New Pass Policy For Combined Airline

[CyaInAz]

I just logged onto awacompass and found this headline... It won't let me read any further into the topic... has anyone else been able to read further on regarding this topic.....


"NEW PASS POLICY FOR COMBINED AIRLINE
The new policy will be effective in early 2006, with an interim travel agreement in the meantime. Although we currently don’t have a firm date for the ’06 kick-off, we’ll continually communicate progress with employees and plan to announce a solid date in the weeks to come. More>> "

 

[CyaInAz]

found it... here goes......

Effective on Oct. 5, AWA and US will have an interim reciprocal travel agreement and a combined company dress code.

Active employees, spouses or domestic partners and dependent children fly for free on both carriers, using ID100 passes. Boarding will be after each respective carrier’s employees, but before OAL employees.
America West’s dress code will be the new company’s dress code.
Travelers can enjoy a far expanded route network, stretching to all corners of North America, plus the Caribbean, Europe, and Hawaii.
Effective in early 2006, the entire policy will be in place.

An active employee will have the option to designate a “registered guestâ€￾ for unlimited leisure travel, if the employee does not have a spouse or domestic partner.
Also, for a year or so, we are going to allow employees of both airlines the opportunity to “try on the other airline’s boarding priority for size.â€￾ This means that the method of non-rev boarding will be based on which airline you’re flying.
If you’re flying AWA or AWA Express aircraft, you’ll board according to check-in time.
If you’re flying US Airways or US Airways Express aircraft, you’ll board by seniority.
US Companion Passes and AWA Flexi Passes become “Guest Passes,â€￾ effective in early ‘06. Eight round trip passes are distributed annually and priced based on mileage.
Retirees continue to receive generous benefits.
“Vacation passesâ€￾ allow all active employees to travel twice per year at the highest SA boarding priority. Retirees receive one pass per year.
Automation for all employees is coming in the first quarter 2006. This means both US and AW employees will be able to do the following via the employee web site:
Check flight loads
List for flights
Check-in for flights
Today, the combined America West and US Airways announced to employees and their family members the combined airline’s pass policy. Highlights, stated above, include features of both former programs, and introduce an “innovativeâ€￾ method for determining non-rev boarding priority: status quo.
The vast majority of the new policy will be effective in early 2006, to allow time for automation; however an interim reciprocal travel agreement has been put into place, effective Oct. 5, 2005. The dress code is also effective immediately. Come early ‘06, the entire policy will be effective, including provisions for boarding priorities, registered guests, free travel, and guest passes. Following are summaries of some of the highlights; however this is not the comprehensive policy. Everyone’s situation is unique, and this report only scratches the surface. A more comprehensive policy is available here on Compass.

Boarding Priorities (Effective in phases; Oct. 5 and early 2006)
Without a doubt, the most important aspect of the pass policy centers on how non-revs are boarded. Seniority or first come/first serve. Many employees have sent legitimate concerns about this topic since the merger was announced. On the US side, concerns center on using something different than seniority boarding and concerns on the AWA side are also about changing from a first come/first serve process. Both have legitimate points, and quite frankly, there isn’t a solution that is a win-win for everyone. Some may claim that a first come/first serve is the most fair way since it puts everyone on a level playing field; others make the point that they’ve worked hard for many years and seniority boarding is the last thing they have left. Both of those are true sentiments, and the one thing we can all agree on is that this one is not decision to be taken lightly.

Because it is easy to criticize the unknown (who really likes change?), it is appropriate that everyone have the opportunity to try the other’s system out for a period of time. Employees may think they will hate seniority boarding, but until they actually try it out, they won’t know for sure. Likewise, US Airways employees may think first come/first serve sounds awful, but they deserve the chance to try that out too. It’s kind of like insisting you hate broccoli without ever having tried it (ok, we actually don’t like broccoli unless it has a big glob of cheese sauce on it, but that’s besides the point).

