Commuter Policy: Ground Commuting [JCBA]

Q:     Does ground commuting cover everywhere?  If I commute via air but there is a wreck or blown tire on my way to my registered commuter city airport and it causes me to miss my commute flight to work, am I covered?

A:     Yes, generally speaking. However, it is important to note the details.

The Ground Commuter Policy covers registered air commuters who are travelling by ground transportation to an AAG flight in her/his in her/his registered commuter city. However, a Flight Attendant does not necessarily have to be a registered air commuter in order to benefit from the Ground Commuting Policy.

The Ground Commuting Policy applies to all Flight Attendants travelling by ground transportation to domicile/co-terminal (including out of domicile pick-ups). Any method of ground transportation (e.g. train, bike, automobile, taxi, ferry, etc.) is covered as long as there is a significant delay that is unanticipated.  Normal rush-hour traffic and running out of gas due to poor planning are not covered because those are conditions that should be anticipated.

Covered examples include:

1. Flat tire on your way to the airport in your commuter city if you are a registered air commuter.
2. Car crash that shuts down the freeway on your way to your domicile/co-terminal (or another domicile/co-terminal if on an out of base pick-up) to report for a check-in.
3. Light rail shut down while you are on the train going to your domicile-co-terminal to check-in.

Q:     What if the flight I miss due to wreck or blown tire is not an AAG flight?

A:     You are not covered by the Ground Commuting Policy. Please note that you must be a registered air commuter travelling to the airport for an AAG flight in your registered commuter city. Any other combinations (e.g. not a registered air commuter “commuting” on an AAG flight or registered air commuter “commuting” on a non-AAG flight) are not covered.

Q:     Under the new Ground Commuting Policy it reads that Crew Scheduling (not the FA) gets to choose whether you get a trip, airport standby, or meet at the sip. Am I reading that correctly?  Under the same section airport standby reads that if you sit airport standby for 4 hours, you will still have to work a trip from base the next day?  Please help me understand if I’m reading this language correctly.

A:     Correct on both counts. It is the discretion of Crew Scheduling which of the options to use. However, the FA will be granted a personal leave pursuant to §28.G.3.a.v (for Lineholders) or §28.G.3.b.iv (for Reserves) if none of the options are used. If the FA is put on APSB in the commuter city, then s/he needs to work a trip from domicile/co-terminal the next day. CSKD usually works with the FA to help facilitate the commute.

Q:     If a FA uses the ground commuter policy and is removed from a sequence, is the FA required to recover the missed flying?

A:     It depends on what you mean by recovering missed flying. Yes, s/he is required to pick up additional time within 30 days if s/he was given a personal leave under §28.G.3. Otherwise, no–as long as s/he receives an alternate assignment under §28.G.3.

Refer to the Changes to the 2014-2019 CBA TA, Section 28.G [Commuter Policy] for additional info.