Absolutely NOT. There is specific language for 4k pairings in Section 10.DD. A line holding Flight Attendant will not be forced to accept 4k flying. However, Crew Scheduling may offer and a Flight Attendant may accept a 4k sequence consistent with the process of reassignments which requires that the trip be offered in seniority order. There are many rumors and unreliable sources distributing information, but when in doubt please contact the committee. We appreciate those who are emailing the committee and asking for clarification. If you think your question or concern should be posted in our blog, let us know.
Krista Livingston says
I have read and re-read both sections regarding 4k pairings. Is there a monthly cap to the percentage of TOTAL trips that can be built as 4k trips? Or a cap to multi-day sequences built as 4k? I can see the minimums.. but is there a cap?
What I am understanding is that an unlimited number of pairings system wide can be built with a 4k duty period. Is that right?
Could a multi-day trip be built with two 4k duty periods?
If 50% of all pairings for the month are built with 4k duty periods and only 40% of available flight attendants elect to fly the 4k trips will there be enough of a flight attendant reserve to cover the 4k trips?
Will flight attendants who elect not to fly the 4k trips be able to find a sufficient amount of 10 1/2 hr duty day trips to trade with or add to their schedules?
Jake Jones (SEA LEC Vice President/Negotiating Committee Member) says
Hi Krista,
There is no cap on the number of pairings. Currently the pairing optimizer is building 5% of pairings with 4k sequences. This is due to our current route structure and domiciles.
Yes, a multi-day pairing could have two 4k duty periods, such as a 4 day sequence.
There is not the ability to build 50% of our pairings using a 4k duty period with our current route structure and domicile. Reserve coverage is currently 13-15% depending on the domicile. Management would have the ability to increase or decrease reserve thresholds as there is no contractual minimum or maximum.
With the current route structure and domicile geographic there is 95% of the pairings built with 10 hours and 30 minutes. There will be sufficient flying available for FAs not wanting to opt into 4k sequences.
Donna says
What happens if no one bids for pairings with 4k flying? Does it fall to reserves and they have to fly them? No options for reserves?
Lisa Pinkston (ANC LEC Vice President/Negotiating Committee Member) says
If there are no FAs who bid for the 4k sequences, then they will be in OT and will not count towards the Sequence Threshold Number which is used to determine if a day is limited. The trips will remain in OT until a FA trades into them, CS breaks them up and makes them legal within the 10:30 minute duty day, places a premium on them, a reserve self-assigns them, CS offers them to the reserve who has indicated a preference to fly them, or ultimately they remain and there is an unscheduled position within 3 hours of departure (2 hours from scheduled check-in) and at that time they will be involuntarily assigned to a Reserve ant the Reserve will receive a 1.5x premium for the entire sequence. You can find the Long Stage Length Duty Period Language in Section 10.DD.
Please let us know if you have any additional questions.