Throughout the year, we’ll want to hear feedback from employees, and that feedback will be rolled up to the Steering Committee as well as reported back to employees through our internal communication channels. Let us know about your non-rev boarding experiences, what you like, what you don’t like, etc. by writing to us at:

[email protected]

Don’t expect a personal response every time to e-mails sent to this address, but know that your opinions are being read and noted. We know there will be massive feedback (keep it family friendly too) and the purpose of that feedback is to give leadership a better idea of which policy should be adopted long-term. The boarding priority try on program will work like this:

Phase 1
Starting Oct. 5 through early 2006, active employees and certain family members can travel for free on each other’s airlines (AWA on US Airways or vice versa). Travel will be arranged through each respective company’s ticketing locations/methods and will be at an ID100 rate (meaning free), with the following priorities:

AWA employees on US Airways: S5HP
US Airways employees on AWA: SA3C
Don’t get hung up on a 5 or a 3 in the boarding priorities; although different in number, these are equivalent rankings based on how the airlines board. Both of these enable boarding after active employees and retirees, but before OAL employees.
Travel for parents and retirees will be at a service charge rate of $15 per direction plus segment and security fees and any applicable taxes systemwide, excluding Europe and Hawaii (which will be $40 per direction plus segment and security fees and international taxes).
As of Oct. 5, boarding priorities remain status quo on each employee’s “originalâ€￾ airline, meaning an AWA employee continues to board on AWA according to check-in time and a US Airways employee boards US Airways according to seniority.

Phase 2
Effective in early 2006, boarding priority will be based on which airline you’re flying. If you’re flying AWA, you’ll board according to check-in time. If you’re flying US Airways, you’ll board by seniority. This strategy will allow every employee to test out both systems and, at the end of 2006, a more permanent solution may be put into place.

Boarding Priority Summary

Starting with the effective date in early 2006, the approach of boarding differently by airline will be a “try-out.â€￾
Employee feedback regarding their boarding priority preferences is welcome at [email protected].
Throughout the year, employee feedback will be collected and will help in determining a final boarding policy for the combined airline.
Automation is on its way, meaning checking loads, listing and online check-in will be available to all employees in the first quarter 2006 via the employee web site, http://thehub.usairways.com.
Boarding Priority Recap
Former US Airways Former America West New US Airways
Boarded by seniority.
Unaccompanied eligible
family members travel at the employee’s seniority. Boarded by check-in time.
Pass travelers are boarded on a first-come, first-served basis within their boarding priority. Maximum check-in time is four hours before flight and may be accomplished online. Effective Oct. 5: AWA employee continues to board on AWA according to check-in time and a US Airways employee boards US Airways according to seniority.
Travel on each other’s airlines will be facilitated through ID100 passes.

Effective in early 2006: ID 100 passes are no longer needed. On US Airways flights, the new company will maintain seniority boarding for employees and eligible family. On HP aircraft, travelers will maintain check-in time for both US and HP employees and eligible family.



Dress Code (Effective Oct. 5)
The combined company’s dress code will go into effect immediately. After all, is it ever too early to be comfortable?! The new policy reflects America West’s former policy, which allows casual wear in Coach and business casual in First Class.

Dress Code Recap

Former US Airways Former America West New US Airways
Coach: For men, business dress, including slacks, or clean jeans with a collared dress/leisure shirt.
For women, dresses, suits, capri pants, slacks or neat, clean jeans with blouse or sweater.

First Class: For men, a collared shirt or sweater with coordinated dress slacks are required. Women wear dresses, suits, dress skirts, dress capri pants or dress slacks with coordinated blouse or sweater. Dress shoes are required.
Coach: Shorts, jeans, t-shirts and sneakers are permitted in good taste.
First Class: Business casual, such as golf shirts, khakis, black denim, open-toed dress sandals.
Coach: Shorts, jeans, t-shirts and sneakers are permitted in good taste.
First Class: Business casual, such as golf shirts, khakis, black denim, open-toed dress sandals.



Registered Guests (Effective in early 2006)
For the first time at America West – and inline with US Airways’ current policy – unmarried active employees and those without domestic partners will be able to select one “registered guestâ€￾ who will travel unlimited for free (but have imputed payroll tax impact to the employee).

