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Representing the Flight Attendants of Alaska + Hawaiian

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What Does This Committee Do?

The Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC) is dedicated to building a safer, healthier, and more secure workplace for every Flight Attendant and the passengers on our aircraft. We focus on the issues that matter most by identifying challenges, championing meaningful safety programs, and keeping everyone informed about the latest developments. Through our vigilance and advocacy, the ASHSC ensures every Member has a voice and that safety always comes first.

Download the Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee Member duties and responsibilities
Key Responsibilities
  • Identify Safety Issues: Collect information, analyze safety and health reports, and filter local trends. Use this data to develop evidence-based, actionable solutions and present formal, written recommendations for consideration.
  • Address Member Concerns: Act as the primary point of contact for Flight Attendants facing safety, health, or security issues. Address issues promptly through established protocols and provide effective follow-up.
  • Champion Reporting: Encourage proactive participation in safety programs by mentoring Flight Attendants on using reporting tools (such as ASAP/HSAP, fatigue reports, and company safety reports). Help Flight Attendants understand that these programs are essential tools for identifying hazards rather than just administrative tasks.
  • Educational Outreach: Translate complex safety matters—including regulatory changes and industry updates—into easy-to-understand information. Empower Flight Attendants by explaining the “why” behind safety policies, ensuring they feel confident and informed.
  • Develop Expertise: Proactively maintain up-to-date knowledge of industry safety changes, regulatory guidelines, and company procedures. Apply this expertise to actively guide LEC Officers and advocate for the Flight Attendant perspective in meetings with management regarding incidents or operational changes.
  • Build Partnerships: Collaborate with other AFA committees to provide unified, expert feedback on cabin interiors, new equipment, uniforms, and policy or procedure changes. Ensure management initiatives are reviewed for safety and advocate for practical, effective improvements for Flight Attendants.
Why Would I Contact This Committee?

The ASHSC is available to help you with:

  • Concerns or reports of safety, health, or security hazards onboard the aircraft and in other work locations
  • Obtaining resources and information from the AFA International Air Safety, Health, & Security Department
  • Questions about the Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP/HSAP)
Air Quality Subcommittee
View the Air Quality Subcommittee page

The Air Quality Subcommittee specializes in aircraft-related air quality issues and concerns.


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Who Do I Contact?

For assistance, contact any member of your Local ASHSC Committee.  You can find a list of Committee Members on your Local Council Committees page.  For your convenience, a list of Committee Chairs and links to the Local Committee lists are below.

ANC

Debi Wallstrom
anc.ashsc.chair@afaalaska.org

View the ANC Committee List >>

HNL

Baron Lee
hnl.ashsc.chair@afahawaiian.org

LAX (pmAS)

Carin Merritt
lax.ashsc.chair@afaalaska.org

View the LAX (pmAS) Committee List >>

LAX (pmHA)

Kahea Alvarez
lax.ashsc.chair@afahawaiian.org

PDX

Kalin Lackey
pdx.ashsc.chair@afaalaska.org

View the PDX Committee List >>

SAN

Eva Gatus
san.ashsc.chair@afaalaska.org

View the SAN Committee List >>

SEA

David Lake
sea.ashsc.chair@afaalaska.org

View the SEA Committee List >>

SFO

Bradley Young
sfo.ashsc.chair@afaalaska.org

View the SFO Committee List >>

MEC

Seth Heiple, MEC Chairperson
Kerri Ruiz, MEC Vice Chairperson
Bradley Young, MEC Vice Chairperson
ashsc@afaalaska.org

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Links

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Committee News

View the SHSC news archives

Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee Meeting Recap – August 2026

Posted: September 14, 2026

On Thursday, August 27, our Seattle Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC) representatives met with management to discuss ongoing safety concerns, operational challenges, policy updates, and workplace improvements impacting Flight Attendants across the operation. Representing you at the meeting were Deb Walstrom (ANC), David Lake (SEA pmAS), Kahea Alvarez (LAX/SEA pmHA), Carin Merritt (LAX […]

Staying Safe On Layovers

Posted: August 27, 2026

A joint message from our AFA Hotel Committee; Air Safety, Health & Security Committee (ASHSC); and Employee Assistance Program (EAP)/Professional Standards Committee. Your safety matters to us—and we want you to come home from every trip safe and well. Most layovers go smoothly, and you can keep it that way by staying aware and trusting […]

Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee Meeting Recap – July 2026

Posted: July 23, 2026

On Wednesday, July 15, our Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC) representatives met virtually to discuss ongoing safety concerns, operational challenges, policy updates, and workplace improvements impacting Flight Attendants across the operation. Representing you at the meeting were Deb Wallstrom (ANC), David Lake (SEA), Kalin Lackey (PDX), Bradley Young (SFO and MEC ASHSC Vice […]

Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee Meeting Recap – May 2026

Posted: May 29, 2026

On Wednesday, May 20, our Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC) representatives met virtually to discuss ongoing safety concerns, operational challenges, policy updates, and workplace improvements impacting Flight Attendants across the operation. Representing you at the meeting were Deb Wallstrom (ANC), David Lake (SEA), Kalin Lackey (PDX), Bradley Young (SFO), Bryce Sarmiento (LAX pmAS), […]

Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee Meeting Recap – March 2026

Posted: March 26, 2026

On Thursday, March 19, our AFA Local Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC) Chairpersons met to discuss their ongoing work to represent our Flight Attendants and push for improvements in our workplace. Representing you at the meeting were Bradley Young (SFO), Carin Merritt (LAX pmAS), David Lake (SEA pmAS), Deb Wallstrom (ANC), Eva Gatus […]

Why Vote?

As we continue our Government Affairs Focus Month, our attention turns to civic engagement and the critical role voting plays in shaping our day-to-day work environment. While many of us associate workplace protections primarily with contract negotiations, the laws and regulations that govern our aviation career extend far beyond the bargaining table. Watch: Why Vote? […]

Reminder: Don’t Miss Next Week’s MEC Town Hall!

Mark your calendar: Wednesday, September 23, is almost here! There’s still time to register for our Alaska + Hawaiian Town Hall and hear directly from your MEC Officers: MEC President Tim Green, MEC Vice President Brice McGee, and MEC Secretary-Treasurer Paul Ikioka. Join us for the latest updates and get answers to your questions. The […]

Reserve Committee Meeting Recap – 3rd Quarter 2026

This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants On Thursday, September 3, representatives from our pre-merger Alaska AFA Reserve Committee met to discuss ongoing work advocating for Reserve Flight Attendants. Attending on your behalf were Ella Embree (ANC), Conner Gallager (SEA), Anthony Eskander (PDX), Meghan Casey (SFO), Kanako Yamada (LAX), and Rebecca Garcia (SAN). MEC […]

MEC Statement Regarding Management’s New California Timekeeping Policy

Management announced a major policy shift last night that, starting October 1, 2026, California-based pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants in SFO, LAX, and SAN will be required to take an additional and redundant step to record their time worked by punching in and out using a timekeeping system. According to management, this new procedure applies to […]

Celebrating Hispanic-Latinx Heritage Month

Each year, from September 15 to October 15, the United States observes Hispanic-Latinx Heritage Month, a vibrant and meaningful tribute to the remarkable contributions, history, and cultures of Hispanic-Latinx Americans. This celebration began as Hispanic Heritage Week, established in 1968 by President Lyndon Johnson to recognize the impact and influence of Hispanic-Latinx communities across the […]

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