From: www.unitedafa.org

In May of this year as a result of the “harmonization” process of aligning policies, procedures and training, United’s regulatory training manual otherwise known at the Inflight Operations Training Manual (IOTM) was revised.  This is the document that insures United’s regulatory compliance with the approved procedures and policies that were presented to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for their approval.  The IOTM is reviewed and approved by the FAA.

As a result of the revision to the IOTM, training requirements for Flight Attendants returning from Extended Leaves of Absence and/or Voluntary Furlough are as reflected below.  Previous requirements at the United subsidiary to attend initial training following an absence greater than 60 months have been eliminated.

Given the company’s very recent announcement of their intent to offer Voluntary Furloughs to 2,100 Flight Attendants, we’ve received a number of questions from our Members who are currently on Voluntary Furlough or Leave of Absence (LOA) requesting information about the applicable training requirements should they decide to bid for the twelve month Voluntary Furlough beginning on March 2, 2012.

Requalification Training Requirements following Voluntary Furlough & other Leaves of Absence are based on the amount of time elapsed since the date of last attending annual requalification training and is based on the following schedule.  It is important to note that for  2012, the CQ (formerly known as RET) classes will include all of the ‘hands on’ training that is normally accomplished every other year in 12 or 24 month cycles.  For example, in one year we do rafts while in alternate years we do ‘hands on’ firefighting.  For 2012, training will incorporate all aspects of the 12 & 24 month ‘hands on’ training.

In short, for lapses up to 24 months since the date of attendance at CQ (RET), attendance at CQ training and completion of required CBT pre-work is necessary.

For lapses of more than 24 but less than 36 months, attendance at a three day “requalification class” and completion of the required CBT pre-work is necessary.

Finally, for lapses of more than 36 months, attendance at an eleven day “requalification class,” which would include one day of CQ training, and completion of required CBT pre-work is necessary.

Training Requirements for 2012