Section 6 - Minimum Pay & Credit

SECTION 6

MINIMUM PAY AND CREDIT, HOURS OF SERVICE, 

AND CONTRACTUAL LEGALITIES

6.A. MINIMUM DUTY RIGS

A Flight Attendant who departs on a flight shall be guaranteed minimum pay and credit as follows:

6.A.1.

A minimum of one (1) hour’s flight time pay and credit for each two (2) hours of duty time, prorated. 

6.A.2.

A minimum of five (5) hours flight time pay and credit for a one duty period pairing. 

6.A.3.

A minimum average pay and credit of five (5) hours per duty period for pairings with multiple duty periods (e.g. 5/10/15/20).

6.B. TRIP RIG-TIME AWAY FROM HOME

When a Flight Attendant is scheduled to report for duty or actually reports for duty, whichever is later, they she/he shall receive a minimum of one (1) hour’s pay and flight time credit for each three and one-half (3 1/2) hours elapsed time, prorated, until return to the blocks at their her/his Domicile and release from duty.

6.C. APPLICATION OF SCHEDULED OR ACTUAL TIME

Actual time from block-to-block or the scheduled time from block-to-block, whichever is greater, recorded cumulatively on a stop-to-stop basis shall be credited for pay purposes and shall be credited toward maximum monthly flight time limitations.

6.D. DISPLACEMENT PAY

A Flight Attendant removed from a schedule pairing for publicity or promotional assignment or because of displacement by supervisory personnel shall receive flight time pay and credit for the scheduled flight time of the pairing from which removed.

6.E. DRAFTING PAY

6.E.1.

A Flight Attendant assigned a line of flying and who is drafted either at their her/his home Domicile or at any away-from-Domicile point to fly a pairing(s) and is not in position to fly the next scheduled pairings(s) shown in their her/his schedule, shall receive pay and flight time credit on the basis of the scheduled time shown in their her/his schedule or what was actually flown, whichever is greater, for the period during which drafted but shall not be subject to reassignment. In addition to all other applicable pay protection provisions, a drafted Flight Attendant shall receive four hours (4:00) three hours (3:00) of pay including International Purser/Purser, premium and language if applicable for pay purposes only. A Flight Attendant may not be drafted if their her/his calendar days off cannot be restored to the monthly minimum specified in Paragraph Q. below. Note: Added “not subject to reassignment” in drafting situations to clarify and preserve current practice.  

6.F. CALL-OUT PAY

A Flight Attendant at their her/his home Domicile who is called to the airport to fly and does not fly, shall receive a minimum credit for two (2) hours for flight time limitation and pay purposes This Paragraph does not apply to training flights, or to a Flight Attendant completing their her/his interrupted pairing, or to a Flight Attendant who flies a pairing scheduled within two (2) hours of the time called for such flying, or to a Flight Attendant covered under Paragraph I. of this Section.

6.G. ERRORS IN A LINE AWARD

If an error(s) in a line of flying causes a Lineholder to lose flight time credit and they she/he cannot be reassigned to a pairing(s) which departs on the same day as the original pairing and arrives within six (6) hours of the arrival time of the original pairing, such Lineholder shall be fully paid and credited for the flight time credit loss. A Lineholder so reassigned shall be paid what they she/he actually flew or the flight time credit lost, whichever is greater. Priority will be given to reassigning Flight Attendants to pairings in the same operation.

6.H. TRIP DUPLICATION

When two (2) or more Flight Attendants are assigned to the same trip in the same position, the trip will be awarded by seniority option. When a Flight Attendant is removed from a trip due to a trip duplication or any other Company error, they she/he will have the option of being released from assignment and having their her/his line guarantee reduced or receive their her/his line guarantee in accordance with the provisions of Section 7.Q. If the trip duplication is a result of Company error, and if the error is not corrected prior to the calendar day of the trip, the senior Flight Attendant involved in the duplication error shall have the first option of being released from assignment with no reduction in their her/his line guarantee.

6.I. LINE GUARANTEE 

6.I.1.

