SECTION 11
TRAINING
A. Training Pay
1. Classroom Training
a. Regular Flight Attendants
(1) Except as noted in paragraph A.3., below, when a Regular Flight Attendant is required to attend classroom training, he/she shall receive pay credit for the scheduled flight hours missed as a result of such training.
(2) Except as noted in paragraph A.3., below, when a Regular Flight Attendant is required to attend classroom training on his/her day off, he/she shall receive four hours and fifteen minutes (4:15) of pay credit for each day or portion thereof spent in training.
b. Reserve Flight Attendants
Except as noted in paragraph A.3., below, when a Reserve Flight Attendant is required to attend training, he/she shall receive four hours and fifteen minutes (4:15) of pay credit for each day or portion thereof spent in training.
2. Independent Study Programs
Except as noted in paragraph A.3., below, a Flight Attendant shall be eligible to receive training pay at the rate of five dollars ($5.00) per hour, prorated to the nearest minute, for independent study programs that incorporate each of the following elements:
a. There is a specified deadline for completion;
b. The Company tracks whether the independent study has been completed;
c. The Flight Attendant may be held accountable for failing to complete the independent study by the deadline;
d. The Company has designated the specific independent study program as constituting mandatory training.
NOTE: It is clearly understood that the Company may issue communications (whether electronic, computer-based, audio/video or hardcopy) that contain information regarding Company and governmental policies and procedures, the content of which Flight Attendants are expected to know and for which they may be held accountable, that do not incorporate one (1) or more of the above referenced elements and, hence, are not eligible for payment as an independent study program.
3. Exceptions to Paid Training
Notwithstanding subparagraphs A.1. and A.2., above, Flight Attendants shall not receive any pay for the following training, whether classroom training or independent study:
a. Up to forty-eight hours (48:00) of probationary specific training accomplished during his/her probationary period;
b. Up to two (2) days (sixteen hours (16:00)), excluding meal period(s) and breaks, of government mandated training;
c. A subsequent training program because of his/her failure to attend or satisfactorily complete the scheduled program;
d. Any unpaid voluntary training as determined by the Company and described in subparagraph A.5., below.
4. Flight Attendants Not Required to Pay for Training
A Flight Attendant employed in the regular scheduled service of the Company shall not be required to:
a. Pay for training required or conducted by the Company.
b. Pay for the use of Company supplied equipment needed for training required or conducted by the Company.
c. Pay for training materials associated with training required or conducted by the Company.
5. Voluntary Training
a. The Company may offer training, which is not mandated by a government, on a voluntary basis as long as such training is not required as a prerequisite for the award or assignment of any pattern or bid position on a pattern. It is up to the Company to determine whether the voluntary training is paid or unpaid.
b. If such training is unpaid and the same voluntary training session is offered on a paid basis within six (6) months, Flight Attendants who attended the original unpaid training session within that six (6) month period shall be paid for the original training session.
6. Pre-Trip Training
a. Training may be scheduled for up to, but no more than, one hour (1:00) prior to a Flight Attendant’s check-in time as part of a regularly scheduled pattern. Daily on-duty limitations as set forth in Section 5.A.5., 5.B.5. and 6. of this Agreement shall apply.
b. Flight Attendants shall be paid for pre-trip training as follows:
(1) For training lasting from one minute (0:01) to thirty minutes (0:30), a Flight Attendant shall receive thirty minutes (0:30) at his/her applicable hourly incentive rate for pay and duty day limitation purposes.
(2) For training lasting from thirty-one minutes (0:31) to one hour (1:00), a Flight Attendant shall receive one hour (1:00) at his/her applicable hourly incentive rate for pay and duty day limitation purposes.
(3) Any additional duty period credit generated as part of the pattern shall be treated as training pay and shall not apply to any on duty limitations except daily duty limitations as provided in subparagraph 6.a., above.
B. Classroom Training Day
1. Meal Period
In the event classroom training in any day is scheduled to exceed six hours (6:00), excluding breaks and meal period, a forty minute (0:40) to one hour (1:00) meal period shall be allotted during the training. The duration of the meal period shall be determined mutually by the Union and the Company for each base, taking into consideration training content and proximity of dining establishments to the classroom location. The schedule of breaks and meal periods shall be posted in the bid analysis.
