Looking For Answers.

[Flyboy4u]

Can anyone please shed some light on what is happening with the manning situation as far as F/As are concerned at AA? Currently at the top of the recall list I am pondering on what to do, as far as, my own future is concerned. The company continues along with that "thing" they call a union that no recalls will happen for this year. Looking at reality though, I don't know whom, or what to believe.

Fact: Flights contiune to go out undermanned. Is this now going to be the norm at AA? If so, then what's the headcount for F/A's per aircraft currently at AA?

Fact: 1300 Ovl's are "Supposedly" coming back to the line on July 1st. Is there not some time frame prior to July 1st that the company needs to know this information seeing all the Ovl's need to go through recurrents prior to reporting to base?


Does anyone have any attrition rates to date? Also, some Ovl's have already returned. Does anyone have any numbers on those who didn't return back to the line? Also, with the new routes being picked up How do these affect manning?

Seems to me this company and the APFA seem to be hiding alot of facts and information. It's extremely difficult, knowing where I am on the recall list, to plan for the future. Any information or thoughts on these matters would greatly be appreciated?


What Unity?

 

[jj]

A little birdie in my ear says aprox. 400 F/As are being looked at to be recalled soon. More info when I get it.I think that would make some people happy.I wonder how many would come back?

 

[Flyboy4u]

JJ

Can you please shed some light on where you are getting this information? There has been so many rampid rumors floating around but maybe someone can add some substance to how they might be coming up with these numbers?

 

[TWAnr]

From the APFA Hotline:

In Rumor Control:

Is there any truth to the rumor American will be recalling furloughed Flight Attendants in July? No. American has made it clear to the APFA that they have no plans to recall Flight Attendants in 2004. Nearly 1,300 Flight Attendant currently on Overage Leave of Absence, not furlough, will return to active status on July 1.

 

[jimntx]

Can anyone please shed some light on what is happening with the manning situation as far as F/As are concerned at AA? Currently at the top of the recall list I am pondering on what to do, as far as, my own future is concerned. The company continues along with that "thing" they call a union that no recalls will happen for this year. Looking at reality though, I don't know whom, or what to believe.

Hi, guy. First off, the neither the company nor the union has ever said that "there will be no recall of furloughees in 2004." What the official line--in two different wordings meaning the same thing--states is "There are no plans to recall any furloughees in 2004" or "We have not budgeted for the recall of any furloughees in 2004." There is a small, but important difference between "there will be no recall" and "there are no plans for recall."

Fact: Flights contiune to go out undermanned. Is this now going to be the norm at AA? If so, then what's the headcount for F/A's per aircraft currently at AA?

To paraphrase President Clinton, "Define undermanned." The CBA is clear that staffing levels are the company's decision and can be changed with a 45 day notice to the union. CBA, Article 9, Section B, Paragraph 3. Truth be known, since the elimination of meal service on most domestic flights, there are few flights outside of the Texas Shuffle--DFW-IAH, DFW-AUS, DFW-SAT--that fit the OLD staffing guidelines for an extra.

{Continued in next post.}

 

[FA Mikey]

I haven't worked a flight understaffed based on AA's manning tables. We all hope to see every single person back sooner rather than later, but if you are basing your hopes on the fact that we are undermanned. We are not.

 

[jimntx]

Fact: 1300 Ovl's are "Supposedly" coming back to the line on July 1st. Is there not some time frame prior to July 1st that the company needs to know this information seeing all the Ovl's need to go through recurrents prior to reporting to base?

No. The company might "need to know" how many are actually planning to return, but there is no requirement for a flight attendant on OVL to notify the company prior to the scheduled return date of their plan to return or not. What the company has to do is schedule some level of recurrent for ALL 1300, then count heads the first day to determine how many actually showed up.

For that matter, there is no way to know if a bunch of them are planning to return, fly the one required trip (I think one trip is required???), then go on sick leave to burn their sick bank prior to retirement or resignation.

Does anyone have any attrition rates to date? Also, some Ovl's have already returned. Does anyone have any numbers on those who didn't return back to the line? Also, with the new routes being picked up How do these affect manning?

