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More Open Time Trading Tips

AFA and management have set priorities to resolve issues with Open Time

 

AFA and management have set priorities to resolve issues with Open Time. At this time a work request is pending with Jeppesen and we are waiting for an estimated time of delivery for the fixes to eMaestro. In order of priority the items pending include:

 

  1. Net 40 TFP calculator visible in eMaestro
  2. No need to recall your trip before being able to trade with OT
  3. Correct coding of trips – programming the TX code (i.e. non TO/CP/DD coding)
  4. Codes displaying on trips in eMaestro
  5. Single trip trading for another trip of a greater number of days and covering the same dates even if not sharing the same date of departure

 

AFA’s position is that the Open Time trial of 12 months is still pending until we are able to fix issues #1 through #4 above. Once the trial begins we will be submitting a monthly survey to Flight Attendants on feedback regarding the new trading system.

 

In order to assist you with the new trading system we have provided helpful OT trading tips below. Additional information can be found in a previous AFA Alaska communication from October 14, 2015: “Open Time Trading Tips.”

 

Picking up a SIP

There are many four day trips in Open Time and you will have to be quick, but you can pick up a trip, SIP it, dump back the portion you don’t want to keep back into OT as long as the day remains open and someone else does not drop while you are processing your SIP.

Example: I see a 4-day starting on the 5th, but I want the MCO 2 day on the 7th and 8th. I pick up the trip, I go back to drop it to open time, I click on the SIP, I give away the top half (because the day is open (because I picked it up and the TSN dropped below the threshold which allows me to drop it quickly back as long as it remains open) and process. The 2-day MCO stays on my schedule.

Again, you have to be quick and only wanting to keep the bottom portion of the SIP while giving back the top portion of the SIP to OT.

Month End Overlap

When you are dropping a trip on the last few days of the month that carries over into the subsequent month, the TFP in the current month will count towards the current month. The additional TFP dropped in the subsequent month will also count towards that month’s net 40 drop.

Example: On Oct 31st I have a 4-day pairing and I drop it into OT. The first day on the 31st is worth 4.0 TFP and takes my 40 TFP net for October down to 36 TFP. The trip dropped also covered November 1st, 2nd, and 3rd which totaled 20 TFP. My net drop for November is now only going to allow 20 TFP in the month of November when I get my next schedule for the subsequent month, unless I pick up more flying from Open Time that overlaps into November.

“Process” button

When processing transactions you must click once and only once on the “Process” button. If you click more than once, the system will process the trade “approved or denied” and then boot you off the system. You will get a duplicate session and have to click “Reset,” then log back on. Click “Process” only one time, let the transaction process, and then go onto the next transaction. Please realize there are many transactions taking place nearly simultaneously on Open Time trading day and that you will need to allow the server time to complete the entire transaction.

Downtrading

Once a day is “limited,” you can still downtrade a trip that operates on the same date of departure as the trip on your schedule.

Example: The 4th is limited and there is a 1-day turn. I have a 4-day trip that originates on the 4th. I can trade down my 4-day, for the 1-day as long as they both operate on the 4th when the day is limited and provided I have not exceeded my net 40 TFP drop.

Recall Trip

If you have a trip posted for pick up, you must recall the trip in order to drop it to Open Time.

* * *

 

We’ve definitely heard there are concerns with multi-day trading and other functions that changed between the old and new system. We appreciate the feedback and will continue to review all suggestions and concerns. If you have questions regarding trading, dropping or picking up please contact your LEC Scheduling Chair.

 

In solidarity,

 

Your MEC — Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Yvette Gesch, Lisa Pinkston, Laura Masserant, Cathy Gwynn, Sandra Morrow and Stephen Couckuyt; and MEC Scheduling Chairperson Jake Jones

AFA Alaska

Open Time and Vacation Open Time Update

 

eMaestro not able to adequately handle the amount of users

 

Over the past few months the Master Executive Council (MEC) and the AFA Scheduling Committee have been actively working with management to help ease the transition during implementation of the new Open Time system. The reality of the situation is that eMaestro is not able to adequately handle the amount of users accessing the system at one time. This is why Open Time crashed in September when Seattle OT trading began.

 

User capacity increased in October, but…

 

To help remedy the issue, management agreed to increase the user capacity in October. This action did appear to soften the blow during Open Time. However, there were still reports of Seattle flight attendants continuing to experience accessibility issues.

 

eMaestro has just about reached maximum performance given its limitations

 

The changes in the contract to the Open Time system are designed to help enhance trading options for flight attendants. Unfortunately, it appears that management did not fully understand the capabilities, or lack thereof, of the eMaestro system during negotiations. Management continues to work with Jeppesen and the Information Technology (IT) department to tweak the system for maximum performance given its limitations. Unfortunately these adjustments have returned about as much improvement as we’re probably going to get.

