New Afa Contract

[hulagirl]

Agreed, but remember that the F/A's "me too" give them the same duty rigs/duty limits as the pilots (regardless of which were in effect at any particular time). At the "old" PI that wasn't the case, so the F/A's could be scheduled more efficiently (from the company's "miminum penalty" standpoint) by having different trips.
In today's world of computer processing, I can't think of any reason it couldn't be closer to the same time. Under the East system, with primary, vacation line adjustment, secondary, then reserve bidding the process does stretch out for both pilots and F/A's, but that doesn't mean the two processes couldn't occur closer to the same time (other than avoiding/flying with certain pilots, as you mentioned).

Jim

No "me too's" here. We do not fly with the same pilots, and it gives the F/A's MUCH better schedules.
Our duty days are longer, and we can fly more hours in a day than pilots--which translates into less days flying and more days off. We at AWA are very "lifestyle conscious" and by and large prefer less scheduled days with longer duty rigs. If we were scheduled with pilots, this would be impossible. In a nutshell, we have it made over here. Yes, we are underpaid, but we have a lot more time off with our families, which is a plus.

 

[furloughednow psa]

The main reason I like keeping the crew together is during times of irregular operations it is easier to get a crew and plane together. I can't tell you how often we stand around waiting for a plane in the winter. Also as we seem to be going to an all airbus fleet the equiqment thing won't be a problem.
Because one day I'm going to be the grandma.

The easier the company makes it for these 30-35 yr fa the longer they will stay. When they should retire because their too old and to me thats not safe and they have nasty attitudes. I see it all the time when I non-rev. I was main line and got furloughed and now work at PSA and the way these old bags treat u because your express is so rude.

 

[tahitigirl]

No "me too's" here. We do not fly with the same pilots, and it gives the F/A's MUCH better schedules.
Our duty days are longer, and we can fly more hours in a day than pilots--which translates into less days flying and more days off. We at AWA are very "lifestyle conscious" and by and large prefer less scheduled days with longer duty rigs. If we were scheduled with pilots, this would be impossible. In a nutshell, we have it made over here. Yes, we are underpaid, but we have a lot more time off with our families, which is a plus.

Ok, I like the way that sounds. What is the max duty day and block hours? Do you get min. days?

 

[BoeingBoy]

No "me too's" here.

Which was my original point. If you want to keep separate trips, then keep different duty rigs/duty limits than the pilots, as it appears you have now. If you want the same duty rigs/duty limits as the pilots (as is the case with the East contracts), you'll probably have to accept that the most efficient (from the company standpoint) trips will be the same as the pilot's.

Jim

 

[tahitigirl]

The easier the company makes it for these 30-35 yr fa the longer they will stay. When they should retire because their too old and to me thats not safe and they have nasty attitudes. I see it all the time when I non-rev. I was main line and got furloughed and now work at PSA and the way these old bags treat u because your express is so rude.

Yes, we do have many senior f/a and some can be rude. But then we also have the "crazy eights" and the "nasty nines" which are the most junior. Some of our senior mamas are the most friendly and hardest workers in the group. They bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to the job.

I do agree that when we can no longer do our safety duties that it is time to go. But don't let their age fool you some of the oldest f/a are the most junior. In the mid-late 90's the company hired many f/a that were older and we had new hires that started this job at the age of 60.

I do know what you mean about the working for express and being treated rudely since I too worked for an express co.. I always felt like they (mainline) thought I didn't do the same job just because I was flying on a prop. But you know the truth. Not only do you do the same work, many times you work harder. When things are hitting the fan you are on your own to handle it.

Just ignore the rude ones and hopefully we will see you back on the line soon.

 

[Travelpro72]

Though some may be rude and need to leave there are alot of senior flight attendants that are incredible. I have worked with both. Especially being in the old Transatlantic division, you worked with some real senior folks. I do think though that doing the "Leg Body Leg" through the exit window should not dictate whether you can stay or not. There are some on the line that can barely get out of the jumpseat. Not safe. A few looked like they could do an Oscal commercial. Again, I love our senior f/a's and we all know we'll be there someday as well but there are some that should turn in the wings.

 

[Light Years]

Are there people active with 9 numbers?

