SECTION 13

TRANSFER EXPENSES

A.    Involuntary Transfers

1.    When a Flight Attendant has been involuntarily transferred from one base station to another (other than during the training period incident to original employment and before original assignment) in accordance with Section 12.D., Section 14.B.1.g., Section 14.B.2.k., Section 14.C.9., Section 14.D.3.d., Section 14.E., and Section 14.F., he/she shall be allowed the following:

a.    Transportation Expenses

(1) Air transportation for the Flight Attendant and his/her dependent family members or registered domestic partner (when air transportation is not available, rail transportation shall be allowed), or at the Flight Attendant's option,

(2) Automobile transportation at the rate of twenty-two cents ($.22) per mile for the first (1st) car and twenty-two cents ($.22) per mile on the second (2nd) car, if owned by the Flight Attendant at the time of transfer, for the most direct useable mileage, as shown by AAA (American Automobile Association), from point of origination to the point of destination. No other automobile expenses shall be allowed. Six cents ($.06) per mile shall be allowed for a trailer in lieu of the mileage allowance for a second (2nd) car.

b.    Moving Expenses

(1) Moving expenses for household goods and personal effects provided that the arrangements to handle the moving have been made by the Company or had the prior approval of an authorized Company supervisor.

(2) Such moving expenses shall include amounts paid or payable to moving or transportation companies or others for normal packing, en route storage for a maximum of sixty (60) days, insurance afforded under bill of lading, shipping, cartage and unpacking, including such charges from old base to new residence. Flight Attendants who did not reside within one hundred and fifty (150) miles of their old base shall be eligible for moving expenses not to exceed the amount they would have incurred had they resided within one hundred and fifty (150) miles of their old base.

(3) Unless otherwise approved by a properly authorized Company official, the weight of such goods shall be limited to twenty thousand (20,000) pounds. All charges for weight in excess of the allowable amount shall be paid by the Flight Attendant. The Company shall not be liable to the Flight Attendant for any damage to such household goods and personal effects incurred during any move.


c.    En route Meals and Lodging Expenses

When such transfers are made by plane, rail or automobile, the Company shall allow the Flight Attendant and dependent members of his/her immediate family or registered domestic partner while en route and for a period not to exceed ten (10) days after arrival at the new location, expenses for reasonable lodging and for reasonable meals not to exceed the rate set forth in Section 4.D.1.a. of this Agreement.

d.    Housing Expenses

Flight Attendants who are involuntarily transferred in accordance with Section 12.D. of this Agreement are eligible for the following housing expenses only if such Flight Attendants are transferred to a base station as referenced in Section 12.D.1. of this Agreement at which a shortage exists:

(1) Reimbursement for any forfeited security deposit for rental housing (to a maximum of seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00)) upon presentation of verification and documentation satisfactory to the Company.

(2) Unreleased monthly rent obligations (to a maximum of fifteen hundred dollars ($1,500.00)) upon presentation of verification and documentation satisfactory to the Company.

e.    Alternative Expense Payment

In lieu of all other provisions of paragraph A.1., above, a Flight Attendant may elect to receive a lump sum amount of six hundred dollars ($600.00) in moving expenses. Having elected this option, a Flight Attendant waives his/her right to any transfer expenses set forth in subparagraphs 1.a., 1.b., 1.c. and 1.d., above.

f.     Payment for Involuntary Transfer

The provisions of paragraph A.1., above, shall be applicable only in the event the Flight Attendant actually moves to and establishes his/her permanent residence within a one hundred and fifty (150) mile radius of the airport terminal at his/her new base within a period of one (1) year from the date of involuntary transfer. This one (1) year period may be extended by mutual agreement between the Vice President Inflight Services and the MEC President, or their designees.


g.    Base Closure Provision

In the event of a base closure, the provisions of paragraph A.1., above, shall be applicable only in the event the Flight Attendant actually moves to and establishes his/her permanent residence within a one hundred fifty (150) mile radius of the airport terminal at his/her new base within a period of one (1) year from the date of closure of his/her base. This one (1) year period may be extended by mutual agreement between the Vice President Inflight Services and the MEC President, or their designees.

2.    Submission of Expense Claim

All expenses except for meals and automobile mileage allowance must be supported by receipts and all expenses must be submitted within sixty (60) days after incurring the expense, or within sixty (60) days after the Flight Attendant received the billing from moving concerns.

B.    Voluntary Transfers

1.    When a Flight Attendant voluntarily transfers from one base to another, all expenses related to such transfer shall be the sole responsibility of the Flight Attendant.

2.    Voluntary transfers shall include the following circumstances:

a.    Transfers by way of Letter of Preference in accordance with Section 12.C. of this Agreement;

b.    Transfers pursuant to a Base Recall Preference Form in accordance with Section 14.D.2. of this Agreement;

c.    Mutual transfers approved by the Company and the Union in accordance with Section 12.G. of this Agreement; or

d.    Other transfers made at the Flight Attendant's request.

3.    When a Flight Attendant is engaged in a voluntary transfer, the Company shall furnish online round trip space available transportation for such Flight Attendant and his/her immediate family (including registered Domestic Partner) to the extent permitted by law.

C.    Transfer to New or Reestablished Base

Successful bidders to newly established or reestablished base stations shall be considered as transferred voluntarily for purposes of transfer expenses during the first six (6) months after Flight Attendants are first based there unless otherwise stipulated by mutual agreement between the Company and the Union.


D.   Transfer to International Base

1.    The Company shall pay all reasonable expenses in connection with a permanent transfer of a Flight Attendant from duty at a domestic base to duty at an international base, including those of a Flight Attendant's immediate family and dependents (including registered Domestic Partner), except in the case of a Flight Attendant making a mutual transfer. These reasonable expenses shall include:

a.    Transportation;

b.    Living expenses en route;

c.    Transportation of a reasonable amount of personal effects and household goods;

d.    Settling expenses for a reasonable period after arrival at destination.

2.    HNL Transfer Expenses

HNL shall not be treated as an international base, or foreign base station, for the purposes of Section 13.D.1. of this Agreement.

3.    The Union and the Company agree that "international base" and "foreign base station," for the purposes of this paragraph 13.D. are synonymous.


E.    Resettlement Time

Within thirty (30) days after the date of transfer, upon request a Flight Attendant shall be granted a non-accountable personal leave of absence for up to five (5) days to facilitate settlement at the base to which he/she is transferring. Settlement time granted shall be exclusive of scheduled vacation but may include existing days off. In the case of a Reserve Flight Attendant, he/she shall be permitted to move up to five (5) PDO’s to any consecutive five (5) days of the month in order to secure that period of time as settlement time unless that period of time includes a holiday.