MIDATLANTIC (MDA)
FLIGHT ATTENDANT Q & A
Question:
Where will the base or bases be located?
Answer:
We will initially look to crew pilots and flight attendants
out of PIT. Over time, as MDA grows, we may open other
bases as well. Bases may also be closed as operational
needs change.
Question:
What's the pay scale formula?
Answer:
Pay will be the same as American Eagle rates of pay.
Question:
What's the method of MDA crewmembers reintegration
back into the main line system? Will the callbacks
be offered in seniority order?
Answer:
It will be the same as it would with furlough recall.
However, in order to ensure schedule integrity at MDA,
the Company may require a freeze at MDA in order to
allow for replacement training.
Question:
Will MDA offer a 401(k) plan?
Answer:
Yes
Question:
Will I be able to pass ride on US Airways?
Answer:
Yes. As a US Airways furloughed flight attendant, you
are eligible to pass ride on mainline and will retain
your mainline travel seniority date.
Question:
Will I be eligible to jumpseat on US Airways?
Answer:
No. As a MDS flight attendant you will be eligible
to travel on mainline jumpseat because you are furloughed
from mainline.
Question:
Will MDA crewmembers be represented by AFA?
Answer:
Yes. You will not be covered under the mainline Agreement
and will be covered under a separate Agreement. Your
wages, benefits and work rules will be based on the
American Eagle Agreement.
Question:
Will seniority continue to accrue with US Airways while
employed with MDA?
Answer:
Seniority for competitive bidding will continue to
accrue for mainline purposes. Longevity for pay progression,
vacation/sick accruals, and retirement purposes will
not. You will continue to use your Company hire date
for travel purposes.
Question:
Will the positions at MDA be offered in seniority order
to involuntary furloughed crewmembers?
Answer:
Yes. The flow through processes are still being determined.
Question:
How will the transition from US Airways to MDA impact
my vacation and sick accrual?
Answer:
Your sick bank will be frozen at mainline. You will
accrue a new sick bank at MDA starting with zero hours.
If you were already on involuntary furlough your vacation
would have been already paid out. If it wasn't, it
will be frozen at mainline. If you are going to be
involuntarily furloughed, you will have the option
to have your vacation paid out or you may elect to
have it remain frozen in your mainline vacation bank.
No vacation will be converted to be used at MDA.
Question:
As a MDA crewmember, what will my (NRSA) boarding status
be on US Airways?
Answer:
Because MDA is a division of US Airways, your travel
boarding priority will be the same as if you are an
active employee at mainline.
Question:
What type of medical/dental coverage will MDA offer?
Answer:
Coverage will be based on what is in place at American
Eagle.
Question:
Is there a probationary period for crewmembers accepting
the MDA position?
Answer:
For furloughs going to MDA there will not be a probationary
period. However, if we hire employees externally, those
employees would go through a 6 month probationary period.
Question:
How would MDA work rules differ from US Airways?
Answer:
Work rules will be the same as American Eagle work
rules.
Question:
When will training begin, how long is the training
and where will it be held? Will it be paid training?
Answer:
Training will begin in November. The training will
be unpaid consistent with American Eagle new hire training.
For furloughees, training will be approximately ten
days.
Question:
How will the hiring be accomplished? Will recall notices
go to all involuntary furloughed flight attendants?
Will there be interviews? Can an involuntary furloughed
flight attendant be turned down from hiring? What if
I pass on a position at MDA?
Answer:
There will not be an interview process for the involuntary
furloughed employees. We will send out a notification
to all furloughees asking them about their interest
in MDA. When we get to the actual hiring, we will proceed
in seniority order. You will get one bite at the apple.
If you pass, you will not be offered employment at
MDA and will remain on furlough awaiting recall to
mainline.
Question:
After all furloughs have been recalled or passed can
a mainline f/a bid to MDA? What will be the time commitment?
Answer:
Bidding protocols for mainline non-furloughees are
to be determined.
Question:
If not enough furloughed flight attendants fill openings
at MDA, can active mainline flight attendants be forced
to MDA or will MDA begin hiring new employees?
Answer:
No. A mainline non-furloughed flight attendant will
not be expected to take a position at MDA unless he/she
chooses to. If flight attendants are required at MDA
and we have made offers to all furloughees, then an
external hiring process will begin. Note that if a
furloughed flight attendant declines a position at
MDA, there will not be a second chance to take an open
MDA position at a later date.
Question:
Will new hire flight attendants go on the mainline
seniority list?
Answer:
No. They will be placed on the MDA seniority list,
however they will not be placed on the mainline seniority
list.
Question:
Can a current Express f/a be hired into MDA and keep
their seniority?
Answer:
If we are hiring off the street at MDA, an Express
flight attendant may apply for and MDA position. If
successful in the hiring process, and Express flight
attendant will keep travel seniority only.
Question:
If a f/a is offered at MDA and declines, will the company
contest unemployment claims? Please respond on current
and future claimants.
Answer:
Yes. If an offer of employment is made and f/a chooses
to pass on the offer, the Company may contest unemployment.
Question:
Will MDA be a division similar to Transatlantic?
Answer:
No. Flight Attendants will not be able to bid on MDA
on an annual basis. Flight Attendants at MDA will work
under a separate agreement. There is no premium pay
associated with MDA like there is for International
flying.
Question:
Where can I find the American Eagle contract that MDA
will be working under? We need the pay rates and work
rules to make our decision.
Answer:
AFA has a copy of the American Eagle Agreement on their
website. www.afausairways.org .
Question:
What happens if I take a position at MDA and don't
want to continue working there? Can I resign but still
keep my mainline recall rights?
Answer:
A voluntary resignation or a failure in training from
MDA will not impact your recall rights to mainline.
However, if you are terminated for cause at MDA, you
will be terminated from US Airways and forfeit your
recall rights to mainline.
If you have any further questions please e-mail Sharon
Goddin at sharon_goddin@usairways.com
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