In the event a Lineholder involuntarily loses all or any part of their her/his pairing(s) in their her/his original or adjusted line of flying during the month (except for time lost due to end-of-month schedule conflicts - see Paragraph 2 below), their her/his projected line value shall remain as it was immediately prior to the loss of flight time. They She/he may be reassigned to another pairings(s) per Section 7.Q.

6.I.2.

In the event an end-of-the-month conflict causes a Flight Attendant to lose pay and flight time credit, such Flight Attendant shall be guaranteed a minimum of seventy-one (71) hours.

6.J. MONTH END OVERLAP

In the event of a month-end overlap pairing where the Flight Attendant is eligible for pay protection, sufficient pay and flight time credit of either the pairing flown or the scheduled pairing dropped will be moved from the new month to the old month to protect the scheduled flight time which was necessary to be dropped in the old month and to assure the greater pay and time credit on a full pairing comparison basis.

6.K. DUTY AND TRIP RIG CREDITS

6.K.1.

Any credit time accrued as a result of the duty period guarantees shall be applied as an extension to the last segment of the duty period in which the credit was accumulated. 

6.K.2.

Any credit time accrued as a result of the application of the time away from home guarantee shall be considered an extension to the last segment of the pairing.

6.L. FLIGHT TIME LIMITATIONS

6.L.1.

Ninety-five (95) hours of credited flight time shall constitute the maximum for a Lineholder Flight Attendant in a month. One hundred (100) hours of credited flight time shall constitute the maximum for a Reserve Flight Attendant. 

6.L.2.

Notwithstanding the provisions of Paragraphs 1, 5, 6, and 8: 

6.L.2.a.

A Lineholder Flight Attendant may, at their her/his option, elect to project (i.e. pick up open flying, trip trade, accept a reassignment) to one hundred (100) hours or over one hundred (100) hours for the month; and

6.L.2.b. 

At the time a Reserve bids a Reserve line, they she/he shall indicate whether they she/he elects to be governed by one hundred and five (105) hours or over one hundred and five (105) hours for the month. Additionally, a Reserve may opt anytime during the month.

6.L.3.

When a Flight Attendant leaves their her/his home Domicile with credited flight time, plus projected time of their her/his scheduled pairing falling in the same month, totaling not more than the applicable scheduled maximum, they she/he may complete such pairing even though unforeseen irregularities cause them her/him to exceed the applicable maximum.

6.L.4.

Notwithstanding the provisions of Paragraph 1 above, a Flight Attendant who is awarded a line of flying for a full month shall fly the pairing(s) in such line of flying provided they do she/he does not exceed ninety-five (95) hours actual flight time maximum. 

6.L.5.

Notwithstanding the provisions of Paragraph 1 above, if a Lineholder flies a line with a first of the month overlap pairing which causes them her/him to be projected over the maximum credited hours as would be applicable for the new month, they she/ he shall fly the pairing(s) in the new month provided they do she/he does not exceed the applicable maximum hours on an actual basis in the new month. 

6.L.6.

A Lineholder Flight Attendant may not be reassigned if, as a result of this action, their her/his monthly flight time would be projected over ninety-five (95) hours credited flight time maximum. A Reserve Flight Attendant may not be assigned if, as a result of this action, their her/his monthly flight time would be projected over one hundred (100) hours credited flight time maximum. 

6.L.7.

If a Flight Attendant is drafted, the result of which projects their her/his schedule over ninety-five (95) hours credited flight time, the monthly schedule must be adjusted during the month to project them her/him to not more than the maximum credited flight time. 

6.L.8.

When a Flight Attendant is assigned to flight duty after the beginning date of a bid month, the maximum credited hours for the month shall be reduced on a prorated basis, proportionate to the ratio that the remaining days in said month bears to the total number of days in said month. 

6.M.

The flight time limitations provided for in this Agreement shall include all flight time on regularly scheduled flights, extra sections, charters, ferries, scenic or other flights where the Flight Attendant is assigned as a member of the flight crew. 

6.N. HOLDING TIME

6.N.1. 

