Let's Talk Contactability! 

Section 5.H.6 of the CBA is clear that Open Time can only be assigned to a FA in the following ways:

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1. Telephone Contact with the Flight Attendant (or if opted into the app CATE).  Note the contract also goes over WHEN you are required to answer that phone call. Those times are only while:

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-Time Available

-Home Reserve

-Airport reserve. 

Outside of those times they can call you to the point of harassment, but you are not required to answer or return the call. LET IT RING...

 

2. In person by a member of Inflight or Flight ops personnel.
 

THESE ARE THE MANAGERS DOWN IN THE OFFICES, FLESH AND BONES MANAGERS....ANYONE ELSE KEEP WALKING.

3. Crew Trac or ACARs message to call Crew Services. 

THAT'S THE LITTLE COMPUTER IN THE FLIGHT DECK, NOOOOT YOUR SKYPRO. 

If you are inflight and are told by the pilots you got an ACARs to call Crew Services, you must do so AFTER you have completed all your safety related duties for the flight. This means AFTER all passengers have deplaned, AFTER you have done your cabin sweep, and AFTER you have made sure the jet bridge is clear and cabin is secure. Doing it beforehand would be a violation of the FARs on cell phone usage while performing safety related duties. It does not matter how many times they try to call or when, you do not call back unless you got an ACARs and only AFTER you have performed all of your duties.

The way open time can be assigned applies to both line holders and reserves when on a trip.  If you are on a reserve assignment you only have to respond to an ACARs.  Reserves are also required to call them at the end of your trip assignment to be released and then they can assign you flying if needed. 

Outside of Home reserve, airport reserve, or ACARs, as a Reserve you are NOT required to answer or call Crew Services back.

Questions that have been asked by Flight Attendants:

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-What if Crew Services pulled my Deadhead or Hotel in order to force them to call?

This is a manipulation tactic used to get you to call them. Of course you are going to call because you don't want to be stuck without a hotel or in a random city, but understand that you can call them when YOU are ready and under your terms.

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-What if a member of the hotel staff tells me to call Crew Services?

First, you are legally in rest. The FAA defines rest as time free from company duty and obligation. So you are not required to call them while in rest. In fact please report these events to your union reps.

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-What if a SAFA or Gate Agent tells me to call Crew Services?

Gate Agents and SAFAs are not Inflight or flight ops management so do not apply as contractual contact methods. Just say thank you and go about your day. You have no contractual obligation to follow through.

 

-CATE or ELP sent me a message outside of my contactability. Do I have to respond?

You are NOT required to respond.  If fact I would suggest deleting the ELP app and unsubscribing from CATE so that you can have a healthy work life balance. Both apps  are OPTIONAL! By Opting into CATE, you give permission to be contacted outside of your contact-ability.  Poor boundaries between work and personal life often lead to burn out. 

 

Please Note: During your contactable times Crew Services may use the CATE number 799-221-8436 to call you. If you are contactable and you receive a call from this number or the Crew Services number 800-944-6986 you need to answer or call back within 15 minutes.