 

AFA has the daunting task of finding workarounds

 

This leaves AFA with the daunting task of finding workarounds to ensure all flight attendants have the ability to exercise their contractual rights to trade with Open Time. Once the new Jeppesen Crew Tracking Enterprise (JCTE) program is in place the issues will subside. During negotiations management estimated that JCTE would be implemented at the end of second quarter 2016.

 

Seattle Open Time trading moved to the 16th at 0900 PT

 

One workaround in effect during November Open Time for December trading is Seattle flight attendants’ Open Time moved to the 16th at 0900 PT.

 

  • Posting of trips for trade: 14th at 2000 PT.
  • Open Time trading & FA to FA trading:  15th or 16th (see below)
  • Out of domicile trades, pick-ups and give-aways: 17th  0900 PT

 

Trading/Open Time start times for each base:

 

  • SAN:  15th at 0900 PT
  • PDX:  15th at 1000 PT
  • ANC:  15th at 1100 PT
  • LAX:  15th at 1200 PT
  • SEA:  16th at 0900 PT

 

The Threshold Sequence Number (TSN) for ANC, PDX and SAN is 3 trips per day.  For LAX, management has agreed to increase this to 4 trips per day on a trial basis.  For SEA, the TSN is 11 trips per day. For more information, see Inflight Required Bulletin #2015-0210.

 

The MEC believes moving Seattle trading a day later will help offset the problems with capacity overload for all bases when their respective Open Time trading begins. We will continue to monitor Open Time and work with the AFA Scheduling Committee to find solutions to problems if they occur.

 

Update on the upcoming fixes for Open Time Trading

 

There are four items that will be fixed in the coming months:

 

  1. Net 40 Calculator being visible in Maestro
  2. No need to recall your trip before being able to trade with OT
  3. Correct coding of trips – programing the TX code
  4. Codes displaying on trips in Maestro

 

We will keep you posted on the progress of these fixes, but please know they are on the list and actively being addressed.  Once the coding is corrected, this will allow you the ability to trade a trip on your line with a trip in OT coded other than DD (direct drop to OT), TO (open trade with OT) or CP (coupon drop) (e.g. TX, SL, ML, UB, CB, etc.) for a different report date as long as you are covering the same days of flying or greater. Remember, trips coded with DD, CP or TO cannot be traded in this manner although they can be traded down based on day of departure only.

 

Example: You have a two-day trip on October 20/21 and you want to trade for a 3 day trip coded TX on October 19/20/21 in Open Time, the fix will now allow this trade to occur.

 

Vacation Open Time Update

 

Due to problems with vacation open time, the MEC has worked with management to make it easier for you to trade your vacation with vacation open time! Refer to Inflight Bulletin #2015-0268 for detailed information.

 

Vacation trading will start on October 28th

  • SAN at 0900 PT
  • PDX at 1000 PT
  • ANC at 1100 PT
  • LAX at 12:00am PT
  • SEA at 2:00pm PT

 

* * *

 

We know that is a lot of information! If you have any questions, contact a Local Executive Council (LEC) officer (ANC 30 | SEA 19 | PDX 39 | LAX 18 | SAN 15) or a local Scheduling Committee member.

 

In solidarity,

 

Your MEC – Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Yvette Gesch, Lisa Pinkston, Laura Masserant, Cathy Gwynn, Sandra Morrow and Stephen Couckuyt; and MEC Scheduling chairperson Jake Jones

AFA Alaska

Alaska AFA Information At Your Fingertips

AFA Alaska news and information are now easier to access than ever with the recent launch of our new optimized mobile website.  Just visit afaalaska.org on your IMD or personal smartphone for easy access to AFA resources when you’re on the go.

There’s An App For That

If you’re using an Apple device, you can save the AFA Alaska mobile website as an app icon on your device’s desktop.  It’s easy; just follow these steps (or check out the screenshots below):

  • On your device, visit afaalaska.org
  • Click the center icon at the bottom of the screen (arrow pointing up inside a square)
  • Click “add to home screen”
  • Click “add” in the top right corner

The mobile web app will be available as an icon on your desktop an you’ll have easy access whenever you need it.  Please note that the AFA Alaska web app requires an active Internet connection to function.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact your Local Council.

In Solidarity,

Your MEC – Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Yvette Gesch, Lisa Pinkston, Laura Masserant, Cathy Gwynn, Sandra Morrow and Stephen Couckuyt

IMG_9944

Step 1 – Click the center icon (arrow pointing up)

Step 2 - Click "Add to Home Screen"

Step 2 – Click “Add to Home Screen”

Step 3 - Click "Add"

Step 3 – Click “Add”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AFA Alaska Logo No Tag

Enacting 8.S [Natural Disasters…] Due to Hurricane Patricia Affecting Puerto Vallarta

Out of an abundance of caution, Alaska Airlines management has made the decision to turn crews out of Puerto Vallarta (PVR) tomorrow in response to Hurricane Patricia. AFA and Alaska Airlines have agreed to enact the provision of 8.S [Natural Disasters…] in order to facilitate their removal. Management is working on providing additional communication that will be out shortly.

