.  Transfers from domestic to ITD flying at a single city (for example, PHL to PHW) will not disqualify a flight attendant from exercising his/her right of return. [Sec 18.I]

Q: Will I need to attend additional training upon displacement to a new domicile?

A: Possibly.  You should contact your Inflight Supervisor as soon as you are awarded your new base to determine if you need additional training. 
 
Q: If I am displaced, will the Company purchase my house if I am unable to sell it?
 
A: No
 
Q:   Will I be given time off to move?
 
A: Yes.  Upon request, each flight attendant is entitled to 5 consecutive days, free from all duty, for the purpose of moving.  Flight Attendants will not be automatically granted an additional 5 days off, however additional days off will be added to existing days off.  For example:  a reserve flight attendant has 6/5, 6/6, and 6/7 off.  The flight attendant can request moving days at this time, and the Company will add two additional days off on either end of these existing days off.  Therefore, the flight attendant may have as moving days June 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or June 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or June 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. [Sec 5.B.6]
 
Q: Can Crew Scheduling move days off in my line around to create a block of five days for moving purposes?
 
A: No.  Scheduling cannot move days off around in your line.  Scheduling is required to add additional days to your existing days off to equate to 5 consecutive days free from all duty.
 
Q: Will I get paid for moving days?
 
A: Three (3) of the five (5) moving days will be with pay and credit if:

  • Lineholder:  You have a scheduled trip in your line award (Primary, SAP or Secondary) that drops because of moving days;
  • Reserve:  A trip is flown junior to you on those days.
    • [Sec 5B.6.a.(1) & (2)]
     
    Q:   Besides my 5 moving days, what other assistance settling into my new base am I entitled to?
     
    A: During the settling day period, you will be reimbursed for actual reasonable meals, reasonable hotel costs, related transportation and telephone calls incurred by you and eligible family members.   Extraordinary expenses will be allowed as circumstances indicate.  [Sec 5.B.6.e]
     
     
    Q: What moving expenses will the Company pay for displaced flight attendants?
     
    A: Flight Attendants who are required to move as a result of a base closing will be provided with moving and settling expenses, per Sec 5 of the Flight Attendants Agreement and with Real Estate Assistance.  A flight attendant is entitled to Moving and Settling expenses for three (3) years following the date of the base closing.  [Sec 5.B.7.a]  However, Real Estate Assistance must be requested no earlier than 90 days before the base closing and no later than 90 days after that base closes. [Sec 5.C.3]
     
    Q: If I am displaced more than once, how are my rights to moving expenses affected?
     
    A: A flight attendant may become eligible for moving expenses under the Agreement more than one time.  
     
    EXAMPLE:  
    Flight Attendant is displaced from BWI to DCA in February 2002.  He/She decides not to move from his/her home in BWI.  In June 2002, he/she is displaced from DCA to PHL.  The flight attendant qualified for moving expenses in February 2002 and in June 2002.  Since he/she chose not to move in February 2002, he/she may only receive expenses for the June 2002 move to PHL.
     
    However, had the flight attendant in the above example actually moved from BWI to DCA in February 2002, and then been required to move from DCA to PHL in June 2002, he/she would be eligible to receive expenses for both moves.  
     
    When electing to make a move, the flight attendant must let the Company know which of the displacement events will be used for the calculation of moving expense benefits under Sec 5.  [Sec 5.B.7.f]
    Q: Will the Company pay to move my belongings?
     
    A: Displaced flight attendants will have their personal and household goods moved at Company expense.  However, you must move within three (3) years of the effective date of your displacement. [Sec 5.B.7.a]
     
    Q:   Is there a limit to what the Company will move?
     
    A: The Company will pay the normal expenses of packing and moving ordinary household goods and personal effects – furniture and clothing – up to a maximum of 16,000 pounds. [Sec 5.B.1]
     
    Q: What about my appliances?
     
    A: The Company will pay the costs of normal services at origin and destination of appliances such as refrigerators, deep-freezers, washers, dryers, air conditioners, or similar items that might suffer damage in transit if not properly services. [Sec 5.B.1]
     
    Q: What en-route moving expenses will the Company pay?
     
    A: Mileage reimbursement – based on the Corporate standard rate per mile – between the old and new domicile will be allowed to transport up to two cars registered in either your or your spouse’s, or domestic partner’s name. [Sec 5.B.4]  This reimbursement will be limited to the mileage stated on the official AAA mileage charts, or based on the most direct route.  You must provide verification of travel, using either dated gas or toll receipts, or service station odometer vouchers.  If substantiated by receipts, parking and toll charges will be reimbursed.  In addition, reasonable and actual expenses for meals and lodging will be reimbursed if substantiated by original receipts.
     
    Q: How do I get my expense money?
     
    A: You will need to document all of your transfer-related expenses on a Moving Expense Form.  Once completed, submit it to Inflight Services for approval.  You may request an advance for estimated expenses, however an advance will need to be supported by a Moving Expense Report once actual expenses are realized.  Expense advances should be arranged through Inflight Services. 
     
    Q:   Will the Company insure my move?
     
    A: Insurance coverage for the moving of household and personal effects will be provided in accordance with Company policy.  [Sec 5.B.3]  For more information, contact your Inflight Supervisor.
     
    Q: Who do I contact to start the moving process?
     
    A: Contact your Inflight Supervisor.
     
    Q: What is the policy concerning a mobile home?
     
    A: The Company will pay for the movement of a single unit mobile home including packing and unblocking  at its present location and blocking and unpacking at the new location.  The Company will pay normal hook-up fees for gas and electric, excluding any deposit requirements or rewiring of utility lines to the new mobile home location.  Roadworthy preparations are the responsibility of the flight attendant.  [Sec 5.B.5]
     
    We have tried to answer some of the most common questions about displacements and related moves.  If you have more questions, please contact your Local Union Office or your Inflight Supervisor.