Pay Guarantees (RIGs)

RIGs (Ratio in Guarantee)

Understanding Pay Guarantees & RIGs

As a Flight Attendant, your pay isn’t just based on flight hours—you also have built-in protections called RIGs (Ratio in Guarantee) that ensure you’re fairly compensated for your time on duty, even when you’re not in the air. RIGs help protect your income by guaranteeing a minimum amount of pay based on time spent on duty or away from base. Here’s how they work:

Minimum Day (3 or 5 hours)

(CBA section 11.D.1.b)

You will earn a minimum of 5 hours of pay per duty period within a trip, with at least 3 hours of pay per duty period for multi-day trips.

This guarantee ensures that even if a trip has minimal flying, you are still fairly compensated for your time.

Example: The first duty period had 3:31 hours of block time and the second duty period had 3:09 hours of block time. When you add them together, you get 6:40 hours – which is less than minimum of 5:00 hours per Duty Period (10:00 hours for the whole trip).

3:20 hours of “G” time was added to bring up the trip to the contractual minimum value.

6:40 block time + 3:20 “G” time = 10:00 hour minimum for a two Duty Period trip.

This is shown as G Time on the HI-3 next to P/C:

Trip RIG (1 for 3.5)

(CBA section 11.D.4)

For every 3 hours and 30 minutes you spend with a layover away from your home base on a trip (sequence), you are guaranteed at least 1 hour of pay.
If your total flight time is less than this minimum, the difference will be added as extra pay to make up for it.
This ensures that long layovers or inefficient schedules receive compensation.

Example: If you are away from your base for 35 hours, but only flew 8 hours, your Trip RIG would pay you for at least 10 hours (35 ÷ 3.5 = 10 hours of pay) instead of just the 8 flight hours.

This is shown as F Time on the HI-3 next to P/C:

Duty RIG (1 for 2)

(CBA section 11.D.5)

You will earn at least 1 hour of pay for every 2 hours of actual on-duty time.
This means that if you have long duty periods with minimal flying, your pay is still protected.

Example: If you’re on duty for 12 hours but only fly 5 hours, the Duty RIG ensures you get paid for at least 6 hours (12 ÷ 2 = 6 hours of pay) rather than just the flight hours.

This is shown as E Time on the HI-3 next to P/C:

Sit RIG (1 for 2) for Long Sit Times

(CBA section 11.D.6)

Sit rig pay is a pay component designed to compensate you for extended ground time between flights.

Sit time starts once you arrive at the gate and ends when you depart for your next flight. Once this sit time surpasses 2 hours and 30 minutes.

If you have an actual sit time longer than 2 hours and 30 minutes, you will receive 1 minute of pay for every 2 minutes of sit time beyond that threshold.
This is extra pay is outside your regular earnings for the trip.
This does not apply to ODAN (On-Duty All-Nighter) pairings.

(Actual sit time – 2 hours and 30 minutes) / 2 = additional flight pay due to Sit Rig

Example: In the sequence below, the original sit time was scheduled two (2) hours and thirty-two (32) minutes. Due to a delayed departure of flight 2899 from PHL to RSW, the actual sit time in PHL was four (4) hours and seventeen (17) minutes.

Ground time displayed in Crew Portal:

Ground time displayed in HI3:

Sit Rig is paid for the actual time between two flights beyond the first two (2) hours and thirty (30) minutes of the actual sit time.
Using the actual sit time of 4.17 above, you must subtract the first two (2) hours and thirty (30) minutes of sit time:
4.17 – 2.30 = 1 hour and 47 minutes.
Sit Rig is 1 minute of pay for each 2 minutes of sit, so the remaining sit time must be divided by two: 1.47/ 2 = 53 minutes

This Flight Attendant would earn 53 minutes of flight pay in addition to any other pay earned for the sequence.

Minimum Day (3 or 5 hours)
Trip RIG (1 for 3.5)
Duty RIG (1 for 2)
Sit RIG (1 for 2) for Long Sit Times

Minimum Day (3 or 5 hours)

(CBA section 11.D.1.b)

You will earn a minimum of 5 hours of pay per duty period within a trip, with at least 3 hours of pay per duty period for multi-day trips.

This guarantee ensures that even if a trip has minimal flying, you are still fairly compensated for your time.

3:20 hours of “G” time was added to bring up the trip to the contractual minimum value.

6:40 block time + 3:20 “G” time = 10:00 hour minimum for a two Duty Period trip.

This is shown as G Time on the HI-3 next to P/C:

Trip RIG (1 for 3.5)

(CBA section 11.D.4)

For every 3 hours and 30 minutes you spend with a layover away from your home base on a trip (sequence), you are guaranteed at least 1 hour of pay.
If your total flight time is less than this minimum, the difference will be added as extra pay to make up for it.
This ensures that long layovers or inefficient schedules receive compensation.

This is shown as F Time on the HI-3 next to P/C:

Duty RIG (1 for 2)

(CBA section 11.D.5)

You will earn at least 1 hour of pay for every 2 hours of actual on-duty time.
This means that if you have long duty periods with minimal flying, your pay is still protected.

Example: If you’re on duty for 12 hours but only fly 5 hours, the Duty RIG ensures you get paid for at least 6 hours (12 ÷ 2 = 6 hours of pay) rather than just the flight hours.

This is shown as E Time on the HI-3 next to P/C:

Sit RIG (1 for 2) for Long Sit Times

(CBA section 11.D.6)

Sit rig pay is a pay component designed to compensate you for extended ground time between flights.

Sit time starts once you arrive at the gate and ends when you depart for your next flight. Once this sit time surpasses 2 hours and 30 minutes.

If you have an actual sit time longer than 2 hours and 30 minutes, you will receive 1 minute of pay for every 2 minutes of sit time beyond that threshold.
This is extra pay is outside your regular earnings for the trip.
This does not apply to ODAN (On-Duty All-Nighter) pairings.

(Actual sit time – 2 hours and 30 minutes) / 2 = additional flight pay due to Sit Rig

Ground time displayed in Crew Portal:

Ground time displayed in HI3:

Sit Rig is paid for the actual time between two flights beyond the first two (2) hours and thirty (30) minutes of the actual sit time.
Using the actual sit time of 4.17 above, you must subtract the first two (2) hours and thirty (30) minutes of sit time:
4.17 – 2.30 = 1 hour and 47 minutes.
Sit Rig is 1 minute of pay for each 2 minutes of sit, so the remaining sit time must be divided by two: 1.47/ 2 = 53 minutes

This Flight Attendant would earn 53 minutes of flight pay in addition to any other pay earned for the sequence.

Why RIGs Matter

RIGs ensure that even if your flights are delayed, you have long sit times, or your trips are scheduled inefficiently, you still receive fair compensation for your time. These guarantees help stabilize your pay and protect against lost earnings from unpredictable schedules.

See RIGs in Action

Below are some examples of P/C entries on an HI3.

The D indicator refers to Deadhead time.
The E indicator refers to Duty RIG time.
The F indicator refers to Trip RIG time.

Hover or click on the target markers below for more on each instance. RIG Time is displayed at the bottom of each Duty Period as P/C.

Sit Rig FAQs

What is considered “sit”?

How will Sit Rig be paid if my second flight cancels or delays until the next day?

If I take an alternate deadhead (CBA 16.G and 16.H), how is my Sit Rig be paid?

How is Sit Rig paid when I drop my Last Live Leg?

What do I do if my Sit Rig is incorrect?

Please be sure to fill out a Direct Connect to dispute all pay discrepancies with Management.

Also, let us know at APFA so we can track these issues and use the data the keep Management in line: https://www.apfa.org/sit-rig-issue-report-form/

We want to know if you've experienced any of these or similar issues:

Incorrect amount
Missing pay
Reserve Sit RIG not paid above Reserve Guarantee

I was scheduled to sit for four hours and in actual operations, I only sat two hours due to a delay. How much Sit Rig will I receive?

Do I receive sit rig with a dayroom?

We boarded our second flight of the day and delayed due to mechanical before deplaning and switching aircraft. How much am I paid for Sit Rig? My ground time shows as five (5) hours and thirty (30) minutes.

Your Sit Rig will be based on the ground time shown within your sequence. In this case, the five (5) hours and thirty (30) minutes of ground time would trigger eligible Sit Rig as it is beyond two and a half hours (2:30). Using the Sit Rig formula above, pay in this scenario would be as follows:

Using the actual sit time of 5:30, you must subtract the first two (2) hours and thirty (30) minutes of sit time:

5:30 – 2:30 = 3 hours.

Sit Rig is 1 minute of pay for each 2 minutes of sit, so the remaining sit time must be divided by two:

3.00/ 2 = 1 hour 30 minutes

This Flight Attendant would earn 1 hour and 30 minutes of flight pay in addition to any other pay earned for the sequence.

When Are RIGs Paid?

Trip and Duty RIGs are paid in the month they are earned. However, if a trip crosses into a new contractual month, pay is split based on local time at the last point of departure:

Any time before midnight is credited to the originating month.
Any time after midnight, along with RIGs, is carried over to the next/following month.

Here's an example:

The total pay for the sequence displayed on the right screenshot shows PTL 13:10.
However since it was split between May and June, pay after midnight is extended into the next month.
On the left screenshot:
- They earned 5:28 on May 31st.
- For June there is a PPROJ of 7:42.
- Total is 5:28 + 7:42 = 13:10.

