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NRT, HKG and FRA FA Bases Closing (Oct 2020), re-assignment issues
Just heard from a friend that they have internally communicated NRT, HKG and FRA bases will close in October, looks like LHR survived
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Sad but true. With significantly reduced flying due to COVID, plus longer-term trends of longhaul staffing cuts and no fifth-freedom routes (save for the return of HKG-SIN, which is not expected to be permanent), the international bases have been on borrowed time for a while. LHR gets a reprieve undoubtedly due to its large number of flights and high local hotel costs.
Hopefully some are able to transfer stateside as there are truly excellent FAs among them! I'm sure plenty would be inclined to accept early-outs, and these are pretty senior bases. It's unclear if the company is still planning to cut domestic bases. Most FAs I talk to think CLE is on the block, along with the satellite bases, but time will tell. |
According to the union newsletter, HKG base has about 300. pmUA hired them late 1990s/early 2000s. Some may have transferred from the US when UA/CO contracts merged. Some are US citizens/residents, some non-US HKers, some became HKers because of this job. HKG seems to be the only base with no flights to work at all in the past months. HK Gov has extended the foreigner ban until Sep 18, so SFO-HKG-SIN may or may not come back.
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HKG base folks might be happy to have a reassignment to a different location.
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I started to fly to HKG more often in the past few years, and found those based crews to be amazing. I hope some of them are able to move base stateside, because it would be a shame to lose their professionalism and style.
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While I’m gutted for my colleagues, I can’t say I’m surprised. The bases haven’t seen transfers in years, and the overhead of such small bases has never really made sense (to me)
Having said that, I wish all of my flying partners in those bases well — whether or not they continue to fly with UA, their lives are most certainly about to be upended. |
Originally Posted by EWR764
(Post 32432601)
Hopefully some are able to transfer stateside as there are truly excellent FAs among them! I'm sure plenty would be inclined to accept early-outs, and these are pretty senior bases. |
Originally Posted by HNLbasedFlyer
(Post 32432867)
Transfers would be fairly limited though, wouldn't it? I know a FA in Honolulu based in NRT, so she can transfer. But if she was a Japanese National she wouldn't, correct?
But most of the local hires won't be able to do that (again unless they have the right to live and work in the U.S.). They will be screwed, unless they could somehow manage to transfer to LHR (but it is unlikely LHR will be accepting transfers or displacements for a very long time given current international travel restrictions and resulting international flight reductions) and manage a commute from their home country to LHR, or move to the UK if they have the right to live there. Even your HNL friend may have a challenge if she wants to be based back in HNL. That is an extremely senior domicile, and with the limited flights to HI now HNL might not be open to these displacements, at least at her seniority. So she might have to bump into another more junior domicile on the mainland for the foreseeable future if she wants to stay with UA. Tough choices for a lot of people, sadly. |
Originally Posted by HNLbasedFlyer
(Post 32432867)
Transfers would be fairly limited though, wouldn't it? I know a FA in Honolulu based in NRT, so she can transfer. But if she was a Japanese National she wouldn't, correct?
you would have thought based on seniority that FRA FA's/staff could have moved to LHR which seems to drive who goes and stays.However Brexit now impacts this and I am not sure how big a deal (or not) it would turn out to be to get a work permit for what essentially be an inter company transfer for an EU national which tends to be an easier path.The UK has also in the past week announced a range of measures limiting certain jobs deeming them non essential to cut the numbers of people coming in. |
Originally Posted by HNLbasedFlyer
(Post 32432867)
Transfers would be fairly limited though, wouldn't it? I know a FA in Honolulu based in NRT, so she can transfer. But if she was a Japanese National she wouldn't, correct?
I don’t have the CBA in front of me right now but I believe the company must offer them a place in the remaining bases. |
HKG crew were awesome. Understandable, but it'll be a loss.
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Originally Posted by drewguy
(Post 32432773)
HKG base folks might be happy to have a reassignment to a different location.
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From the UA F/A Union:
Ladies and Gentlemen: Today the company made an announcement that will impact our entire Flight Attendant community. The company provided the 90-day notice required in Section 17.D.1. of our Contract, announcing its intention to close the Frankfurt, Hong Kong and Narita domiciles, effective October 1, 2020. This announcement is a shock for all of us and it will create tremendous uncertainty. In management’s announcement and the accompanying FAQ, the assertion that the company will not be making vacancies available in London is a source of serious concern to the leadership of the Union as we do not believe this is consistent with the requirements of the Contract. We have consulted with the MEC Grievance Committee and AFA Legal and we will ensure the company is made aware that we have a dispute. In the meantime, we will be working with the Local Presidents at each of these locations, Michael Warner, Kim Johnson, and Tony Wetterer, respectively, to ensure the best advocacy for all of our affected Members. For those Members who are based in these locations, we encourage you to contact your Local President to share your questions and concerns prior to their meeting with United. It is important that our solidarity and support remain focused on our Union brothers and sisters who will be directly impacted by these base closures. Please join the entire United Master Executive Council as we stand together in offering support and assistance to our friends and flying partners directly impacted by today’s announcement. Expect to hear more from us later today. In Solidarity, The United Master Executive Council Officers |
Originally Posted by drewguy
(Post 32432773)
HKG base folks might be happy to have a reassignment to a different location.
Also not to get too political, but I don't think it's easy to paint everyone with the same brush and say moving away from their birthplace, friends, family, support system, home would be an easy and positive step. Any job loss is going to be difficult for those involved. Shame |
That means one thing - UA will not resume HKG-SIN passenger service.
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