SECTION 4
EXPENSES
Flight Attendants away from their base station on regular or special duty shall receive expenses and lodging as follows:
A. Lodging
1. Entitlement
a. The Company shall provide at all layover stations comfortable lodging on a single occupancy basis.
b. Flight Attendants shall occupy designated crew lodging as shown on the bid analysis except as provided in paragraph A.2., below, and when the Flight Attendant has advised Crew Scheduling of the telephone number of his/her alternate accommodations for that layover.
2. Alternative Lodging
In the event the regularly assigned lodging at layover stations is not available for use by the Flight Attendant within thirty minutes (0:30) from the time the Flight Attendant arrives at the registration desk and advises the appropriate hotel/motel employee of his/her arrival, the Flight Attendant shall receive actual necessary expenses for other lodging provided that the Flight Attendant has made a reasonable search for comparably priced accommodations and provided that he/she has advised Crew Scheduling of his/her new lodging. The Flight Attendant may claim reimbursement for expenses for reasonable transportation to the new hotel/motel on the regular Company expense account form, provided the Flight Attendant attaches a written receipt of payment.
a. Flight Attendants who seek alternative lodging following a thirty minute (0:30) delay in obtaining a standard room at a layover hotel are not obliged to obtain a room rate equal to or lower than the Company’s contract rate at the originally assigned layover hotel. They are only required to make a reasonable effort to do so.
b. The Company and the Union may meet and confer to identify a limited number of hotels within reasonable distance of Company selected layover hotels in mutually agreed upon cities which would be acceptable alternative lodging for Flight Attendants, based on the rack rate for a standard room. Selected hotels shall be identified (along with telephone numbers) periodically in the cover sheet to the bid analysis and ATLAS. Should Flight Attendants be unable to secure alternative lodging at one of the hotels so identified, he/she shall contact Crew Scheduling for assistance.
3. Hotel Committee
A MEC Hotel Committee shall be designated by the MEC President, or his/her designee, to confer with the Vice President Inflight Services, or his/her designee, and to make recommendations as to the suitability of lodging accommodations at layover stations. All lodging accommodations shall comply with the provisions of paragraphs B.1. through B.6., below.
4. Notification of Changes
a. The MEC President and the MEC Hotel Committee Chairperson shall be notified in writing at least thirty (30) days before any domestic contract concerning layover lodging in the fifty (50) United States and Canada, for Flight Attendants is entered into or cancelled by the Company (ninety (90) days for international layover stations); except that if thirty (30) days written notice (or ninety (90) days, if applicable) cannot be provided for reasons beyond the control of the Company, such notice shall be provided as soon as possible.
b. During the first (1st) month of each quarter, the Company shall provide the MEC Hotel Committee Chairperson a list of hotel contracts that are due to expire in the following quarter.
5. Incidental Hotel Expenses
At the time of checking out, each Flight Attendant shall pay the hotel/motel for any incidental expenses incurred. For example room service, personal telephone calls, movies, etc.
6. Availability at Layover Stations
Each Flight Attendant shall be reasonably available while at layover stations.
7. Room Assignment List
Separate room assignment/check-in lists shall be provided for Flight Attendants and pilots.
8. Executive Review of Hotel Issues and Concerns
A prompt Company executive review of critical hotel and layover issues and concerns shall, at the request of the MEC President and/or the MEC Hotel Committee Chairperson, take place with the Vice President Inflight Services within thirty (30) days.
B. Layover Hotel Selection
The following guidelines shall normally be considered when determining hotel or motel accommodations for Flight Attendants at layover stations:
1. Location
a. If a Flight Attendant is scheduled for a layover period of less than fifteen hours (15:00) (release to report), hotels or motels at or near the airport location shall receive first consideration.
b. If a Flight Attendant crew is scheduled for a layover period in excess of fifteen hours (15:00) (release to report), in a city outside the forty-eight (48) contiguous United States and Canada, hotels or motels in a downtown or downtown-like location shall be selected, unless the Company and the Union agree otherwise. Such agreement shall remain valid for the life of the hotel contract. The term “downtown-like” shall mean easy access by foot or complimentary round trip transportation to activities such as dining, recreation and shopping. This guideline shall not apply to Flight Attendants flying single Flight Attendant patterns whose layover period is different from that of the regular inbound cabin crew.
c. It is understood and agreed that a downtown or downtown-like location shall not be required at a location in the case of:
(1) Infrequent scheduled operations;
(2) Scheduled operations of a short duration;
(3) Irregular operations of a short duration;
(4) Infrequent inability of the selected hotel to provide rooms; or
(5) A city located in the forty-eight (48) contiguous United States and Canada.
NOTE: In the case of disagreement over the application of subparagraph 1.c.(3), above, the Vice President Inflight Services shall make the determination.
2. Factors to be used in selecting hotels under subparagraphs 1.a. and 1.b., above, shall include such factors as length of duty period, required travel time, the desirability of the hotel/motel, the cost, availability of the accommodations and the comments and recommendations of the MEC Hotel Committee Chairperson.
3. Safety, Security, Cleanliness and Quietness
a. Individual Flight Attendant hotel rooms at all layover stations shall have emergency fire plans which are in compliance with local fire ordinances and shall be equipped with fire/smoke detectors or sprinklers in the room and dead bolts and peep holes on the room doors.
b. When selecting hotels at layover stations, the Company shall consider the safety and security of the room and hotel locations, the cleanliness and quietness of the accommodations and external locked entrances.
4. No Smoking / Smoking Rooms
Rooms blocked for Flight Attendants shall be in no smoking sections, with smoking rooms provided upon Flight Attendant request subject to availability at the time of check-in.
5. Walk to another Hotel
If Flight Attendants are “walked” by the lodging facility, advance notice shall be provided to the Company when possible, and Flight Attendants shall be accommodated in a lodging facility which is of equal or better quality.
6. Restaurant Availability
Lodging facilities shall have a full service restaurant on or within one (1) block of the hotel property. “Full service” shall mean a restaurant which is not a “fast food” restaurant, which offers a variety of meal options, and which is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner meals (but may be closed for up to four hours (4:00) in mid-afternoons).
C. Rest Facilities at En Route Stops (Day Rooms)
1. Entitlement
a. A Flight Attendant crew scheduled to remain at an en route stop for a period in excess of four hours (4:00), at a station that does not include a Flight Attendant Base, shall be provided a day room at a hotel/motel at or near the airport.
b. A Flight Attendant crew scheduled to remain at an en route stop for a period in excess of four hours (4:00), at a station that does include a Flight Attendant Base, shall not be provided any day rooms.
c. Subparagraphs 1.a. and 1.b., above, shall also apply to Flight Attendants flying single Flight Attendant patterns.
2. Flight Attendants per Room: 0601-2059
If such scheduled time at the en route stop commences between 0601 and 2059 local time, there shall be one (1) such day room for every four (4) Flight Attendants.
3. Flight Attendants per Room: 2100-0600
If such scheduled time at the en route stop commences between 2100 and 0600 local time, each Flight Attendant shall be provided a single room.
4. When an en route stop at a station that does not include a Flight Attendant base exceeds four hours (4:00) on an actual basis, upon Flight Attendant request, the Company shall make reasonable efforts to secure a day room provided that the en route stop is still projected over four hours (4:00) at the time the Flight Attendant makes his/her request.
D. Meals
1. Per Diem
a. Entitlement
When Flight Attendants are on duty away from their base, they shall be allowed expenses for meals at the rate of one dollar and sixty-five cents ($1.65) per hour (prorated) when engaged in domestic flying, and one dollar and eighty-five cents ($1.85) per hour (prorated) when engaged in international flying.
b. Period Effective
Duty away from base shall commence at the Flight Attendant's required report time at his/her base at the origination of a pattern and end at the Flight Attendant’s release time at his/her base at the conclusion of a pattern.
c. Exceptions
Notwithstanding subparagraph 1.a., above, no expenses shall be allowed when:
(1) The pattern consists of a single duty period except that, effective December 1, 2008, Flight Attendants who operate patterns that consist of a single duty period shall be eligible for the per diem noted in subparagraph 1.a., above; or
(2) The duty away from base is less than three hours (3:00); or
(3) Where the Flight Attendant does not receive flight time credit.
d. Base Station Layovers
In the event the flight segments in a scheduled duty period are such that a Flight Attendant is scheduled to return to base station after original departure and to depart such base station within the same duty period, the expense allowance shall continue during the layover at such base station.
e. Training Away from Base
When assigned to training away from his/her base or to temporary assignment away from his/her base, a Flight Attendant shall receive a meal expense allowance on the basis of duty away from his/her base at the rate set forth in subparagraph 1.a., above, in accordance with domestic rates if assigned to training in the forty-eight (48) contiguous United States or Canada and international rates if assigned to training at an international location.
2. Inflight Meals (Crew Meals)
Crew meals shall only be boarded on flights in accordance with the following provision:
a. Meals appropriate to the time of day shall be boarded for Flight Attendants whenever they are scheduled for a period of duty over six hours and fifteen minutes (6:15) without a scheduled intervening en route stop of at least one hour and thirty minutes (1:30). Such meals shall be boarded during the first (1st) six hours and fifteen minutes (6:15) of this period of duty. A second (2nd) meal appropriate to the time of day shall be boarded for Flight Attendants when they are scheduled for a period of duty over thirteen hours (13:00) without a scheduled intervening en route stop of at least one hour and thirty minutes (1:30).
b. International crew meals shall consist of the following components:
(1)Main Service (Lunch/Dinner)
(a)WBC lunch/dinner entree
(b)Salad (using WBC salad mix)
(c) International MC Appetizer or Crackers/Cheese
(d) International MC roll
(e) International MC butter
(f) International MC cookies or dessert
(2) Main Service (Breakfast)
An international WBC breakfast entree with all other components as provided for with the MC breakfast service (excluding the MC entree).
(3) Second (2nd) Service (if required)
An international second (2nd) service WBC entree with all other components as provided for with the MC second (2nd) service (excluding the MC entree).
(4) The Company and the Union may mutually agree to modify any or all of the listed international crew meal components.
c. Domestic crew meals shall consist of the following components:
(1) Lunch/Dinner
(a) Sandwich
(b) Condiment
(c) Cookie or dessert
NOTE: Items bulk loaded
(2) Breakfast
(a) Cereal
(b) Milk
(c) Fruit
(d) "Breakfast" bread (e.g. a bagel)
NOTE: Items bulk loaded
(3) The Company and the Union may mutually agree to modify any or all of the listed domestic crew meal components.
E. Transportation
1. At base stations a Flight Attendant shall be allowed actual necessary transportation expenses, but not to exceed two dollars and fifty cents ($2.50) on any trip, for transportation between the airport and place of lodging whenever:
a. He/She is required to report at the airport between the hours of 2000 (local time) and 0800 (local time); or
b. His/Her incoming flight arrives at the airport between 2000 (local time) and 0800 (local time); or
c. When authorized by Crew Scheduling to use a cab, Flight Attendants shall be allowed actual cab fare or parking expenses, at the Flight Attendant's option.
2. At base stations Flight Attendants assigned to international flying shall be allowed actual transportation expenses not to exceed two dollars and fifty cents ($2.50) per one (1) way trip for transportation between the airport and place of lodging.
3. The Company shall provide suitable and safe transportation for Flight Attendants between the airport and their place of lodging at layover stations.
4. At points other than a Flight Attendant's base station where transportation is not made available by the Company, Flight Attendants shall be allowed actual expenses incurred for transportation between the field and place of lodging. When transportation is not provided by the Company at layover points within forty-five minutes (0:45) of arrival of the pattern, Flight Attendants may use other reasonable means of transportation to their place of lodging and may claim reimbursement for expenses for such transportation on the regular Company expense account form and Flight Attendants shall be reimbursed for reasonable expenses incurred as evidenced by a receipt of payment. If the operating cockpit crew departs for the same layover point prior to the expiration of the forty-five minute (0:45) period described above, the Flight Attendant crew may leave at the same time.
5. Written receipt of transportation expense from a licensed transportation operator must be submitted by a Flight Attendant as a condition of payment of transportation allowance.