If you have any questions, contact your Local Executive Council (LEC) officers or Scheduling Committee members.

In solidarity,

Your MEC—Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Yvette Gesch, Lisa Pinkston, Laura Masserant, Cathy Gwynn, Sandra Morrow and Stephen Couckuyt; MEC Scheduling Chair Jake Jones

AFA Alaska

Open Time Trading Tips

What do the Open Time codes mean?

 

Although the actual two letter codes in eMaestro are somewhat arbitrary and could change in the successor trading system, Jeppesen Crew Tracking Enterprise (JCTE), they do have a meaning. If a day is “open” in Open Time (OT), trips with the following codes can be traded (including downtraded) without respect to legs, days, TFP, et cetera—including the codes.

 

If a day is “limited” in OT, that is when the codes become important. Trips with the following codes in OT can be traded (including downtraded) without respect to legs, days, TFP, etc.:

  • DD (direct drop to OT),
  • CP (coupon drop), and
  • TO (“open” trade).

 

If a day is limited in OT, a trip with any other code than those three can be traded only day for day or greater. Those codes include TX (“limited” trade), SL (sick leave), ML (medical leave), CB (Company Business), UB (Union Business) and others.

 

However in order to avoid confusion, AFA has requested that all the other codes to be “masked” in the Open Time group display (“Grp”) so you can focus on finding the “golden ticket” coded-trips that may be downtraded regardless of whether the day is open or limited: DD, CP, TO.

 

We’ve simplified it so that if a trip’s group display field is blank, the trip can be downtraded if the day of departure is open in OT; otherwise if the day of departure is limited in OT, a blank trip can be traded only day for day or greater.

 

Where to find the codes

 

The DD, CP and TO trip codes will eventually be displayed in eMaestro and/or the successor JCTE. In the meantime, you can still view the codes by logging into the World of Inflight –> My Schedule –> Open Time.  The relevant codes are listed in the third column on the left under “Grp.” As mentioned above, if the field is blank that means the trip is coded something other than DD, CP or TO (e.g. TX, UB, CB, ML, SL, etc.) and the trip can be traded only day for day or greater if the day of departure is limited in OT.

Net 40 TFP

 

CBA §12.F.4 “A Flight Attendant has the ability to reduce her/his schedule by a net maximum of forty (40.0) TFP…as a result of drops or trades with OT each bid month.”

 

The net 40 TFP reduction only applies to activity in OT—not FA to FA trades/pick ups/drops.

 

There is no net 40 TFP calculator presently, so you will need to keep track of that yourself for now. AFA finds this extremely frustrating and is diligently working toward a solution with management.

 

For example, if you have a 4-day trip worth 20 TFP and you trade in OT for a 1-day trip worth 5 TFP, your net 40 TFP is now down 15 TFP to 25 TFP. If you then pick up a 2-day trip from OT worth 10 TFP then your net 40 is now up 10 TFP to 35 TFP. If you pick up a 3-day trip from a FA worth 15 TFP, your net 40 in unaffected since it only applies to trades/pick ups/drops with OT.

 

Open Days

 

On any calendar day that is “open” and not “limited,” all sequences with that day of report may be picked up, traded or dropped into OT without respect to the number of flights, the number of days and/or duty periods, TFP credit or any other parameters.

 

For example, if you wish to trade your 3-day trip beginning on October 4th for a 2-day trip in OT beginning on October 17th, as long as October 4th is open and you are not over your net 40 TFP, you can make the trade.

 

Limited Days

 

Any sequence reporting on a calendar day that is “limited,” that sequence may be traded for another sequence with the same day of report regardless of the length of the trip.

 

For example, if you wish to trade your KOA OAK 3-day trip reporting on October 9th with a turn in OT reporting on October 9th, it would be approved provided you are not over your net 40. For further detail on how this is accomplished, click here.

 

The example shows how to first trade up from a 2-day to the KOA OAK 3-day and then down to a turn, but the latter part of the trade is perfectly legal by itself if the KOA OAK 3-day was already on your line.

 

* * *

 

Questions? Contact your local Scheduling Committee members.

 

In Solidarity,

 

Your MEC – Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Yvette Gesch, Lisa Pinkston, Laura Masserant, Cathy Gwynn, Sandra Morrow and Stephen Couckuyt; and your AFA Scheduling Committee

AFA Alaska

 

 

 

 

Open Time Trip Trading Example October 2015

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