1. From what I can gather, retirements continue at the historical pace of 20-30 per month. Resignations are up slightly, but there is no mass exodus for the door.
2. If an OVL returned, they returned to the line--tain't no other way to do it. If an OVL decided not to return, why would they give up their non-rev travel benefits early by submitting a letter of resignation? For an OVL to return early, they have to be granted a hardship return--like a hardship base transfer--and they are not guaranteed a return to their previous base.

Seems to me this company and the APFA seem to be hiding alot of facts and information. It's extremely difficult, knowing where I am on the recall list, to plan for the future. Any information or thoughts on these matters would greatly be appreciated?

I really don't think anyone is hiding information? It's simply that at this point they don't really know anymore than you or I. I'm sure they have contingency plans if the majority of the OVLs fail to return or there is a mass exodus of senior f/a's as soon as the 777 arbitration award is paid, but what good would it do them to announce them. At this point it would be hypothetical and would unnecessarily get your hopes (and mine) up.

I know that you are near the top of the recall list. Last I heard, I am #397. All we can do is wait and see. Common sense would tell you that there will be a recall of some size this year--probably around 01DEC--but that requires an assumption (some would say a wild-assed leap of faith) that common sense will prevail.

 

[jimntx]

Also, with the new routes being picked up How do these affect manning?

Forgot to add...

Even though there are announcements almost daily about new routes being started, the company says little about routes that are being dropped. That is making up some of the difference. For instance, TWA used to have 5 full, money-making 757s a day on the STL-PHX service. As of 01May, there are NO non-stops between STL and PHX. You have to change planes in either DFW or ORD.

 

[AAStew]

Mikey is right in that flights are not going out understaffed. I haven't had that happen in a while. Also they are adding alot of international routes or rather some, but domestically flying is shifting to Eagle. Flight attendants who are on overage, this is just a guess, but I don't think alot of them will be quitting. It is just too easy to rearrange schedules and drop trips. Remember, before anyone starts complaining about us dropping trips, this is why alot of us took this job in the first place, alon g with the crap comes the flexibility once you become a bit senior.
We would love to have all of you back but I would not turn down any good job offers waiting for AA!

 

[TWAnr]

1. From what I can gather, retirements continue at the historical pace of 20-30 per month. Resignations are up slightly, but there is no mass exodus for the door.

The APFA monthly attrition report (please excuse the formatting:

Monthly Attrition Report
Month Domestic International Total Attrition (Including Retirements) Total Retirements
January 04 40 18 58 18
February 04 27 18 45 19
March 04 38 9 47 14
April 04 29 12 41 15
*Information contained in the Attrition Report comes from the Flight Service Web site

http://www.apfa.org/head_count_may.pdf

 

[Flyboy4u]

I know of 3 F/A's already to date with understaffing pay. So if you sayflight are not going out understaffed again you are wrong. I agree seems like Eagle is and will be taking all domestic flying. As far as turning down a good job waiting for AA...Give me a break!! I havn't even considered that...What I am considering is enrolling into a Masters program at a local University. Now you see my situation..Its a shame that nobody can get any information out of this company but I guess this is one of the many reasons why AA is in the current situation

What Unity?

 

[AAStew]

Wow, flyboy, you are a bit testy. You nmay know three f/a's who have gone out understaffed, but most likely because the pax count went up, and they weren't expecting it. But again three is not alot, you were asking for opinions and we gave them to you. If you don't like what you hear, I am sorry for you. I hope your masters program goes well.

 

[TransWorldONE]

I've heard there is possibilty that a high ranking "union" official will be coming back to the line soon...hope that helps staffing

 

[Flyboy4u]

Until you have walked in my shoes AAStew you don't know what testy is....I will enjoy my Masters program...You enjoy your 3day trip!

What Unity?

 

[AAStew]

Flyboy,
I have walked in those shoes at least three times already. I know what it is like to get the flying in your blood, and it is not neccesarily the money but that vagabond spirit. I and others are not trying to offend you so you should not take it as such. And yes I do enjoy my three day trips (CDG this month). Again enjoy your schooling because that is something they can never take away from you!