How Does AFA Approve This Hotel?
This seems to be a question we have all asked at some point in our careers. What follows are the procedures for placing Flight Attendants into AFA approved layover hotels. Contractual distinctions are made between downtown, field and overflow locations. Section 6.B.5 of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, requires, “Unless otherwise requested by the Union, on layovers of twenty (20) hours or more, the Company will provide hotels in downtown or downtown-like locations in close proximity to restaurants and shops.”
At field or airport hotels; Section 7.J.1.b. & c. states you must have, “Nine (9) hours free from duty at any point away from home where lodging is provided within approximately fifteen (15) minutes time (or time agreed upon by the MEC Hotel Chairperson) from the airport provided prompt transportation is available, or c. Eleven (11) hours free from duty at any point away from home where lodging is provided more than approximately fifteen (15) minutes time from the airport.”
Overflow hotels are listed in Unimatic's TVLLST and TVLQCK and are to be used when scheduled layovers exceed predictions and/or when IROP situations exist. These overflow hotels were never intended, by AFA, to be used for scheduled layovers.
All newly added hotels to TVLLST/TVLQCK must meet Contractual requirements. The AFA/WHQBQ Hotel Standards are guidelines and all standards might not be available system-wide. In particular, we realize the amenities we have become accustomed to, might not be available at some overflow properties where United Airlines does not have a contract. Nevertheless, AFA insists only approved hotels be used for overflow and is seeking to inspect all hotels in the company’s WHQBQ database.
There are three Buyers in United’s Corporate Travel Department (WHQBQ) who procure rooms for Flight Attendants and Pilots around the world. Each one is responsible for a particular region: East Coast; Mid-West, Caribbean and Latin America; West Coast, Europe and the Pacific region. In addition, a forth Buyer is responsible for all crew transportation. Their responsibilities include responding to documented (TVLLOG) crew issues directly with the hotel/transportation management. Whether prompted by a rate increase or changing volumes of Flight Attendants layovers in a particular city, it is the Buyers who make contact with hotels to investigate whether or not they want United’s business.
Layover hotels used on a consistent basis over years sometimes become tired and worn. Not withstanding, when AFA becomes aware of deteriorating circumstances regarding a particular hotel or transportation company, we reserve the right to request a rebid.
Following is an example of the process:
The buyer sends seven bids to various hotels within a particular city and five respond. The arrival/departure times and volume of rooms needed are a consideration for the company and hotel. This explains why, in some cases, pilots or internationally based Flight Attendants may go to a different hotel. Next, a date is set to inspect the three properties. Usually the inspection will include the WHQBQ Buyer, along with an AFA and ALPA Hotel Committee member. Getting this coordinated is a feat in itself. All three utilize the same inspection questionnaire, which identifies more than 100 items related to safety, security, cleanliness, food availability, room comfort and amenities. Also, critical for AFA’s approval of a hotel, is the property meeting the Flight Attendant Hotel Standards. Both the company and AFA agreed to the Flight Attendant Hotel Standards in September of 1999.
It is not uncommon to inspect three, or more, hotels in one day in different areas of the same city. Details such as chains on doors vs. bolts, double or single pane windows, hairdryers, hard wired smoke detectors vs. battery powered, the number of fire exits per floor and where they lead; are just a sample of what goes into assessing a property. Unless the inspectors spend the night, the time spent per hotel averages 2.5 hours.
The company has put in place a mechanism to track hotel and transportation issues. It is TVLLOG found on Unimatic. Over the years the program has been enhanced and made easier to use. You have thirty days to input up to four issues per day regarding your transportation and lodging. Layover hotels are a quality of life issue for all Flight Attendants. Using TVLLOG directly benefits Flight Attendants in resolving our problems with transportation and hotels. Your Hotel Committee members and the company view inputs regularly.
Ultimately, it is the decision of the company as to which hotel is selected among those inspected and AFA approved.
I hope this gives greater insight to how AFA approves layover hotels.
By Michael Adams
UAL-AFA MEC Hotel Committee
Contact: mjadams@unitedafa.org
Article Revised 4/05
