Ladies and Gentlemen:

We’ve all required patience on the implementation of our industry leading Reserve Preference System.  There have been a lot of twists and turns in the road toward implementation. However, given our commitment to the development process and our persistence at ensuring compliance with the language in the Contract, we believe the benefits this new system offers Flight Attendants will make the wait worthwhile.

Implementation of the Reserve Preference System is planned for June 5, 2014.  On that day, Flight Attendants on both Call-in and Ready Reserve status will be able to submit preferences for the assignments that will be made for June 6^th.  Preferences must be on file by 1500 on June 5^th in order to be considered for the June 6^th assignments.

Beginning on June 1^st, the Call-in Reserve Preference System will be available to Flight Attendants for the purpose of submitting a standing preference.  A standing preference, somewhat like a PERMABID, provides for a preference to be considered in the absence of a daily preference.  In other words, if you miss the daily 3:00PM cutoff, there is a mechanism to ensure your basic preferences are considered.

Access to the Ready Reserve Preference System is available via Unimatic using the command RSVPRF and will provide Flight Attendants on Ready Reserve status, including those converted Call-in Reserves, the ability to express a preference for field standby, minimum or maximum flying.  Keep in mind, if assigned as a result of expressing a preference for maximum flying you have opted to the “over 100 hours” option for the schedule month in question.

These new Reserve assignment processes are consistent with the Reserve Preference Letter of Agreement located on page 310 of our Contract.  Please watch for dates and times for additional support that will be provided for Flight Attendants in each of the domiciles by AFA volunteers who are familiar with the system along with familiarization and reference materials designed to answer your questions.  The Company is including information on accessing the new Reserve Preference systems in the June Bid Package Cover Letter.

We are grateful to our AFA volunteers – Kaitlin White, MEC Reserve Committee Chairperson, Wayne Talaski, MEC Reserve Committee Vice Chairperson and Mark Farnsworth, Council 10 Member – for their dedication and commitment to the success of this program.  In concert with those dedicated representatives from the company’s scheduling department, we all stand to benefit from the tireless dedication that was put forth in making our Reserve Preference System a collaborative effort in which we can all be proud.

Thank you for your patience in understanding the series of implementation delays that made it feel as if this day would never arrive.  We encourage you to take the time to review the training materials that have been developed by Flight Attendants for Flight Attendants.  Take advantage of the expertise of your Local Council volunteers who have stepped forward to become familiar with the operation of the system.  Access the online & printed resources that are available on our website to ensure you use this tool to its greatest extent in the improvement of Flight Attendant qualify of life.

In Solidarity,

Greg Davidowitch, President
United Master Executive Council