Schedule Adjustment Period (SAP) is an automated system that allows you to adjust your flying schedule in advance of the bid month by adding and/or dropping trips from your Primary Line of Flying.

SAP is a 6-day period following the Primary Line Awards and preceding the Secondary Line Construction process.  Twenty-four hours after the Primary Line Awards are posted for all bases SAP will open.  You have  six (6) days to enter your bids.  Bids will be processed two months prior to the bid month.

3. Who can use SAP?

SAP can only be used by flight attendants who have been awarded Primary Lines of Flying and whose status is available (AVL) on the first day of the bid month.

The goal of SAP is to satisfy the bid of the flight attendant being processed.  During SAP processing, each flight attendant will be considered in seniority order as the start point for a swap.  When this “pointer” is on your bid, open time (unassigned flying) will be used to satisfy your bid.  If your bid can not be completely satisfied by trips in open time, then the system begins looking for possible “swap chains”.  A “swap chain” uses drops  and/or adds of other flight attendants to try to satisfy your bid.  This process may also satisfy the bids of a junior flight attendant as a result of this swap chain.

5. Do I have to use the SAP system?

6. Are Flight Attendant SAP and Pilot SAP processed the same way?

No. Flight attendant SAP is slightly different than Pilot SAP.  For this reason, the bidding process and the results may not be the same.

No.  The bid sheet WILL be available and continue to function as it does today.  However, the number of trips available to be picked up will be reduced due to unassigned trips being incorporated into Secondary Lines of Flying.

8. How many bid closings will there be during the month?
There will be four (4) bid closings for each monthly bid: Primary Line bids, SAP bids, Secondary Line bids, and Reserve bids. 

9. When I bid in SAP, will I be able to bid for a specific position on a trip?

No.  There will be no position designations in the SAP process.  In order to assign positions in seniority order, this assignment must be made prior to departure.  Among other processing problems, awarding positions in SAP would have compromised this process.  See Section 9.L.3.d (Trip Swaps). 

No.  You will be a placeholder on the trip as you are today when you pick up a trip from the bid sheet.  You own the trip, but you do not own the “position.”  When you look at a trip in CATCREW, you will see a position indicator – this is a placeholder only.  When SAP awards a “position,” it does so in alphabetical order of the positions that are open when the award is processed by SAP. 

11. When DO I own a position on a trip?

Only positions on trips awarded in the original Primary Line will be owned by the flight attendant.  For any trip picked up in SAP, swaps, AIL or Secondary Lines of Flying, the position will be placeholder only.  Your actual position will be determined by seniority prior to the origination of the trip.

You will be eligible for a premium if at the time of the sick call (the snapshot) the Primary Line Holder has vacated a premium position and you are the most senior flight attendant on the trip.  The same snapshot methodology applies to those who call in sick for a trip in their Secondary Line.

13. If I just want to adjust my schedule, what do I need to do in SAP?
You may drop, add, or drop/add trips in SAP.  Please see the SAP Manual for further details.

14. Can I swap trips awarded to me in SAP?

15. How will I access SAP to enter my bids?

You will be able to enter bids in SAP using CATCREW on terminals in Crew Rooms and externally via an airline CompuServe account, just as you do today.  SAP will not be available through Bid Services at this time nor will Crew Scheduling enter SAP bids for any flight attendant, with the exception of over projection drops.

16. What is my SAP Min/Max window?

For ITD, see the ITD Section of this document for Min/Max explanation. 

17. (For Domestic only)  Is my SAP Min./ Max. window my new flying obligation? 
$No.  Your flying obligation for the month has not changed. Your flying obligation is still your original Primary Line value for non-option flight attendants, or your option range for those flight attendants on an option (50-55, 70-75, 90-95, 100-105.)

18. (Domestic only) If I am over projected, will SAP allow me to drop below the SAP Min/Max window? 

Yes.  If you are over projected, you may drop using the following formula to determine how far down you can drop:

A.) Your SAP minimum, OR;
B.) The high end of your option range minus the highest time trip in your line.

Calling Crew Scheduling (PREFERRED method):

$Note: You may access your SAP screen anytime SAP is open, even when Crew Scheduling has previously entered drop bids for you.  Once you have modified a SAP bid, Crew Scheduling will no longer be able to access your SAP screen for further drops. 

January 1, Memorial Day, July 4, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and December 24, 25 and 31.

21. How do I drop trips for my option or over projection if those trips touch a Protected Holiday?

If you are dropping a Protected Holiday trip(s), you may enter your drop in SAP or call Crew Scheduling to enter the drop as a SAP bid for you.  Regardless of whether you enter your drop in SAP or have Crew Scheduling enter it for you, the outcome will be the same.  The trip(s) will not be dropped immediately from your line.  It will be processed in seniority order as SAP runs. When you bid to drop a holiday trip, only the holiday drop may be entered in that unit (along with any ADD bids you may desire in order to accomplish a DROP/ADD bid).  All other drops must be accomplished using a separate unit(s).

