Continental Airlines has proposed a crossover flying program where Flight Attendants on a voluntary furlough from United Airlines and Continental Micronesia would be offered an opportunity to work at Continental while maintaining all the rights they have, including rights to recall, at their pre-merger carrier.

From the day Continental proposed the program the IAM has consistently stated to both the Company and Flight Attendants that any such program must be completely voluntary.

In the IAM’s view, a crossover flying program would give currently furloughed Flight Attendants an option, but not a requirement, to resume flying before their return to work date. Many Flight Attendants have contacted the IAM seeking such an option because their personal situation has changed since accepting their furlough. But whether a furloughed Flight Attendant accepts an offer to work at Continental or not should have no bearing on their rights at their pre-merger carrier, including their recall and seniority rights.

The IAM will vigorously oppose any program that forces a Flight Attendant to return to work against their will or in any way diminishes their rights at their pre-merger carrier.

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