9.24.21 – Understanding Coverage Needed (CN) Dates in PBS

Friday, September 24, 2021

Understanding Coverage Needed (CN) Dates in PBS

One of the most common questions the APFA Contract & Scheduling Department hears is, “Why didn’t I receive the days off that I bid?” When looking at your PBS award tab, check to see if you had any coverage days listed. This is the most frequently overlooked part of a PBS award and can be one reason why you were not awarded a day off that you had requested in your bid. Coverage needed dates affect both Lineholders and Reserves and can affect your schedule especially in holiday months like November, December and January.

How do I locate the coverage needed (CN) dates on my PBS award?

Reserves:

Lineholders:

We wanted to share the data from management for each seniority range that had CN days for both Lineholders and Reserves in October. Undoubtedly, we will see the same number or more CN days in the next few months, as we all tend to want the same days off over the holidays.

How do I read the Coverage Needed charts?

When there are coverage needed dates for either Lineholders or Reserves in a base, the report below gives the seniority number of the most senior person given the day as coverage needed with the date listed to the right. Every FA junior to that FA has that CN day, and each additional CN day is listed to the right. The chart progresses as more dates are added, displaying the seniority number of the most senior FA required for the additional CN day(s).

In the example below (highlighted in RED), ORD Flight Attendant with seniority 23659 had two CN days: October 30 & 31. The days are listed YYMMDD: