Understaffing Pay

Make sure you also check out the Onboard Updates article about DSPFAC from July of 2000.

NOTE: Onboard Service is experimenting with a new automated system that will automatically enter in the applicable understaffing for your flight segment. It is still in the test period.

That being said, pursers should continue requesting understaffing pay through DSPFAC. Pay Records will match posted understaffing records with DSPFAC information.

Understaffing pay begins with the Purser. Make sure that the Purser on your trip will enter in the applicable Understaffing pay in the DFAP upon completion of the ID. If your Purser is a commuter, get specifics on exactly when he/she will do this. Some Pursers put in for Understaffing on all legs whether they are understaffed or not. The problem with this technique is that Payroll won't take us (as flight crew) as seriously if we constantly make mistakes in reporting our understaffing.

Rather, Pursers ought to be meticulously entering in and following up on actual understaffing on the affected flight segments only. If Pursers do everything correctly, all the more professional ammunition to fire away at UAL should the crews not be paid correctly in a timely manner.

Points to know about entering in Understaffing:

The Purser should submit only one request per flight number. In other words, flight attendants on separate IDs should not also request understaffing for that flight. The Purser's DSPFAC request for understaffing should include all IDs on the FLTLOF. This is why it's important to coordinate this beforehand during the briefing.
Entering duplicate understaffing entries for the same flight and date by different members of the crew creates two problems:
- Duplicate requests take time away from the payroll department because they have to chase down and correct duplicate payments, thus delaying time it takes to process other forms of payment to flight attendants (like holding time).
- Once the duplicate requests are corrected, this can lead to an annoyance to those flight attendants who end up having their pay adjustments deducted from future paychecks.
Understaffing is not paid automatically. Rather, there will be a delay of about five to ten days after the trip has completed. This is because it is put into a holding file. Read on to see what happens next.

The DSPUST Report

After the Purser enters in the Understaffing request in the DSPFAC, this request is automatically sent to Flight Attendant Pay Records. This request changes into to something more fancy and is now called Display Understaffing (DSPUST). At this point, someone in a cubicle at Pay Records does three things with this report:

The aircraft indicated in the DSPUST is compared with our bid package cover letter position matrix. So if the aircraft was a A319, the payroll person processing the request would follow the "Narrow Body Bid Positions" matrix.
The FLTLOF for the flight is then examined to determine which position the flight attendant(s) actually worked.
Lastly, these results are compared with the DUAL Report. What's a DUAL Report? Read on.

The DUAL Report

Two days after each flight, a printed report is generated somewhere at WHQ. This report is called the Daily Understaffing Analysis Log (DUAL) and provides the final passenger loads for the 'E' and 'Y' cabins. The DUAL report also contains information on final passenger loads, scheduled and actual flight times, aircraft type, the meal services, scheduled staffing requirements, and actual staffing complements. Unfortunately, flight crews are not granted the computer access to pull up a DUAL report---very irritating.

According to United, the DUAL Report is based on "official company statistics" and is the "authoritative resource in determining passenger counts." This is why the REMARKS section of the DSPFAC is so important to complete correctly. Flight Attendant Pay Records will investigate any discrepancy between the Purser's report and the DUAL report.

Assuming all checks out okay, the Understaffing is then credited into the flight attendant's DFAP and will show up on the his/her paycheck. Check your DFAP and understand those cryptic codes >>

Moral of the Story

Keep good detailed records. Whether you are the Purser on the trip or not, it's your fault if you don't document everything. It only takes a second and will clear up a lot of confusion later on.
If there is a problem, call 1-800-FLTLINE. Press option 4, then 2. When you get the person on the phone, have your information in front of you. Always be professional, and be sure to expect the same in return.
Remember that these Payroll people work in cramped cubicles at WHQ and are swamped with payroll requests. No doubt the stresses at Camp O'Hare and the rest of the current airline's operation has made their work 10 times worse. Don't blame them if they're a bit stressed---blame UAL senior management.
If you do request a correction, be sure to get the Payroll clerk's name. Record the name, time of call, and discussion that took place. If you're a Purser, send an e-note the crew to let them know what's happening and what follow up to expect.

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DSPFAC Information

Source: Onboard Updates (July 2000)

When to enter DSPFAC remarks

Flight attendants have asked for clarification on when it is appropriate to enter remarks in the DSPFAC section. Below you will find some situations that require entering remarks into your DSPFAC.

If your awarded position is F, B, C or D and you worked a different premium position, you will not be able to enter the worked position on the premium screen because pay is automatically generated based on your scheduled position.

You must enter the position worked in the remarks section. This will alert the pay team to delete the posting for your scheduled position and replace it with the posting for the premium position worked. This applies even if there is no B, C or D position on the aircraft. For example, a flight attendant in the D position on a B747-400 at briefing opts to work the open purser position. Although the B747-400 has no working D position, input on the premium screen will be prohibited.

If you are assigned a premium position through the trip trade process.

Any change to another premium position should be identified in the remarks section.

If you work a premium position for less than the entire ID.

You do not need to make an entry on the premium screen. However, in the remarks section, you should identify the position worked and list the applicable flight(s).

If you are on a language ID and work an open purser position.

Enter the position worked on the premium screen and then request LIP pay in the remarks section.

If you are involved in an irregular operation on a flight.

Whenever there is an irregular operation, such as RB (return to block), DV (diversion), XP (fuel stop) or RF (return to field), specify in the remarks section of the DSPFAC whether the irregular operation resulted in holding or actual flight time.

If you work the premium G position.

The premium G position must be requested in the remarks section of the DSPFAC at all times. You must specify the flight(s) and dates for the request.

If you experience holding on a flight.

Always request holding time in the DSPFAC in this instance. The computer will automatically generate holding pay if it has been deemed payable by the system. You must provide specific information, including the flight number, date, city where the holding occurred and the amount of holding time.

If the purser determines a need for a language skill not listed as a LIP segment.

The purser should request LIP pay for the crew member by adding it in the remarks section of the DSPFAC.

When no input is required in DSPFAC

There are occasions when flight attendants do not need to enter anything in the DSPFAC.

If you are awarded a premium line, premium pay will generate automatically for all scheduled IDs.
If you are working a language ID, designated language pay will generate automatically.
If a flight is listed as a LIP segment, all crew members qualified in the LIP language will automatically be paid LIP pay.
Make-up sick leave (MSL) should not be requested in the remarks section of the DSPFAC. This is an automated process that will only be monitored by Flight Attendant Pay Records. The original request for MSL should be submitted to crew scheduling.