2. Breaks
a. In the event classroom training in any day is scheduled for six hours (6:00) or less in length, excluding breaks and meal period, two (2) breaks of a minimum of fifteen minutes (0:15) for each break shall be provided. The first (1st) break must occur in the first (1st) three hours (3:00) of the day and a second (2nd) break of at least fifteen minutes (0:15) if the training period exceeds three hours (3:00).
b. In the event classroom training in any day is scheduled to exceed six hours (6:00), excluding breaks and meal period, two (2) breaks of a minimum of fifteen minutes (0:15) each shall be provided. One (1) break shall occur prior to the meal period and one (1) break shall occur after the meal period.
3. Scheduled Duration
Classroom training shall not be scheduled to exceed eight hours (8:00) in any day, exclusive of the meal period and break(s).
1. Actual Duration
If, due to unforeseen events, a classroom training day exceeds eight hours (8:00) (exclusive of meal period and breaks) on an actual basis, a Flight Attendant shall be compensated on a minute for minute basis at his/her applicable hourly incentive rate up to a maximum of two hours (2:00). Any extension over two hours (2:00) shall result in pay for a second (2nd) training day. In no event shall a classroom training day exceed ten hours (10:00) on an actual basis (exclusive of meal period and breaks) unless mutually agreed upon by the Company and the affected Flight Attendant(s).
2. Late Arrivals to ART
In the event that a Flight Attendant arrives late for classroom Annual Recurrent Training (ART) due to late flight arrivals or severe road conditions associated with weather in the vicinity of the training site, and such arrival is thirty minutes (0:30) or less following the start of class, such Flight Attendant may opt to join the class in progress. In such case, the class time missed shall be made up during the meal period or break periods. The Flight Attendant's meal or break periods shall be reduced by such make up time. In the event that a Flight Attendant is required to attend Hands on Training (HOT) at a location other than his/her base station and he/she arrives late for such training due to late flight arrivals, he/she may opt to attend the next available session. If such option is exercised by the Flight Attendant and requires an overnight stay, the Company shall provide overnight accommodations.
C. Scheduling of Classroom Training
The following provisions shall apply to all classroom training:
1. Bid, Award and Assignment of Training Dates
a. Flight Attendants shall submit bids for training dates via a Company designated electronic bidding system.
b. Bid results shall normally be posted within twenty-four hours (24:00) after the training bid deadline.
c. The Company designated electronic bidding system for training date(s) shall include the following:
(1) The option to enter a bid for one (1) training class that is contingent upon the bid for a second (2nd) training class when both classes are to be or may be taken during the same month;
(2) A list of training dates available for bid;
(3) The employee’s name, employee number, base of assignment, assigned training month and the base at which he/she is scheduled to attend the training.
d. The Company may award or assign classroom training to Flight Attendants as follows:(1) Prior to the award or assignment of monthly patterns and reserve days off, but only when such training exceeds two (2) consecutive days in duration;
(2) Concurrent with the award or assignment of monthly patterns and reserve days off;
(3) After the award or assignment of monthly patterns and reserve days off.
e. Patterns may not be awarded or assigned that conflict with awarded or assigned classroom training dates inclusive of any rest requirements.
f. To the extent possible, a Reserve Flight Attendant shall be scheduled to attend training on the first (1st) day of any block of on-duty periods immediately following a series of GDOs and PDOs. A GDO or PDO immediately preceding scheduled training may not be traded by the Flight Attendant.
g. Specific Aircraft Training
(1) The Company may limit training (classroom or independent study) related to a specific aircraft type to the Flight Attendants assigned to the base(s) that operate that aircraft type. All Flight Attendants at the selected base(s) shall receive such training.
(2) In the event of the introduction of a new aircraft type, the Company may incorporate the training required for such aircraft type into each of the selected Flight Attendants’ Annual Recurrent Training (ART) anniversary month even if such training occurs after the introduction of the new aircraft to service. In no event, however, shall a Flight Attendant at a base receiving such training be required to wait longer than ninety (90) days before being given an opportunity to take such training.
(3) A Flight Attendant involuntarily assigned to a base by the Company shall be trained on all aircraft type/model(s) operating from that base within ninety (90) days.
(4) A Flight Attendant awarded a voluntary base transfer to another base shall be trained on all aircraft type/model(s) operating from the Flight Attendant’s new base of choice within ninety (90) days.
(5) A Flight Attendant displaced by the Company to another base shall be trained on all aircraft type/model(s) operating from the base the Flight Attendant was displaced to within ninety (90) days.
(6) A Flight Attendant returning to active status from a voluntary or involuntary furlough shall be trained on all aircraft type/model(s) operating from the base he/she is returning to within ninety (90) days.
(7) A Flight Attendant may bid for patterns on aircraft that he/she is not qualified to operate, so long as he/she is scheduled for and completes training on that aircraft type/model(s) prior to the scheduled departure of that pattern.h. International/Domestic Service Training
(1) The Company may offer international or domestic service training (classroom training or independent study) to a specific base(s).
