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Hotel Committee Meeting Recap – November 2025

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On Monday, November 10, our AFA Local Hotel Committee Chairpersons met in person in Seattle to receive an update about current layover hotels and transportation providers and discuss concerns with management. Representing you at the meeting were Dori Marron (ANC), Jarod McNeill (SEA), Kelly Hepworth (PDX), Hilary Streem (SFO), Chris Cardenas (LAX), and Kanani Vallot (SAN), with MEC Hotel Committee Chairperson James Bozanich facilitating the meeting.

The Committee met with Director of Crew Planning Trisha Bennett, Manager of Crew Hotels and Administration Diane Szubert, Senior Crew Hotels Support Specialist Nichole Turner and Crew Hotels Support Specialist LaFay Williams. 

Our next meeting with management is scheduled for Monday, December 1.

Topics of Discussion

The committee reviewed several items during the meeting with management, most of which focused on hotel decisions and challenges in our layover markets. Some items discussed include:

  • Ground Transportation Issues and CBA Provisions (pmAS): We continue to see a number of MyCrewCare write-ups regarding ground transportation. We greatly appreciate you informing the Committee of your concerns. At no time should Flight Attendants enter a vehicle that cannot safely accommodate all crewmembers and their luggage. Luggage should never be required to be held on your lap or in your foot space. We would like to reiterate the options available to you, as well as the provisions to utilize in the CBA.   
    • Call Crew Scheduling – If you have any concerns with the transportation provided, whether it is late or inadequate, this should be your first step. Not only does this start the clock for transportation wait times, but it also allows for alternative arrangements to be made to get you to your layover or the airport safely.  
    • Late Transportation – CBA section 34.B.7 allows you to arrange and submit for reimbursement the actual cost of alternative transportation to/from the airport when it is not provided within thirty-five minutes (:35) of block-in or within ten minutes (:10) of the scheduled departure time from the hotel.  Alternatively, if you do not want to send for reimbursement, you can ask that Crew Scheduling arrange this on your behalf at the thirty-five-minute (:35) mark.   
    • Transportation Wait Times – Informing Crew Scheduling will also document and start the clock on your transportation wait time. If transportation or alternate transportation has not arrived within sixty minutes (:60) of block-in, Flight Attendants may request compensation for their wait time. Please review the process outlined in section 34.D.1 of the CBA.
  • Housekeeping Items: Much of our meeting focused on internal processes to improve workflow, planning, and communication between our Committee, management, and API.  
    • 2026 Hotel Site Visit Schedule – Management has sent the hotel contract expiration list for 2026 to the Committee. Decisions on this list dictate whether a hotel site visit will be performed in that market or not. Typical discussion topics include renewing the hotel’s contract, exploring the market for alternative hotel options (typically due to crew member complaints), or identifying opportunities for company cost savings. Your positive feedback also helps us advocate for maintaining a property in our portfolio, so please continue to send in your compliments!  
    • Hotel Site Visit Planning – the Committee received last-minute notice of needed site visits in December. We requested to be informed when these discussions first begin so we can plan accordingly. We also discussed the general site visit itinerary and format, focusing on areas that can be improved upon.  
    • FIFA World Cup – The 2026 FIFA World Cup will take place from June 11 to July 19 across three North American countries. Many host cities are served by Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines. Because this is a major event, Crew Hotels is taking steps to protect our crew accommodations. We hope to keep layovers at our usual hotels, but some relocations may be needed. For more details, please visit this link.