Flight Attendants shall receive one-half (1/2) credit for pay purposes, including premium pay and language pay, including Language Incentive Pay (“LIP”), when applicable, on an actual minute basis for all holding time, in excess of thirty (30) minutes beyond scheduled ground time or block arrival time. Flight Attendants will be paid such holding pay in addition to all other compensation. 

6.N.2.

A Flight Attendant may be required by the Company to remain on board after the block arrival of the flight. If this occurs at a point where they are she/he is scheduled to go off duty, the duty period will either end at the time released from holding or according to the time set forth in Paragraphs R-9. and 10., whichever is later.

6.N.3. HOLDING TIME LIMITATIONS

6.N.3.a.

The maximum holding time for a Flight Attendant shall be limited to four (4) hours at any one point or a total of five (5) hours during any on-duty period. 

6.N.3.b.

A Flight Attendant may be required to remain with passengers beyond scheduled ground time only on board the aircraft. 

6.N.3.c.

A Flight Attendant shall be given a fifteen (15) minute rest period after each two (2) hours required to remain with passengers on board an aircraft. 

6.N.3.d.

At the end of four (4) hours the Flight Attendant shall be (1) relieved from holding with passengers, (2) reassigned, or (3) released from duty.

6.O. THIRTY-FIVE (35) IN SEVEN (7) LIMITATION. 

Note: (35 in 7 has moved to Section 8 - Reserve)

6.O.1.

A Reserve may not be scheduled to exceed thirty-five (35) flight hours in any seven (7) consecutive twenty-four (24) hour periods. Scheduled flight time not flown due to absences (e.g., vacation, sick leave) will not be a consideration in the application of this Paragraph. These provisions may be waived by an individual Flight Attendant.

6.O.2. 

The thirty-five-in-seven (35.7) rule shall not apply to International pairings.

6.P. ONLY (1) IN SEVEN (7) LIMITATION 

6.P.1. SCHEDULED 

6.P.1.a.

For Flight Attendants on domestic pairings, relief from all duty and Company obligations for not less than one (1) calendar day shall be provided for each Flight Attendant at their Home Domicile at least once during any seven (7) consecutive calendar days.

6.P.1.b.

For Flight Attendants on international pairings, relief from all duty and Company obligations shall be provided for each Flight Attendant at least once during any seven (7) consecutive calendar days. Such relief shall be either: 

6.P.1.b.(1).

One (1) calendar day at their her/his Domicile or, 

6.P.1.b.(2). 

One (1) twenty-four (24) hour period free from duty at an away from Domicile point.

6.P.3. ACTUAL

A Flight Attendant whose flying schedule is involuntarily reduced to less than one (1) day off in seven (7), may contact Inflight Scheduling at once for rescheduling. In the case of “1 in 7” problems due to schedule selection, the Flight Attendant should contact Inflight Scheduling prior to the first day of the schedule month for rescheduling. Failure to do this will result in waiving the “1 in 7” Rule. If it is necessary for a Flight Attendant to drop a pairing because of the “1 in 7” Rule, preference as to which pairing is to be dropped will be subject to the concurrence of the Flight Attendant and Inflight Scheduling. In the event of failure to reach agreement, the pairing to be dropped will be subject to the approval of the Crew Resource Manager/designee.

6.Q. MINIMUM DAYS OFF

6.Q.1. SCHEDULED

6.Q.1.a.

A Lineholder shall be provided a minimum of ten (10) calendar days off each bid month at their her/his Domicile free of all duties. 

6.Q.1.b.

A Reserve shall be relieved of all duties for twelve (12) calendar days each bid month at their her/his Domicile in accordance with the rules set forth in Section 8.I. 

6.Q.2. VOLUNTARY REDUCTION BELOW MINIMUM 

6.Q.2.a. 

If a Flight Attendant voluntarily reduces calendar days off below the monthly minimum by trading pairing(s) or picking up time, the days off which are voluntarily relinquished below the minimum will not be restored except through the trip trade process. Calendar days scheduled off lost as a result of the operation shall be restored in accordance with Section 7.R. 

