Tuesday, June 2,2020
70-Hour July VLOA Bidding and July LRD Opens Tomorrow
Bidding for the 70-hour VLOA will open tomorrow, Wednesday, June 3rd, at Noon (CDT).You may access the ballot viaJetnet > Flight Service >70-hour VLOA Bidding
The Lineholder/Reserve Designator(LRD)to preference either Lineholder or “Senior Bumping” onto Reserve will open tomorrow, Wednesday, June 3rd, at Noon (CDT).If you believeyour status is not correct, please contact the FABRC at888-376-5375.
The 70-Hour JulyVLOA ballotandthe July LRD will close on Sunday, June 7th, at Noon (CDT). The 70-Hour July VLOA awards will be posted later in the day.
When you log onto the Crew Portal, you will see the LRD in the bottom right hand corner of the page. You will either be in Lineholder, Tentative or Reserve status in LRD. The LRD will also show your seniority for the group you are associated with.
- Lineholder Status
If your status indicates you’re aLineholder(L/H) then you’ll be considered as a Lineholderwhen VLOAs are processed (regardless if you toggle to RSV). - Tentative Status
If your status indicatesTentative, the default designation in LRD isL/H, which means you’ll be considered as a Lineholderfor the VLOA Bidding process. - Reserve Status
If your status indicates you’reReserve(RSV) then you’ll be considered as a Reserve when VLOAs are processed (regardless if you toggle toL/H).
It is important to remember, if you are satisfied with your designated status shown when LRD opens, it is not necessary to use the toggle on the LRD Tool.If you would like to be on Reserve (Senior Bump) you would toggle over to Reserve. Keep in mind that if you have more than three (3) days of vacation and Senior Bump onto Reserve, it will not count towards your Reserve obligation.ThisLRD Tool PowerPoint Presentationwill provide youwith more information and examples regarding the LRD tool.
VLOAAward Process:
- FIRST…to Lineholders in seniority order until all available leaves are granted, or until there are no more requests. Ifthere are still leaves available after all Lineholders requests have been granted, then…
- SECOND…to Reserves in seniority order until all remaining leaves have been granted or until there are no more requests.If you areawarded a VLOA as a Lineholder and have toggled to Reserve,you will be considered a Lineholder and will not receive Reserve credit. Because VLOAs are awarded to Lineholdersfirst, before Reserves, a junior Lineholder could be awarded a VLOA before a senior Reserve Flight Attendant.
- If you have a carry-over trip, the VLOA will begin after the trip has been completed.
- If you are bidding for the VLOA, you are requesting a leave, and will not be able to pick up carry-over time flying into a leave.
- If you are on an absence ending on or after the 1st contractual day of the voluntary leave request month, or have expired qualifications, you are not eligible for a VLOA.
- You must be eligible to hold a bid award for that month. (Absences ending in the month prior to the voluntary leave request month are eligible).
- If you have required training (e.g. CQ) during your VLOA month, you’re encouraged to attend training and if it’s your grace month, you’re required to attend – even if it overlaps with your VLOA.
- While on VLOA, you will continue to accrue sick and vacation.
- Your health, life and other insurance as well as non-rev travel benefits continue as though you areactive.
- Taking a VLOA is voluntary, so if you file an unemployment claim, the Company will contest that claim.
- You will not be able to fly sequences, other than attending training, while on a VLOA.
- If your Julystatus in the LRDis Reserve and you areawarded a VLOA, it will count towards fulfilling your Reserve obligation.
- I have been a Flight Attendant for six years. Do you think I will hold the 70-hour VLOA for July?
AllFlight Attendants interested in the 70-hour VLOA arehighly encouraged tosubmit a70-hour JulyVLOAballot. - Can I request a voluntary leave for a different span of days other than the full month option?
No.Voluntary leaves are only available for a full bid month. - Can I ballot for a VLOA if I havea carry-over trip into a VLOA month?
If you have a carry-over trip into a month that you havebeen awarded a VLOA, you must work that carry-over trip. If you drop the carry-over trip after the VLOA has been awarded, you should notify the base planners at FA.Planner@aa.com so that the planner can adjust your VLOA to begin on the 1st of the bid month. - Is it mandatory to attend CQ Training during my VLOA?
At your option, you may attend CQ Training in your base month. However, youwill be required to attend CQ Training in your grace month. - How will I be paid for the 70-hour JulyVLOA?
You will receive the standard advance on the July30th paycheck, and the remaining balance on the August15th paycheck. - I have vacation in July. What happens to my vacation if I take the 70-hour VLOA?
70 credit hours will be added to your line. Any pay and credit on your Julyschedule will be offset, including vacation. - If I have a carry-over trip, will the time be paid in addition to the 70 hours?
No. Any pay and credit that exists at the time of the award will beincluded in the 70 hours.
In Unity,
Brian Walsh
APFA National Contract Chair
contract@apfa.org
Linda Haertling
APFA National Scheduling Chair
scheduling@apfa.org
Alin Boswell
APFA Joint Scheduling Implementation Committee
pbs@apfa.org
