Update on Displacements, Buddy Bidding System, and TTOT Automation

from Eric Brahm, MEC Scheduling Chair

Displacement Awards

On Aug 5th I represented the AFA during the process when the displacement selections were awarded.  Linda Kuntz, Lisa Snyder, Piper Sanders, Stephanie Babish, Jill Zimmer and I worked together at HDQ1.  Before we began, Linda determined how many spaces were available at each base that had openings based on the figures provided to her by John Flint.  As a group, starting at the top of the Systemwide Master List, we awarded the displacement bases to the Flight Attendants based on their listed preferences.  Because of the high number of F/As who chose to take voluntary furloughs, on the first day we didn't take into consideration LOAs and the Voluntary Displacements by those whose names were not on the displacement list.  Linda was concerned that there wouldn't be a sufficient number to open the DFW/EX base and mentioned her concern that she might need to displace even more F/As in order to reach the number needed.

Hoping to inform those affected as early as possible, we worked quickly and the initial awards were posted on JETNET late on the afternoon of Aug. 5 in advance of the Aug. 6 deadline.  Veronica conferred with me that evening and  emailed Linda with concerns about the way the process had been handled.  I met with Linda the next morning and after some discussion, she agreed to revise the list.  Based on the number of F/As who took Voluntary Displacements and the LOAs granted at the bases with an overage, she determined that we could allow 5 flight attendants to remain in SJU and 3 in BOS.

Starting at the top and working down the seniority lists we called each affected flight attendant and verified their wishes.  Some who had the option to remain at their base then chose to voluntarily displace.  This allowed us to call another F/A under them until we had 5 who wanted to remain in SJU (Hector Padilla being the last) and 3 in BOS (Patricia Rochas being the most Junior to remain).

Dave Brown had a Staff Meeting on Friday,  Aug. 8^th and revised the numbers that will be needed for ORD and LGA/JFK.  Linda and Lisa then went through the lists and allowed more people to displace to these bases if that was their actual preference.  In the end, everyone who picked ORD, LGA/JFK,  DFW/EX or Furlough was given their first choice. There were a few junior flight attendants in SJU who had MIA as a first choice who due to staffing and seniority were given their next choice.  I looked at each F/A displacement ballot to verify that they were given the base of their choice.

The flight attendants have all been informed of their options and the corrected final versions have been posted in the BOS and SJU crew lounges and on JETNET.  For some of those displaced training has already begun. The remaining groups should all be in their new bases by Nov.  The corrected Seniority Lists for all bases should be available on JETNET when the bidding opens.

The F/As electing to take the Voluntary Bridge to Retirement (VBR), and the Buy Out have not been figured in on the number being displaced.  This is because these numbers will not be final until Aug. 20. which is the final date to take this option.  On Aug 5th there were not any F/As from BOS or SJU requesting either of these options.  When we have the final count (Aug. 20th), we will speak with the company to allow more F/As to remain at their base in place of any F/A taking early retirement.

Buddy Bidding System

Buddy Bidding is when 2  F/As desire to hold the same line in order to fly together for a month. The company agreed to allow the option to be switched on and made available to flight attendants at Eagle and Executive. It is in DECS as option 10 on the HIB menu. The AFA mutually produced a users guide along with management input. These instructions on the usage of Buddy Bidding have been posted on JETNET under Hot Topics.  A copy has been placed in each F/A mail box and a HI6 message was sent out informing all flight attendants of this news.

The process seemed very simple when we tested it in DECS and we're hopeful that this will be a valuable assistance for out work group.   It can be used for line holders and for Reserve F/As.  I would expect that it will be most beneficial to those flight attendants who are close together in seniority and I would advise everyone to read Buddy Bidding Basics before choosing this option.

Automation of TTOT 

I have been attending the TTOT Update meetings between management and the IT people developing the system which are held on a regular basis.  At these meeting updates are provided and discussed.  I have been forwarding the hand outs to the LEC Presidents to keep them informed. 

In brief the project is progressing on schedule and should be ready for user testing in the upcoming months.  The completion date is towards the end of this year.

Credit for Time Balancing for Airport Standby

In an effort to make the Reserve System more equitable, the company agreed in the CIC to award the greater of 3:45 or Time Flown for time balancing purposes.  When this went into effect it became apparent that it wasn't programmed properly and when a SB flight attendant actually flies a short turn and then returns to sit the rest of the 8 hour shift, they only receive the value of the turn instead of the 3:45.

We've been in discussions with the company attempting to find an acceptable solution to this. 

At this time the choices appear to be:

1) Return to the way it was done before

2) Leave it as it is now, where the computer is not giving the greater of time flown or 3:45 for time balancing.

3) The company will correct the problem, except that any dead head time on the day of the SB shift will not be credited for Time Balancing Purposes.  However it will be paid correctly.

My recommendation is option 3, but we're waiting on a consensus on these alternatives from your LEC Presidents and will keep you informed when we have more information.