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It matters to all of us that our flying partners make it to base

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Our positive space commuting is ending today at the sole discretion of management. Without a union, this is what we face as Delta Flight Attendants. Management can change any procedures on a whim, without our input.

Management may say, “no other Flight Attendant workgroup has positive space commuting.” Delta is supposed to be different. And, their statement is not entirely true either. jetBlue Flight Attendants and pilots have positive space commuting through January 4. At least jetBlue is recognizing the potential problems over the holidays if crews can’t get to base.

Management loves to try to distract us from their unilateral decisions by attempting to divide us on issues. With our union we get to represent everyone’s issues and discuss solutions that takes everyone into consideration. Commuting by air is common in the airline industry, and it’s not going away–probably ever. Flight Attendants commute for a variety of reasons, including being forced out of a base, serving as a caretaker for aging parents, or just trying to find an affordable place to live.

No matter how you get to work, it matters to us all that our flying partners make it to base to crew flights. When we are at the table with our union, we can reach solutions that are not just one-sided or put the burden all on Flight Attendants to figure out.

Things happen, that’s why having a commuter policy that covers and considers all scenarios - including commuting on the ground - is important. We were without a commuter policy – a standard in Flight Attendant contracts around the industry – until now. And our new policy is anything from industry leading. Take a look below at different contractual commuter policies below.

We’re organizing so management can’t change the terms overnight for ourselves or any of our flying partners. Sign a card, and join our campaign.

2,890+ Flight Attendants have been hired since the start of the pandemic and haven’t ever had to commute without positive space. Review the new commuter policy. Here are some tips from Delta Flight Attendants who commuted before positive space:

  • Screenshot everything (you can always delete later if not needed)
  • Set an alarm to remember to book the jumpseat
  • Jetway trades are a good way to make extra money and ensure you get to base
  • Sometimes a double commute is the way to go. Check to see if flights go through other bases like CVG, DTW or MSP especially for long commutes
  • Always pack extra clothes that are jumpseat appropriate just in case you have to sit on the jumpseat
  • It’s a good rule of thumb to show up early to check in for the jumpseat. Jumpseats are released 15 min prior to door closure
  • You can standby for a jumpseat in case someone doesn’t show up

Delta Company Policy

  • Covers flying, some public transportation and driving
  • FCAP provides flight attendants with 2 non-accountable occurrences on a rolling 12-month basis.
  • As a commuter, required to have a primary and a back-up flight (DL or OAL) with available seats.
  • If unable to commute on the primary flight and a jumpseat is not available, scheduling will create a positive space (PS) Y-class reservation for a flight that is scheduled to arrive at least 1 hour prior to your scheduled report.
  • If unable to commute via ground, crew scheduling will ask specific questions about your situation.
  • Trip Holders: You will be removed from your rotation with the UNTC code for the days of your rotation and you’re released. This code is non-accountable (the first 2 or combination thereof), does not drive pay or credit but you may pick up flying over it. You may pick up from Open Time or the Swapboard.
  • A-Day Holders: You will be removed from your first A-Day with UNTC and expected to be available for your remaining A-Days.
  • Flight attendants are required to submit the documentation prior to the next assignment or within 10 days of the NCND (whichever comes first) to their FSM via email and [email protected] email address. This code is an accountable code. Once appropriate supporting documentation has been provided, the code will be changed to UNTC within 5 business days.

United Contract

  • Applies to commuting by air or ground
  • If commuting by air, reasonable potential to commute on 2 Company flights
  • If unable to commute to make trip, upon arrival at base may be:
    • Directed to rejoin original pairing
    • Assigned to a different pairing on same days
    • Assigned to pairing which begins on any day of original pairing
  • If Domestic pairing: substitute must return no later than noon on the day after the original pairing was scheduled to return
  • If International pairing: Substitute paring must return no later than calendar day following the original paring scheduled return
  • Assigned a mutually agreeable pairing
  • Lineholder may request hotel room if not assigned immediately or if report time is >5 hours after arrival at base
  • No limit on number of instances but repeated invocation may be considered in evaluation of overall attendance/reliability

Alaska Contract

  • Air Commuting Policy - must register as air commuter and designate commuter city
    • reasonable potential to commute on 2 Company flights
  • Ground Commuting Policy - applies to all Flight Attendants whether or not they are a “registered air commuter”, including Flight Attendants who have picked up out of domicile/co-terminal.
    • Covers personal vehicle, rideshare, public transportation, bicycle, or other ground transport method
    • If unable to commute, must submit dated proof to management within seven (7) days of the event.
  • If unable to commute by air or ground, Commuter Policy Recovery Options:
    • Lineholders or Reserves picking up on days off:
      • Allow the Lineholder to rejoin the Lineholder's scheduled sequence
      • Give the Lineholder another sequence from the Flight Attendant’s registered commuter city, if applicable, or a later sequence in the Lineholder's domicile/co-terminal.
      • Assign the Lineholder to APSB in her/his registered commuter city, if applicable.
      • Released but required to pick up comparable open time within 30 days
  • Reserves or Lineholders picking up reserve days:
    • Reassign the Reserve or allow the Reserve to return to the LTFA list once the Reserve arrives at base
    • Assign Airport Standby in registered commuter city, if applicable.
    • Released on personal leave and work with CS to restore an equal number of reserve day(s) missed as a result of the personal. Must occur within 30 days
  • “Registered Air Commuters” will be given boarding priority over Company employees (and dependents) on pleasure travel and over all employees of other airlines

American Contract

  • Applies to commuting by air
  • Must designate self as commuter
  • Reasonable potential to commute on 2 Company flights
  • If unable to commute on time, Scheduling may:
    • Split pairing to rejoin rest of pairing
    • Assign to a different pairing on same days
    • Release without pay
  • First 3 incidents covered

Southwest Contract

  • Listed on Southwest, or reasonable potential to commute on 2 off-line carrier flights
  • If unable to commute to make trip, crew scheduling may:
    • For Lineholders:
      • Require to list on a different flight
      • Rejoin pairing
      • Given another pairing
      • Assign as airport standby
      • Released but required to pick up comparable open time within 30 days
    • For Reserve:
      • Upon arrival, return Flight Attendant to reserve status is 6 or more hours left
      • Assign Airport Standby Reserve at outstation not to exceed 5 hours
      • Require to list on another flight
      • Released but reserve guarantee reduced. Will not count against perfect attendance
  • No limit on number of instances

Frontier Contract

  • Must register as air commuter and designate commuter city
    • Flight Attendants may commute from sister-cities that are within 180 miles of their commuter city. A Flight Attendant may change her/his registered cities three (3) times per year.
  • Reasonable potential to commute on 2 flights on any airline (seats open 12 hours before departure)
    • Cabin jumpseat may be utilized as the FA’s primary flight but may not be considered as back-up flight
  • If unable to commute by air or ground, Flight Attendant may choose:
    • Rejoin trip when it returns to base
    • PIck up from open-time next calendar day or later in the month
    • Notify scheduling to be placed on availability
    • Request for release, at Company discretion
  • The FA must make every effort to report to Base as soon as possible and each duty day or Reserve Shift following the two failed attempts, unless Released.
  • The FA must provide documentation to substantiate listing and standing-by at the airport for two available flights after they invoked the Commuter Policy twice in a rolling twelve (12) month period.
  • Four uses in a rolling calendar year without discipline