What The Committee Is Working On

  1. Conducting Hotel Site Visits: The Hotel Committee conducts site visits to hotels under consideration by management to ensure that the selected options provide the safest and most comfortable layover experience for Flight Attendants. 
    1. Pre-Merger Alaska: Crew Hotels has added some last-minute site visits to close out 2025. The remaining site visits are: SFO (November), MCO – Long Stay (November), ORD – Short Stay (December), PDX – Short Stay (December), SJO – Long and Short Stay (December), and IAD – Long Stay (December). Additionally, we have been given the date for KEF (February 2026), which will be operated on Alaska metal.  
    1. Pre-Merger Hawaiian: Site visits have been completed in PDX, SFO, and LAS, with no future dates announced so far. 
  2. Alaska + Hawaiian Hotel Committee Integration: On October 1, 2025, the pre-merger Hawaiian and Alaska Hotel Committees officially merged. Matt Mitchell, who previously served as the Hawaiian MEC Hotel Committee Chairperson, is now the Council 43 (HNL) Local Hotel Committee Chairperson. The Committee has learned a great deal from him and is excited to continue working together as we improve the Hotel Committee to better support all Flight Attendants. Currently, we are focusing on aligning our backend processes. Since we have a diverse network, different CBAs, and are adding API to the Hawaiian operation, full alignment will happen in phases. We will keep everyone updated as things progress, and we look forward to more chances to connect with Members.

We Want to Hear From You!

Our Hotel Committee relies on your feedback, whether positive or negative. Please report via CrewCare (pmAS) or the FA Crew Accommodations Feedback form (pmHA), which ensures your experience with a layover hotel or ground transportation is addressed. These are the only official way to report issues, as the Committee does not monitor social media channels.

Each CrewCare and feedback form submission is forwarded to our AFA Hotel Committee, Crew Hotels (Alaska/Hawaiian management), API, and the hotel or ground transportation provider. This ensures quick action can be taken to correct or fix the issue for the next crew member. It also allows us to monitor hotel and transportation trends. Pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants can quickly file a CrewCare report using the web app on your IMD home screen or by clicking here.

Do you have any other feedback you would like to share with the Committee or any specific items you want us to bring up with management? Please let us know! Your Local Hotel Committee is here to represent you and ensure management hears your voice. You can find our contact information on the Hotel Committee page of the AFA Alaska + Hawaiian website.

Hotel Committee Meeting Recap – October 2025

On Monday, October 13, our AFA Local Hotel Committee Chairpersons met in person in Seattle to receive an update about current layover hotels and transportation providers and discuss concerns with management. Representing you at the meeting were Dori Marron (ANC), Jarod McNeill (SEA), Kelly Hepworth (PDX), Hilary Streem (SFO), Chris Cardenas (LAX), and Kanani Vallot (SAN), with MEC Hotel Committee Chairperson James Bozanich facilitating the meeting.

The Committee met with Director of Crew Planning Trisha Bennett, Manager of Crew Hotels and Administration Diane Szubert, Senior Crew Hotels Support Specialist Nichole Turner and Crew Hotels Support Specialist LaFay Williams. Managing Director of Operational Staffing and Resource management Brittany Audette also joined for a portion of the meeting.    

Our next meeting with management is scheduled for Monday, November 10.

Topics of Discussion

The committee reviewed several items during the meeting with management, most of which focused on hotel decisions and challenges in our layover markets. Some items discussed include:

  • Relationship Management: Although API is our hotel vendor, Crew Hotels is working on increasing direct communication with our contracted properties. This will help build relationships, especially with our newer properties. Crew Hotels will begin communicating with our new properties within six months of usage and perform yearly check-ins at all properties.   
  • Use of Ride Share Transportation:  Due to the changing nature of the ground transportation environment, the use of ride share vehicles is becoming more common. The Committee is aware of this and has been having ongoing discussions around minimum standards. Transportation should always be ordered that can accommodate all crewmembers and their luggage safely and comfortably. If there is ever a concern with the transportation provided, do not get into the vehicle and contact Crew Scheduling immediately to resolve the issue.    
  • TBDs in Bid Packet (pmAS):  There was a high number of TBDs in the bid packet for November. This is due to the process the Hotel Committee requested, which is to place a TBD placeholder in the pairing when the layover hotel is not known before uploading into NAVBLUE. This new process makes these layovers stand out more, but adds greater transparency to the bid. The November TBDs are all due to our rooms being over-capped (that is, the requested rooms are above the contracted usage at our crew hotel in that market) in that particular market. Our hotel usage fluctuates as our network is adjusted. 
  • Recurrent Training Hotel Support (pmAS): Earlier this month, a glitch in the reservation system at one of our training hotels resulted in lost reservations. As this happened over a weekend, it was unclear which Inflight department was responsible for offering support and correcting the issue. In debriefing the event, additional guidance will be added to the Recurrent Training SharePoint site to address who to contact with hotel issues outside regular business hours.  