(2) The Company may offer international or domestic service training (classroom training or independent study) to a subset of the population of Flight Attendants at a base so long as those who do not receive such training at the base are not restricted from the award or assignment of any pattern or bid position on a pattern as a result of not receiving such training. Such training may be awarded or assigned based on the percent of international/domestic flying performed by a Flight Attendant in his/her last six (6) months of active status. The designated percent of such flying shall be at the Company’s option.
(3) Once awarded or assigned, such training shall be considered as required training and may not be dropped by the Flight Attendant without the Company’s approval.
(4) The Company may schedule training during flex-up months. However, a Flight Attendant shall not be assigned to a classroom service seminar during a month he/she is scheduled to take both components of ART training, i.e., Ground School and Hands On Training, unless:
(a) The Flight Attendant has previously failed to bid for the required training, or
(b) The ART month in question is the last month such seminar will be offered, or
(c) Ground School has been converted to a computer based (independent study) training program.
NOTE: Nothing shall preclude a Flight Attendant from bidding for classroom training program during a month he/she is scheduled to take both components of ART training.
2. Rest Following Classroom Training
A scheduled rest period of nine hours (9:00) shall be attached to the end of classroom training. Rest may be reduced on an actual basis to eight hours (8:00) hours and shall be scheduled as follows:
a. Training at the Flight Attendant’s Base
A rest period following classroom training conducted at a Flight Attendant’s base shall begin immediately upon the scheduled end of the training period.
b. Training at Other Than the Flight Attendant’s Base
A rest period following classroom training for which the Flight Attendant is required by the Company to travel to a location other than his/her base shall begin immediately upon the arrival of the Company designated flight that is scheduled to return the Flight Attendant to his/her base at the conclusion of such training.
c. Flight Attendant Election to Take Training at Other Than His/Her Base
A Flight Attendant who elects to take classroom training at a location other than his/her base shall have rest following training as determined in subparagraph 2.a., above.
D. Expenses
1. Classroom Training Away from Base Station
When the Company requires a Flight Attendant to attend classroom training away from his/her base station, he/she shall:
a. Be provided Y1/F6 upgrade pass authorization on Company aircraft from and to his/her base station on flights designated by the Company. At the Flight Attendant’s request, such Y1/F6 upgrade pass authorization shall be provided from and to the Company station closest to the Flight Attendant’s residence. Such election by the Flight Attendant shall have no effect on per diem as specified in subparagraph 1.d., below, or training rest as specified in subparagraph C.2., above.
b. At his/her request, be provided with hotel accommodations either prior to or following the training, in accordance with Section 4.A.1.a. of this Agreement when the training cannot be accomplished without an overnight stay due to circumstances beyond the Flight Attendant’s control.
c. Be provided accommodations in accordance with Section 4.A.1.a. of this Agreement, should the elapsed time from the scheduled departure of the Company designated flight from his/her base station to the training location and scheduled return of the Company designated flight exceed eighteen hours (18:00). Such accommodations shall be at the Flight Attendant’s option and may be used prior to or following training.
d. Be provided per diem in accordance with Section 4.D.1.e. of this Agreement for the period beginning with the scheduled departure of the Company designated flight from his/her base station to training and ending at the scheduled or rescheduled arrival of the Company designated flight from training to his/her base station.
e. Not be entitled to any pay credit in addition to his/her base pay for travel days to and from their training assignment, nor shall he/she be entitled to any substitute or additional days off.
f. Subparagraphs D.1.b. and D.1.c., above, shall not apply in the event a Flight Attendant must attend training away from his/her base station due to his/her failure to attend training that had previously been scheduled at his/her base station.
2. Classroom Training at Base Station
A Flight Attendant who is assigned to classroom training at his/her base station but at an off-site location where parking facilities or Company transportation is not provided, shall, upon proper verification, be reimbursed for:
a. Round-trip public transportation from his/her base station to the training location; or
b. Parking expenses should he/she choose to drive.
E. Requalification Training
1. Except as provided in subparagraph E.3., below, all Flight Attendants, including those on leave status, are required to maintain training qualifications by attending Annual Recurrent Training (ART) and any other government mandated training.
2. A Flight Attendant who has not maintained his/her training qualifications while on a leave of absence, shall not be returned to pay status until he/she has completed all necessary training. In addition, he/she:
a. Shall be required to attend the first (1st) available training session following the termination of the leave of absence. The Company shall schedule the necessary training within sixty (60) days.
b. Shall not be compensated for attending requalification training, regardless of the length of such training.
c. Shall be responsible for any lodging, meal or travel costs associated with such training except as provided in subparagraph E.3., below.
