ITD SUPPLEMENTAL BID QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
THIS BID CLOSES ON TUESDAY, MARCH 27, 2003 @ 1200 NOON EST.
BIDDING
1. WHAT IS THE COMMITMENT PERIOD OF THIS BID?
The lock in for this supplemental bid is May 1, 2003 - December 31, 2003.
2. MAY I BID IF I AM CURRENTLY IN THE INTERNATIONAL TRANSOCEANIC DOMICILE (ITD) PROGRAM?
Supplemental bids are designed to supplement the current program with more flight attendant positions. It is not necessary to submit a supplemental bid form if you are currently in an ITD. If you are currently in the ITD Program (CLW, PHW, or PIW), you are locked in for the current yearly 2003 ITD Bid Period. However, if you are currently in an ITD and you would like to transfer to a different ITD, you may submit an ITD Transfer Request Form available HERE or at your crew base. ITD transfer requests as well as this supplemental bid will be effective May 1, 2003. (See section entitled TRANSFERS, questions 25-27.)
3. DO I NEED TO BE AVAILABLE TO BID?
Any flight attendant may bid a position in the International Transoceanic Domicile Program.
4. MAY I PUT SPECIFIC LINEHOLDER OR RESERVE POSITION PARAMETERS ON MY BID? (Example: I only want L/H #1-8).
NO. You cannot put parameters on your bid such as L/H #1-8 or RSV #1-50. BUT, we will accept the stipulations of "L/H ONLY" or "L/H or RSV". If you submit a bid for the ITD Program as a "Lineholder ONLY", you will only be placed into the program IF you can hold a lineholder position. If you apply as a "Lineholder or Reserve", you will be placed in the program if you can hold either position.
PLEASE NOTE: A CONDITIONAL PRIMARY LINEHOLDER AWARD IN THE INITIAL BID DOES NOT GUARANTEE THAT THE FLIGHT ATTENDANT WILL BE ABLE TO MAINTAIN A LINEHOLDER POSITION FOR THE DURATION OF THE BID (Flight Attendant Agreement, Section 12.F.8.)
5. HOW DO I MARK MY FORMS IF I AM SUBMITTING MORE THAN ONE?
Mark your bid in numerical order, otherwise you will be awarded the first position available at your seniority. Remember to sign and date any forms you submit. The form with the most recent date will be honored first. Additionally if you have several bids and find that you need more than one form, please number the forms. The bid form includes the section "Page ___ of __", please number the pages when submitting more than one bid form. Also, if you have a domestic transfer already on file, please indicate which form (ITD Supplemental Bid Form or Domestic Transfer Request Form) should take precedence.
6. MAY I FAX MY BID?
YES. BUT DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE LAST DAY TO FAX YOUR BID. THE FAX MACHINE PHONE LINE MAY GET BUSY ON CLOSING DAY. IF YOUR FORM IS NOT RECEIVED (in Inflight Administration) BY TUESDAY, MARCH 11, 2003 AT 1200 NOON (EST), IT WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED. YOUR FORM MUST BE LEGIBLE TO BE CONSIDERED. You may verify that your form was received by calling Inflight Administration. And if you fax your form, please call Administration (1-800-327-0117 prompts 1, 4, 1, 6) to confirm that it was received. However, Inflight Administration and Inflight Services will not accept telephone inquiries regarding your position on the list.
7. MAY I RETRACT MY BID AFTER THE AWARD IS MADE?
NO. You must retract your bid before the closing. Inflight Administration must receive the retraction information before the closing time at 1200 Noon (EST) on Tuesday, March 27, 2003. The fax machine phone line may become busy, so please do not wait until the last minute to retract your bid.
8. HOW WILL I BE NOTIFIED IF I AM AWARDED THE PROGRAM?
The results of the bid, including options awarded, will be posted at all the bases. If you are awarded a position in the ITD Program, a CBS message will also be sent to you.
You must then contact Training Registration to sign up for any required training. (1-800-327-0117 prompts 1,8). Some of the training, such as B767 qualification, A330, Initial Transoceanic, and A330/767 Service training will only be offered on specific dates.
PLEASE NOTE: You must have B767 qualification before attending other required ITD training.
THE TRANSOCEANIC TRAINING SCHEDULE FOR THIS SUPPLEMENTAL BID WILL BE SENT TO YOU VIA CBS AS SOON AS IT HAS BEEN DETERMINED. Business attire is required for all Transoceanic Training classes.
9. DO I HAVE TO BID FOR THE 4, 5, OR 6 TRIP OPTION?
YES. For trip options, you need to indicate your trip option choice for each bid choice. An option that is NOT marked/numbered will not be considered.