Hot Topics

  • Hotel Etiquette: We greatly value the positive relationships we’ve established with our contracted properties as part of our hotel program. During layovers, please remember that you represent the company while staying in a company-provided hotel room. We kindly ask all Flight Attendants to keep this in mind and ensure that any personal charges are settled before checkout. Enjoying hotel amenities responsibly also goes a long way in helping us maintain these important relationships. The Committee works hard to select quality hotels that provide added perks, such as complimentary breakfast, to enhance your comfort and convenience. If you encounter any issues during your stay, we encourage you to approach hotel staff with courtesy and respect. Should you need any further assistance or be unable to resolve a concern, please feel free to reach out to your Local Hotel Committee for additional support. We’re here to help make your layover experience a positive one!

What The Committee Is Working On

  1. Conducting Hotel Site Visits: The Hotel Committee conducts visits to hotels that are under consideration by management to ensure that the selected options provide the safest and most comfortable layover experience for Flight Attendants. Crew Hotels has provided the Committee with the remaining cities that will be visited in 2025: SAN (Oct), CUN (Oct), BNA (Nov), SFO (Nov), MCO – Long Stay (Nov), ORD – Short Stay (Dec), and SJO (Dec). We are also looking at options in SIT and plan to have a site visit there before the end of the year. Market reviews are triggered by factors such as contract expirations, crew complaints, and opportunities for cost savings. Depending on the outcome of these reviews, additional site visits may be arranged in those cities.
  2. Hotel Gainshare Program: The parties met on September 26 to continue discussing this program. The items needing more time to research center around scheduling issues and processes. We are getting closer to seeing a program come to life. The next meeting is scheduled for October 24. 

We Want to Hear From You!

Our Hotel Committee relies on your feedback, whether positive or negative. Please report via CrewCare (pmAS) or the hotel and transportation feedback reporting form (pmHA), which ensures your experience with a layover hotel or ground transportation is addressed. These are the only official way to report issues, as the Committee does not monitor social media channels.

Each CrewCare and feedback form submission is forwarded to our AFA Hotel Committee, Crew Hotels (Alaska/Hawaiian management), API, and the hotel or ground transportation provider. This ensures quick action can be taken to correct or fix the issue for the next crew member. It also allows us to monitor hotel and transportation trends. Pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants can quickly file a CrewCare report using the web app on your IMD home screen or by clicking here.

Do you have any other feedback you would like to share with the Committee or any specific items you want us to bring up with management? Please let us know! Your Local Hotel Committee is here to represent you and ensure management hears your voice. You can find our contact information on the Hotel Committee page of the AFA Alaska website.

Meet Our Merged MEC Committee Chairpersons

We’re excited to introduce our next group of newly elected merged MEC Committee Chairpersons, who will begin their roles on October 1. These leaders are dedicated to representing the interests of our Flight Attendants as they coordinate activities across the merged committees of both airlines. They’ll work closely with the Local Committee Chairpersons from all eight Local Councils, ensuring that the voices of both pre-merger Alaska and pre-merger Hawaiian Flight Attendants are heard and advocated for. Below, you’ll find brief bios that showcase their backgrounds and experiences as they prepare to support our combined Flight Attendant group.

James Bozanich, MEC Hotel Committee Chairperson

James began his aviation career in 2009 as a San Francisco-based Flight Attendant with Virgin America. Over the years, he has held a variety of leadership and instructional roles within Inflight, including Inflight Team Leader, Air Transportation Supervisor, and Inflight Instructor, a role he continues to serve in today. In addition to teaching Initial and Recurrent Training, James has co-developed numerous Inflight Training programs at both Virgin America and Alaska Airlines. One of his most memorable experiences was participating in the Virgin America / Virgin Australia Exchange Program, spending a year flying as a Sydney-based Flight Attendant.

