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Deadheading

A deadheading Flight Attendant must be in uniform or wear the normal non-revenue attire applicable to the class of service, except the Flight Attendant may not wear shorts, undershirts, or t-shirts with slogans. (CBA 16.E)

A deadheading Flight Attendant may pre-board the aircraft as long as minimum working crew is on board or board immediately if boarding has commenced.  In the event overhead bins are full, a deadheading Flight Attendant in or out of uniform shall have their bag(s) valet checked. The bags shall be off loaded before checked baggage and brought to the aircraft door upon arrival. A commuting Flight Attendant in or out of uniform occupying the jumpseat shall secure their luggage in an available overhead bin(s). If the luggage cannot be accommodated in the overhead bin(s), the Flight Attendant may valet check their crew luggage at the gate. (CBA 16.J.4)

Deadheading Flight Attendants are not required to take a jumpseat. (CBA 37.G.10)

Deadheading Scenarios

Scheduled Deadheads

  • Booking will be made in window or aisle seat, if available. (CBA 16.J.2)

Unscheduled Deadheads

  • Covering a flying assignment – The deadhead is a confirmed seat/must ride​.
  • Last leg of sequence - The deadhead will be positive space on the next flight with available inventory​.
    • Company should get the Flight Attendant back to base no later than the next calendar day​.
    • Every effort to book in window or aisle seat. (CBA 16.J.3)

Is my pay affected if I choose an alternate deadhead?

  • You will be paid and credited for the deadhead as if the Flight Attendant had flown the original scheduled deadhead (CBA 16.G.6 and CBA 16.H.2);
  • You will be paid Per Diem and duty rig as if the Flight Attendant had flown the original scheduled deadhead (CBA 16.G.7 and CBA 16.H.2);

Deadheading: Common Questions

Is my pay affected if I choose an alternate deadhead?

  • You will be paid and credited for the deadhead as if the Flight Attendant had flown the original scheduled deadhead (CBA 16.G.6 and CBA 16.H.2);
  • You will be paid Per Diem and duty rig as if the Flight Attendant had flown the original scheduled deadhead (CBA 16.G.7 and CBA 16.H.2);

Am I able to change my deadhead if I'm on reserve?

  • For a Deadhead to First Live Leg, a Reserve who has been released consistent with the parameters of Reserve Duty, Section 12, may utilize these provisions (CBA 16.G.9).
  • For a Deadhead on Last Leg, with Crew Scheduling’s consent, a Reserve scheduled to deadhead on the last leg of their sequence may choose not to take the scheduled deadhead, provided the Flight Attendant is available for their subsequent Reserve assignment (CBA 16.H.1).

Deadhead to First Live Leg

Alternate Deadheads with Delays or Cancellations

If a Flight Attendant who takes an alternate deadhead, as provided by the Company, and is unable to be positioned for the first live leg due to a cancellation or delay:  There are 2 possibilities.

Original Sequence:

Scenario 1:  Pay Protected

Flight Attendant splits on to the original sequence or other offered flying unless Crew Scheduling determines it is impracticable to do so. If split on to the sequence or the offer of other flying is accepted, the Flight Attendant will be pay protected in accordance with CBA 10.J.10.

In this example: Compare with the original sequence above.  The Flight Attendant was offered flying on the 19th and accepted, resulting in pay protection for the legs on the 17th (removal code RS).

Scenario 2:  Not Pay Protected

If the Flight Attendant is not split on to the original sequence or other flying, they will not be pay protected but will be able to pick up flying as provided for in Section 10. (CBA 16.G.17)

In this example: Compare with the original sequence above.   The Flight Attendant did not split onto the sequence resulting in removal without pay (removal code RM).

Deadhead on Last Leg

"Stand Up" Deadhead

CBA Section 16.L allows the Company to reschedule a deadheading Flight Attendant (after sequence report and prior to release of the last working leg of the sequence) to work their scheduled deadhead, regardless of Reserve coverage or need to prevent a delay or cancellation (CBA 10.J). This is also referred to as being “stood-up” on a deadhead.

This reschedule is outside of the normal CBA 10.J rescheduling steps and is intended to help coverage (reduce reserve dependency), reduce the need to disrupt other crews, and reduce the need to create an open sequence with a deadhead to cover an open segment.

Standing-up a deadheading Flight Attendant will primarily be used when Crew Scheduling or Tracking is trying to cover a single flight.

Stand Up Deadhead Q & A

Self Book your Deadhead

You may change your scheduled deadhead to an alternate deadhead on the front-end/back-end of your sequence using the Self-Book deadhead feature in Crew Portal. Watch our video walk through about Self-Booking a deadhead.

NOTE:  This video states that once completed, you need to call Crew Scheduling to advise of the No-Show Deadhead.  This is now accomplished with ECS. →

No-Show Deadhead on ECS video walk through example:

4 Steps to No-Show Your Deadhead in the ECS App:

Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
Step 4

Step 1 - Press the "Contact AA" button to begin the notification process

Step 2 - Press "No Show Deadhead":

Step 3 - Fill in your deadhead information, including flight number and airport station code:

Step 4 - After inputting your information, click "No Show 1 Deadhead":

Once you've submitted your request to no-show, Crew Scheduling or Crew Tracking will process your request.

You will receive 3 messages in ECS:

No-show Deadhead has been submitted

CS/CT is processing request

Request Completed

NOTE: If your request is denied, you will receive a message instructing you to call as further information is required.

Other possible responses:

  • Request has been completed.
  • Request cannot be completed within 2 hours of sign in. Call Crew Scheduling. (Deadhead to First Live Leg).
  • Unable to process no-show. Call CS or CT.
  • Cannot complete at this time. Resend following last live leg debrief. (Deadhead on Last Leg).
  • No-show cannot be completed for mid sequence DH.

Self-Book Deadhead: Q & A

Key Reminders

  • You can book an alternate deadhead from the 50 states and Puerto Rico
  • Reserves:
    • 16.G- Crew Scheduling approval will not be unreasonably withheld
    • 16.H - With Crew Tracking consent
  • Lineholders: 16.G & 16.H- You are notifying Crew Scheduling or Tracking of your No-Show election
  • Once you make any changes to your original scheduled deadheads, the trip can NOT be dropped or traded in any of the scheduling tools.
  • Review your designated commuter city by clicking on your profile in Crew Portal.
DH-selfBook_Table_GandH

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APFA Headquarters
1004 West Euless Boulevard
Euless, Texas 76040

M-F: 9:00AM - 5:00PM (CT)
Phone: (817) 540-0108

Call APFA

Contract & Scheduling Desk
M-Th: 9:00AM - 5:00PM (CT)
Phone: (817) 540-0108

Chat APFA

Live Chat Messaging
Fridays: 9:00AM - 5:00PM (CT)

APFA Events

Currently, no scheduled events...

APFA Headquarters
1004 West Euless Boulevard
Euless, Texas 76040

M-F: 9:00AM - 5:00PM (CT)
Phone: (817) 540-0108

Call APFA

Contract & Scheduling Desk
M-Th: 9:00AM - 5:00PM (CT)
Phone: (817) 540-0108

Chat APFA

Live Chat Messaging
Fridays: 9:00AM - 5:00PM (CT)

APFA Events

Currently, no scheduled events...

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