AFA Debrief: February 28, 2023

Date: February 28, 2023

AFA Debrief – February 28, 2023

• Cabin Readiness – Safety & Compliance Reminder!
• End-of-Month 1-in-7 Conflicts
• System Transfers Awarded – Effective May 1, 2023
• AFA Welcomes Class 2302!
  
  

Cabin Readiness – Safety & Compliance Reminder!

Despite the hectic nature of boarding, our job isn’t done once we get everyone settled in for departure. It’s very important that we always keep Safety First and remain focused on our FAA mandated responsibilities. In doing so, we’re required to enforce and comply with many Federal Aviation Regulations in the interest of our personal safety and that of the passengers in our care.

We have received recent reports for non-compliance with cabin readiness procedures. As a reminder a review of our cabin readiness is beneficial during the briefing before every flight. eFAOM> SOP> Cabin readiness. Here are some of the tasks that should be completed:

• Main Cabin Door Closure Requirements
  • Bags stowed, bins closed, exit rows briefed.
• In order for the aircraft to begin movement on the surface the following tasks must be completed:
  • passengers seated with seatbelts fastened, seat backs and tray tables upright and stowed, headrests retracted/stowed, in seat video monitors must be stowed.
• Larger electronics must be turned off and properly stowed
• Galley equipment must be stowed and secured.
• Seat belt (cabin) compliance checks must be completed (In addition to the PA announcements) Flight Attendants are required to complete a cabin compliance check anytime the Fasten Seat Belt sign is turned on during flight, except if instructed by pilots to take their jumpseats, remain seated or during moderate to severe turbulence, as stated as part of the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP).

Reminder: There are more tasks listed in the cabin readiness section of the eFAOM.

Being prepared for each flight ensures we are not only efficient in following our Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) but that we are fully complaint with these requirements. Following the FARs and procedures supports the safety of ourselves and our passengers.

If you have questions, contact your Local Council Safety Committee or your Local Council Office.

End-of-Month 1-in-7 Conflicts

The 1-in-7 language set forth in our Contract is a scheduling provision negotiated to ensure Flight Attendants have at least one calendar day off (midnight to midnight) at their home domicile OR, if on an International pairing of more than seven (7) days, a 24-hour period free from duty (FFD) on a layover at least once in every seven days.

Scheduled Application

Flight Attendants must be scheduled for at least one calendar day off at the home domicile during any seven (7) consecutive calendar days.

Lineholders on International pairings will be relieved from all duty and Company obligations at least once during any seven calendar days in one of two ways:

1.One calendar day at the home domicile.

2. One 24-hour period FFD on a layover.

Reserves must be provided with at least one (1) calendar day off at their home domicile unless they are operating an International pairing of seven (7) days or more, in which case they must be provided with at least 24-hours free from duty (FFD) on a layover.

Flight Attendants may choose to waive this legality, both Domestically and Internationally, at their sole discretion. Keep in mind, if you pick up flying or trade so that you are now scheduled to work seven (7) consecutive days, the 1-in-7 rule is considered waived.

Actual Application

If, as a result of irregular operations, your pairing extends into the seventh day, a legality code will be displayed on your Master Schedule alerting you to the potential legality. If you choose not to waive the legality, you must contact Crew Scheduling as soon as you block in from your trip to advise you would like for your day off to be restored. If you do not do this, it will be considered waived. However, what may not be waived is any resulting FAR requirement for a 24 hour in 7-day period free from duty. 

Whenever a Reserve is not scheduled to have at least one (1) calendar day off at her/his home domicile in any consecutive seven (7) day period due to the convergence of monthly schedules, (Sections 6.P.3. and 8.I.2.) the Flight Attendant is to be provides with the discretion to resolve the legality or not. If electing to resolve the 1:7 conflict, action is required by the Flight Attendant prior to the first day of the new schedule month as follows:

1. Flight Attendants should contact Inflight Scheduling prior to the first day of the schedule month for rescheduling. 

• Flight Attendants may move a day off from later in the month to resolve the 1-in-7 conflict. The Flight Attendant may indicate preferences as to which day off in the new month will be moved, and these preferences will be considered, whenever possible.
• For the purpose of complying with the 1-in-7 limitation, a Reserve may be released (RLSD) from a day of availability. However, this is employed only as a last resort.
• If the Flight Attendant will be a Lineholder in the new month, she/he will work with scheduling to adjust the schedule. If it is necessary to drop a trip to resolve the 1-in-7 conflict, the Flight Attendant’s preference as to which pairing is to be dropped will be subject to the concurrence of the Flight Attendant and Inflight Scheduling. In the event of a failure to reach agreement, the pairing to be dropped will be subject to the approval of the Crew Resource Manager/designee.

NOTE:A Flight Attendant who contacts crew scheduling and indicates she/he does not wish to waive the 1-in-7 must have the conflict resolved at that time. Flight Attendants should not be told to “wait” to resolve the conflict at a later date, that the “pool numbers” will not allow for a day off to be moved or that there are “no legal trade options. “If you find yourself faced with these explanations, contact your Local Council Reserve or Grievance Committee for assistance in resolving this matter before the first day of the schedule month

Alternatively and by no means a requirement, Flight Attendants may elect to enter into a “self-trade” to correct the 1-in-7 by trading days off either mutually (with another Reserve) or with the Reserve Pool during the Open Time trade windows. There is no requirement for Flight Attendants to first attempt a self-trade prior to contacting scheduling.

If a Flight Attendant would prefer to leave the scheduled days of availability as awarded, she/he may choose to waive the 1-in-7 legality by doing nothing. If the Flight Attendant does not contact crew scheduling prior to the first day of the new bid month, the 1-in-7 is considered automatically waived.

Keep in mind that, even if the 1-in-7 Contractual legality is waived, the 24-in-7 FAR must still be satisfied with a 24-hour period free-from-duty during every period of seven (7) consecutive days. Unlike the Contractual 1-in-7 which requires a calendar off at the home domicile, the FAR can be satisfied by a 24-hour period free-from-duty at a layover point in either the domestic or international operation.

NOTE:The 24-in-7 federal aviation regulation may not be waived by a Flight Attendant or the company. If you have a 24-in-7 violation it will appear on your master schedule and must be resolved by crew scheduling.

If you have additional questions, please contact your Local Council office.

System Transfers Awarded – Effective May 1, 2023

Systems transfers have been processed for the May 2023 bid month and are effective on May 1, 2023.

Flight Attendants awarded transfers can view transfer awards in CCS under the transfer request page. Flight Attendants must accept the award in CCS before the acceptance deadline in order for the transfer to be effective.

AFA Welcomes Class 2302!

We are excited to welcome our newest flying partners from class 2302 as part of our Flight Attendant community. Our newest flying partners will begin their careers at bases in DEN, EWR, and IAH.

We were encouraged by the professionalism, the depth of understanding about all that we have experienced and their desire to be a part of our community. We are confident that these new Members will bring their individuals talents and abilities as they contribute to our collective strength. Please help us welcome them to our ranks as they join us on the line next week.

Please remember that our newest Members are on probation. To ensure that they receive the most accurate information to support them, direct them to their AFA Local Council for assistance on Contractual issues.

We encourage you to welcome each of them, help them learn from your experience, and get them started on a path to success and adventure in their new career.

Reminders:

FEB – Black History Month
FEB 28 – United’s Profit-Sharing Payouts
MAR – Women’s History Month
MAR 12 – U.S. Change to Daylight Saving Time
MAR 26 – Europe Change to Daylight Saving Time
APR 30 – The Joe Beirne Foundation CWA Scholarship Deadline

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