Section 9 - Special Qualification Flight Attendants

SECTION 9

SPECIAL QUALIFICATION FLIGHT ATTENDANTS

9.A. 

The Company has established the International Purser Flight Service Leader (FSL) to provide onboard leadership responsibilities on certain flights in accordance with the following terms.

9.B. GENERAL RULES REGARDING THE PROGRAMS

9.B.1. 

International Pursers Flight Service Leaders shall not be management positions and shall not issue discipline or perform the duties generally exclusive to supervisors/management.

9.B.2. 

The Company shall not establish an FSL Base(s) to cover flying out of non-FSL Bases in other geographic locations.

9.B.2.

International Pursers FSLs shall be selected from Flight Attendants in the Base where the International Purser Flight Service Leader position is needed in accordance with the processes outlined in Paragraph D.2. below.

9.B.3. 

A Flight Attendant must be able to hold a position in a Base in order to be able to hold an International Purser FSL position in that Base.

9.B.4.

International Pursers FSLs shall be subject to furlough or Base reduction based on their Flight Attendant bid seniority.

9.B.6. 

An FSL may bid and be awarded a transfer out of her/his Base. If an FSL transfer is to a Base with a Flight Service Leader Program where there are currently no open FSL positions, she/he may request to be placed on the FSL Program wait list in the new Base.

9.B.5.

International Purser FSL vacations shall not be bid and awarded separately. International Pursers FSLs shall bid and be awarded vacations in conjunction with vacation bidding/awards for non-International Purser FSL Flight Attendants in their Base.

9.B.6.

An International Purser FSL on furlough shall retain their her/his leadership designation upon return to active status, but may be required to attend International Purser FSL training prior to flying an International Purser FSL assignment.

9.B.7.

The Company shall not require International Pursers FSLs to have a language qualification.

9.B.8.

International Purser FSL Flight Attendants shall use their Flight Attendant bid seniority for all competitive bidding purposes.

9.C. TRAINING

9.C.1. 

International Purser Flight Service Leader training shall be provided to Flight Attendants who are accepted into the International Purser Flight Service Leader Program.

9.C.2.

In order to become an International Purser FSL, the Flight Attendant must successfully pass the required training. Thereafter, an International Purser FSL must attend and pass all required training in order to remain qualified.

9.D. INTERNATIONAL PURSER POSITION Flight Service Leader Position

9.D.1.

In addition to regular Flight Attendant duties, an International Purser a Flight Service Leader shall perform additional duties, including:

9.D.1.a.

Providing leadership and assistance to Flight Attendants throughout the flight; and

9.D.1.b.

Coordinating and directing service delivery during all phases of flight; and

9.D.1.c.

Acting as the primary liaison between the Captain and crew; and

9.D.1.d.

Conducting pre-flight briefings for all Flight Attendants at the beginning of the pairing; and

9.D.1.e. 

Being responsible for the coordination, leadership, and direction of the cabin crew in accordance with Company service standards; and

9.D.1.f.

Being responsible for all briefings; and

9.D.1.g.

Assisting the Flight Attendants in the performance of their responsibilities, the preparation and handling of all required forms, reports and documentation, and for announcements on the public address system on board the aircraft.

9.D.1.h

The Company shall publish the International Purser FSL leadership responsibilities in are set forth in the Policy and Procedures Manual and the job description/application.

9.D.2. ELIGIBILITY FOR AND SELECTION INTO INTERNATIONAL PURSER Flight Service Leader POSITION:

9.D.2.a. 

A Flight Attendant must have the following qualifications in order to be selected into the International Purser Flight Service Leader Program:

9.D.2.a.1.

A minimum two (2) three (3) years of active service as a Company Flight Attendant;

9.D.2.a.2.

Not currently in the discipline process; and

9.D.2.a.3.

Based in the Base posting the International Purser FSL vacancy.

9.D.2.b.

Flight Attendants applying for International Purser FSL positions shall be interviewed and selected by the Company at its discretion based on published, objective criteria, which may include but not be limited to quality of work performance, attendance, aptitude, and seniority.

9.D.2.c.

The Company shall offer International Purser FSL qualification training in seniority order, by Base, to those individual Flight Attendants who have been selected for International Purser FSL positions.

9.D.3. SCHEDULING RULES FOR INTERNATIONAL PURSERS FSLs

9.D.3.a.

International Pursers FSLs will use their Flight Attendant bid seniority for all competitive bidding purposes.

9.D.3.b.

International Purser FSL check-in and release times shall be the same as for non- International Purser FSL Flight Attendants.

9.D.3.c.(1).

If an International Purser FSL is not available, the open position shall be filled in accordance with Section 7.O.6.

9.D.3.c.(2).

The crew list on the pairing display shall indicate that the position was picked up from open time.