 

[tahitigirl]

Are there people active with 9 numbers?

yes

BOS - 10
CLT - 11
DCA - 17
LGA - 28
PIT - none, not even an 8
PHL - 25

 

[heyray]

In my opinion, the rudest of the rude are the ones right in the middle, seniority wise
(excluding crazy 8's and nasty 9's) But....it is such a small percentage. For the most part
our f/a's are professional, down to earth, friendly, and courteous, as I''m sure the US/West
ones are.

Every group has a small percentage of nasty people. The rest of y'all make up for them.

 

[DCAflyer]

In my opinion, the rudest of the rude are the ones right in the middle, seniority wise
(excluding crazy 8's and nasty 9's) But....it is such a small percentage. For the most part
our f/a's are professional, down to earth, friendly, and courteous, as I''m sure the US/West
ones are.

Every group has a small percentage of nasty people. The rest of y'all make up for them.

At the risk of sounding really stupid, what am I missing here? What are crazy 8's and nasty 9's?

 

[firstamendment]

Exactly Cactus!!! Also....Hulagirl is right. We are able to drop down to 40 hours! Imagine having to work a 33 hour 4 day trip and you want to drop down to 40. Just do one 33 hour 4 day in a month and you have already made your scheduled commitment.
See how flexible that is? I understand US Airways cannot do this and can only drop down to 60. In my opinion this is not cost effective since the company has to pay the senior crews more $$. If you're allowed to drop down to 40 through personal trades, junior crews can pick those up for less pay.

So....if the US East folks want change in their system that allows more flexibility and high trips, wouldn't allowing the company to build mix pairings be beneficial?

I've been arguing this point for years. Many of our f/a's think the sky will fall if we seperate from the pilots. Don't get me wrong. I think our CRM is the best in the industry BECAUSE we stay together, but it's all about me and I want high time trips....period. If that means breaking from the pilots, well, buh bye, it's been fun. See ya 'round the campus. As far as irregular operations such as a blizzard? HAHAHAHA!! Things are screwed up regardless.

As far as our "me too" clause? What a joke!! We f/a's have not gain a thing in well over 15 years from this clause. It's original intent was good, but as the going got rough, "me too" has turned into "me screwed". Be gone with it...last decade. Remember Janet Jackson's song, "What Have You Done For Me Lately?" Well, "What has me too done for me late..LY? Nadda!

These are things to talk about on here and will be beneficial.

 

[USAirBoyA330]

Crazy 8 is a term of "endearment" for those flight attendants that employee number starts with an 8. The story goes something like this... A stack of boxes were mixed up during the flurry or hiring and the "DO NOT HIRES" were labeled "HIRE." ( Urban Legend ) When I went through training we had this stupid test of your personality.....you were either a PEACOCK, OWL, PANTHER, DOLPHIN or something else....who knows. You can sort of put the pieces together on all the PANTHERS getting hired (type A personality). But if you fly with anyone around an employee number 81000 to 84000 you know what I am talking about.
I always heard the nutty 9's but that's just because they were all 22 years old and like to have fun.

 

[PITbull]

I agree wholeheartedly with this. We have a pretty good contract, excluding reserve abuse. The NT already has rewritten the reserve section, and it is MUCH better. We have excellent "lifestyle" provisions--dropping to 40 (or below), mixed days, high yield trips, 5 weeks of vacation, etc. Put some $ on the top, and call it a day. I'll vote for it~

I believe the USAirways West f/as need to take a good hard look and the U-East contract. The cost savings to the company is in our contracts and that cost savings spured investors.

The CEO is going after U-West to jam down our agreement. Hopefully, AFA together can work out the most beneficial agreement to the work group ensuring that ratification will only take place with increases in wage going forward and flexibility from the U-West agreement.

It will take a concerted effort from all f/as. So don't go saying on this board what you will agree with and ratify. Management has the same mentality every where. They are looking for cost savings to the bottom, specifically because two major legacies are in bk.

Be smart.

 

[Twicebaked]

All I want at this point is a rotating block system. Nobody after three years needs to still be on reserve 12 months a year.

 

[PITbull]

This is not about a "wish list" my friend.


These negotiations are not negotiating new provisions or agreements.