First and Last Segment Deviation – Know the Rules

Date: March 30, 2023

Deadhead deviations are outlined in Section 3.I.12 and 3.I.13 of our Contract. Firstly, it is important to understand the difference between front and back end deviation and that they are handled differently. It is also important to understand that there are specific procedures in place that must be followed dependent on the segment which you are flying (first segment or last segment) and based on your status as either a Lineholder or a Reserve.

When deviating on the back end, there is a difference with a distinction when you are a “deviating” and when you are asking to be scheduled to “deadhead to return home early.”

If the company rebooks you to deadhead home early, your pairing will be updated and your duty rigs will be recalculated based on your early arrival home. When requesting to “return home early”, you are waiving your duty period to be sent home ahead of schedule and your pay will be re-calculated based on the revised duty period. The update to your pairing will result in your boarding priority being a PS0U – with a must ride designation.

If, on the other hand, you are simply “deviating”, you will be paid for the duty rig for the pairing based on your scheduled arrival back to base. You are entitled to NRPS travel within 24 hours over the same routing with a PS5B boarding priority to return to your base.

When utilizing the provision to deviate you should review your duty period and compensation for the trip to verify any changes are correctly recorded.

We must also acknowledge that whether you are deviating on a domestic or international paring, Lineholders with prior notice to Crew Scheduling and Flight Attendants who are on Reserve status with prior approval from Crew Scheduling may deviate. Review Section 3.I.12. and 3.I.13. of our Contract, to learn more about first and last segment deadhead deviations.