Registered guests join spouses, parents, dependent children, non-dependent children (to age 35) and parent-in-law (if parents are deceased) as eligible members who have unlimited travel privileges with US Airways.

Registered Guests Recap

Former US Airways Former America West New US Airways
Eligible unlimited travelers include spouse, domestic partner, child, parent (mother, father, step parents or adoptive parents), registered guest. Eligible unlimited travelers include spouse, partner, dependent or non-dependent children, parents (biological or adoptive or step), parents-in-law if parents deceased. Eligible unlimited travelers include spouse, domestic partner, dependent children to age 19 unless full-time student to age 25, non-dependent children to age 35, parents, parents-in-law if parents are deceased, registered guest who is at least 18 years of age.


Free Travel (Effective in early 2006)
Travel for active employees, spouses, and dependent children will continue to be free on both airlines. Registered guests and domestic partners will also travel for free, but have imputed payroll tax impact to the employee. Parents will pay $15 per direction plus segment/security fees system wide excluding Europe and Hawaii (which is $40 per direction plus segment/security fees and international taxes). Non-dependent children and parents-in-law pay guest pass rate under a new mileage-based system (see “Guest Passâ€￾ explanation below for mileage computations).

Free Travel Recap

Former US Airways Former America West New US Airways
Free travel for active employees of US Airways and US Airways Express and for eligible family members, paying taxes on only international travel. Active employees of AWA and spouse and dependent children fly for free. Parents pay $15 per direction plus segment and security fees. Non-dependent children and parents-in-law pay fair market value. Partners are free with imputed tax. Free travel for employees, spouse and dependent children. Parents pay $15 per direction plus segment/security fees system wide excluding Europe and Hawaii (which is $40 per direction plus segment/security fees and international taxes). Non-dependent children and parents-in-law pay guest pass rate under new mileage-based system. Domestic partners and registered guests travel free but have imputed payroll tax impact to the employee.


Guest Passes (Effective in early 2006)
US Airways’ former Companion Passes and AWA’s Flexi Passes will now become “Guest Passes.â€￾ Each active employee will receive eight round trip passes annually. Prices will be based on mileage, as spelled out below.

Guest Passes Recap

Former US Airways Former America West New US Airways
Employees are eligible to purchase up to eight round-trip, 90 percent reduced rate space available companion passes per year. ID90 reduction applies to the highest unrestricted coach class (Y) fare. Employees are eligible to earn from 24-40 “Flexi-passâ€￾ coupons per year based on part or full-time status and attendance. In turn, these coupons can be used in a variety of ways, ranging from guest passes to upgrades to pet transportation. Eight Guest Passes per year/per employee are distributed electronically.
Prices are based on mileage:

$25o/w 0-500 miles
$30o/w 501-1000 miles
$40o/w 1001+ miles
$100o/w Europe and Hawaii
Segment and security fees and international taxes apply over and above the prices listed above.


Retiree Travel (Effective in early 2006)
Retirees at the combined airline will merge the two former policies into one that uses AWA’s age requirement, with US Airways’ family eligibility guidelines – a win/win, when you compare the two policies.

Retiree Travel Recap


Former US Airways Former America West New US Airways
Eligible at 55 years of age and 10 years service. Retirees with 25 years service and spouse/partner receive free pass travel. Other family members eligible for service pay a fee. Retirees travel at S3 priority.
Retirees with less than 25 years service, and their spouse or partner, are eligible for service charge travel of $20 OW/$40 RT domestic and $40 OW/$80 RT international. They receive four companion passes per year.
Eligible at 50 years of age and 10 years service.
America West retiree, spouse and dependent children are eligible for unlimited travel free on AWA.

Priority is SA3P – one level below active employees. Parents, non-dependent children and formerly eligible parents-in-law are no longer eligible once employee retires. They receive six Flexi Pass coupons per year.
Eligible at 50 years of age and 10 years service.
Retirees with 25 years service and spouse/partner receive free pass travel. Other family members eligible for service pay a fee.

