This message is for pre-merger Hawaiian Los Angeles Based Flight Attendants
February 2026 Update
Aloha LAX,
Last week, your Council 47 Officers and Committee Chairs met in Seattle for our quarterly Chairs meeting. While there, we met with Alaska management and AFA Alaska Council 19 SEA and toured the Alaska Global Training Center (GTC) and Seattle Village.
As Council 47 prepares to represent both LAX and SEA, we felt it was important to see firsthand the environment our Seattle based Flight Attendants will be working in and to meet the managers who will be supporting that domicile. Understanding the operation on the ground allows us to advocate more effectively for both bases.
We also dedicated time to strategic planning. Our focus was ensuring representation for LAX and SEA and identifying ways to improve communication and advocacy across both domiciles. It was a productive meeting with meaningful discussion and planning.
We were also able to meet with our sibling council, AFA Alaska Council 19 in SEA, to discuss the logistics of being Seattle based and explore ways we can collaborate to effectively support both of our work groups.
One outcome of those discussions is the return of a monthly Council 47 Newsletter. This month marks the launch of that initiative, based on feedback and suggestions from our Committee Chairs.
Additionally, a question raised through the LAX Pulse Form asked that we publish a list of our current Chairs and volunteers. We are in the process of finalizing a detailed organizational chart that will include committee contacts. We plan to share that with you soon.
As always, thank you for your continued engagement and feedback. It helps shape how we represent you so please be sure to reach us via our email lax@afahawaiian.org or anonymously on the LAX Pulse Form.
Council 19 [AS] and Council 47 [HA] Officers and Chairs
In Solidarity,
Josh, Paul and Beth
lax@afahawaiian.org
LAX Pulse Form
In This Update:
- Black History Month
- Understanding Understaffing
- EAP Update and Support
- Mid-Term Elections – Register Now!
- Safety Committee Updates
- Fume Events
- Reporting
- Important Inflight Service Dates
- Membership Hub
🌎 Human Rights and Equity (HRE) 🌎
HRE Chair: bruni.agosto-pinal@afahawaiian.org
BLACK HISTORY MONTH
Black History Month is a time to honor the achievements, resilience, and lasting impact of Black leaders, workers, and communities who have shaped our country and our movement. It is also a reminder that the fight for equity, opportunity, and justice continues.
In our industry and within the labor movement, Black trailblazers have helped secure workplace protections, expand representation, and open doors for future generations. This month, we celebrate those contributions while recommitting ourselves to building a more inclusive and equitable future for all.
Click Here to view our Black History Month Newsletter
📚 Grievance Committee 📚
Grievance Chair: melissa.teshima@afahawaiian.org
Understanding Understaffing
Out of LAX, we currently operate two aircraft types: the A321 and the A330. Both require FAA minimum Flight Attendant crews to operate, and there is a distinction between a STANDARD crew and an AUGMENTED crew. In addition, we must consider two sets of governing rules: our LAX Side Letter within the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), or Contract, and the Flight Attendant Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs). Understanding how these work together ensures that in the event of an understaffed flight, we know exactly what we are entitled to and what we are not.
For the A321:
Under our LAX Side Letter, the standard crew is (4) Flight Attendants up to 15:35 scheduled.
However, due to FARs, any pairing scheduled between 14 hours and 16 hours requires an additional Flight Attendant above the FAA minimum. That means five (5) Flight Attendants are required to legally operate the A321 for scheduled duty days between 14 hours but less than 16 hours per FARs.
If you depart LAX with four (4) FAs on a pairing scheduled over 14 hours:
- You are not entitled to understaffing pay because four (4) Flight Attendants meet the STANDARD crew requirement and does not trigger understaffing [SEC 3.F.]
- You may not operate the return flight back to LAX due to the FAR requirement
- You may layover or deadhead (DH) back the same day, as long as you land within two (2) hours of your originally scheduled projected grouping
For the A330:
The FAA minimum crew to operate the A330 is six (6) Flight Attendants. Per Section 7.C.2.b., the STANDARD crew is eight (8) or nine (9) FAs, depending on the calendar month.
Under our LAX Side Letter, Flight Attendants may be scheduled above 14 hours (up to 15:35) in a duty day. However, under the FARs, if a grouping is scheduled over 14 hours, the company must staff one (1) additional Flight Attendant above the FAA minimum. Due to our contractual staffing for the A330, we exceed the minimum crew by (2) or (3) Flight Attendants. That means seven (7) FAs are required to legally complete a turn duty day scheduled between 14 and 16 hours.
It is important to remember that the company normally staffs flights according to the STANDARD crew defined in the CBA for the applicable month, not just the FAA minimum.
If you depart LAX with fewer than the contractual STANDARD crew:
- You are entitled to understaffing pay under Section 3.F. of the CBA. Understaffing is defined as each Flight Attendant working any segment with less than the applicable STANDARD crew specified in Paragraph C.2. of Section 7 being paid, not credited, $10 per hour for each flight hour.