The 4 and 6 trip options have a 30% cap on the number of flight attendants allowed on these options. The 5 trip option has no cap. If you ONLY mark the 4 trip or 6 trip option and you cannot hold either one of these two options at your seniority, you will NOT automatically be assigned the 5 trip option. THIS COULD ELIMINATE YOU FROM HOLDING A POSITION IN THE PROGRAM IF YOUR TRIP OPTION IS NOT AVAILABLE AT YOUR SENIORITY. Again, you will only be considered for trip options marked.
10. WHAT HAPPENS TO MY DOMESTIC HOURLY OPTION (55H, 75H, 95H OR 105H) WHEN I GO INTO THE TRANSOCEANIC PROGRAM?
Since domestic options and ITD trip options are now awarded on a yearly basis, you will NOT keep your domestic trip option. If you are awarded a position in the ITD Program, you will also be awarded an ITD trip option for the remainder of the year.
11. MAY I PICK UP DOMESTIC FLYING TO ADD TO MY MONTHLY FLYING?
NO. If you are awarded/assigned into the International Transoceanic Domicile (ITD) Program, you will only be eligible to fly transatlantic trips during the term of your commitment distinct to the operation of the ITD Program.
12. MAY I BID A SPECIFIC TRANSOCEANIC FLIGHT ON THE INITIAL BID?
NO. You are bidding into the ITD. Destination specific parameters are not permitted for bidding, unless you are a LOD/O Flight Attendant.
13. HOW WILL I KNOW WHERE I AM ON THE LIST DURING THE BIDDING PROCESS?
Lists will be sent to each base during the bid process. It is your responsibility to check the list for your information. This is also a good way for you to verify that your bid form was received, and that the information was legible. If you wait until the last day to submit your bid, you will not have this advantage. Inflight Administration and Inflight Services will not check your position on the list during the bid.
LOD/O (No openings this bid)
14. HOW DO I BECOME ELIGIBLE TO BID FOR A LOD/O POSITION?
If you are interested in becoming a LOD/O Flight Attendant, you should call Inflight Administration at 800-327-0117 prompts, 1,4,1,6, to get information about the LOD/O Examination. FOR BIDDING PURPOSES, LOD/O TEST RESULTS MUST BE RECEIVED BY INFLIGHT ADMINISTRATION BEFORE THE BID CLOSING.
15. AS A LOD/O, MAY I BID NON/LOD/O BLOCK/RSV POSITIONS ONCE I AM IN THE ITD PROGRAM?
NO. LOD/O Flight Attendants are not permitted to submit monthly bids in non-LOD/O positions. However, if Scheduling ascertains that there is sufficient coverage, you may pick up Non-LOD/O positions from the AIL (Daily/Future bid sheet) at your SYSTEM SENIORITY.
16. IF I AM MULTI-LINGUIAL AND LOD/O QUALIFIED IN SEVERAL LANGUAGES, MAY I SWAP MY LOD/O TRIP WITH ANOTHER QUALIFIED LOD/O FLIGHT ATTENDANT?
YES. You can swap trips (if both F/As are qualified and identified as LOD/Os in that language), but you cannot pick up LOD/O trips from the AIL (bid sheet) in another language.
17. WHAT IS MY COMMITMENT IF I BECOME A LOD/O?
Your initial LOD/O commitment begins when you are AWARDED a position in a LOD/O program. If you were hired as a LOD/O, you will have an eighteen (18) month commitment. If you tested after you were hired, you will have a twelve (12) month commitment. Failure to bid, be awarded, or assigned to the program shall not alter a LOD/O Flight Attendant's remaining commitment to the LOD/O program.
PLEASE NOTE: US Airways' LOD/O Program and US Airways' International Transoceanic Domicile Program are two DIFFERENT programs. All flight attendants must bid for each ITD bid period. LOD/O commitment does not guarantee entry into US Airways' International Transoceanic Domiciles Program. The ITD Program is awarded based on seniority.
18. DO I NEED TO BID IF I STILL HAVE A LOD/O COMMITMENT?
YES. If you do not bid, you can be assigned a position in the ITD Program. A Flight Attendant who no longer wishes to participate in the LOD/O program shall give the Company ninety (90) days written notice, except that a sixty (60) days written notice will be honored where base staffing levels, as determined by the Company, are sufficient to allow it.
19. IF I BID FOR THE ITD PROGRAM AS A NON LOD/O, CAN I CHANGE TO A LOD/O DURING THE BID PERIOD?
NO. If you bid the program as a NON LOD/O flight attendant, you are committed to flying in a NON-LOD/O capacity for the entire bid period
RESERVE
20. WILL I GET A RESERVE GUARANTEE AT THE INTERNATIONAL RATE?
YES, but there is a difference between the options as to guarantee. Please refer to Section 12 of the Flight Attendant Agreement for the actual guarantee amounts for reserves. However, if you utilize the voluntary trip drop and underproject, you will be voluntarily reducing your option.
PLEASE NOTE: In a month in which you have vacation and you elect to underproject by the amount of one trip, you will be paid for your underprojected trip amount plus your vacation.