Retirees with less than 25 years service, and their spouse or partner, are eligible for service charge travel of $15 OW domestic and $40 OW to Hawaii and Europe.

Eligibility includes parents and non-dependent children up to age 35.

Receive four guest passes and one SA1 priority option electronically per year in travel profile (allowing one round trip at highest space available priority for employee and any accompanying eligible family members).



Additional Information: Critical to Understanding the Policy
The new policy addresses the items above as well as dozens of other topics, such as retiree travel, cabin pets, upgrades, and baggage claim. In addition, it details critical eligibility requirements, codes of conduct, and more. Before you go any further with registering or collecting documentation, read through the policy, posted here on Compass (for America West employees) and at http://thehub.usairways.com (for US Airways employees). Find details on the following topics and more:

Leave of absence travel
Furlough travel
Emergency travel
Retirees travel
Intern travel
Travel by surviving spouse or domestic partner
Temporary employee travel
Positive space leisure travel for employees
Post-termination travel
Travel upgrades
Travel identification requirements
Children in First Class
Personal cargo shipments
Cabin and cargo pets
Excess and oversized baggage, sporting equipment
Human remains shipments
Dependent children qualifications
New Hire pass travel eligibility
OAL reduced rate ticketing
Pass Bureau activities outside realm of employee travel
Baggage claim policy
SA1 Vacation Passes



Look for more details and a firm date to come as the “early 2006â€￾ phase is assigned a solid date. (We know – you want to make your travel plans!)

 

[drifterreno]

Doug is getting a big email--Non dependents now do not have an age requirement. Sorry folks but son is older now.
Why take that away, AND looks like our 24(lowest number of flexis) is deminishing. Will send an email asap.

 

[multitasker]

The new guest pass (flexi passes) is simular to the origional HP guest passes. We received a max of 8 per year(2 per quarter) and they were 20.00 each way. Unlike our current flexi passes which are more expensive than a regular ticket. So we get less but now they are worth more. Yeah!!!

 

[hp-csr-phx]

I am wondering is the imputed income for tax purposes for Domestic and Registered partners on the old ID90 or is it the new $25-$40 guest pass price?

 

[SegmentKing]

HP CSR,

when my b/f flies from Florida to DC, for instance, it adds the value of an ID90 to my taxable income. My last check lists "Domestic Partner Travel" (even though he's my Reg Companion) for $20.40, which was the "taxable" cost of a roundtrip MCO-EYW... so basicly I paid maybe $4 in taxes for his trip.

Also, all buddy passes are initially E-ticketed, so lets say you work in PHX but you want your pal in STL to fly out, all s/he will need to do is go to the US/HP counter and they'll print the flight coupons out for them. Its really an easier system than other airlines. Only catch is you "have" to pay for them *koff*... (cash, credit card, check) and they can only be refunded to you. Our buddy passes are also valid on Express.

Buddy pass riders are S7's unless they are traveling when you, then they are S3 with your seniority.

Also, since UA/US have a cozy relationship, we have a nice ID95 program in place, althoug I'd rather see it converted to a low ZED rate... would be a bit cheaper. PHX-MCO on UA via DEN was $56.00 on our UA pass rate.

 

[rjh]

Doug is getting a big email--Non dependents now do not have an age requirement. Sorry folks but son is older now.
Why take that away, AND looks like our 24(lowest number of flexis) is deminishing. Will send an email asap.

[post="304536"][/post]​

Why bother Doug with it? IT was probably decided by the HR/beneifts people--I think Doug has bigger things on his plate. The email said to send any suggestions/comments to [email protected]

 

[luvthe9]

Do you pay a upgrade fee for first class, or first person there gets it? We (US) pay 15 of 30 bucks depending on distance, more for int'l

 

[multitasker]

It just depends. The rule is that you can pay 20.00 or use 1 flexi pass. In reality most of the time I am upgraded to F/C free. I always offer the flexi pass or 20.00 for the upgrade but most gate agents won't take it. It's the old addage you take care of your own..

