Greetings,

Extended Leaves of Absence Made Easy!!!

(“finally!” you say)

As you have been bulletined, the deadline for applications for the Early Out Program (EOP), the Enhanced Extended Leave of Absence and Extended Leave of Absence (E/ELOA) and Voluntary Furlough (VF) has been extended through 9/16/08.  In the first communications Flight Attendants were told that those on LOA would not be eligible for the EELOA.  This was largely due to the complications involved in transitioning insurance coverage between leave types.  It has been decided that the evaluation of that transition can be done on an individual basis.  There has also been confusion on the part of active Flight Attendants as to which program would be the most beneficial from an insurance aspect, the ELOA or the EELOA.  To that end, all Flight Attendant application for extended leaves will be awarded by virtue of their durations, 2 year first then 1 year, regardless of the type.  You will then have the opportunity to select from the insurance coverage associated with the enhanced or the contractual ELOA as best suits your needs.  If you have already submitted an application you do not need to re-submit or in any way change your bids.

Again, the deadline for submitting has been extended through 9/16/08.  A reassurance for those with submitted applications, your application will not be displaced by an application received in the extended opening.

September 5, 2008