5.04.20 – FAQs: June Leave Options

Monday, May 4, 2020

FAQs: June Leave Options

We have heard from many Flight Attendants asking questions regarding the two new leave options (1-month PVLOA and 70-hour VLOA) available for June. We have compiled a list of the most frequently asked questions and the answers to help you in evaluating which, if any, of the many leave options might work for you. If you have a question that you do not see answered here, please do not hesitate to reach out to your APFA representatives for an answer.

70-Hour Voluntary Leave of Absence (VLOA)

1. I would like the 70-hour leave, but if I am unable to hold that, I would like the 1-month PVLOA. How should I bid?
   The Company cannot determine the number of 70-hour VLOAs that will be available until they know the number of PVLOAs awarded. The 70-hour VLOAs will not be processed until after the PVLOAs, which means it is not possible to “back up” your 70-hour VLOA bid with a 1-month PVLOA.
2. Will 70-hour VLOAs be available in every base?
   Yes, they will be awarded in seniority order to the Lineholders first, then to Reserve Flight Attendants. The process is the same as the monthly VLOA awards.
3. I have been flying for six years. Do you think I will hold the 70-hour VLOA?
   Anyone interested in the 70-hour VLOA should fill out a ballot. The reduction in block hours, coupled with the realignment of flying across the bases, makes it impossible to estimate how many will hold the VLOA in any specific base.
4. How do I bid for the 70-hour VLOA?
   You may access the ballot via Jetnet > Flight Service > PVLOAs, PVLOA extensions, and new 70-hour VLOA
5. How will I know how many 70-hour leaves will be offered in my base?
   As of now, we do not know how many leaves will be offered in each base. As we move closer to May 8th, we should have a better idea.
6. I am on Reserve for June and would like to bid for the 70-hour leave. Will I be awarded the leave before a more junior Lineholder? 
   No. Awards will follow the VLOA process in the JCBA. Lineholders will be processed in seniority order, then Reserve Flight Attendants in seniority order. Note: If you are in the Tentative grouping in LRD, you are considered a Lineholder.
7. If I take the 70-hour leave, why am I unable pick up trips either from open time or from other Flight Attendants? 
   This is a voluntary leave of absence (VLOA), and you will be considered inactive for the month. You will not have access to TTS, UBL, or ETB.
8. Why does the 70-hour VLOA fulfill my reserve obligation, but the PVLOAs do not? 
   This is contractual. If you hold a VLOA as a Reserve, your Reserve obligation is satisfied.
9. Why aren’t you offering the 70-hour VLOA before the PVLOAs?
   The Company cannot determine the number of 70-hour VLOAs that will be available until they know the number of PVLOAs awarded.
10. Will this 70-hour VLOA be offered in July, August and September? 
    We do not know at this time. The most critical factor in all of this is the available block hours, and those will be determined for upcoming months at a later date. Only the rapid return of a substantial amount of flying will eliminate the problem in the near term. Absent that, as long as the significant imbalance between available Flight Attendants and available flying exists, we must continue seeking solutions through PBS testing, leaves, and other alternatives.
11. How will I be paid?
    You will receive the standard advance on the June 30th paycheck, and the balance on the July 15th paycheck.
12. I have vacation in June. What happens to my vacation if I take the 70-hour VLOA?
    If you are awarded a 70-hour VLOA, 70 hours of credit will be added to your line and will be offset by any pay and credit on your schedule for June, including vacation.
13. If I take the 70-hour VLOA, will my January vacation buyback payout still be paid out in June? May I defer the payout?
    Your January vacation buyback payment will still occur on the June 15th paycheck. You may not defer the payout.
14. I am currently on a PVLOA. Why am I unable to convert my PVLOA to the 70-hour VLOA?
    The Company will not allow.
15. Will the Company contest unemployment claims for the 70-hour Leave?
    Yes.

1-Month Paid Voluntary Leave of Absence (PVLOA)

1. How do I bid for the PVLOAs?
   You may access the ballot through Jetnet > Flight Service > PVLOAs, PVLOA extensions, and new 70-hour VLOA
2. If I bid for the 1-month, 3-month, 6-month, and 9-month PVLOA in that order, which one will I be awarded?
   You will only be able to bid one option. If you submit a new ballot, the most recent submission will be processed.
3. How do I bid to extend my previously awarded PVLOA?
   You may bid for an extension through Jetnet > Flight Service > PVLOAs, PVLOA extensions, and new 70-hour VLOA
4. I have vacation scheduled in June. What happens to my vacation if I am awarded the 1-month PVLOA?
   As with the other PVLOAs, your vacation will be canceled, and you may use the monthly rebid process to rebid to an available period outside your leave.
5. What happens to my vacation if I am awarded the 3, 6, 9, or 12-month PVLOA?
   If you are awarded a 3, 6, or 9-month PVLOA, your vacation will be canceled and available for rebid. Flight Attendants may rebid these days while on a PVLOA as long as the vacation days are rescheduled for days after the end date of your leave. Days not rebid by January 2021 will be paid out no later than February 15, 2021. Please note: The last applicable rebid would be November for January. If you are awarded a 12-month PVLOA, your vacation will be canceled, and you will not be able to rebid the days. These canceled days will be paid out no later than February 15, 2021.
6. Will the Company contest unemployment on the PVLOA?
   No
7. If I extend my previously awarded PVLOA, what happens to my vacation?
   If you are awarded a 3, 6, or 9-month PVLOA, your vacation will be canceled and available for rebid. Flight Attendants may rebid these days while on a PVLOA as long as the vacation days are rescheduled for days after the end date of your leave. Days not rebid by January 2021 will be paid out no later than February 15, 2021. Please note: The last applicable rebid would be November for January. If you are awarded a 12-month PVLOA, your vacation will be canceled, and you will not be able to rebid the days. These canceled days will be paid out no later than February 15, 2021.
8. If I bid for the 1-month, 3-month, 6-month, and 9-month PVLOA, will my January vacation buyback payout still be paid out on June 15th? May I defer the payout?
   Your January vacation buyback payment will still occur on June 15th, unless you opt to defer. If you would prefer to defer the payout to February 2021, you must notify the Company by emailing [email protected] no later than May 20th.

General Questions

1. Why did the process for determining Non-Schedule Lineholders (NSLs) for May not remain in place for June?
   Based on Flight Attendant feedback, the Company decided to replace the 70-hour NSL with the 70-hour VLOA.
2. What is the timeline for bidding and awarding of these leaves?