Tap here to download Reserve – Liable for Contact Reminders
Fast Fact Friday
Reserve – Liable for Contact Reminders
Friday, August 1, 2025
Q1: “Tomorrow is day one of my 3-day JAR block. What time am I liable for contact?”
The JAR shift becomes liable for contact at 0300 Local Time -or- 2 hours prior to the first scheduled check-in, WHICHEVER IS SOONER. On day one of the block (ONLY), this time cannot be any earlier than 0300 CT.
The first scheduled check-in at DAL on 08/01 is for Flight #1141 at 0500 Local Time. Two (2) hours prior to the first scheduled check-in would be 0300 Local Time (CT). A DJAR would be liable for contact starting at 0300 Local Time (CT).
The first scheduled check-in at BWI on 08/01 is for Flight #4039 at 0505 Local Time. Two (2) hours prior to the first scheduled check-in would be 0305 Local Time, which is 0205 CT. A BJAR on day one of their block (ONLY) would be liable for contact starting at 0400 Local Time (or 0300 CT), because we cannot be liable for contact earlier than 0300 CT on the first day of a JAR block.
NOTE: If this was day two or three of the BJAR block, the 0300 CT restriction is not applicable. A BJAR would be liable for contact at 0300 Local Time because it’s both the start of the JAR shift -and- two (2) hours prior to the first scheduled check-in at BWI.
The first scheduled check-in at OAK on 08/01 is for Flight #709 at 0400 Local Time. Two (2) hours prior to the first scheduled check-in would be 0200 Local Time, which is 0400 Central Time. An OJAR would be liable for contact starting at 0200 Local Time (or 0400 CT), because two (2) hours prior to the first scheduled check-in is earlier than 0300 Local Time.
FOLLOW-UP QUESTION: “How do I know what the first scheduled check-in is in my domicile?”
Unfortunately, there isn’t a handy and easy to read report for you to check to get this answer. To find the first available check-in at your domicile for any given day, you must pull up the “Crew on Flight” report and determine which flight is scheduled to depart first for that domicile day. When you get the departure time, you subtract one hour to determine the scheduled check-in time for that pairing. Then you subtract two hours to determine the Reserve liable for contact time (if it’s earlier than 0300 Local Time).
CWA > Displays > Crew on Flight
VERY IMPORTANT: Because the JAR shift can begin 2 hours prior to the first scheduled check-in at your domicile, but no earlier than 0300 CENTRAL TIME, JAR Flight Attendants west of the Central Timezone *can* (and often are!) liable for contact BEFORE 0300 LOCAL TIME. Until Southwest Airlines can get this clock issue resolved with the FAA, this will continue to be an issue we’ll need to be aware of!
Q2: “It’s day two of my JAR block. What time am I liable for contact?”
The JAR shift becomes liable for contact at 0300 Local Time -or- 2 hours prior to the first scheduled check-in, WHICHEVER IS SOONER.
The first scheduled check-in at MDW on 08/01 is for Flight #4831 at 0400 Local Time. If 08/01 was day two or three of a MJAR block, the Reserve would be liable for contact at 0200 Local Time, which is two (2) hours prior to the first scheduled check-in. Why? Because JAR is liable for contact at 0300 Local Time or two (2) hours prior to the first scheduled check-in, whichever is earlier.
The first scheduled check-in at ATL on 08/01 is for Flight #2925 at 0500 Local Time. If 08/01 was day two or three of an AJAR block, the Reserve would be liable for contact at 0300 Local Time, which is two (2) hours prior to the first scheduled check-in. Why? Because the only day with the “no earlier than 0300 CT” restriction for JAR is day one of the block only.
The first scheduled check-in at LAX on 08/01 is for Flight #1240 at 0400 Local Time. If 08/01 was day two or three of a XJAR block, the Reserve would be liable for contact at 0200 Local Time, which is two (2) hours prior to the first scheduled check-in. Why? Because JAR is liable for contact at 0300 Local Time or two (2) hours prior to the first scheduled check-in, whichever is earlier.
Q3: “It’s the last day of my JPR block (not B2/B3) and I haven’t been called. When am I released from Reserve obligation?”
The JPR shift has a scheduled liable for contact time from 1000-2200 Local Time every day. You are automatically released from your Reserve obligation (aka no longer liable for contact) if you haven’t been contacted by Crew Scheduling once your shift has ended at 2200 Local Time -or- when the last scheduled round trip from the domicile of your Reserve block has departed, whichever is earlier. Per our Contract, the last scheduled round trip must be electronically published. (Article 11.15.A.2)
In the above example, the last scheduled round trip begins with Flight #3310 and has an ETD of 2230 CT, or 2030 Local Time (LAS). This JPR would be automatically released from this block’s obligation when Flight #3310 actually departs -or- at 2200 Local Time (the end of their scheduled Reserve shift), whichever is earlier.
FOLLOW-UP QUESTION: “How do I know what the last scheduled roundtrip is for the domicile of my Reserve obligation?”
Fortunately, the last scheduled roundtrip (and departure) is much easier to find than the first scheduled check-in! All you need to do is check out the “Last Round Trip and Departure” report on CWA.
Q4: “It’s the last day of my JPR block (not B2/B3) and Crew Scheduling assigned me APSB from 1700-2200 Local Time. The last scheduled roundtrip departs at 2045 Local Time. Can I be released from APSB after that flight departs?”
Yes. After the last flight you could work and be returned to domicile (most commonly referred to as a “turn”) departs, you can contact Crew Scheduling to be released from APSB. Your compensation will be prorated at a rate of 0.1 TFP for every 6 minutes you sat APSB. (Article 11.3.A.7.e) This TFP will be applied to your monthly/block Reserve guarantee as is applicable to your situation, and this shift will count towards your monthly max APSB total of five (5). (Article 11.3.A.7.a)
Example: I sit for 3:45 hours of my APSB shift and then call Crew Scheduling to be released (because the last scheduled roundtrip has departed). My prorated pay will be:
3 hours x 60 minutes = 180 minutes + 45 minutes = 225 minutes of APSB / 6 minutes = 37.5 x 0.1 TFP = 3.75 TFP will be applied to my monthly/block Reserve guarantee
NOTE: You are NOT required to call and be released early from APSB. If you don’t call to be released and sit the entirety of the five (5) hour shift, you will still see 5 TFP applied towards your monthly/block Reserve guarantee.
Q5: “It’s the last day of the month and I have a B3 block of JLR. Am I liable for contact all the way to 0259 Local Time (the end of my scheduled shift)?”
You will have fulfilled your Reserve obligation for the current bid month once the last scheduled departure has left the domicile of your Reserve block. (Article 11.15.A.1)
In the above example, the last scheduled departure is Flight #1489 with an ETD of 2250 CT. This JLR would be automatically released from this block’s obligation when Flight #1489 actually departs -or- at 0259 Local Time (the end of their scheduled Reserve shift), whichever is earlier.