FSLs who do not maintain a fifty hour (50:00) (twenty hours [20:00] for job shares, partnerships and half-month leaves) minimum of FSL trips (prorated for partial months) may only pick up and trade for open FSL time.

9.D.3.d.

International Pursers FSLs may only trade International Purser FSL trips with other International Pursers FSLs.

9.D.3.f.

FSLs may request to opt out of flying the Flight Service Leader Program for a bid month (“Opt-Out Month”) in accordance with the following:

9.D.3.f.1.

The Company shall grant Opt-Out Month requests from not less than 2% of the FSLs in the Base. A fractional number shall be rounded up to the nearest whole number. In any event, at least one FSL shall be entitled to opt out each bid month.

9.D.3.f.2.

Opt-Out Month requests shall be granted in seniority order, provided that an FSL who is granted an Opt-Out Month shall move to the bottom of the list. The list will be reset in seniority order at the beginning of each calendar year.

9.D.3.f.3.

FSLs shall not be granted more than two Opt-Out Months annually, unless there are fewer requests than available Opt-Out Months, in which case requests will be granted in seniority order to any FSL.

9.D.4 REMOVAL AND RESIGNATION FROM THE INTERNATIONAL PURSER Flight Service Leader PROGRAM

9.D.4.a

When the Company reduces the number of FSL positions in a Base while retaining the same number of Flight Attendants in the Base, the surplus FSLs shall return to non-FSL status in inverse seniority order, and shall remain in the Base. Surplused Flight Attendants will retain FSL qualifications and shall have a priority right of return to the FSL Program in the Base, provided that she/he completes all required training to maintain her/his FSL qualification, subject to the following:

9.D.4.a.(1).

Prior to any surplus pursuant to Paragraph a. above, the Company shall offer FSLs in the Base the opportunity to voluntarily be surplused to non-FSL status;

9.D.4.a.(2).

Should the Company increase the number of FSLs in a Base, Flight Attendants who have been surplused from FSL status at that Base shall be offered the opportunity to return to FSL status in seniority order and assigned to return to FSL status in inverse seniority order.

9.D.4.a.(3).

The surplus language in this Paragraph D.4.a. shall not be used to address temporary or seasonal changes in flight activity.

9.D.4.a.

The Company may require an International Purser FSL to remain in the International Purser Flight Service Leader Program for not more than twelve (12) months from their her/his entry into the Program.

9.D.4.b.(1)

The Company may remove an International Purser FSL from the Program for cause, pursuant to Paragraph (2) below, including poor work performance. If the Flight Attendant later wants to participate in the International Purser Flight Service Leader Program, they she/he must reapply.

9.D.4.b.(2)

Note:  New review process for International Purser prior to removal due to performance. 

Poor work performance as an International Purser that could lead to removal from the Program will result in an informal performance review. The Company will subsequently observe performance and offer reasonable assistance, if necessary, to improve performance to a satisfactory level. If, after the above steps have been exhausted, the International Purser still fails to meet expectations, the International Purser will be disqualified.

9.D.4.c.

An International Purser FSL may resign from the Program by providing the Company written/electronic notice through the process designated by the Company not fewer than two (2) bid months prior to the effective date of their her/his resignation.

9.D.4.d.

An International Purser FSL may rescind their her/his resignation by providing the Company written/electronic notice through the process designated by the Company at least one bid period prior to the effective date of their her/his resignation.

9.D.4.e.

If an International Purser FSL leaves the Program voluntarily and in good standing, e.g. an International Purser FSL has worked in the Flight Service Leader Program for at least twelve (12) months, they she/he may retain the International Purser FSL designation for five (5) years, provided that they she/he completes all required training to maintain their her/his International Purser FSL qualification.

9.E INTERNATIONAL PURSER FSL DESIGNATED FLIGHTS

The Company shall designate certain flights as International Purser FSL flights. The Company shall provide Flight Attendants with advance notice in the bid packets of the flights with the International Purser FSL designation. At a minimum the Company shall designate wide body and narrow body International flights, as defined in Section 2.S., as International Purser FSL flights.

9.F. Compensation

9.F.1

Flight Service Leader and Purser Overrides

9.F.1.a.

A Flight Service Leader who works a Flight Service Leader position will be provided an override of $7.50 per hour.

9.F.1.b.

A Flight Attendant who works a Purser position will be provided an hourly override, as follows:

9.F.1.c.

The payment of the override shall not preclude payment of other applicable overrides to Flight Service Leaders or Pursers.

9.F.1.d.

The monthly guarantee for a Flight Attendant who is awarded/assigned an FSL line shall be calculated at their rate of pay plus the FSL override. The monthly guarantee may be increased or decreased due to adjustments to her/his line involving FSL position flying.

9.F.

If an International Purser Flight Service Leader is reassigned from an International Purser Flight Service Leader position to a non-International Purser Flight Service Leader position, they she/he will be paid the greater of the value of the original trip including the applicable International Purser Flight Service Leader override or the value of the reassignment.

