In This Edition

• Temporary Commuter Policy Expansion to Include Other Airlines
• Reserve Bidding Information
• Hawaii Turns
• Pre-Cancellation (10.S) Quick Reference Flow Chart
• AFL-CIO COVID-19 Resource Guide

Temporary Commuter Policy Expansion to Include Other Airlines

Master Executive Council (MEC)

In the wake of the significant flight schedule reduction throughout the airline industry, AFA and management have agreed to expand section 28.G [Domicile: Commuter Policy] of the JCBA to temporarily include flights operated on other airlines (OAL) in addition to flights operated by Alaska and Alaska capacity purchase agreement (CPA) flights operated by Horizon and Skywest.  The temporary agreement allows OALs to be used to meet the two consecutive scheduled flight requirement in section 28.G.1.b.  Registered air commuters utilizing this provision should be prepared to provide Crew Scheduling with relevant flight information for verification (e.g. air carrier, flight number, city pair, scheduled departure time, projected or actual departure time, reason for delay).

The temporary agreement is effective immediately and will remain in effect until May 31, 2020.  Registered air commuters are encouraged to review section 28.G. of the JCBA as well as AFA LOA 2020-04-07 [Commuter Policy and Utilizing Other Airline (OAL) Carriers During COVID-19 Schedule Disruptions] which details the specifics of the temporary expansion.  

Questions?

Please contact your LEC Officers with any questions about the temporary expansion of the commuter policy.

Reserve Bidding Information

Scheduling Committee–PBS Subcommittee 

Your AFA PBS Subcommittee wants to offer assistance to those of you who might be on reserve for the first time in many years OR for those of you choosing to bid a reserve line.  A Bidding for Reserve guide can be found at the inflight website under schedule & bidding > line bidding > PBS QA/Help.  The guide can also be accessed directly by clicking here.  

The PBS Subcommittee anticipates being extremely busy this month and will respond to emails as quickly as possible given the increased volume of correspondence. However, with the sheer number of people affected, there is no possible way to help everyone individually with entering a Reserve bid. Prior to contacting the PBS Subcommittee, please review the Bidding for Reserve guide.  It will likely answer most, if not all, of your questions and provides examples of multiple bidding scenarios.  

When the May lineholder and reserve numbers are posted on the PBS Info Page you will have a better idea where you fall in your base. Check your May bidding order number on the inflight website > Schedule and Bidding > Line Bidding > Seniority List. Compare your bidding number to the May numbers for your base on the PBS Info Page. This comparison will help you determine if you can possibly hold a line or will likely be on reserve. Some Flight Attendants senior to you may choose to bid for a reserve schedule but specific details such as “who?” or “how many?” will not be available this until bidding closes. 

The current situation is unprecedented in the history of our airline.  Your PBS Subcommittee  appeals to you to try and manage your bids on your own this month as the need for help will be unprecedented. 

Questions?

Please send all requests for assistance to the PBS Subcommittee group email at pbs.qa@alaskaair.com.  This group inbox is regularly monitored by all Subcommittee Members and will ensure that you receive the fastest possible response.  Alternately, you can also contact your Local Reserve Committee for assistance.

Hawaii Turns

Master Executive Council (MEC)

With the previously announced reduction in flying, Hawaii flying is being reduced to two daily roundtrips from the mainland—one from SEA and one from LAX.  AFA and management have agreed to continue operating Hawaii flying as turns through the end of June out of an abundance of caution and due to the State of Hawaii’s quarantine requirements.  Effective Thursday, April 16, these turns will be operated in accordance with AFA LOA 2020-04-10 [Hawaii Turns Due to COVID-19 Restrictions].  Key provisions of this LOA include:

• The 4-person crew (A, B, C, and D position) will work both legs of the turn.
• Turns will be augmented with two additional Flight Attendants; one of the additional Flight Attendants will work to Hawaii as an augmented crewmember (E position) and deadhead back to the mainland.  The other additional Flight Attendant will deadhead to Hawaii and work back to the mainland as an augmented crewmember.
• All Flight Attendants will be paid two times (2.0x) the rate of pay for any TFP flown on a Hawaii turn.
• For the remainder of April, F/As will receive compensatory “double-out” rest at the end of a Hawaii turn sequence.  Beginning in May, regular domicile rest will apply. 
• Crew rest seats and breaks will be provided (see the LOA for specifics).
• Reserves may be assigned Hawaii turns

The May bid packet will contain pre-built Hawaii turn sequences that are available for bidding through PBS.  Flight Attendants who would like to bid for these trips will need to opt-in using the corresponding “Allow Long Duty (4k) Pairings” waiver.

Questions?

If you have any questions about Hawaii turn sequences, please contact your LEC Officers or Local Scheduling Committee.

Pre-Cancellation (10.S) Quick Reference Flow Chart

Scheduling Committee

The number of changes being loaded into the flight schedule by management have driven a record amount of pre-cancellation activity over the past several weeks.  To help Flight Attendants better understand the provisions of section 10.S [Scheduling: Pre-Cancellations] of the JCBA along with the recently enacted AFA LOA 2020-03-28 [Pre-Cancellations Due to COVID-19 Schedule Changes], our Scheduling Committee has made a quick reference flow chart available outlining how pre-cancellations work.  You can access this flow chart by clicking here.

Note: The MEC wishes to thank MEC Inflight Training Committee Member Justin Wetherell for formatting the flow chart and the Local Scheduling Committee Chairpersons and Members for providing valuable input and feedback.

Questions?

If you have any questions regarding pre-cancellations, please contact your Local Scheduling Committee.

AFL-CIO COVID-19 Resource Guide

AFA and CWA are affiliated with the AFL-CIO, a voluntary federation of over 55 national and international labor unions.  The AFL-CIO has put together a state-by-state guide of resources, programs, and benefits available to workers affected by COVID-19.  You can find the guide on the AFL-CIO website under COVID-19 resources or by clicking here.