SECTION 15  TIME OFF WITHOUT PAY

A. The purpose of Time Off Without Pay is to balance the workforce during periods of overstaffing at a specific domicile or throughout the system and to minimize Flight Attendant furloughs.

B. When the requirements of service permit, the Company may offer time off without pay.  Time off will be offered in seniority order within the domicile where such time exists.  The Flight Attendant may take a maximum of thirty (30) days of TOWOP in a calendar year after which time she will have TOWOP approved only after others in the domicile who have used fewer than thirty (30) days have been offered such time, regardless of seniority.

C. A Flight Attendant granted time off without pay will retain and continue to accrue seniority, and normal fringe benefits during such time off.

D. A minimum of five (5) days TOWOP must be taken whenever such time is requested.  No more than one period of TOWOP will be permitted in the month unless two separate periods are requested in connection with a period of vacation that would permit a continuous period off.  In any case the minimum period must remain five (5) days.  A period of fewer than five (5) days is only permitted in the case of a second period in the month that would complete a continuous period off such as at the end of the month.

E. Flight attendants may not work trips during a period of TOWOP, however ground assignments, such as training or other non-flight promotions will be permitted.