Tracking Sit RIG Pay

For Lineholders: This time is applied af the end of the month, prior to closeout as such you'll find it on your HI2 at that point rather than your HI1. On your HI2, look for a line item SIT TIME. This value will reflect in the PPROJ of your HI2 header (see image below) and not impact your TTS Max.

For Reserves on days off: Look for the line item ABVG SIT. This value will not reflect in your PPROJ or RSVCOT and is paid above your Reserve guarantee.

For Reserves on a Reserve Day: Management is applying that sit rig time to PPROJ towards Reserve guarantee and contractually that should be pay no credit (above guarantee). APFA does not agree with how this is being paid, and this is a dispute that we are currently working to resolve.

NOTE: For sit rig pay discrepancies, please file a Direct Connect.

Completed Trip/Duty Period Defined

Completed Duty Period

A Duty Period is considered completed in the following situations:

Your flight lands at a different airport than originally scheduled.
Your aircraft returns to the original departure airport for any reason after takeoff.

In these cases, your minimum day guarantee will reflect the applicable 5 hours for the duty period.

Example: Return to Gate and Cancellation.

Minimum day guarantee protections apply in this case.

The Flight Attendant signed in at 10:04. The first leg delayed and left the gate at 12:43, took off and had to return to the field due to maintenance. We returned to the gate at 14:27. The flight and remaining legs cancelled and the Flight Attendant was released at 16:13.
The Duty RIG applies as the total On-Duty time was 6:09 - the flight attendant will be paid 1 hour for every 2 on duty, in this case 3:04.
Since the actual block time is only 1:44, P/C (pay and credit) E Time of 1:20 was added.
Min day of 5 hours also applies since the flight took off, returned to gate at original departure airport, and there was no other flying. An additional 1.56 will be added as a line item GUARPREM on the date of sequence.

Original Sequence:

Sequence 3709 09OCT 2024 shown when it was over:

How this Pay Protection appears on your HI1

This type of pay protection will appear as a separate line item entry as GUARPREM on your HI1, see 1.56 on 09 below.

Minimum Guarantee

How Everything Comes Together to Protect Your Pay

If you complete a trip, including any required deadheading, you are guaranteed the greatest of the following:

FLIGHT TIME - Pay based on scheduled or actual flight hours (whichever is greater).
MINIMUM DAY - A minimum of 5 hours of pay per duty period within a trip, with at least 3 hours of pay per duty period for multi-day trips.
DUTY RIG - Pay based on total scheduled or actual On-Duty Time.
TRIP RIG - Pay based on total Trip RIG value.

This guarantee ensures that even if a trip has minimal flying, you are still fairly compensated for your time.

SIT RIG - This one is different, pay is supplemental.

Call Out Pay (CBA 11.D.3)

At Sequence Origination

Mid-sequence

At Sequence Origination
Mid-sequence

At Sequence Origination

You report but you do no flying in that duty period.
You will be paid duty RIG (1 for 2) for every minute on duty, or 3 hours, whichever is greater.
The call out pay will be pay no credit.

Mid-sequence

Keep in mind:

Call out pay will be absorbed into other pay protections/RIGs
- If you are removed from the entire sequence with pay protection, the call out pay will not pay in addition to the full sequence pay protections.
- If there is other RIG time on the trip (e.g. Trip Rig), the call out pay will be absorbed into that RIG rime. For example, if your trip has 1 hour and 30 minutes of trip RIG, and you are eligible for 3 hours call out pay, the first 1 hour and 30 minutes of your call out pay will be counted against the trip RIG.
If you do not see the report sequence on your HI1 with the correct report and release times, call crew scheduling to have a report sequence recorded/updated.
Does not apply to 10.J.8 – If you are requesting removal due to a delay of more than 3 hours after report at origination, call out pay does not apply. You would be eligible for duty RIG (1 for 2) for every minute on duty. Once released, call crew scheduling to have them input the report and release times so the pay is captured.

Pay Guarantees (RIGs)

RIGs (Ratio in Guarantee)

Understanding Pay Guarantees & RIGs

Why RIGs Matter

See RIGs in Action

Sit Rig FAQs

*Sit time is not the time between report and your first flight of the day.

*This does not apply to scheduled hotels on ODANs.

When Are RIGs Paid?

Tracking Sit RIG Pay

NOTE: For sit rig pay discrepancies, please file a Direct Connect.

Completed Trip/Duty Period Defined

Completed Duty Period

How this Pay Protection appears on your HI1

Minimum Guarantee

How Everything Comes Together to Protect Your Pay

Call Out Pay (CBA 11.D.3)

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