New Commuter Policy
On October 1, 2017, the Virgin America Commuter Policy went into effect. Your Council 35 officers highly recommended that you familiarize yourself with the specific policy guidelines prior to using it. This will avoid potential confusion in the event you encounter commuting challenges. The policy indicates the steps required to utilize the provision as well as the discipline that could potentially be issued if not followed correctly.
FAQs
What documentation is required to use the Commuter Policy?
Ground: documentation in the form of screenshots of alerts or similar showing proof of the unanticipated ground issue. Normal rush hour traffic is not covered under this policy.
Air: two (2) paper boarding passes printed from the commuting airport. This can be achieved by checking in at an airport kiosk or requesting a printed copy of your listing from a gate agent. Additionally, the flights must be scheduled to arrive at base (2) hours prior to report time.
How much notice do I need to provide to CSS?
Please provide as much notice as possible when encountering commuting challenges. The minimum requirements are:
Ground: (1) hour prior to scheduled report time.
Air: (2) hours prior to scheduled report time.
What will happen to the Stuff Happens Pass (SHP) during the trial period?
The SHP will be available for use concurrently with the commuter policy during the trial period. Flight Attendants will also be able to accrue SHP during the trial period. If the commuter policy is officially adopted after the trial period, the SHP program will sunset.
Does this policy cover ground transportation issues?
Yes. This policy covers both ground and air commuting challenges.
How many times may I use this policy?
There are no limits to the number of occurrences an F/A can use the commuter policy to cover transportation challenges.
Are there any black-out dates?
Unlike the SHP program, there are no black-out days for using the commuter policy.
Can you clarify that this policy does not cover recurrent training?
The commuter policy does not cover recurrent training, company events, or other events related to maintaining currency. Please refer to VX Work Rules Chapter 2, Section B.10 for information regarding calling in sick, missing, or rescheduling recurrent training.
If a line-holder is released to rest after being assigned RRR on the calendar day of the original report will the line-holder be provided with a hotel?
No hotel will be provided. In-base hotels are only provided if a F/A is displaced re-assignable (DRA) from a pairing.
Will a Flight Attendant on LCC be able to use the commuter policy on a subsequent day of a pairing if they are not able to return to base a second time?
The commuter policy is intended for use once per assigned pairing. Section E.3.d stipulates that corrective action will occur if an FA calls out late due to a commuting issue for the replacement assignment.
If I’m a Flight Attendant using the commuter policy, could I be assigned reserve in another base? For example – I’m a commuter out of JFK and I can’t get to SFO would I ever be asked to sit in JFK to help the operation?
It is management’s right to send one or more reserves to an outstation to help cover the operation. However, in the case of JFK, management has indicated that they will no longer be sending F/As to sit reserve in that city once the base is closed.
If a pairing originates in another city will it be up to the Flight Attendant to get themselves there?
Management has agreed that the company will be responsible for getting the VX F/A to the origination point of the trip. As an example, if an VX F/A is stuck in LAS and the trip assigned originates in LAX, CSS would deadhead (DHD) the F/A from LAS to LAX.
Will Flight Attendant feedback be gathered in anticipation of the trial closing?
Yes. AFA will send another survey out to VX F/As towards the end of the trial to gather feedback about whether the program should continue or cease.
Can you confirm that if the commuter policy is not extended through January 2018, that the SHP program will remain in effect without a sunset?
The proposed commuter policy stipulates that if the commuter policy is cancelled, the SHP program will remain in effect
It is recommended that you read the Commuter Policy thoroughly and keep a copy of it readily available for reference. If you have any questions about the requirements or need additional assistance understanding the policy, please reach out to your Council 35 Officers at vx@afaalaska.org.
In solidarity,
Melissa & Jamie