 

[twambassador]

It just depends. The rule is that you can pay 20.00 or use 1 flexi pass. In reality most of the time I am upgraded to F/C free. I always offer the flexi pass or 20.00 for the upgrade but most gate agents won't take it. It's the old addage you take care of your own..

[post="304606"][/post]​

Man, some people have all the luck.


I'm always asked for my flexi. With one exception (in PHX once), I've always had to fork over a flexi, for each segment. I'm also told that some non revs don't get charged for the headsets in coach. I've forked over more of my share of 5 dollar bills for the movie. I must be getting on the wrong flights or something.

 

[PHX-F/A]

Man, some people have all the luck.
I'm always asked for my flexi. With one exception (in PHX once), I've always had to fork over a flexi, for each segment. I'm also told that some non revs don't get charged for the headsets in coach. I've forked over more of my share of 5 dollar bills for the movie. I must be getting on the wrong flights or something.

[post="304715"][/post]​

HP Flight Attendants are audited, so it's less and less likely they are going to waive the $5 unless there's a valid reason to document a refund. They just changed the color of the headsets so that it will be easier to collect them at the end of the flight.

 

[luvthe9]

What's a flexi pass ,how do you get them or what to they cost?

 

[rjh]

What's a flexi pass ,how do you get them or what to they cost?

[post="304762"][/post]​

Flexi passes are buddy passes. HP employees get 10 per quarter (for perfect attendance). If you have any sick days during that quarter, you only get 6.

They can be used for many things:
-Guest pass to give to anyone (guest pass fares are usually pretty high-only really "valuable" for someone who needs to travel at the last minute)

-Companion pass--person using has to travel with the employee. Companion pass fare is a lot less than guest pass; but the "difference" is taxed as income on the next paycheck (2 passes for RT)

-First class upgrades (1 pass)

-$20 off parent travel (1 pass--a total of 3 allows the parent to travel free on that flight)

-Upgrade to SA1P prioririty for the employee (3 passes needed)

The big difference of the new policy that I won't like is that we can't use Flexis to upgrade to FC anymore. It was nice, because we didn't have to give them up until the gate cleared us for first (a lot of agents never even collected them). Now, we probably have to pay for FC at the ticket counter, long before we even know if we will get a seat in FC. My question is, do we then have ot wait for a refund if FC ends up being full?

 

[supercruiser]

The big difference of the new policy that I won't like is that we can't use Flexis to upgrade to FC anymore.

[post="304787"][/post]​

While this may differ between departments, at U in the flt dept they have been issuing letters for perfect attendance every 6 months, good for a first class upgrade domestic or intl. It's not an official policy, but wouldn't be surprised if something like that is carried forward with the new U. In the past you basically carried around some FC upgrades in case you needed them to get on or wanted to try to upgrade.

supercruiser

 

[proudf/a]

Flexi passes are buddy passes. HP employees get 10 per quarter (for perfect attendance). If you have any sick days during that quarter, you only get 6.

They can be used for many things:
-Guest pass to give to anyone (guest pass fares are usually pretty high-only really "valuable" for someone who needs to travel at the last minute)

-Companion pass--person using has to travel with the employee. Companion pass fare is a lot less than guest pass; but the "difference" is taxed as income on the next paycheck (2 passes for RT)

-First class upgrades (1 pass)

-$20 off parent travel (1 pass--a total of 3 allows the parent to travel free on that flight)

-Upgrade to SA1P prioririty for the employee (3 passes needed)

The big difference of the new policy that I won't like is that we can't use Flexis to upgrade to FC anymore. It was nice, because we didn't have to give them up until the gate cleared us for first (a lot of agents never even collected them). Now, we probably have to pay for FC at the ticket counter, long before we even know if we will get a seat in FC. My question is, do we then have ot wait for a refund if FC ends up being full?

[post="304787"][/post]​

Currently at US, upgrades can be purchased for $20 and have NO expiration date. Depending on the departure city, and the agent, they will ask you if you have an upgrade for f/c if needed, you say yes i do. They will put you in f/c and not collect the upgrade. Upgrades can also be returned for a refund at any ticket counter or customer service counter.