A new Jumpseat Procedure will be implemented April 15, 2002 in accordance with our May 2000 Flight Attendant Agreement. Please pick up your SID identification card at your domicile as soon as possible. 

Below you will find answers to your most frequently asked questions.

Q: What is a SID card?
A: It’s an identification card with your name, employee number and seniority integration date (SID). Your SID is the date we use for competitive bidding purposes. It is designed to be worn behind our company ID.

Q: Why are we changing the way we get the jumpseat?
A: This procedure was introduced in our last contract, Side Letter number 22 on page L22-1. Your MEC, which consists of your Local Council Presidents, passed a motion at our Special MEC Meeting in February 2002 to implement this language.

Q: How is the new procedure beneficial?
A: The intent is to allow more flight attendants on a full aircraft. For example, if a more senior flight attendant was awarded the jumpseat and there was one passenger seat remaining when clearing the non-revs but there was a senior ramp agent and a junior flight attendant standing by, the more senior ramp agent would get the passenger seat and the more junior flight attendant would be left behind. With the new procedure, the senior flight attendant will get the passenger seat (if they’re senior to the ramp agent) and the junior flight attendant will be awarded the jumpseat. Therefore, more of our flight attendants will benefit.

Q: What about the 30-minute rule?
A: The 30-minute rule will no longer apply once this policy has been implemented. The jumpseat will be awarded when the agent clears all non-revenue passengers.

Q: Can I ride the jumpseat without my company ID?
A: No. The current procedure in place states you must wear your company ID above the waist to ride the jumpseat. Please refer to Section 30, G 2 a of our agreement. 

Q: Can I ride the jumpseat without my SID card?
A: Yes. However, you will be slotted in as if you were the most junior flight attendant. Remember the SID card is designed to fit behind our company ID.

Q: Can a supervisor bump me off the jumpseat?
A: No. The only exception would be if the supervisor was on a co-fly trip. Please refer to Section 30, G 1 of our current working agreement.

Q: Have the agents been informed of this new procedure?
A: The process of educating the agents has begun and should be completed by the implementation date.

Q: What do I need to do to ride the jumpseat after April 15, 2002?
A: You should pick up your SID card at your domicile as soon as possible. Upon checking in with the gate agent you will fill out the jumpseat authorization form. The agent will list each flight attendant requesting jumpseat authorization, reason for travel, (business or personal) and seniority date from your SID card. The jumpseat will be awarded in seniority order to all those having both their company ID and their SID card after all passenger seats have been occupied. 

If you have any questions or comments, please contact your Local Council President.