FA needs some help.

[kman]

My girlfriend just received a missed assignment for calling in fatigued. Anybody know in what section of the far/aim to reference? Union is not being very helpful. Thanks

kman ex 121 pilot

 

[BoxesRus]

Kman, I don't know if the rules are the same for F/A's as they are for pilots but for "airmen" the rules are pretty simple. We are prohibited from flying with a "known medical deficiency". That just means we are required to ground ourselves if we are unfit to fly. There is a difference between being sick and being fatigued. As for fatique, the company that I work for is famous for intimidating pilots when they drop trips due to fatigue. The FAA was called for advice and their response was that they would not get involved, (meaning there was no violation by the company), until and unless someone was ordered to fly a trip after dropping it due to fatigue. I would suggest that your girlfriend grieve the discipline, if only to help establish a precedent.

 

[cwe84]

It really depends on how she called in. If it looks like abuse, ie after one leg while haveing 12 rest then it would be a missed assignment. Now if there is construction going on and she has notified sked or a sup of the situation and the company did nothing then she would have recourse. She needs to meet with her sup and explain why she called missed assignment. But if it was on her own time why she is fatigued then it won't look favorable

 

[CRJ puppy]

There are no "fatigued" FAR's...Just fitness for duty, which if you are not, would involve calling in sick. The option of calling in "fatigued" is one that is provided for in various union contracts between carriers and employee groups. If it is not in your contract, then it is not an option (vs. calling in sick).

The reference you SHOULD be asking for/seeking out, is the CONTRACT reference for your company. Where in the agreement does it state that this is an option for the flight attendant? This is where it pays to know your contract. If it is not in your agreement, then he/she is "hosed"...should've called in sick.

Perhaps there is a union (assuming there is a union at your carrier) webboard for your council where this question could be addressed. (?)

Good luck!

 

[bluefishbeagle]

My girlfriend just received a missed assignment for calling in fatigued. Anybody know in what section of the far/aim to reference? Union is not being very helpful. Thanks

kman ex 121 pilot

Regardless of all the hype about safety management view's FA's as expendable as the trash bags. And regionals are the worst. Tell her to get a real job with real potential.

 

[NoPax]

If her company has an ASAP, have her file a report.

If not, have her file an ASRS...If the company can't recognize when an employee is not fit for work, for whatever reason (fatigue, sick, personal), it's not the employee's fault. The company shouldn't discipline the employee for taking the initiative, and knocking it off before it becomes a safety hazard.

If the employee has been shown to have a habit of using sick days, fatigue or other excuses - that could put them under the spotlight.

 

[ASAFOE120]

She should check with her union rep. If they are organized.

 

[Say Again Over]

Some relief here, this also applies to Flight Attendants:

10. What action should a pilot take if he believes he is too fatigued to fly?​

The pilot should inform the air carrier of his condition and decline to fly. The FAA has consistently said that if a crewmember operates an aircraft with insufficient rest, the pilot could be charged with a careless and reckless violation, as provided by FAR 91.13. The FAA has also stated that the "lack of rest of the pilot is certainly a circumstance which could endanger others, and it is not necessary that the situation devolve into actual endangerment for there to be a violation of FAR 91.13."

 

[SYX328]

What company does she work for, It will depend on the work rules and the union contract if there is one.