Q: What protects Reserves from being converted to ER multiple days in a row, now that the conversion cap is removed?
Fatigue provisions are available to every Flight Attendant, including Reserves. We have heard Reserves mention they feel unsafe when Crew Scheduling converts them to ER multiple times in a row. The Fatigue Risk Management Plan (FRMP) allows a Flight Attendant to call out fatigue if they feel unsafe.
If a Reserve called in fatigue because they felt unsafe after CS converted them to ER multiple times in a row, it would be AFA’s position at the Fatigue Review Board (FRB) that the call should be coded under “Company” or “Operational” (no attendance points).
If the Flight Attendant had multiple ER days in a row for other reasons (e.g., combining AM/PM blocks or volunteering for ER conversion), this would be in the Reserve’s control and thus would not be coded under “Company” or “Operational” at FRB.
It is important to note a Reserve should not call in fatigue solely because they have been converted to ER multiple times in a row – they must actually be fatigued. With fatigue calls, Flight Attendants should use the time until their report to try and get rest, and call in if they are fatigued closer to report time. Therefore, if the ER conversions result in the Reserve being fatigued, they would be able to avail themself of the FRMP provisions accordingly to ensure they are not operating unsafely.
Bottom line – it is important to keep all provisions and protections within the contract in mind, and to use them if and when it becomes necessary.