Operational Pairings are typically found in the 8000–9000 pairing range, most commonly in the 9000 range. They are created to address operational needs such as weather disruptions, cancellations, re-crewing, or replacing a position that becomes vacant downline.
How Work Positions Are Assigned
Operational Pairings do not have work positions assigned in advance. They are considered unassigned positions and are determined during briefing.
- If there is only one Operational Pairing, that Flight Attendant assumes the one open position.
- If there are multiple Operational Pairings, the Flight Attendants assigned those pairings fill the remaining open positions in seniority order.
- If all Flight Attendants working the flight are assigned Operational Pairings, all positions are filled during briefing in seniority order by qualified Flight Attendants.
Certain positions that are predetermined by the Company and published in the monthly bid packet, such as Language Qualified positions or International Purser, are handled separately.
Premium Pay Positions
If a Flight Attendant assumes a premium-pay position such as:
- International Purser
- Purser
- Language Qualified
- 757 Galley
- Widebody Galley
contact Crew Scheduling before departure when time permits. If that is not possible, submit an Override Pay Exception through Help Hub as soon as possible.
Important Reminders
Positions obtained through the normal bid award or trade process are not considered unassigned positions, except for the Purser position.
If multiple base pairings are assigned to the same flight, the base pairing originally assigned to the flight keeps its positions. The remaining Operational Pairing positions are filled in seniority order.
Variable Staffing Pairings
Operational Variable Staffing Pairings are different:
- 9XI = International Variable Staffing Position
- 9XS = Domestic Variable Staffing Position
These pairings are added based on economy cabin load factors and are not considered unassigned positions. The Flight Attendant works the position associated with the pairing number on the Staffing Sheet.
Questions?
AFA Council 21 Main Office: (703) 260-0051