Yes.  As a benefit of SAP, you may drop a trip as long as the drop does not take you below your minimum window.  This type of drop may only be accomplished by utilizing SAP and may not be done by calling Crew Scheduling. Once you are inside your window, SAP processing will not permit you to move outside your window.  Remember that this drop does not change your flying obligation.

You have missed your best opportunity to drop trips of your choice!  After SAP is closed and prior to the beginning of the bid month any over projection adjustment will be accomplished by calling Crew Scheduling (Future). Crew Scheduling and the flight attendant shall mutually agree on the trip(s) to be dropped with the understanding that coverage requirements may dictate which trip(s) may be given up.  If an over projection adjustment is not made prior to the beginning of the bid month, the flight attendant must then use the AIL list for the downward projection.

$Please be aware that the SAP program will select trips based on the portion of the trip that is actually within the bid month.  For example, if a 4-day trip begins on the 29th (in a 30-day month) and you request a generic bid of all 2-day trips, this trip will show up on the generic bid but will show more than one RON!  The computer only sees the duty period(s) that fall within the month itself.  See the examples in the SAP Manual.

Yes.  Base transfers will be awarded 2 months in advance.

26. How will Training Registration change as a result of SAP?

All flight attendants will need to schedule Recurrent Training two months in advance of the month in which they are due for training. You must call to register for training by 1700 on the last business day prior to the closing of Primary Lines in order to avoid assignment.  Assignments will begin after the 1800 Primary Line closing and continue until SAP closes. 

Example: Primary Lines close on Sunday, July 22nd for September.  Training registration must be complete by 1700 on Friday, July 20th or you may be assigned (in inverse seniority) beginning on July 23rd. 

27. I have selected or been assigned training on a day that I have a SCHEDULED trip.  I want the trip, and I am legal to fly the trip (i.e. A Red Eye).  What do I need to do? 

You must call Crew Scheduling (before SAP closes) to reinstate the trip.  They will override the training in CATCREW.  Remember that you must submit a PE-39 claim form in order to receive pay for the training (due to having two events scheduled on the same day.)

You have a drop bid that is no longer valid due to the training assignment and the entire bid unit will be invalid.

$ In order to avoid having your bid unit ignored, make sure that you have signed up for your training BEFORE Primary Line Bids close.

29. If I have training on a DAY OFF, and I want to fly a trip on that Training day, can I pick a trip up in SAP?

You will not be able to pick up the trip in SAP, but must call Crew Scheduling and try to pick up a trip from the AIL list.

If you intend to fly any portion of a trip from your Primary Line (as per the Flight Attendant Agreement) that was given up as a result of Vacation, Training, Jury Duty, etc., you must notify Crew Scheduling (Future) prior to the closing of SAP to reinstate that portion of the trip.  If you do not call Crew Scheduling (Future) before SAP closes, the entire trip will be available to other flight attendants in SAP or Secondary Lines.

31. Will Vacation Buyback be changing?

Yes.  The closing date will be moved two months prior to the bid month.  You will be able to see the Buyback award in CATCREW on your monthly screen (CATCREW option 2) as well as on your SAP screen.

Vacation Rebids will be awarded 2 months prior to the bid month, closing around the 10th of the month (except for Sept., which will close on July 16th.)  Filler days will continue to close on the 10th of the month prior, as they do today. 

33. Will the timing of Annual Vacation Bid change as a result of SAP?

Yes.    The timeline for the Annual Vacation Bid will be moved earlier, so that vacation awards will be in the computer prior to the closing of Primary Lines for January (i.e., in November).

You must call Crew Scheduling during the 6-day SAP period if you wish to reinstate any or all trip(s) dropped for vacation.

35. When I have vacation and have been awarded Vacation Buyback, will this change my SAP Min/Max window?

Yes.  The SAP Min/Max window (on the SAP Bid Input screen) will reflect the value of your Primary Line plus the value of your vacation.

Yes.  It does not matter if you have vacation scheduled or not, you may bid for buyback.

37. If I have Vacation Buyback and have my trips reinstated, will I be able to again drop those trips after SAP closes?

No, you will no longer be able to drop those trips.  When you had them reinstated, you have committed to fly those trips or touch those days.  See 7.J.6.a&b of the Flight Attendant Agreement.

Call Crew Support Services (former Crew Hub Trackers, Field Crew Services, or “the guys behind the glass”) on the 800 number or talk to them in the crew rooms.  They will be your primary line of support.

