Tuition Reimbursement

[CLTBWIDAYSYR]

OK, the "new" US Airways management sent out all sorts of (self) celebratory memos stating that the tuition reimbursemnt program would be reinstated for East employees back last spring. As a full-time student and full-time employee, I was thrilled. I am completing my degree in economic geography and any tuiton help would be helpful. So, I jump through all of the hoops required by the company, get all the documentation, and submit the package. What did I get? Absolutely nothing. It seems that none of my courses (retail site analysis, geog of global economy, geog of knowledge and information, and geog of transportation and commerce), "have no bearing on my job as a flight attendant, therefore we regret we will be unable to offer any assistance".

I am pissed! If the company is only going to offer money to those in management, since an education is obviously only important to them, then don't send me any information on a program I am not eligible for. Quit the B/S, and let us on the front lines remain "less educated" than those in the Sandcastle! God, I'd hate to think that we might become a threat to their wealth of knowledge.

 

[US1YFARE]

That's a shame. It's someone reading a course title and probably not considering the depth of the actual course itself.

And, remember, the Sandcastle has advertised for GED employees, so don't worry about being less educated than them. Good luck...don't give up the fight for getting your tuition reimbursed and good luck with completing your degree program.

 

[PHL]

It's sad, isn't it?

What's the company's official policy on tuition remission? Did those memos make it apparent that it was for any education, or relevant education?

Companies everywhere deal with this all the time. Some will let you take classes towards a BA (if you don't have a degree already) in any subject matter. Others want to see that the classes have a direct relevance in your job.

What, however, classes would the company classify as relevant to being a flight attendant??! If they're going to offer the program, then just do it. But that doesn't appear to be the case here.

They should think of it in more selfish terms(in their favor)...It would be a cheap way for them to buy you out. Pay your tuition so you can better yourself and get another job. Then they can hire someone at a lower wage than you.

 

[barbeetantrums]

Every company I have worked for has pulled this. It looks good in print. They never actually expect you to use it.

 

[N965VJ]

Was there a change back to a previous policy?

I looked though a booklet on the program in the early 90s. It seemed for the FA group, the only eligible continuing education was a foreign language.

 

[CLTBWIDAYSYR]

Every company I have worked for has pulled this. It looks good in print. They never actually expect you to use it.

If only. There are two people in my two of my classes (also geography majors) who work for Bank of America. Both of them are administrative assitants. The bank doesn't care, they pay up to $1,500 per school year as long as the school is accredited. The bank simply sees an educated workforce as a better workforce.

 

[US1YFARE]

The bank simply sees an educated workforce as a better workforce.

Except for the airline industry. How many airline VP's do you know that were F/A's?

 

[CLTBWIDAYSYR]

Was there a change back to a previous policy?

I looked though a booklet on the program in the early 90s. It seemed for the FA group, the only eligible continuing education was a foreign language.

The form only asks whether or not your course of study could be used at your current job or a job somewhere else in the company. I guess someone specializing in geographic economic policy isn't needed at an international air carrier. Seeing the decisions of the past, I guess that should have been painfully obvious to me.

 

[barbeetantrums]

Except for the airline industry. How many airline VP's do you know that were F/A's?

Elise Eberwein is the VP of Corporate Communications. She was a flight attendant. She is also a hottie. I would truly love to boink her. Definitely 100% boinkable.

 

[OldGuyinPA]

Your mistake was trying to educate yourself. I mean, where else can you pull a $400,000.00 salary on a high school education. Only in the airline industry..........

 

[PHX-F/A]

Here is the course eligibility listed at awacompass.com


Course Requirements
Courses selected must meet the following requirements:

* Courses must be taken at an accredited educational institution (i.e. two- or four-year colleges/universities, trade schools).
* Courses must benefit the employee and the company in the employee's current or realistic future positions and/or apply toward an identified company development plan.
* Coursework must not negatively impact job performance or interfere with work schedules.

Note: This program should not be used for employees enrolling in courses that are viewed as immediate development (training) necessary to perform job duties.


FROM THE APPLICATION FORM ITSELF:

1. Application will be reviewed and HR Programs will send final approval via email.

§ Remember, not all courses will be approved; they must relate to the employees current or realistic future position.
Example: An employee whom is currently an Accountant taking NRS104 – Nursing Processes, would not be approved.

§ Each application is reviewed individually, but in general courses in history, music, standard office software applications,
anthropology, health or childcare, and biology will not be approved (this is not an exhaustive list).

The huge hurdle is that the manager or cost center head is the the step one approval. If you cannot convince them it is an eligible class, you never get to step two.

A friend of mine works for Phillips , and they will pay for anything, with one stipulation, if you leave for any reason 2 years after you have taken classes they have paid for, they will charge you back.

 

[Elevation]

Here is the course eligibility listed at awacompass.com
Course Requirements
Courses selected must meet the following requirements:

* Courses must be taken at an accredited educational institution (i.e. two- or four-year colleges/universities, trade schools).
* Courses must benefit the employee and the company in the employee's current or realistic future positions and/or apply toward an identified company development plan.
* Coursework must not negatively impact job performance or interfere with work schedules.

Note: This program should not be used for employees enrolling in courses that are viewed as immediate development (training) necessary to perform job duties.
FROM THE APPLICATION FORM ITSELF:

1. Application will be reviewed and HR Programs will send final approval via email.

§ Remember, not all courses will be approved; they must relate to the employees current or realistic future position.
Example: An employee whom is currently an Accountant taking NRS104 – Nursing Processes, would not be approved.

§ Each application is reviewed individually, but in general courses in history, music, standard office software applications,
anthropology, health or childcare, and biology will not be approved (this is not an exhaustive list).

The huge hurdle is that the manager or cost center head is the the step one approval. If you cannot convince them it is an eligible class, you never get to step two.

A friend of mine works for Phillips , and they will pay for anything, with one stipulation, if you leave for any reason 2 years after you have taken classes they have paid for, they will charge you back.

Please don't confuse people with actual facts 😛

 

[Jonnyd]

$1,000 annually to cover classes is nothing. Especially when something like an MBA costs $38,000. Our tuition reimbursement program is a load of crap. When I was working part-time on the ramp, and still working full time doing marketing, my old company would pay for your entire graduate degree. But, working for US Airways, I'd have to shell out about $30,000 out of my own pocket, on top of all of the school loans I have from my undergrad degree. Also, as said before, they don't cover certain classes, which is probably a lot but they're sure not going to tell you that.

 

[diogenes]

US doesn't want you to have a BS/BA, 'cause then you'd be more educated than some of your veeps!

 

[Jonnyd]

US doesn't want you to have a BS/BA, 'cause then you'd be more educated than some of your veeps!

I just like how they tell us to further our education by going back to school, yet they don't tell you "oh by the way, to get a graduate degree costs about 40 grand, and we're only gonna give you $1,000 annually, but still we think it's very important and value the talent we have here at US."