AUS April E-Connection
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One full month down and we’re full speed ahead heading into the summer time! We will continue to welcome many fresh faces to our Base in the next few months. We anticipate reaching around 1500 Flight Attendants in AUS by June. Exciting times of growth and new beginnings for many, I thank you all for being the most welcoming, fun, and awesome Flight Attendant’s in the system. In this E-Connection, you’ll find some important dates to mark your calendar. CISM will be in the Lounges to assist Members during the week of May 11-15, 2026, new service to Anchorage, Alaska, an opportunity to contribute to your community, and an important PIN Black Out day to remember.
30-Second Review
- Taco ‘Bout Our Contract
- RT Pairings, Scheduled Deadheads, and Trip Pulls
- Welcome, Probationaries!
- Throwing it back to our AUS Crew Base Grand Opening!
- April Town Hall
- TWU556 App Calculator
- Letter Carriers’ Food Drive
- Mark Your Calendar
Taco ‘Bout Our Contract
It has been an absolute pleasure meeting many of you and helping answer your questions as we adjust. Thank you to those of you who showed up a few weeks ago to learn a little more about our Contract and how it works. As more new hires join our Base in the next few months, I’ll continue to host these lounge education/Q&A sessions. All are always welcome to join, no matter your seniority! We will talk through whatever topics you would like more guidance on.
Our next “Taco ‘Bout Our Contract” is on May 21, 2026, from 1000-1400 Local Time in the AUS Lounge. Come and go as you please. But bring your questions! Obviously, tacos and contract talk are involved.
RT Pairings, Scheduled Deadheads, and Trip Pulls
As a reminder, Recurrent Training (RT) is held in DAL until further notice. Two days before your scheduled RT date, you will see a 3-Day RT pairing placed on your board. If you have overlapping trips, you will see adjustments to your pairings or reserve blocks. It’s very important that you pay close attention to what adjustments are made. You will be pulled from whatever you are not legal for. In some cases, that may be a reroute on a current pairing to get you home and make your RT Deaheads, or an adjustment on the back end to a pairing or a reserve block.
I have called to ask why the Deadheads are so early. This agreement is between Crew Scheduling and SWAU. They have asked that there be plenty of options to keep you with legal crew rest if there are IROPs, which typically means at least two flights before the last possible option. You must have legal crew rest before your RT class, and there must be at least two flights with plenty of seats. For many, this is not ideal, and you can waive your Deaheads on either end. Keep in mind, you are not covered by the commuter policy for RT. To waive your Deadhead, you can use the waive DH button on CWA or call Scheduling.
Welcome, Probationaries!
We’re not biased at all, but welcome to the best Base in the system! We’ve got our fair share of experience and a whole lot of fun. As we anticipate even more new hires over the next two months and beyond, we know there is much to learn. Know you’ve got the support you need and the tools to get you by. Be sure to download the TWU556 Connect App. I know most of you are a little familiar with it. It is available on your IEFB, but it’s also a good idea to add it to your personal device if you ever need to ‘Chat’ with our Union.
Throwing it back to our AUS Crew Base Grand Opening!
The event was held at one of our AUS gates, with remarks from Austin Mayor Kirk Watson, Austin City Councilwoman Vanessa Fuentes, Austin-Bergstrom International Airport CEO Ghizlane Badawi, and me about what this growth means for the Austin community and our Southwest People, network, and operation. A ceremonial ribbon cutting, including VP Inflight Operations Steve Murtoff, VP Flight Operations Grant Morris, AUS Inflight Base Manager Damion West, and AUS Chief Pilot Paul Lauret, came after officially recognizing our new Crew base. We also had Lonestar One parked outside the gate area, offering great photo opportunities and adding to the celebration. Also joining me were AUS Shop Stewards, Educators, and Mobilizers, Jannah Dalak, Theresa Babington, Kelley Martin, and Tahlia Walters.
April Town Hall
Tuesday, April 28, 2026
1100 Central Time
Are you looking for a laid-back and casual discussion? A Town Hall meeting is just that. The Town Hall is a virtual meeting that lasts for one to two hours. There will be an open discussion with Questions and Answers. Just so you know, the session will be recorded for viewing later if you are unable to attend. Note: There will not be a financial presentation, as those are limited to our formal Membership Meetings.
Registration is now open!
Membership Meeting
The next scheduled All Base Membership Meeting will be held virtually on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, at 1100 CT. The official meeting notice may be found on the Union Administration page of our website.
TWU556 App Calculator
Your TWU556 Connect App (Apple) (Google) is loaded with all kinds of information from Union News to contact information and your Contract. One feature it has is the calculator to help you cross check your Duty Day and Extended Ground Time pay.
Duty Calculator: Ensure your workday meets FAA requirements and understand your rights to rest and benefits under your contract.
Extended Ground Time Pay Calculator: Determine additional pay for extended ground time between flights, ensuring proper contractual compensation.
Check out the TWUesday Tidbit reel posted to our official Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok earlier this week for a visual walkthrough of these calculators. Know your options and exercise your rights when days go long, or rest seems short.
Letter Carriers’ Food Drive
NALC Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive
The 2026 NALC Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive will be held on Saturday, May 9, 2026. Led by our Unionized Siblings in the National Association of Letter Carriers, alongside those represented by the National Rural Letter Carriers’ Association, this effort has grown into the nation’s largest single-day food drive. Letter Carriers collect non-perishable donations along their routes to support local food pantries. Residents can participate by leaving a bag of food next to their mailbox for collection.
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Mark Your Calendar
The Month of May
- Asian American Pacific Islander Month
- Mental Health Awareness Month
- May 1: International Workers Day
- May 1: 3% Contractual Raise Day
- May 10: Mother’s Day
- May 15: Service to Anchorage, Alaska (ANC) begins.
- May 25: Memorial Day (Paid Holiday and PIN Black Out Day)
- May 28: Membership Town Hall
I try to be in the spaces where we are all talking so I can be accessible to you. But I’m always just a text, call, or email away for anything you need. And we have fantastic Union Reps who are knowledgeable and there to assist you, too!
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me by email at: aquinones@staging1.twu556.org.
In Unity,
The views contained herein do not necessarily represent those of TWU Local 556 or TWU International. The purpose of this email communication is intended only to educate and inform TWU Local 556 Members. It is not intended to officially establish or clarify past practice, Contract language, or grievance/arbitration positions. It is therefore not to be utilized or relied upon by any person or party as evidence of the Union’s position on any past practices, Contract language, grievances/arbitrations, or any other disputes or issues between TWU Local 556 and Southwest Airlines.