Question for US FA's

[JMM]

As you know, I start training to be a FA with US-west on March 20th. I am a new hire, meaning I was hired in Feb 05 (before this merger) and scheduled for a class that was canceled a few days before it started.

Anyway, I should complete training and IOE by the end of April or the beginning of May. Anyway, my question, July 21 and 22 I need to be off work since I am in my sisters wedding which is happening in Pittsburgh, PA (my home town). I desperately need those days off.

However, as a reserve and a new hire on probabtion, I am not sure how to approach this subject while still appearing to be a "gung-ho", "do-anything" hard working person (which I am). Since I already have my tickets purchased on US (phx-pit) I know I cannot call in sick because they will hunt me down and fire me.

So, do I try to bid a schedule that has those days off and then pray? Can I request those days off? I will take it without pay or whatever I have to do. Do I end up getting scheduled for those days and then praying I can pay someone to take those reserve days?

I love being a FA and never really take days off and pick up every trip I can, however, this is critically important for a lot of reasons and I am just wondering about protocal?

 

[Dea Certe]

It's possible you can trade days with another reserve. Ask around once you get your reserve block.

Dea

 

[desertgal]

You can always offer $$ to trade RV days w/another reserve.
Not a good situation, good luck.

 

[rjh]

As you know, I start training to be a FA with US-west on March 20th. I am a new hire, meaning I was hired in Feb 05 (before this merger) and scheduled for a class that was canceled a few days before it started.

Anyway, I should complete training and IOE by the end of April or the beginning of May. Anyway, my question, July 21 and 22 I need to be off work since I am in my sisters wedding which is happening in Pittsburgh, PA (my home town). I desperately need those days off.

However, as a reserve and a new hire on probabtion, I am not sure how to approach this subject while still appearing to be a "gung-ho", "do-anything" hard working person (which I am). Since I already have my tickets purchased on US (phx-pit) I know I cannot call in sick because they will hunt me down and fire me.

So, do I try to bid a schedule that has those days off and then pray? Can I request those days off? I will take it without pay or whatever I have to do. Do I end up getting scheduled for those days and then praying I can pay someone to take those reserve days?

I love being a FA and never really take days off and pick up every trip I can, however, this is critically important for a lot of reasons and I am just wondering about protocal?

Definitely, try to bid for those days off. If you don't get them off, try to trade with another reserve, or see if daily ops (in scheduling) will trade them for you. They will only be able to do so if staffing on those days allow--they do not have the authority to make exceptions for anything. You can also try to get a PL from an inflight supervisor for those dates.

But, trading with another FA is probably your best option.

When bidding a schedule, make sure those dates are golden days (GD). Per the contract, a day off (DO) can be moved by scheduling if staffing is short (which it often is on weekends--higher amount of sick calls)

Of course, calling in sick is not a great idea. But it's doubtful they would "track you down" since you bought the tickets and are not planning on non-revving on those dates. There's not really a way they can prove that you are the "Jane Doe" (or whatever your name is) that flew on those flights.

 

[Dea Certe]

Whatever you do, do not falsify a sick call! That's grounds for termination! Believe me, if you aren't sick, they will find out. As others have said, try to trade days with another reserve. Most flight attendants do have a soft heart and will help you out if possible.

You can promise them a future favor. Everyone has a time they need a certain day off on short notice. Good luck!

Dea

 

[JMM]

Thank you for your replies. I know better than to call in sick. I am not sure what GD (golden days) means but I guess I will learn. This is really not a short notice sort of thing, I have known about it for a year now.....just wondering how it works. Looks like I will be begging and pleading and coughing up the bucks to get the days off.

 

[Dea Certe]

Don't forget to post a note in the crew room about the days you need off. Surely someone will be so kind as to help out. I don't know if there's a day trade book or not on the west side, but ask around.

Dea

 

[JMM]

Don't forget to post a note in the crew room about the days you need off. Surely someone will be so kind as to help out. I don't know if there's a day trade book or not on the west side, but ask around.

Dea

Again, thank you Dea. I need all the guidance I can get. Your replies are very much appreciated and this from a guy who will be working on the West side and cannot wait to fly with ya all on the east side. Safe travels!!

 

[pitguy74]

JMM,

Maybe there is some type of PO (Personal Off Day) that you would be able to ask for. They might not even offer this. Maybe someone on this board can shed some light. US East F/A's get so many a year; per their contract. Not sure they(AW)have anything in their contract about personal days.

 

[hp_fa]

I am not sure what GD (golden days) means but I guess I will learn.

A West reserve gets a guaranteed 12 days off a month. Nine of them are "Golden Days" which means your are guaranteed off on those days. The other three days are DO's, which stands for days off. The company can take a DO away from you based on staffing. If they take the DO they must replace it with a GD on a mutually acceptable date. Also, for them to take a DO away from you they must make positive contact with you to do so. Usually that will happen on or before you get released when you call in after your last leg of a given pairing.

If you get released from duty to a DO after your last leg home, do not answer the phone. Let any and all calls go to an answering machine and then respond to all callers once you have listened to who called and what they wanted. The other reserves will explain all of this to you as soon as you get online. When you get your first hot reserve shift is a good time to ask questions and make friends. You will likely be seeing these same people for quite a long time, so play nice with them all.

I hope that helps.

 

[Meatball]

A West reserve gets a guaranteed 12 days off a month. Nine of them are "Golden Days" which means your are guaranteed off on those days. The other three days are DO's, which stands for days off. The company can take a DO away from you based on staffing. If they take the DO they must replace it with a GD on a mutually acceptable date. Also, for them to take a DO away from you they must make positive contact with you to do so. Usually that will happen on or before you get released when you call in after your last leg of a given pairing.

If you get released from duty to a DO after your last leg home, do not answer the phone. Let any and all calls go to an answering machine and then respond to all callers once you have listened to who called and what they wanted. The other reserves will explain all of this to you as soon as you get online. When you get your first hot reserve shift is a good time to ask questions and make friends. You will likely be seeing these same people for quite a long time, so play nice with them all.

I hope that helps.

In addition to the above, you can also go into the scheduling program at the beginning of the new bid period and place your RV days on "Auto". If you do this immediately, on the 28th, prior to the new month, and ask it to try to auto your days automatically for the next 30 days, you can sometimes have them removed from your schedule. "Auto" means that you if staffing is sufficient, those days can drop off of your schedule. Ask any lineholder or senior reserve and they will be happy to show you how to do this.

Don't be afraid to approach your new supervisor and explain your situation as soon as you get your schedule. Schedules are finalized two weeks before the new bid period starts, I think it's on the 18th at 9:00 AM. Most of our supv are not completely cold-hearted. They do realize that we have lives outside of our employment. They can grant a personal day off.

Good luck with your training. We look forward to working with you!

 

[desertgal]

JMM,

Maybe there is some type of PO (Personal Off Day) that you would be able to ask for. They might not even offer this. Maybe someone on this board can shed some light. US East F/A's get so many a year; per their contract. Not sure they(AW)have anything in their contract about personal days.

Westies are entitled to certain number of Personal Days as well. The trick is getting one approved.
Staffing must not be critical for that day, and the PL won't be approved until 8am the day before or something like that. So if you go to your sup on the 2nd, looking for a PL on the 20th, which is not a critical day, you will have to wait until the 19th for approval, and by then the 20th will be critical.

 

[JMM]

Everyone,

Thank you for your replies, I feel so welcomed already and that is great because after reading these forums I felt like maybe I was walking into a snake pit! I have printed all the replies and have an action plan in place. Again thank you! And, I look forward to flying with everyone!!

 

[l8rd8r]

Everyone,

Thank you for your replies, I feel so welcomed already and that is great because after reading these forums I felt like maybe I was walking into a snake pit! I have printed all the replies and have an action plan in place. Again thank you! And, I look forward to flying with everyone!!

Here's another thought. Find a senior F/A that can hold your needed day off for you. There bid the days off you need and trade them with you. Other wise pay the $$$$. Get your sister to pay. You can do this!