Whether
you are a party animal, social drinker or teetotaler, drinking and flying
do not mix. The rules applicable to US Airways flight attendants are codified
in the Alcohol Misuse and Prevention Program (AMPP). Working exclusively
in the US Airways AFA grievance department affords us more than a bird’s
eye view into the destruction of careers based on misinterpretation or
misunderstanding of the rules that govern the misuse of alcohol.
The recent proliferation
of terminations for these offenses is alarming. In an effort to address
violations of the alcohol rules, AFA has decided to inundate its membership
with the correct information until each flight attendant is acutely aware
of the rules and the consequences of non-compliance. Even if you are tired
of hearing this information it may one day save your job.
The confusion surrounding
the misuse of alcohol can be divided into two distinct categories:
1. Reserve
flight attendants who mistakenly believe that once they are assigned a
trip from Future, they are automatically released from duty and are free
to consume alcohol within the 12-hour rule; and
2. Flight attendants
on layovers who believe the 12-hour rule is calculated from the time they
are released from duty until departure time the following day.
RESERVES:
If you are a reserve flight
attendant who is assigned a trip from Future scheduling, you must verbally
request scheduling to release you until check-in time the following day.
If scheduling does not release you, you are considered on duty and are
prohibited from consuming any type of alcohol, including cough syrup, mouthwash
and any prescription or over medicines that contain alcohol. In addition,
if you are not released by Future and you are later contacted by Daily
for a reassignment and you indicate that you had a drink to attempt to
avoid the assignment, you will be terminated. Conversely, if Future scheduling
does release you, you must adhere to the 12-hour drinking rule, which will
be determined by your check in time, not your departure time.
LAYOVERS:
Similarly, if you are on
a layover and you are released from duty at 3:00 p.m. and your check in
time the next morning is 6:00 a.m. for a 7:00 a.m. departure, you can consume
alcohol during the three-hour window from 3:00p.m. until 6:00p.m. Any consumption
after 6:00 p.m. will be considered a violation of the AMPP and subject
to termination. (12-Hour Rule)
REPEAT:
The 12-hour rule: Count back 12 hours from check-in (1 hour before departure
time).
While this information may appear
elementary to some flight attendants, the grim reality is that scores of
flight attendants have been terminated for making these simple mistakes.
With today’s climate focused squarely on safety, arbitrators are not necessarily
inclined to reinstate flight attendants for making these mistakes. If you
are ever subject to a positive alcohol test, contact your local union office
immediately.
QUESTIONS?
If you have any questions
regarding the information in this article, speak directly with one of your
local Union representatives: http://www.afausairways.org/LEC.html
Remember, it is your job
to know and understand these rules...make it a priority!