6.Q.2.b.  TRIP TRADING BELOW MINIMUM DAYS OFF 

6.Q.2.b.(1).

Flight Attendants not subject to month-to-month line adjustments who voluntary reduce calendar days off below minimum by trading or picking up, after the adjustment process delineated in Section 7.E. will have their minimum days off set at 0001 on the first day of the new bid month. Note:  Improved language so when a Flight Attendant adjusts schedule prior to bid month will receive minimum days off at beginning of bid month rather than lowest number of days off.

6.Q.2.b.(2). 

Flight Attendants subject to month-to-month line adjustments who voluntary reduce calendar days off by trading or picking up, after the adjustment process delineated in Section 7.E. will have their days off set at 0001 on the first day of the bid month.

6.Q.3.

A Flight Attendant shall not be required to keep the Company advised of their her/his whereabouts on days off unless an emergency is declared by the Company. 

6.R. COMMENCEMENT OF DUTY

6.R.1. 

Scheduled check-in times shall be established and published with the bid information for the schedule month. 

6.R.2.

Check-in times for Home Base and Layover based on aircraft types shall be as follows:

Note: Updated check-in times to include A321NEO, deleted 747.

6.R.3.

Deadhead report time shall be forty-five minutes (0:45) at all points, however the deadhead report time for charters, off-line flights, and ferries may be increased by fifteen (0:15). minutes. 

6.R.4.

The Company shall not change the published scheduled layover check-in times or increase the scheduled home Base check-in times for A319/A320 or B737.700 aircraft.

6.R.5. CHANGES IN HOME BASE AND LAYOVER AT A FLIGHT ATTENDANT BASE CHECK-IN TIMES

Note: Added category of “layover at a Flight Attendant Base.” 

6.R.5.a. 

If the Company wants to change the scheduled home Base or layover at a Flight Attendant Base check-in time(s) for aircraft other than those listed in Paragraph R-4., it shall meet with the Union to discuss any proposed changes and endeavor to come to a mutual understanding. Proposed changes may be applicable to an entire fleet or may be limited in application, e.g. to a Base, to a trip pairing, and/or for a limited duration. Proposed changes shall be applicable to a Flight Attendants’ home Base and at layover locations where there is a Flight Attendant Base. 

6.R.5.b.

The Company shall provide the Union with the reasons for any change in check-in time, including facts, data, and/or circumstances supporting the change.

6.R.5.c.

In the event that the Company increases scheduled home Base or layover at a Flight Attendant Base check-in time(s), it shall make increases in five minute (0:05) increments up to a maximum increase of fifteen minutes (0:15), which may be made in full or in part, as follows:

6.R.5.d. 

If the scheduled home Base or layover at a Flight Attendant Base check-in time for an aircraft is increased over the time listed in Paragraph R-2. above, all Flight Attendants who check-in pursuant to the increased time shall receive $5.00 pay for every five minute (0:05) increase over the time listed in Paragraph R-2. This pay will not be offset by other pay factors. 

6.R.5.e.

In the event the Company decreases scheduled check-in time(s) on any aircraft in the fleet, it shall do so in five minute (0:05) increments. 

6.R.5.f.

When the Company plans to add a new aircraft type to the fleet, it shall meet with the Union to discuss and negotiate check-in times and whether the home Base or layover at a Flight Attendant Base check-in time will be subject to increase pursuant to Section 6.R.5 Paragraphs R.5., R.6. and R.7. above.

6.R.5.g. 

Upon request, the Senior Vice President of Inflight and the MEC President, or their designees, will meet to discuss operational issues warranting an extension of the report time, consistent with the provisions of Section 6.R.5., at a layover city that is not a Flight Attendant Base, which request the Union will not unreasonably deny.

6.R.6. RELEASE FROM DUTY

6.R.6.a.

Release from duty shall occur after a debrief time of fifteen minutes (0:15) after block-in of a flight at the end of a Flight Attendant’s duty period. Release from duty for deadheading occurs at block-in.