- You are able to complete a full turn day with (7) Flight Attendants for days scheduled between 14 and 16 hours
- You can only work one way with (6) Flight Attendants for days scheduled between 14 and 16 hours due to FAR limitations
Please familiarize yourself with Section 3 [Compensation], Section 7.C.2.b. [Hours of Service] and the LAX Side Letter
🌎 Human Rights and Equity (HRE) 🌎
HRE Chair: bruni.agosto-pinal@afahawaiian.org
BLACK HISTORY MONTH
Black History Month is a time to honor the achievements, resilience, and lasting impact of Black leaders, workers, and communities who have shaped our country and our movement. It is also a reminder that the fight for equity, opportunity, and justice continues.
In our industry and within the labor movement, Black trailblazers have helped secure workplace protections, expand representation, and open doors for future generations. This month, we celebrate those contributions while recommitting ourselves to building a more inclusive and equitable future for all.
Click Here to view our Black History Month Newsletter
📚 Grievance Committee 📚
Grievance Chair: melissa.teshima@afahawaiian.org
UNDERSTANDING UNDERSTAFFING
Out of LAX, we currently operate two aircraft types: the A321 and the A330. Both require FAA minimum Flight Attendant crews to operate, and there is a distinction between a STANDARD crew and an AUGMENTED crew. In addition, we must consider two sets of governing rules: our LAX Side Letter within the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), or Contract, and the Flight Attendant Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs). Understanding how these work together ensures that in the event of an understaffed flight, we know exactly what we are entitled to and what we are not.
For the A321:
Under our LAX Side Letter, the standard crew is (4) Flight Attendants up to 15:35 scheduled.
However, due to FARs, any pairing scheduled between 14 hours and 16 hours requires an additional Flight Attendant above the FAA minimum. That means five (5) Flight Attendants are required to legally operate the A321 for scheduled duty days between 14 hours but less than 16 hours per FARs.
If you depart LAX with four (4) FAs on a pairing scheduled over 14 hours:
You are not entitled to understaffing pay because four (4) Flight Attendants meet the STANDARD crew requirement and does not trigger understaffing [SEC 3.F.]
You may not operate the return flight back to LAX due to the FAR requirement
You may layover or deadhead (DH) back the same day, as long as you land within two (2) hours of your originally scheduled projected grouping
For the A330:
The FAA minimum crew to operate the A330 is six (6) Flight Attendants. Per Section 7.C.2.b., the STANDARD crew is eight (8) or nine (9) FAs, depending on the calendar month.
Under our LAX Side Letter, Flight Attendants may be scheduled above 14 hours (up to 15:35) in a duty day. However, under the FARs, if a grouping is scheduled over 14 hours, the company must staff one (1) additional Flight Attendant above the FAA minimum. Due to our contractual staffing for the A330, we exceed the minimum crew by (2) or (3) Flight Attendants. That means seven (7) FAs are required to legally complete a turn duty day scheduled between 14 and 16 hours.
It is important to remember that the company normally staffs flights according to the STANDARD crew defined in the CBA for the applicable month, not just the FAA minimum.
If you depart LAX with fewer than the contractual STANDARD crew:
You are entitled to understaffing pay under Section 3.F. of the CBA. Understaffing is defined as each Flight Attendant working any segment with less than the applicable STANDARD crew specified in Paragraph C.2. of Section 7 being paid, not credited, $10 per hour for each flight hour.
You are able to complete a full turn day with (7) Flight Attendants for days scheduled between 14 and 16 hours
You can only work one way with (6) Flight Attendants for days scheduled between 14 and 16 hours due to FAR limitations
Please familiarize yourself with Section 3 [Compensation], Section 7.C.2.b. [Hours of Service] and the LAX Side Letter
👐 EAP Committee 👐
EAP Chair: milo.penarubia@afahawaiian.org
LAX and SEA Support
Our EAP team at LAX wants everyone to know that we are readily available to support our group through this transitional period. We are supporting the SEA base for the foreseeable future so to anyone moving bases to SEA domicile, please keep our contacts in mind in case you need support or hear of someone in need.
Crisis Prevention
I’m excited to conduct my third Crisis Prevention short-course which will be conducted in March for the EAP reps in Seattle; equipping more reps with crisis tools which will make us even more resourceful to our FAs.
More updates will be given as new information reaches us and as more training and events roll out so stay tuned!
⚖️ Government Affairs ⚖️
Government Affairs Chair: bruni.agosto-pinal@afaalaska.org
Local, state, and federal offices are all on the ballot this year, with real impacts on our work, our contracts, and our communities. Be sure to check your state election website for registration deadlines, polling locations, and ballot details. If you will be flying or otherwise scheduled on Election Day, request your absentee ballot early so you can participate without stress.
Your voice makes a difference.