James became active with AFA shortly after the ratification of the 2018 JCBA, first serving as the Council 35 (SFO) Hotel Committee Chairperson before transferring to the SAN base in 2021, a city he now proudly calls home. In 2023, he assumed the role of MEC Hotel Committee Chairperson and also joined the Inflight Training Committee. Guided by his belief that constructive action is a powerful driver of change, James applied for and was selected to join the 2022 Negotiating Committee. In this role, he contributed to the strategy and negotiations that led to the 2025–2028 CBA, a contract delivering significant economic gains and work rule improvements for Alaska’s Flight Attendants. He will soon begin his second term as MEC Hotel Committee Chairperson, where he will oversee the integration of the pre-merger Alaska and pre-merger Hawaiian Hotel Committees while continuing to champion the highest standards of crew accommodations.

Outside of Union and inflight work, James holds a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences from UC Davis. Before becoming a Flight Attendant, he worked as a Securities Licensed Banker and as a Trip Leader for a high-end active travel company. In his free time, he enjoys scuba diving, running, skiing, and experiencing the cuisines of the world while traveling.

Mischelle Fielsch, MEC Membership Engagement Committee Chairperson

Mischelle Fielsch began her aviation career in 1997 as a Flight Attendant with Reno Air before flying with American Airlines, Virgin America, and ultimately Alaska Airlines. Throughout her career at these four airlines, she has held a variety of leadership and Union roles, including Team Leader, Union Representative, Inflight Supervisor, and Performance Supervisor. She has experience in performance management, investigations, and conflict resolution, and is known for building trust, fostering collaboration, and advocating for Flight Attendants in both operational and Union settings.

In her current role as AFA Council 35 (SFO) Vice Chairperson for the Grievance Committee and Chairperson for the Communications Committee, Mischelle has spearheaded innovative initiatives such as the Union Break podcast and Council 35’s social media channels, enhancing transparency and engagement among members. In her new position with the MEC Membership Engagement Committee Chairperson, she looks forward to expanding opportunities for Flight Attendants to connect with their Union, share their voices, and feel supported in their execution of job duties. Her passion for engagement, coupled with integrity-driven leadership, will continue to strengthen the relationship between Members and Union leadership.  

Merged MEC Committee Chairperson Election Results

This message is for both pre-merger Alaska and Hawaiian Flight Attendants

During this week’s MEC Meeting, our MEC held interviews for the next group of merged MEC Committee Chairpersons. We want to thank everyone who expressed interest in the available positions and their willingness to serve. After careful consideration and deliberation, the following candidates have been elected:

MEC Hotel Committee Chairperson: James Bozanich  
MEC Membership Engagement Committee Chairperson: Mischelle Fielsch

These newly elected MEC Committee Chairpersons will coordinate the activities of their respective merged committees across both airlines. They’ll support the Local Committee Chairpersons from all eight Local Councils—both pre-merger Alaska and pre-merger Hawaiian. Their official term will begin on October 1, 2025. They’ll serve for the remainder of the current MEC Officer election cycle (January 1, 2023, to December 31, 2025), as well as for the upcoming cycle (January 1, 2026, to December 31, 2028).

If you have any questions about the MEC Committee Chairperson elections, please reach out to your LEC President.

Hotel Committee Meeting Recap – September 2025

This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants

On Monday, September 8, our AFA Local Hotel Committee Chairpersons met in person in Seattle to receive an update about current layover hotels and transportation providers and discuss concerns with management. Representing you at the meeting were Dori Marron (ANC), Jarod McNeill (SEA), Ila Christy (PDX), Hilary Streem (SFO), Chris Cardenas (LAX), and Kanani Vallot (SAN), with MEC Hotel Committee Chairperson James Bozanich facilitating the meeting.

The Committee met with Director of Crew Planning Trisha Bennett, Manager of Crew Hotels and Administration Diane Szubert, Senior Crew Hotels Support Specialist Nichole Turner and Crew Hotels Support Specialist LaFay Williams. 

This was the final meeting of our pre-merger Alaska Hotel Committee, and we’d like to thank everyone who has served on the Committee for their hard work and contributions. Next month, we’ll transition to our newly merged committee, representing the combined Alaska and Hawaiian Flight Attendant groups. Our next meeting for the Hotel Committee is scheduled for Monday, October 13.

