2.06.26 – Contract Implementation Update #51: Unable to Commute Added to ECS

Friday, February 6, 2026

Contract Implementation Update #51:
Unable to Commute Added to ECS

The Commuter Policy

The 2024 CBA updated the commuter policy (CBA 37.I) effective October 2024 to the following:

Expanded the First Flight qualifiers to include Sufficient Seats (load factor less than 90%) within 24 hours prior to departure.

Flight Attendant must submit documentation of sufficient seats and their presence at the gate for standby processing (e.g., Jetnet screen shot, monitor snapshot, boarding pass).

Other airlines (OAL) are now a qualifying commuting option as American Airlines and wholly owned carriers are today.

Until Further Notice: In lieu of OAL load factor consideration, an OAL commuter will just need to provide a picture/screenshot that you listed 24 hours in advance (e.g. UAL). For same-day/at-gate listing (e.g. DL, SWA), you would provide your documentation of listing.

Note: A Flight Attendant that is removed or denied from occupying a jumpseat due to a weight restriction or an inoperative jumpseat (37.G.9) who consequently misses their sequence, shall have such sequence qualify under the Commuter Policy.

Using ECS to report Unable to Commute

For commuters, you are now able to use ECS to notify Crew Scheduling that you are unable to commute in for your sequence. Reserves are also able to notify they are unable to commute for RAPs, Standby, and Sequences. This option is for those Flight Attendants who are sure they will not be able to commute in, not simply running late.

If you are running late, continue to call Crew Scheduling.

You would also call crew scheduling if you are taking an alternate deadhead to the first live leg of your trip sequence and are running late or unable to make it (CBA 16.G.17).

On ECS, go to Contact AA > Unable to Commute

  

Any sequences that report in the next 24 hours will appear. Select Report Unable to Commute and confirm the sequence information is correct.

  

Crew Scheduling will review your submission, and you will receive responses under the All Messages and AA Responses inbox.

  

Once processed, you must reach out to your CAM to provide detailed information to substantiate your Unable to Commute and have the removal recoded. If you do not reach out to your CAM for recode, the removal will remain a missed trip (TM).

If you have multiple activities in the next 24 hours, such as you have a RAP and a Standby assigned/awarded*, ECS will display all activities and automatically select the first upcoming activity. You are able to select a later activity to submit multiple if needed. For those with a Standby or Sequence from a RAP, you will need to select both to report Unable to Commute for the Standby or Sequence.

*Note: Once assigned a Sequence or Standby from ROTD, you have no further obligation to your RAP.

Another example, if you have two turns doubled-up on a single date, you are able to submit only the first sequence or both depending on your commuting situation.

In Unity,

Kelly J. Hagan
LGA

Hunter Meredith
PHL

Wendy Oswald
LAX

Mike Sosa
DFW

Contact the CIC