Reminder: An AFA member is running for Congress. Learn more, support her campaign, or sign up for phone banking opportunities at: https://kaelaforcongress.com/
Primary Election Dates by State
- AZ July 21
- CA Jun 2
- FL Aug 18
- HI Aug 8
- IL Mar 17
- NC Mar 3
- NV Jun 9
- OR May19
- SC Jun 9, runoff Jun 23
- TN Aug 6
- TX Mar 3, runoff May 26
- UT Jun 23
- WA Aug 4
🦺 Safety Committee (ASHS) 🦺
Acting Safety Chair: kahea.alvarez@afahawaiian.org
What’s New With ASHS Committee
As we all know, change remains a constant at work. Revisions to our FAM, monthly pairings, and positions within management to name a few. With the merging at the MEC level, representation for our committee is as follows:
- MEC ASHS CHAIR, Seth Heiple (AS FA)
- MEC ASHS CO-CHAIR, Kerri Ruiz (HA FA, pre merger ASHS CHAIR)
- Local Council 47 Acting ASHS CHAIR, Kahea Alvarez
Feel free to reach out to Kahea with any feedback or concerns regarding Air safety, health and security, via email: Kahea.Alvarez@afahawaiian.org, text or call: (831) 905-8747.
How Does Information You Share to Your Local Chair Get Handled
Depending on the severity of the situation and importance, your feedback gets shared to our MEC Committee Chair & Co-chair, either immediately or during the following meetings:
- ASHS Committee Chairs Meeting (1-4 times a month)
- ASHS Committee Base Meetings joined by Management (8 times a year)
- Local Quarterly Meetings
Topics Brought Up to Management in January ASHS Base Meeting
- FUME Events – management pointed out there is a major issue with inconsistencies in reporting. In some cases, events are not being reported and pilots are not logging it into maintenance Logbooks. However, they were able to pinpoint the cause of two different types of fume events that were occurring and take action:
- Engine oil overfilled during top-off by mechanics. More training and supervision is being provided.
- Third party conducting engine washes cut corners during flushing. Washes are now being conducted in-house.
- PAX Large beverage containers not being stowed during taxi, takeoff, and landing. Management knows this is a huge issue. These containers actually caused a lot of injuries and damage to the aircraft during a severe turbulence incident. We will be following up.
Fume Events
Utilize Your Resources on the AFA website: https://afacwa.org/fume-events-what-to-do/. Some of the links are not up to date. Efforts are being made to update them. If you experience a fume event, please inform Kahea for tracking purposes as well as to receive guidance. Below are some updates and highlights regarding these events.
- REPORT & WRITE IT UP IMMEDIATELY!! We’ve had instances where events were reported to the flight deck, but it was not logged into the Maintenance Log book. If you suspect the FD did not log it, inform an agent who will notify SOC. This is particularly important for our LAX turn pairings scheduled to operate on the same A/C.
- Report it to the FD
- Intelex a HSAP report and include in your description of the event “Please send a copy to AFA MEC ASHS Co-Chair Kerri Ruiz, Kerri.ruiz@afahawaiian.org” This is for tracking purposes.
- WHAT HAS REPORTING ACTUALLY DONE?
- RESULT OF REPORTING – Management was able to pinpoint the Fumes connected to engine washing and take action.
- FINDINGS – The 3rd party used to perform the engine washes was cutting corners when it came to flushing the engines
- ACTION TAKEN – Management brought the procedure in-house to be conducted by our mechanics.
- If we continued to approach these odors/fumes in the cabin with the mindset, “it’s normal, aircrafts have odors,” there wouldn’t have been reports and who knows how long the problem would have persisted.
- WHY REPORT?
- If not for the above example, for your own records and to hold the company accountable. I recommend keeping a log of fume events you’ve encountered and be specific. Date, A/C, position, time and duration smelt, type of fume, source of fumes, etc.
- IF YOU HAVE SYMPTOMS
- Monitor your symptoms and seek medical attention. There are resources available on the AFA Website. See link above.
- RESOURCES
- There are many resources with helpful information regarding fume events. Updates are in the works.
✈️ Inflight Service ✈️
Inflight Service Chair: gary.manoi@afahawaiian.org
Your Inflight Service Committee wants to remind you of some important dates.
👨👨👧👧 Membership & Benefits 👨👨👧👧
Membership & Benefits Chair: beth.hayes@afahawaiian.org
Back in MAY of this year, AFA sent out emails to everyone (your personal email on file, not your company email) If you have not already completed this – Please use the following links to help you through setting up your account with AFA Membership Hub. Once logged in, you can update contact information.
In the Membership Hub you will have access to:
- View and manage your AFA-CWA Membership information and status
- Update your contact details – this is important to check to make sure your mailing address is correct so that when it comes time to vote for our new contract you will receive your ballot!
- Review your AFA dues history
- Make dues payments
- Set up automatic monthly dues payments
- Access MEC/LEC contact information
Your Clock ID will be your employee number.
To login, please set up your password by clicking the “Set Password” button below. Choose a strong, unique password with at least 8 characters. IF you do not know what email you have on file for AFA – please click the “need log in credentials?”
** You will be selecting to RESET PASSWORD to initiate the process of creating your HUB account. **
For assistance, we recommend visiting Hub Help to view the “Getting Started” video. Additional videos are also available on that page, and Hub Help is always accessible as one of the support options at the top-right of the site.
If you have any questions or need assistance, contact AFA-CWA Membership Services.
