Great idea. Anyone knoe if this is being discussed? I am not exactly sure how this works, but it would seem cost effective. It just makes sense.
sky high states: here's what ATA does with satellite bases:
LETTER OF AGREEMENT # 21
between ATA Airlines, INC. and the ASSOCIATION OF FLIGHT ATTENDANTS
in the service of
ATA Airlines, INC.
as represented by the
ASSOCIATION OF FLIGHT ATTENDANTS/CWA
ATA Airlines Inc., and the Association of Flight Attendants/CWA agree as follows:
1. Beginning in June, 2006 and then on a quarterly renewal basis, and with the specific agreement of the Union, the Company may construct and offer for bid, Bidlines intended for Pairings that originate and terminate at a location other than a Flight Attendant Base. Such location may only be in cities where both the Union and the Company recognize a significant population of ATA Flight Attendants residing. These Bidlines will be part of the bid package for a specific Base (e.g. OAK), and only Flight Attendants domiciled at that Base will be allowed to bid on those Bidlines. These Bidlines may consist of Trips, ADD Days, or Reserve Days to support flying from that location, and will be referred to as “Satellite Linesâ€.
2. Satellite Lines shall consist solely of Satellite Pairings that originate and terminate at one specific Satellite.
Example. LAX is a Satellite of the OAK Base. Satellite Bidlines for LAX may be constructed of only LAX Satellite Pairings.
3. Satellite Pairings are constructed to originate and terminate at a Satellite. All
flight/On-duty limitations, hotels, and per diem, if applicable, for Satellite Pairings shall be based on the Showtime and Release time at the Satellite for Flight Attendants awarded such Satellite Pairings.
4. Satellite Lines are associated with a specific Base. The Flight Attendants assigned to the specified Base are eligible to bid each Month for any Satellite Lines that may exist for a Satellite(s) associated with their Base. The award of such bids shall be in seniority order from among those Flight Attendants at the specific Base.
Example. In December, IND is designated as a Satellite for CHI. CHI Flight Attendants may bid for both IND Satellite Bidlines and CHI Bidlines.
5. To be eligible to bid a Satellite Line, a Flight Attendant must be available for the full month with no known absences such as vacation, training if not offered in the Satellite for that month, or any leaves.
6. Satellite Lines or Pairings shall be awarded only on a voluntary basis. A Flight Attendant will not be involuntarily assigned to a Satellite Line. Any Satellite Lines that are not awarded during the Monthly bid process shall have the un-bid Satellite Pairings returned to the specified Base and either: 1.) assigned to reserves in accordance with the reserve order of assignment, or 2.) placed in the BalancingTime Pool or OpenTime. Such un-bid Satellite Pairings may be reconstructed to add other live open flying at the specified Base, or combined with other Open Time Pairings in the specified Base, or positioning will be added both to/from the specified Base to the Satellite. In such cases, Showtime and Release shall be at the specified Base and per diem will be calculated from the specified Base.
Example. A Satellite Pairing is scheduled LAX-OGG-OAK-OGG-LAX, and is part of a Satellite Line. The Satellite Line is not bid or awarded. If the Satellite Pairing cannot be combined with other open time flight legs or Pairings to create a new Pairing, then the Satellite Pairing will be rebuilt as a specified Base Pairing that includes positioning such as: DH OAK-LAX, operate LAX-OGG-OAK-OGG-LAX, DH LAX-OAK.
7. A Flight Attendant awarded a Satellite Line, including Reserve Satellite Lines, (if
offered), and/or a Satellite Pairing from open time shall be treated for scheduling rules, limitations, hotels, and per diem, if applicable, as though the Satellite is that Flight Attendant's Base for the duration of the Bid Month or Pairing, as applicable. Positioning is not provided between a Base and a Satellite for Flight Attendants who are awarded a Satellite Line or Satellite Pairing from Open time, nor are hotels at the beginning or ending of a Satellite Pairing.
8. The Company may elect to post Satellite Reserve Lines in the Monthly bid package. However, generally Satellites with known flying will not be staffed with reserves. Military/Charter Blank Lines may be included as practicable.
9. Flight Attendants awarded a Satellite Line for a Month shall, upon request, be either provided parking or reimbursed for parking within established cost parameters at the Satellite for such Month. This provision also applies to Flight Attendants awarded a Satellite Pairing from Open Time.
10. Flight Attendants holding a Satellite Line for a Month may bid Open Time at
their Base or at other Bases as provided within the Collective Bargaining
Agreement. A Flight Attendant holding a Satellite Line will be considered as in-
Base with regard to being awarded Open Time posted at the specified Base.
However, no positioning will be provided between the Satellite and the Base from
which the awarded Open Time Pairing starts and ends.
11. The Company may conduct FA training at a Satellite location, but is not obligated to do so.
TWEAK IT ALITTLE AND MAKE IT HAPPEN.
ONLY stating opinions