39. What is changing about monthly sign-in?

There will be three ways to accomplish monthly sign-in.  First, when you call the Voice Response System (VRS) to obtain your Primary Line award, you will automatically be signed in for the month.  Second, you may sign in using CATCREW Option #2 by putting a “Y” in the MSI field (bottom right hand corner of the screen) and pressing ENTER.  Third, you may call Crew Scheduling (Future) who will sign you in for the month.

If you call VRS for your Secondary Line awards, you will again be signed in for the month. 

$Please remember that you must call VRS in order to be automatically signed in for the month.  You may also call Crew Scheduling to sign you in, or you may use CATCREW option #2 to sign yourself in for the month.  This new feature helps reduce the possibility of  a “No Sign-in”.  However, you must pay close attention to avoid "No Showing” your trips!

40. For Domestic International Lines of flying (STT, SJU, etc.) built over 85 hours time, how does the flight attendant (who is NOT over projected) drop a trip to reduce their line value if they are on the 95 or 105 hour option? 

41. What are Secondary Lines of Flying?

Secondary Lines of Flying are constructed from trips that remain available after the SAP process has closed.  These lines of flying may be constructed of mixed equipment, length of trips, departure time, etc.

42. Are Flight Attendant Secondary Lines and Pilot Secondary Lines the same?

No.  Flight attendant Secondary Lines may be built using mixed equipment and positions (placeholders).  Each line will be available to be picked up by one flight attendant and will be bid similar to Primary Lines.

43. If I am a Secondary Line holder and I am over projected, when may I begin dropping trips for over projection? 

44. If I am a Secondary Line holder and not over projected, can I drop a trip?

No.

45. What if I do NOT want a Primary Line (or Secondary Line)?

$Caution:  If you can hold a Primary or Secondary Line and do not bid or bid an insufficient amount of times, you will be assigned a Primary or Secondary Line at your seniority.

46. How will the Secondary Lines of Flying be assigned (if I do not bid or do not bid enough times)?

Secondary Lines of Flying will be assigned in order of the highest time line available at your seniority.

There are three ways.  First, when you call the Voice Response System (VRS) to obtain your  Secondary Line award, you will automatically be signed in for the month.  Second, you may  sign in using CATCREW Option #2 by putting a “Y” in the MSI field (bottom right hand corner of the screen) and press ENTER.  Third, you may call Crew Scheduling (Future) who will sign you in for the month.

48. If I am a reserve flight attendant and do not bid, could I be assigned a Secondary Line?

Yes.  If you do not bid and your seniority can hold it, you will be assigned a Secondary Line.

A percentage of unassigned flying will be built into Secondary Lines, creating lines of flying for some of those who are presently Reserve flight attendants.

50. What is my ITD SAP Min/Max window?

51. What is my ITD SAP Min/Max window in a month that I  have vacation or any other pay-and-credit activity?

Your ITD SAP Min/Max window will be adjusted to reflect the trip(s) value of your vacation based on a formula using the highest and lowest time trips in your base.  This conversion will automatically appear in the Min/Max field on your SAP Bid Input Screen.  Training (pay-and-credit), Company Business, Short Block, etc. will also be calculated in this formula.  See the SAP Manual.

52. What is my Trip Obligation when I have a Lead-In trip built into my Primary Line?

A flight attendant shall be permitted to come in below his/her applicable option amount (4 trip, 5 trip, 6 trip) by the value of 1 (one)  trip.  If a Lead-in trip is built into your Primary Line, a “Count Lead-in” option will appear on the SAP Bid Input screen.  For details please refer to the SAP Manual and the SAP Bidding 101 Manual.

For SAP PURPOSES ONLY, you will see  “Count Carry-over (IN)” and “Count Carry-over (OUT)” boxes on your SAP screen.  In order for a carry-over (IN or OUT) to be counted in the bid month, you must check the desired box(s). For details please refer to the SAP Manual.

54. If I am a LODO, can I add  a non-LODO trip in SAP?

No.  A LODO flight attendant may ONLY add a LODO trip in their primary language and a non-LODO flight attendant may only add non-LODO trips. 

Yes.  As per Contract Section 9.C.3.e a minimum of 15% of flight attendant positions touching a Protected Holiday will be in open time after SAP awards.  The current practice of allowing 50% of the positions on a trip to be dropped for over projection will no longer apply.

56. Will Secondary Lines be built for the ITD?

Yes.  Please keep in mind that Secondary Lines may contain mixed destinations and equipment.  They will be built as either LODO or non-LODO lines.

Yes. Your bids will be considered the same as all other non-LODO flight attendants.