3. A Flight Attendant who is unable due to medical reasons to maintain his/her qualifications by attending training shall supply medical verification from his/her physician. Such verification shall be supplied to the Flight Attendant's manager prior to the last day of the month in which he/she is scheduled to attend the training. In addition, such Flight Attendant:
a. Shall advise his/her manager as soon as he/she is able to attend requalification training. The Company shall schedule the necessary training within sixty (60) days.
b. Shall be entitled to receive lodging in accordance with Section 4.A.1.a. of this Agreement and per diem in accordance with subparagraph D.1.d., above, when required to attend the training at a location other than his/her base station.
F. Independent Study
The Company may, at its sole option, offer independent study in lieu of classroom training. The following guidelines shall apply to independent study programs that are required to be completed as part of or as a complete training curriculum:
1. For the pay purposes outlined in subparagraph A.2., above, the number of hours and minutes of scheduled training shall be the average amount of time it takes to complete the independent study program. The following test shall be used to determine the number of pay hours to be attached to the independent study program:
a. The month before the test, the Company shall notify Flight Attendants of the test via Company electronic mail. One (1) Flight Attendant per base shall be selected to participate in the test. Flight Attendants wishing to participate shall have ten (10) days to submit their names to their base. After the ten (10) day period, the LEC President at each base shall select three (3) names by drawing. The first (1st) name selected shall be the person chosen to participate in the test. The remaining names shall be alternates should further testing be required.
b. The Flight Attendants selected to test an independent study program shall complete the program in a classroom setting.
c. The two (2) longest times and the two (2) shortest times shall be discarded and the remaining times shall be added and divided by the remaining number of testers to find the average test time. This average shall then be rounded up to the nearest five minutes (0:05) and be considered the scheduled duration of the independent study program.
d. If the independent study program is compensable under subparagraph A.2., above, Flight Attendants who successfully complete the independent study shall be paid the number of hours and minutes assigned to the program, multiplied by the pay rate noted in subparagraph A.2., above. There shall be no additional pay if the time it actually takes a Flight Attendant to complete the program exceeds the scheduled duration.
e. In the event the test results in an independent study program do not meet the Company’s objectives, the program shall be revised and subject to a new test by the alternates.
f. Should it become necessary to revise a program after implementation, the Company shall advise the Union of the required changes and the parties shall jointly decide whether a new test is required. However, topics covered in training that are subject to change by policy updates, either governmental or Company initiated, shall be considered maintenance changes and not be subject to time testing after initial release of the original program.
g. The Flight Attendants who participate in the test shall be paid three hours and twenty minutes (3:20).
2. Flight Attendants may be required to complete independent study programs by deadline dates and during time periods established by the Company.
3. In the event Ground School Training (GST) is converted to a computer based training program, each Flight Attendant shall be required to complete the program during his/her ART anniversary month unless he/she receives prior Company approval to complete the training within his/her grace month. At his/her option, he/she may complete the program during the month prior to his/her ART anniversary month.
4. Independent study programs may incorporate pass/fail test criteria. A Flight Attendant who fails to successfully complete the training program or the workbook by the established deadline date may be removed from payroll status until he/she successfully completes the training or is permanently disqualified by the Company.
5. Computer based training programs shall be available on ATLAS, or a similar system, and therefore available to Flight Attendants who subscribe to home access, own PCs that meet Company designated specifications and subscribe to a DSL/Cable ISP provider. In addition, such programs shall be available to all Flight Attendants from Company designated computers at all bases.
NOTE: “Time-outs” experienced by a Flight Attendant during a single module within the computer based training program shall not require him/her to restart the program from the beginning, rather from the module within the program where the time-out occurred.
6. The Company shall provide one (1) computer for every two hundred (200) active Flight Attendants at each base for use by Flight Attendants completing computer based training programs. The Company shall not be required to provide more than fifteen (15) computers at any one (1) base.
7. The Company shall provide at least four (4) computers at the NRT layover facility and at least three (3) computers at the AMS layover facility for use by Flight Attendants completing computer based training programs.
NOTE: The Company shall increase to five (5) computers in NRT and five (5) computers in AMS if it can do so without incremental facility costs.
G. Curriculum Development
With the exception of initial Flight Attendant training and Flight Attendant requalification training, the MEC President, or his/her designee, shall be given an opportunity to review and comment on the curriculum for a training program which shall be offered to Flight Attendants prior to the program’s scheduled implementation date.