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Basics of
Floating Vacation
Floating Vacation is defined in Article 5 of our CBA as “(a) week of vacation awarded a Flight Attendant without an actual date assigned.” You can bid for a Floating Vacation 7-day slot(s) during the annual Vacation Bidding process. So how does Floating Vacation work? Let’s look at Article 14.3 and discuss!
“I have a Floating Vacation slot to use this year. How many slots are available each month?”
Article 14.3 clarifies that there will be no less than one (1) slot per week (in each base) available to bid for FV, except the period incorporating Thanksgiving Day and the last two (2) vacation weeks of December. These weeks are considered “black out” periods. (Article 14.3.A.1) In domiciles with 200+ bid lines, there will be two (2) slots available to bid per week.
“How are Floating Vacation slots awarded? I’m based in OAK but live in BWI. Can I bid for a Floating Vacation slot in a BWI?”
Floating Vacation slots are awarded in seniority order (most senior to most junior) in your respective base. Floating Vacation slots cannot be traded between domiciles. (Article 14.3.B)
“How much does a Floating Vacation slot pay?”
A 7-day Floating Vacation slot pays 26.25 TFP, regardless of whether you bid and hold the vacation week or cash in an unused Floating Vacation slot.
“When can I cash in unused FV slots?”
You may cash in your FV anytime throughout the year. If Crew Payroll is notified at least 10 days before payday, the FV pay will be included in the next paycheck. Use the Floating Vacation Bid Form on your iEFB.
Comply 365 > My Forms > Inflight > Floating Vacation Bid
Good To Know
You cannot take Floating Vacation during a Reserve month. (Article 14.3.A.7)
“When can I bid for an available Floating Vacation slot?”
You can submit a FV bid any time. For example, if you know you have wedding to attend in the beginning of September, you can fill out and submit the Floating Vacation Bid Form now! Keep in mind that you can only have one FV Bid Form on file with Crew Planning at a time.
Comply 365 > My Forms > Inflight > Floating Vacation Bid
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Select the month you’d like to bid for an available Floating Vacation slot.
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Select the available Floating Vacation slot(s) you’d like to bid.
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Once you’ve finished your bid, click “Submit” in the top right-hand corner and sync your iPad.
“Is that the same form to use for cashing in my Floating Vacation slot(s)?”
It is! If you want to cash in an unused Floating slot, select the month of the paycheck you would like the 26.25 TFP paid on, highlight “Cash in on (month) 20 paycheck”, submit the form and sync your iPad.
Keep in Mind: You must submit the form at least 10 days prior to the pay date in order to be compensated on that check.
“I bid for a Floating Vacation slot in September, but the wedding I’m a bridesmaid in has been postponed. Can I cancel my bid?”
Yes, you would use the same form to cancel a Floating Vacation Bid. You can either select the bid you’d like to “remove”, or cancel all Floating Vacation Bids.
“Can I submit a bid for multiple Floating Vacation slots at a time?”
You may select multiple Floating Vacation slot options for the same month to increase your likelihood of being awarded a vacation week during that bid month, however you cannot have more than one Floating Vacation Bid Form on file with Crew Planning at a time.
“What is the cutoff time for submitting a Floating Vacation bid?”
Floating Vacation Bid Forms must be submitted by Noon CT on the last day of the bid month.
Example: I am wanting to bid for a June Floating Vacation slot. My bid must be submitted no later than Noon CT on April 30th (the last day of the bid month prior to Primary Bidding for June).
“Are pairings pulled the same way as other vacation slots?”
Contract 2024 changed the procedure of pulls for an awarded Floating Vacation slot. “All trips encompassing and overlapping a Floating Vacation week will be pulled.” (Article 14.3.A.1)
“If I have more than one pairing pulled, what will my pay be for the Floating Vacation slot?”
Floating Vacation weeks automatically pay 26.25 TFP, regardless of what has been pulled from your awarded schedule.
“Is there a way to be paid more for my Floating Vacation?”
No. Floating Vacation pays 26.25 TFP per week.
Both of these pairings will be pulled because they overlap the vacation week. This 7-day Floating Vacation week will pay 26.25 TFP.
Contract 2024 changed how pairing pulls are completed with Floating Vacation slots. Make sure you’re referencing the new language, and not old procedures!
“What happens to my unused Floating Vacation slots at the end of the year?”
If at the end of the calendar year you have a Floating Vacation slot, it will be paid out on the December 20th paycheck. A Floating Vacation slot will pay 26.25 TFP.
“If I bid for and could not hold a Floating Vacation slot, do I lose it? I don’t see it anywhere on my screen!”
No! If you bid for a FV slot and could not hold it for any reason (i.e. Reserve month, people more senior outbid you), that slot will still be available to bid throughout the remainder of the calendar year.
“Is there a place to see how many Floating Vacation week(s) I have for the year?”
Yep! Click on the calendar icon on your Crew Member Assignments screen on CWA. This will bring up a list of all awarded vacation weeks, past to present. If you scroll to the bottom, you will find the current year’s vacation weeks, including Floating Vacation.
“I think I understand the Floating Vacation bidding process… but how will I know if I was awarded a Floating Vacation slot?”
Crew Planning will email a list of all awarded Floating Vacation slots on the 1st of the month, prior to Primary Bidding opening. This will allow you to know if you’ve been awarded a slot in order to bid accordingly during the Primary Bidding process.
“I’m the opposite! I think this is still so confusing!!! Are there any Floating Vacation resources we can look at?”
Absolutely! The Floating Vacation language can be found in Article 14.3 of our Contract. The Education Committee will continue the work of bringing you additional resources for all topics, including Floating Vacation! If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact the Union Office or utilize the TWU Local 556 Chat App.
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