10.12.22 – Updates to SFO Transfer Bidding

Wednesday, October 12, 2022

Updates to SFO Transfer Bidding – Including Option to Void September Award

Since the September 14, 2022, announcement of the SFO base closure, Flight Attendants facing displacement have been pressured to make tough decisions regarding your future. These decisions take thoughtful consideration, and many of you have expressed frustration at the rushed timeline, specifically bidding for your new base. We have pushed the company to allow as much flexibility as possible in the displacement process. APFA signed a letter of agreement allowing for exceptions on multiple items, notably bidding for transfers.

However, it is clear the exceptions for transfers did not go far enough. Consequently, the company has agreed to amend the letter of agreement originally signed in September. As an exception for displaced SFO Flight Attendants only, the revised agreement will allow you to start over in the transfer bidding process if you are not satisfied with the result of the September award.

SFO Flight Attendants are in four categories for the October transfer award:

1. If you were awarded your first choice in September and are satisfied with your new base, there is no need to do anything else. Your transfer will be effective January 31, 2023, unless you indicated to the company (via the Comply365 form) that you want to transfer in December.

2. If you were awarded your second or a lower preference in September:

• You may rebid and potentially hold a higher preference in the October bid and award.
• Since you were awarded in September, you must re-enter your bid preferences in your personal mode in DECS.
• You must re-enter your higher bid preferences in the same order you bid them in September.
• If you don’t hold a higher preference in the October award, you will still be able to keep the base awarded to you in September.
• You may continue to rebid in subsequent transfer awards.

3. If you were awarded in September but want to completely void your award and start over in the October bid and award, the revised agreement allows you to do so. If you want to exercise this option:

• You must fill out a form in Comply365 by 1200 CT October 20, 2022, letting the company know you want to start from scratch for October.
• The path to the form to void your September award is Comply365 > My Forms > All Forms/AAFA > SFO Base ONLY: Election to Void September Transfer Award.
• This option will reset your base back to SFO, as if you were not awarded in September.
• In order to be awarded in the October bid, you must re-enter your bid preferences in your personal mode in DECS.
• You may re-enter your bid preferences in any order you choose.
• If you are including your September awarded base in your October base transfer preferences, you will have to wait until your September award is removed from DECS/FOS after 1200 CT on October 20, 2022.

4. If you did not bid in September for whatever reason, you must input your preferences in your personal mode in DECS for the October bid and award. Otherwise, you will be assigned a new base following the award.

The deadline to input your transfer bid preferences in your personal mode in DECS is 0830 CT on October 26, 2022. Transfers awarded in October to SFO based Flight Attendants will have an effective date of January 31, 2023, unless you choose to transfer on January 1, 2023. You may make this choice by filling out a form in Comply365. Details on the form are below.

Transfer Entries in FOS (In your Personal Mode in DECS)

• ​Add Base Transfer Preference           3C/T/BASE-D​
• Remove Base Transfer Preference     3C/T/Cancel 1​
• Move Base Transfer Preference         3C/T/MOVE X to Y​
• Display Base Transfer Preferences     3*

Detailed instructions on inputting transfer preferences are located on the Flight Service website.

Reminder about aircraft and service qualifications

If you don’t hold the aircraft and service qualifications required at your new base, you must complete training before the effective date of your transfer.

Clarification on exception for mutual transfers

The company agreed to allow SFO-based Flight Attendants to be awarded a mutual transfer regardless of your aircraft qualifications at the time of the mutual match. This exception will be in place for SFO based Flight Attendants through the January 26, 2023 bid and award (effective transfer date of April 1, 2023). You must complete the aircraft and service training required for your new base by the effective date of the transfer.

October Openings

The company has committed to creating openings in all bases except LAX. The chart below shows the minimum number of openings for the October bid and award:

SFO Flight Attendants wanting to transfer to LAX

While the company is not creating any openings in LAX, you should still include LAX in your bid preferences if it is your first or other choice.

Transfer Bidding Scenarios

In September, we shared some bidding scenarios that may help you strategize your bid preferences. For example, since there are no openings in LAX, the path to a transfer is by being awarded a mutual transfer. Whether you are rebidding to improve your September award, starting over in October after voiding your September award, or bidding for the first time in October, these scenarios may be helpful as you plan your bid preferences.

Option to transfer earlier than January 31, 2023
click image to enlarge

SFO Flight Attendants awarded in October will have an effective transfer date of January 31, 2023. However, if you would like to transfer with an effective date of January 1, 2023, you must fill out a form in Comply365 letting the company know. The deadline to fill out this form is 2359 CT on November 3, 2022.

---

APFA Contract & Scheduling Desk
Call 817-540-0108
Monday – Friday, 0700 – 1900 (CT)

APFA Live Messaging
Monday – Friday: 1500 – 2300 (CT)
Weekends and Holidays: 0900 – 1700 (CT)
(Link may be found on homepage of APFA.org)

In Solidarity,

Jeff Petersen
APFA National Contract Chair
[email protected]

Marti McMillan
APFA National Scheduling Chair
[email protected]