In the summer of 2004, a number of changes were made to enhance the IFS work rules including moving from a reserve program to the A-Day program. These changes were designed and implemented through a team comprised of both management employees and representatives of the Flight Attendant Forum (who collaborated with management by providing a diverse range of flight attendant feedback and ideas). At the time we were in the no growth portion of airline business cycle, which made the existing reserve system unappealing (and in some eyes, unfair) for many flight attendants. For example, in bases like LAX where flying had seen minimal growth, there were f/as with more than 10 years on reserve.
The team held many meetings and the key messages were:
1) Lack of control over earnings – on duty 16-18 days a month with no ability to pick up on off days and no control over whether one was used on those days. The f/a may only receive reserve guarantee and minimal TAFB pay.
2) Lack of control over schedule – for 16-18 days a month, on call to the company. Even if on call on reserve, had to be available for the call in windows.
3) Lack of control over trips assigned – the reserve program looked to maximize reserve hours for all f/as (trips assigned based on hours flown to spread flying and minimize guarantee pay).
As a result of these concerns, the A day program was constructed. Initially the A-Day program had the following components:
- 3, 6 or 9 days for approximately the bottom 25% of the work force
- Tried to keep the 9 days to only those who had previously been on reserve
- All FAs were trip holders on a regular line, but some had A-Days during the month as if they were a trip
- A days could be swapped or dropped (if operation supports, can drop A-Days and then pick-up a trip from open time or another f/a)
- Unused A-Days paid $85 (a guarantee was added for those with 9 A-Days)
- FAS on A-Days could preference trips and have them awarded during an automated process
- FAs can bid for an entire schedule of A-Days
In 2006, after feedback from the flight attendant group, a decision was made to go from 3, 6 and 9 A-Days to 3 only. The concern really came from the 9 day portion of the program because that block of A-Days impacted a total of 15 days on an f/a’s schedule. In other words, the flight attendant had to return by 3pm prior to the start of their A-Days and could not take a trip reporting before 11am the day after their block. The 9 A-Days consisting of three 3 day blocks coupled with the 2 days impacted by rest requirements with each block, created a 15 day impact.
Going to strictly 3 A-Day blocks pushed the number of FAs holding A-Days somewhat higher on the seniority list at that time but also gave additional control over earnings and schedule to many flight attendants.
In the late summer, early fall of 2007, in anticipation of hiring, a thorough review of the A-Day program was launched. The purpose was to look at opportunities for change and improvement. This included open focus sessions at all bases where f/as were asked to participate. A web feed back form was also created to collect comments about the program. A team comprised of EIG members and management employees reviewed the findings of the sessions and feedback forums. One of the changes was that beginning in 2008, all new hires would have 6 A-Days as long as there was a need for them to hold A-days in their base. Other changes at this time included adopting a greater than 6 A-Day block length to coincide with any trip in the base that was longer than 6 days. For example, 8 day trips in NYC require an 8 day A-Day block (we publish one A-Day block of same length per trip – for example, if an 8 day trip originates on September 2nd, there would be one coinciding 8 day A-day block on September 2nd). If the f/a on their first day of A-Days on this extended block is not used for the 8 day trip, they can drop days off the back of the block to get them to their required length of either 3 or 6 days depending on their seniority.
Other changes:
- A guarantee was introduced for A-Day blocks. The 3 day A-Day block became worth 14:15 and the 6 day A-Day block is worth 28:30. A-Day blocks longer than 6 days carry an increased guarantee commensurate with the length of the block.
- Moved from assigning trips 2 calendar days out to 1 calendar day out. Increases possibility of not needing to re-assign.
- Increased trip preference options for A-Day holders