6.R.6.b.

Notwithstanding the provisions of Paragraph R-6.a. above: 

6.R.6.b.(1).

When a customs check is extended due to unusual circumstances, duty time will be extended accordingly; and/or 

6.R.6.b.(2).

When a Flight Attendant is required to undergo random alcohol and/or drug testing, duty time and pay will be in accordance with Section 21.E. Legal rest will be adjusted accordingly if necessary.

6.R.7. CLEARING CUSTOMS

6.R.7.a. 

When a Flight Attendant is required to clear customs at the beginning of their her/his duty period, including deadhead flying, the report time shall be increased by an additional fifteen minutes (0:15). 

6.R.7.b.

When a Flight Attendant is required to clear customs at the end of their her/his duty period, including deadhead flying, the release from duty time shall be extended at the end of the duty period by an additional fifteen minutes (0:15) (fifteen minutes (0:15) for debrief and fifteen minutes (0:15) for customs clearance for a total of thirty minutes (0:30)).

6.S. DOMESTIC MAXIMUM DUTY TIME

6.S.1.a.

A Flight Attendant shall not be scheduled to be on duty in excess of the following limitations.

6.S.1.b.  

The above duty time provisions are based on the Flight Attendant’s home Domicile time. 

* Limited to no more than seven hours (7:00) flight time, ground time no greater than two hours and thirty minutes (2:30) and no more than one flight segment after a red-eye flight. A redeye flight is one with any portion scheduled to operate from 0200 to 0400, local time.

** A High Value Trip (HVT) shall be limited to a single duty period containing no more than three 

(3) flight segments with a total flight time of nine hours (9:00) or more.

6.S.1.c.  DUTY PERIOD STARTING 1900.0459  

Limited to no more than seven hours (7:00) flight time, unless the duty period contains a single segment, in which case that single segment may exceed seven hours (7:00) of flight time; ground time no greater than two hours and thirty minutes (2:30) and no flight segment after a red-eye flight.

6.S.1.d.  HIGH VALUE TRIP   

A High Value Trip (HVT) shall be limited to a single duty period containing no more than three (3) flight segments with a total flight time of nine hours (9:00) or more.  A High Value Trip (HVT) shall only be scheduled during the duty period starting from 0500 to 1859.

6.S.1.e.  RED-EYE FLIGHTS 

6.S.1.e.(1).  

A red-eye flight is one with any portion scheduled to operate from 0200 to 0400, local time. 

6.S.1.e.(2).  

A duty period that contains a red-eye flight shall not be scheduled or rescheduled  with a working flight segment following the red-eye, subject to the following:  

6.S.1.e.(2).(a). 

If a non-stop flight makes a stop for operational reasons (such as for mechanical or weather conditions, for emergencies or fuel), even though planned prior to departure, it shall maintain its non-stop status. If the flight makes a stop for revenue purposes (such as to load or unload passengers or freight, except emergencies), it shall not be considered a non-stop flight and will be subject to the night duty limitations.

6.S.1.e.(4).  

A Flight Attendant may be scheduled or rescheduled to deadhead on a flight(s) following a red-eye flight, provided that following the deadhead segment(s) they are released to rest, pursuant to paragraph 6.V., below. The Flight Attendant may not be reassigned as a working Flight Attendant on such deadhead segment(s). 

6.S.2.

Under no circumstances shall a Flight Attendant be required to remain on duty, without their her/his concurrence in excess of the applicable actual maximum hours shown in Paragraph 1. above, including deadheading. 

6.S.3.

The Company shall schedule or reschedule no more than five (5) segments in any one (1) on-duty period. 

6.S.4.

When a Flight Attendant’s scheduled pairing originates out of one airport and terminates at another airport serving their her/his Domicile, the following times will be used as an extension of the duty period. Such times shall be considered as scheduled deadhead time and full pay and flight time credit will be allowed. 

6.T. INTERNATIONAL MAXIMUM DUTY TIME

6.T.1.

The maximum International Duty Day time shall be as established in the chart below.

6.T.2. 