Example: you are on the 4 trip option, and you have two (2) vacation days. If you elect to underproject to 3 trips, you will be paid for the 3 trips you flew plus 2 vacation days and NOT paid the 61:00 hours of reserve guarantee.
21. WILL I GET MY TIME IN AS A RESERVE?
If you are awarded a reserve position, you will receive a monthly guarantee at your applicable option rate. There are many factors that can affect reserve flying on a month to month basis (i.e., vacation, your reserve seniority, etc.). Therefore, we cannot guarantee that you will exceed your monthly guarantee. Please Note: If you bid for a "L/H OR RSV" position and you are awarded a reserve position, you are agreeing to the possibility of only receiving the reserve guarantee at your applicable rate.
22. WHAT CHANGES ARE MADE TO MY RESERVE DAYS OFF/ON?
Reserve days off and vacation days will begin and end at seventeen hundred (1700).
TRAINING (B767 qualification, A330 Ground School, A330/767 Service)
23. IS TRAINING REQUIRED?
AFTER AWARDS ARE COMPLETED, you must contact Training Registration to sign up for any required training. (1-800-327-0117 prompts 1, 8). Some of the Transoceanic Training, such as 767, A330, Initial Transoceanic, and A330/767 Service Training, may only be offered on specific dates.
THE TRAINING SCHEDULE FOR THIS SUPPLEMENTAL BID WILL BE SENT VIA CBS AS SOON AS THE SCHEDULE HAS BEEN DETERMINED.
REMINDER: Business attire is required for all Transoceanic Training classes. ALSO, YOU MUST HAVE B767 QUALIFICATION BEFORE ATTENDING OTHER ITD TRAININGS
24. MAY I PICK MY TRAINING DATE?
AFTER AWARDS ARE COMPLETED, you must contact Training Registration to sign up for any required training. (1-800-327-0117 prompts 1,8). As stated above, some of the training for the ITD bid may only be offered on specific dates.
TRANSFERS
25. DO I HAVE TO BE BASED IN THE CITY WHERE THE INTERNATIONAL TRANSOCEANIC DOMICILE PROGRAM IS LOCATED?
NO. You do not need to be able to hold a transfer to or be based at the domestic base that is also an international Transoceanic Domicile in order to bid into an ITD.
PLEASE NOTE: Your domestic base will remain the same. Therefore, you will return to your current domestic base at the conclusion of the ITD bid period, unless you successfully bid into an ITD during the next ITD bid period or until you bid for and are awarded a domestic transfer.
For example: A BOS based flight attendant who is awarded a position in the PHW ITD would return to BOS at the conclusion of the ITD bid period, unless he/she successfully bids into an ITD during the next bid period or bids for and is awarded a domestic transfer to another base.
26. CAN I TRANSFER WITHIN THE ITD PROGRAM?
YES. If you are currently in the ITD Program and you would like to transfer to another ITD (CLW, PHW, or PIW) effective May 1, 2003, you will need to submit an International Transoceanic Domicile Transfer Request Form. This form can be found at each crew base.
27. IF I AM AWARDED A POSITION IN THE ITD PROGRAM FOR THE SUPPLEMENTAL BID PERIOD (MAY 1, 2003 - DEC 31, 2003), WILL I NEED TO BID AT THE END OF THE BID PERIOD IF I WANT TO REMAIN IN THE ITD PROGRAM?
YES. If you are awarded a position in the ITD Program for this supplemental bid and you would like to continue in the ITD Program in 2004, you MUST bid again for the next bid period. EVERY Flight Attendant will need to bid for a domestic option and/or an ITD position for each calendar year. See Flight Attendant Agreement.
GENERAL INFORMATION:
28. WHAT INTERNATIONAL PAPERS DO I NEED IN ORDER TO PARTICIPATE IN THE ITD PROGRAM?
You must have and carry a VALID PASSPORT in order to fly in the ITD Program. If you renew your passport, present your supervisor with the new passport number and expiration date so that the CATS system can be updated. An expired passport while in the ITD Program may cause you to be denied a trip, may affect your vacation rate of pay, and may prevent you from bidding your monthly schedule.
You are also required to have a FRENCH VISA from the French Consulate. There is a processing fee associated with obtaining your French Visa. Please contact a Transoceanic Inflight Supervisor or visit the Hub for more information.
Please begin this process as soon as you are awarded a position in the ITD Program, as it may take up to four weeks to process. Please be advised that failure to obtain a Visa within an appropriate amount of time after award of this bid may cause you to be denied trips, which you will not be pay protected for. It may result in disciplinary action as it is a violation of Flight Attendant Work and Conduct Rule #42.
REMINDER: THIS SUPPLEMENTAL BID CLOSES AT 1200 NOON (EST) ON TUESDAY, MARCH 27, 2003.