9.F.2.

The monthly minimum guarantee for Flight Service Leader Reserves shall include the Flight Service Leader override based on the reserve guarantee.

9.F.3. Vacation Pay

Vacation pay for a Flight Service Leader shall be based on her/his line award for the vacation period, including any applicable Flight Service Leader override.

9.G. LANGUAGE QUALIFIED FLIGHT ATTENDANTS

9.G.1. GENERAL RULES

9.G.1.a.

A Language Qualified Flight Attendant (“LQ Flight Attendant”) is a Flight Attendant who has been qualified in accordance with Company standards and the Agreement. LQ Flight Attendants shall be used to perform Flight Attendants Attendant duties using the designated language as necessary to provide customer service, translation, assisting in completion of customs and immigration forms, and other necessary duties in markets designated by the Company. LQ Flight Attendants shall make announcements over the public address system on the flight as directed by the International Purser Flight Service Leader or Purser, as applicable.

9.G.1.b.

There is no limit on the number of languages in which a Flight Attendant may become Language Qualified.

9.G.1.c.

Language Qualified positions shall be filled by Flight Attendants on the System Seniority List who are qualified in the appropriate language. The Company may grant transfers to Flight Attendants as needed in order to fill Language Qualified positions. If the Company is unable to fill required Language Qualified positions after exhausting transfers, the Company may hire Flight Attendants who are qualified to fill the positions.

9.G.1.d.

Once designated as Language Qualified, a Flight Attendant shall maintain the qualification regardless of their her/his bidding location.

9.G.1.e.

LQ Flight Attendants shall use their Flight Attendant bid seniority for all competitive bidding purposes. LQ Flight Attendants shall bid and be awarded their vacations in conjunction with vacation bidding/awards for all other Flight Attendants in their Base.

9.G.1.f.
Minimum days off, minimum legal rest and maximum duty limitations will apply. Language Qualified Flight Attendants who do not maintain a fifty hour (50:00) (twenty hours [20:00] for job shares, partnerships and half-month leaves) minimum of Language Qualified Flight Attendant trips in their primary language (prorated for a partial month), may only pick up and trade for open Language Qualified Flight Attendant time.

9.G.1.g.

A Language Qualified Flight Attendant may request removal of her/his language qualification, subject to Company approval.

9.G.1.f.

The Company shall not establish a Language Qualified positions Base(s) to cover flying out of non-Language Qualified Bases without Language Qualified positions in other geographic locations, except to the extent that the Company does so in order to address scheduling needs.

9.G.1.g.

Language Qualified Flight Attendants shall be subject to furlough based on their Flight Attendant bid seniority.

9.G.2. TRAINING PROGRAM

9.G.2.a.

The Company shall make language training available through a program approved by the Company. Flight Attendants must obtain pre-approval from the Company in order to attend the language training program.

9.G.2.b.

Provided that a Flight Attendant passes the proficiency test described in Paragraph 9.G.3. below, the Company shall pay their her/his tuition costs, the cost of required materials, parking fees, if any, and per mile expenses as provided in Company policy to and from the location of the approved language training.

9.G.3. PROFICIENCY TESTING FOR LANGUAGE QUALIFICATION

9.G.3.a.

In order to become Language Qualified, a Flight Attendant must pass a test demonstrating a minimum level of language proficiency as determined by the Company. Proficiency testing shall be conducted by a third party; however, the Company shall have the ability to perform the testing itself provided that the Company adheres to standards of reliability and uniformity in testing comparable to a third party provider.

9.G.3.b.

Once designated as Language Qualified, the Company may re-test a Flight Attendant based upon credible information that they lack she/he lacks the minimum level of proficiency required by the Company.

9.G.3.c.

A Flight Attendant who fails to pass initial testing or re-testing may avail themselves herself/himself of the Company language training program as set forth in Paragraph 9.G.2. above, and re-apply to the Language Qualified Program. Re-testing after failure shall be made available not more than once every six (6) months.

9.G.4. ENGLISH PROFICIENCY TESTING

9.G.4.a.

The Company may test a Flight Attendant based upon credible information that they lack she/he lacks the minimum level of English proficiency required by the Company. Proficiency testing shall be conducted by a third party; however, the Company shall have the ability to perform the testing itself provided that the Company adheres to standards of reliability and uniformity in testing comparable to a third party provider.

9.G.4.b.

A Flight Attendant who fails to pass the English proficiency test may avail themself herself/himself of the Company language training program as set forth in Paragraph 9.G.2. above, and re-test following training.

9.G.5. SCHEDULING RULES

9.G.5.a.

The Company may designate the number of Language Qualified positions on each flight, including charters, which can be awarded only to Language Qualified Flight Attendants. The maximum number will be: