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Contract 201
Article 10 – Scheduling/Bidding
DRT/SDRT
Our Contract allows us the flexibility we need to both make a living and live our best lives. With unlimited Trip Trade/Giveaway, Job Sharing, and generous Vacation language, we have options that give us the freedom to work as much… or as little as we would like. When Scheduling determines that the operation is running with higher levels of staffing, and they don’t anticipate any crazy circumstances (forecasted weather event, holiday, etc.), we also have language in Article 10 that allows for unpaid days off work: Daily Release Time (DRT) and Secondary Daily Release Time (SDRT).
Daily Release Time (DRT): Release from a pairing or Reserve block without pay that a Flight Attendant may bid and be awarded on a voluntary basis. DRT may be offered on the first three and last days of a bid month for Reserve blocks specifically.
Secondary Daily Release Time (SDRT): After DRT slots have been offered and awarded, Scheduling can evaluate the operation and offer UP TO THE SAME NUMBER OF SDRT SLOTS as were offered in DRT. SDRT slots are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis and can be for a specific assignment length (i.e. 3-day, 2-day, turns).
How do I know if there are DRT or SDRT slots available in my base?
Available DRT and SDRT can be found on CWA. DRT slots will be posted in CWA no later than 1600 Central Time the day before the available slots. SDRT slots will be posted no later than 0400 Local Time on the day of the available slots.
CWA > Bid Input > DRT Bidding/Secondary DRT
Daily Release Time (DRT)
DRT Timeline
Available Slots Posted: No Later than 1600 CT the day prior
Bids Submitted/Deleted: No Later than 1700 CT the day prior
DRT Awarded: No Later than 1800 CT the day prior
“What does it look like if there are available DRT slots?”
When you open up the DRT Bidding screen after the slots have been posted for the next day (no later than 1600 CT), you will see a list of available DRT slots for the next calendar day.
TIP: If you would like to see how many DRT slots were awarded on a previous day, you can select a different date on the calendar.
“LAS has 15 available DRT slots for tomorrow?!?! How do I bid for one?”
EASY! Simply select the START date of the trip or Reserve block (day one of the block) in the “Date” and click “Submit New DRT Bid”. You will see that your bid has been successfully submitted when it shows in the “Current DRT Bids” box.
Keep In Mind: You can submit trips/Reserve blocks for DRT in advance and cross your fingers that slots are available. You’re bidding for DAYS OFF, so even if you trade your trip for something on the same day, your bid would still be valid.
“I accidentally submitted for DRT on 04/22! How do I delete it?”
Simply highlight the submitted DRT bid in the “Current DRT Bids” and then click “Remove Selected Bid”. A “Remove Bid” pop-up box will have you verify that you actually want to remove the selected bid. Click “OK” and the bid should be removed from the “Current DRT Bids” box.
“I have a REALLY long commute to OAK… can I bid for DRT if this is my first month online?”
Unfortunately, no. Article 10.5 states that “New Hire Flight Attendants will not be able to participate (in DRT) until after ninety (90) days from their inflight date of hire/occupational seniority date.”
This language follows Article 7.5, where it states that Probationary Flight Attendants may pick up pairings during their first month, “but may not alter (trade or giveaway) any pairings on their first original bid line.”
“If I DRT, can I pick up flying on the days I had pulled?”
No. You are not allowed to pick up additional flying on the days you were awarded DRT, UNLESS Crew Scheduling determines that “extraordinary or emergency circumstances (are) affecting Company operations.
“Can I non-rev if I DRT?”
”YOU SURE CAN!
“I am on Reserve and didn’t get used today. Can I submit the rest of my Reserve block for DRT?”
Unfortunately, no. Article 10.5.A.4 states that a “Flight Attendant may only request to be pulled from (their) entire pairing or Reserve block; partial requests will be denied.”
That’s where SDRT comes in…
“I have two blocks of Reserve back-to-back. If I’m awarded DRT on day one of the six Reserve days, will both blocks be pulled?”
It will depend on whether the two blocks have the same designation. Picked up or traded Reserve days (different designations) will not be combined with an original block for a DRT award. (Article 10.6.D.6) If they have the same designation (automatically combinable), the blocks will be considered as one DRT for the purpose of awarding DRT. (Article 10.6.D.7)
“I picked up a pairing in another domicile. Can I bid for an be awarded an available DRT slot? And would it be a slot from my assigned domicile, or the domicile associated with the pairing?”
You can bid for and be awarded an available DRT slot from the pairing associated with the pairing. Bids are awarded in Base seniority order, followed by out-of-base requests in overall Flight Attendant seniority order.
Secondary Daily Release Time (SDRT)
“How do I know if SDRT is being offered? And then how would I “bid” for it?”
SDRT slots will be posted in CWA no later than 0400 Local Time the day of the available slots. It’s important to remember that SDRT is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. So, if you’re interested, keep your eyes open!
If you’re on the Secondary DRT screen in CWA, select the trip or first day of Reserve you would like to be pulled. This will place your assignment in the “My Trip” box. Next highlight the start date of your trip/Reserve and click the two arrows to “Retrieve Postings”. If there are available slots for SDRT, you would select one of the slots and click on the disk (just like the TT/GA screen). If you were fast… VOILÀ! Days off. You can also call Crew Scheduling to process SDRT requests.
“It’s 0400 Local Time and there are SDRT slots available in my base… but my pairing checks in at 0800 Local Time! Can I still get SDRT?”
YOU SURE CAN! Flight Attendants can request to be released from an assignment up to three (3) hours prior to departure. (Article 10.5.C)
“My friend is on day 2 of a JAR block. She sat APSB yesterday but hasn’t been assigned anything today. Can she bid for and be awarded SDRT?”
YEP! Reserves can be released with SDRT prior to being given an assignment or self-assigning… even in the middle of a block.
“It’s day one of the JPR block and it’s currently 2000 Local Time. I haven’t been given an assignment and there are available SDRT slots available for tomorrow. Can I grab one?”
Unfortunately, no. You will not be able to grab a SDRT slot until you have completed your current day’s Reserve obligation. In your situation, you would be able to SDRT if you have not been given an assignment after 2200 Local Time. If you had been given an assignment and released in domicile for your crew rest, you would be able to grab an available SDRT slot.
Monthly Release Time (MRT) and Secondary Monthly Release Time (SMRT)
Monthly Release Time (MRT): Release from a full month of Lineholder flying without pay. When awarded MRT, you cannot pick up flying or Reserve over the time you’ve been awarded MRT. You are limited to three (3) months of awarded MRT per calendar year.
Secondary Monthly Release Time (SMRT): After MRT slots have been offered and awarded, Crew Planning can evaluate the operation and offer SMRT to those who will bid during the Secondary Bidding process (VR Lines and Reserve). The Secondary Bidding Cover Letter will contain whether SMRT slots are available. If awarded SMRT, the Reserve Flight Attendant will retain the credit (*) for their Reserve line. You cannot pick up flying over the time you’ve been awarded SMRT.
The only exemption to picking up flying after being awarded MRT/SMRT is during “extraordinary or emergency” situations of operational need. Article 10.4
“How would I know if MRT slots are being offered?”
The number of MRT slots available will be located on the Primary Bidding Cover Letter. Bidding for MRT takes place during the regular Primary Bidding process in CWA.
Remember: MRT will be awarded in Seniority order.
“If SMRT is available, what is the cutoff for submitting a bid?”
SMRT bidding begins on the 2nd at Noon CT the month of the SMRT bid. All bids and cancellations must be submitted by the 10th at Noon CT of the month of the SMRT bid.
Comply 365 > My Forms > Inflight > Secondary MRT Bidding Form