6. Where a trip hour period originates at one (1) airport at his/her base and terminates at another airport at his/her base, the Company shall furnish a Flight Attendant with transportation back to the originating airport. When such transportation is not provided by the Company within thirty minutes (0:30) of a Flight Attendant's release time, the Flight Attendant may use any other reasonable means of ground transportation between the two (2) airports. He/She may claim and shall be reimbursed for reasonable and necessary expenses incurred upon submission of a written receipt of payment.
7. Taxi Reimbursement - New York Based Flight Attendants
a. When a New York based Flight Attendant operates a pattern that does not originate and terminate at the same terminal, the Company shall furnish free transportation to the airport of origination.
b. The Company agrees to reimburse New York based Flight Attendants for a portion of taxi expenses incurred when assigned to flights at JFK or LGA for which the report time is prior to the operation of suitable public transportation or when the termination of such flight occurs after suitable transportation ceases or when assigned to any flight originating or terminating at EWR. Such reimbursement shall be based on the following two (2) tier structure:
(1) The first (1st) tier is defined as a radius from the airport which includes the area between JFK and the East River bordering the Bronx and Manhattan and the area between JFK and the Long Island communities of Lido Beach, Baldwin, Hempstead and Garden City. Flight Attendants shall be reimbursed for actual taxi expenses to a maximum of ten dollars and seventy-five cents ($10.75) for transportation to or from JFK or LGA from a point within the first (1st) tier, and a maximum of fifteen dollars ($15.00) for transportation to or from EWR from a point within the first (1st) tier.
(2) The second (2nd) tier is defined as an area beyond the radius defined above, but still within the New York city area, including the city of Newark, New Jersey. Flight Attendants shall be reimbursed for actual taxi expenses to a maximum of sixteen dollars and fifty cents ($16.50) for transportation to or from JFK, LGA or EWR from a point within the second (2nd) tier.
c. Requests for taxi reimbursement must be submitted on a business expense form with the actual dated receipts attached within sixty (60) days of incurring the expense.
d. When Crew Scheduling assigns a reserve Flight Attendant to a trip departing JFK, LGA or EWR with less than two hours (2:00) notice, when he/she cannot make the departure with normal means of public transportation, the Flight Attendant can request and may be granted authorization to take a taxi between the airport and his/her residence to be fully reimbursed at Company expense.
F. Miscellaneous
When Flight Attendants are on duty at locations other than their regular base stations or regular layover stations, or when on special assignments for the Company and transportation, laundry, meals, tips and lodging are not provided or otherwise allowed by the Company, actual necessary expenses for these items shall be allowed. Upon application a Flight Attendant shall be given an advance by the Company to cover expenses while on special assignment. Within five (5) days after returning to his/her base station, or at the close of each week in the event the Flight Attendant is away for a period longer than one (1) week, he/she shall submit an expense account to the Company and if the Flight Attendant has returned to his/her base station it shall be accompanied by the balance of any expense money advanced and not accounted for on the expense sheet.
G. Passports and Visas
1. General
The Company shall pay the cost of passports, passport pictures and visas for Flight Attendants as provided in subparagraphs G.2. and G.3., below.
2. Visas
a. The Company shall pay the cost of visas at predetermined Company rates when such visas are necessary for Flight Attendants within the base station operating the pattern(s) requiring such visa.
b. When Company assistance is required to obtain a visa, requests shall be processed for Flight Attendants, in seniority order, within the base station operating the pattern(s) requiring such visa. The Company may make provisions to secure visas for more junior Flight Attendants when such visas are required to provide adequate reserve coverage.
3. Passports
All Flight Attendants are required to have a current valid passport. The Company shall pay the cost of passports and passport pictures at predetermined Company rates. The Company shall take into consideration local base airport area market rates for passport pictures in determining such rates. It shall be the responsibility of the Flight Attendant to inform the Company of his/her passport number and to insure that these items are in the Flight Attendant's possession whenever on duty.
H. Immunizations
The Company shall pay the cost of any required immunization as provided in Section 22.J.1. of this Agreement.
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