Under no circumstances shall a Flight Attendant be required to remain on duty, without their her/his concurrence, in excess of the applicable actual maximum hours shown in the chart above, including deadheading. 

6.T.3.

If a non-stop flight makes a stop for operational reasons (such as for mechanical or weather conditions, for emergencies or fuel), even though planned prior to departure, it shall maintain its non-stop status. If the flight makes a stop for revenue purposes (such as to load or unload passengers or freight, except emergencies), it shall not be considered a non-stop flight and will be subject to the multi-stop duty day limitations.

6.U. DUTY TIME – MIXED PAIRINGS

6.U.1.

The Company may build Mixed Pairings that contain both domestic and international flights in accordance with Section 7.Y.1.

6.U.2.

When a duty period in a Mixed Pairing contains only a domestic flight, that duty period shall be scheduled in accordance with Paragraph S. above, and the rest following that duty period shall be provided in accordance with Paragraph V., if applicable, below.

6.U.3.

When a duty period in a Mixed Pairing contains only international flights, that duty period shall be scheduled in accordance with Paragraph T. above, and the rest following that duty period shall be provided in accordance with Paragraph W. below.

6.U.4.

When a duty period in a Mixed Pairing contains both domestic and international flights, that duty period shall be scheduled in accordance with Paragraph T. above, and the rest following that duty period shall be provided in accordance with Paragraph W. below. 

6.U.5. 

Upon returning from a pairing of more than five (5) days, a Reserve Flight Attendant shall be guaranteed twenty-four (24) hours regardless of the amount of flight time in the last duty period, unless Paragraph 3 or 4 above, as applicable, provides for greater rest.

6.V. DOMESTIC LEGAL REST PROVISIONS

6.V.1.a.

Home Domicile Minimum Legal Rest – A planned legal rest must consist of at least twelve (12) hours free from duty at the Home Domicile.

6.V.1.b. 

Upon returning from a Pairing of more than five (5) days, a Reserve Flight Attendant shall be guaranteed twenty-four (24) hours regardless of the amount of flight time in the last duty period.

6.V.2.

Flight Attendants may waive the minimum home legal rest specified above in order to trip trade/pick up pairings, subject to the following: 

6.V.2.a.

The minimum home legal rest between the pairings shall be reduced to ten (10) hours minimum rest for all purposes.

6.V.2.b. 

In the event the Flight Attendant trades or drops one of the pairings resulting from the waiver and the minimum home legal rest between their her/his pairings is reestablished, the ten (10) hour minimum rest shall no longer apply.

6.V.3. LAYOVER MINIMUM LEGAL REST

6.V.3.a.

Ten (10) hours free from duty at any point away from home where lodging is provided within approximately fifteen (15) minutes time (or time agreed upon by the MEC Hotel Chairperson) from the airport provided prompt transportation is available, or 

6.V.3.b. 

Eleven (11) hours free from duty at any point away from home where lodging is provided more than approximately fifteen (15) minutes time from the airport. 

6.V.3.c.

A Flight Attendant will be provided eight (8) hours Place of Lodging minimum rest at the layover hotel. 

6.V.3.d.

The above off-duty periods may be reduced by one hour under this Paragraph when such off-duty period extends to or beyond 0200 Standard Time on the designated day when the change is made from Standard Time to Daylight Time, unless such reduction would result in a legal rest below the established FAA minimum.

6.W. INTERNATIONAL MINIMUM LEGAL REST PROVISIONS

6.W.1. INTERNATIONAL LAYOVER MINIMUM LEGAL REST

6.W.1.a. Note: Modified Japan rest to “US Mainland to Japan” 

6.W.1.b.

Notwithstanding the terms of Section 5.B.6. (Expenses, Transportation and Lodging) in order to ensure compliance with the Place of Lodging provisions above while maintaining operational integrity, when flights are operationally delayed Crew Scheduling may relocate crews from downtown/downtown-like hotels to hotels closer to the airport.

6.W.2. INTERNATIONAL HOME DOMICILE MINIMUM LEGAL REST