Topics of Discussion

The committee reviewed several items during the meeting with management, most of which focused on hotel decisions and challenges in our layover markets. Some items discussed include:

  • City-Specific Discussion: The Hotel Committee addressed several city-specific issues. These included concerns regarding our long-stay hotel at JFK, which has experienced a significant increase in rooms not being ready at check-in, issues with cleanliness, and the availability of refrigerators. Additionally, we discussed our long-stay options at MCO and potential alternatives in BZE. We also inquired about increasing the crew discount for our KOA property. Discussions regarding ground transportation focused on the use of shared transportation reports in ATL and MCI.
  • TBD Hotels in Bid Packet: At the end of June, management announced via an Information Bulletin that they would begin using a “TBD” (To Be Determined) indicator for any hotel that may be uncertain for the month. This change was made at the request of the Hotel Committee to ensure hotel accommodations are accurately represented in both the bid packet and PBS. The Committee has requested a report detailing the reasons for the TBD designation (e.g., hotels that have exceeded contracted room caps on specific days, hotels with known blackout dates, newly added hotels that have not yet been finalized, etc.). This will provide greater insight and help us better respond to questions from Flight Attendants.
  • Final Hotel Decisions: A final hotel decision has been communicated for FLL, and a decision regarding SEA is expected soon. For security reasons, the names of the hotels are not published here and will be shared in an Informational Bulletin on Team AAG near the end of the month.

What The Committee Is Working On

  1. Conducting Hotel Site Visits: The Hotel Committee conducts visits to hotels that are under consideration by management to ensure that the selected options provide the safest and most comfortable layover experience for Flight Attendants. Crew Hotels has provided the Committee with the remaining cities that will be visited in 2025: SLC (Sept), MSO (Sept), SAN (Oct), CUN (Oct), BNA (Nov), HNL (Nov), MCO – Long Stay (Nov), ORD – Short Stay (Dec), and SJO (Dec). Market reviews are triggered by factors such as contract expirations, crew complaints, and opportunities for cost savings. Depending on the outcome of these reviews, additional site visits may be arranged in those cities.
  2. Hotel Gainshare Program: Conversations regarding the program are ongoing, and hopefully, we’ll be finalizing the program details this month. We’ll continue to keep you updated as developments occur.    

We Want to Hear From You!

Don’t let any unacceptable experience with a layover hotel or ground transportation provider go unnoticed! Please report the issue via CrewCare so that it can be addressed. CrewCare is the only official way to report issues, as the Hotel Committee does not monitor social media channels.

Each CrewCare submission is forwarded to your AFA Hotel Committee, Crew Hotels (Alaska management), API and the hotel or ground transportation provider. This ensures quick action can be taken to correct the issue or fix it for the next crewmember. It also allows us to monitor hotel and transportation trends. You can quickly file a CrewCare report using the web app on your IMD home screen or by clicking here.

Do you have any other feedback you would like to share with the committee or any specific items you want us to bring up with management? Please let us know! The Local Hotel Committee is here to represent you and ensure management hears your voice. You can find our contact information on the Hotel Committee page of the AFA Alaska website.

Joint Contract Negotiations Session 9 – November 2025

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Over the past several months, AFA Alaska and Alaska management have worked to correct any unintended errors in the final 2025-2028 CBA document. AFA Alaska also updated citations, hyperlinks, and the index. Strikethrough language is removed, and the text color is standard black (blue for hyperlinks). The document is now available online and will be […]

SEA Domicile Negotiations Update #2 – November 2025

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Hotel Committee Meeting Recap – November 2025

On Monday, November 10, our AFA Local Hotel Committee Chairpersons met in person in Seattle to receive an update about current layover hotels and transportation providers and discuss concerns with management. Representing you at the meeting were Dori Marron (ANC), Jarod McNeill (SEA), Kelly Hepworth (PDX), Hilary Streem (SFO), Chris Cardenas (LAX), and Kanani Vallot […]

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