Anchorage Base Meeting – Alaska Regional September 3, 2013
In attendance from Management: Andy Schneider, Ron Calvin and Susan Morse
In attendance from PBS Committee: Jeff Stein
Prior to the Base meeting, the LEC met with Susan, Andy and Ron, to discuss
several things. One thing the LEC discussed was our desire, if the Company
should believe that our ANC base is overstaffed during the winter months, to
offer more Personal Drops than leaves. This would allow folks to perhaps drop
a trip here and there, without being out for an entire block of time.
Prior to the meeting, the ANC LEC sent specific questions to Andy to try to
allow her an opportunity to be prepared and fully able to respond in an
educated manner.
The meeting opened with Susan introducing Andy, Ron and Jeff Stein. Although
it was expected that Sunae and Kelly Yeager were to attend, we were informed
that Sunae had been promoted and taken a different position with the Company,
and that Kelly was unable to attend because she was tasked with making
preparations for the upcoming mediation negotiation session.
Andy began talking a little bit about the status of the interim uniform
replacement and the ongoing new branding effort of the Company. Because they
feel that Alaska Airlines does not have a lot of “cache” in many places, they
have hired a company to perform an assessment/study on how people feel when
they hear “Alaska Airlines.”
At this point, six concept boards have been presented and although the
consensus is that none of the boards will be chosen in its entirety, Melanie
said she liked something from each of the boards and hopes there can be a
blending of sorts. Andy told us that at this point, there are no plans to
change the name “Alaska Airlines” nor do away with the Eskimo on our tail;
however, both of those things will most likely undergo some change or
alteration – we just don’t know how much, at this point.
With regard to uniforms, it is still expected that everyone will be in the
“interim uniform” by January 1, 2014, for approximately two years while the new
branding study continues, completes and is implemented. At that time a “custom
uniform” will be introduced. The “branding” effort could create a new look on
our airplanes, website, check in counters, onboard supplies, etc. It is not
decided yet if the change will be implemented quickly or over time. Andy
assured us that although Lands End Business Outfitters (LEBO) was selected as
our new uniform vendor, and their health/safety standards are of the highest
quality, Alaska will perform its own periodic testing of the Lands Ends’ own
testing, to ensure continued quality assurance.) Susan reminded everyone that
if you opt to purchase the approved Lands End (arctic coat), as long as this is
done BEFORE the end of this year (12/31/2013) AND submitted before the end of
this year, the cost can come out of your uniform allotment remaining for THIS
YEAR. If you purchase the coat but do not turn the receipt in for expense
reimbursement until after December 31st, then you will be reimbursed from your
allotment that starts again January 1st, 2014!
Because of the transition to the new interim uniform, Twinhill uniform pieces
are unable to be ordered online any longer and folks wanting to order new
pieces must do so by contacting Lou Ames at 503-384-4580 directly, or via First
Class.
When the interim uniform gets closer to a roll out, we were told that there
will be a short-order window to place your order (approximately 6 weeks to
order and receive). Everyone will do their own measuring with a fit kit
provided by LEBO. We will get more information about this as the time gets
closer.
Melanie shared with us that the Uniform Task Force just received approval for
the interim Hawaii shirt, which will be a camp shirt that comes in four colors
with an embroidered hibiscus, palm tree, turtle or Hawaiian design on the
shoulder to keep them uniform in look. They are close to a decision on the
scarf and tie. The AFA Uniform committee will have an electronic catalog
shortly of all of the pieces available and will be sharing them with you!
Andy announced that each Flight Attendant will be getting a new Inflight Mobile
Device (IMD) that will allow for many extra features, down the road. At the
onset, it will function as a POS (with credit card reader) and will contain the
electronic version of our Flight Attendant Manual, but we will all be required
to continue to carry our Manual until the Company receives FAA approval for our
Manual to be used on the IMD. This is a similar procedure to what our Pilot
group went through.
Down the road, it is expected that the IMD will have other features/apps on it
that will provide us with things such as the Final Paperwork (for flight),
tracking Golds that were given their free cocktail, etc. In addition, down the
road trip eMaestro and trades will be made available.
There is testing of a new scheduling program about to begin that would allow
F/A’s to place parameters on desired trips and the program will trade for them.
The Pilots have just tested this with good results and have decided to make it
available to all of their Pilots. Melanie asked Andy if Lisa Pinkston, from
our Anchorage base, could be included in the testing phase so that she could
report back to us on the program.
The topic of Horizon coming to Anchorage and taking over some of our flying
came up as well. Susan stated that the Horizon Inflight room would be “way
down the hall, by the Mechanics’ Room.” This is past the C5 elevator and
heading toward the North Terminal. Andy informed us that there would be no
change to either carrier (Alaska or Horizon) with regard to pass policies and
commuting. Concern was brought up regarding our Fairbanks commuters and the
desire to ensure their commute to Anchorage does not get more challenging
because of potential Horizon commuters. Sherri Kriska brought up the
possibility of looking into cabin agreements on Frontier, Penair and Era to
allow even more options for our arctic fliers.
Susan shared with us that since the very focused attempt to hire flight
attendants who live in Alaska (starting about six years ago), the number of
registered commuters has decreased by 40%. Yay!
Also with regard to Horizon coming to Alaska, Andy said she does not expect our
Base size to change, nor does she “expect to see a lot of growth.” She said
that the increased competition was difficult, this summer.”
Ron and Andy told us about the upcoming employee survey (the last of which was
two years ago). It is anticipated to be out from September 16-October 3 and
everyone is strongly encouraged to participate. This survey will be scaled
down and only contain 50 questions and if our workgroup can meet the 65% goal
that the Company set, for participation, there will be a drawing for the
workgroup, with numerous prizes being awarded.
Andy gave a short history regarding the Company’s move to API to assist in
hotel accommodations and said that specs are given to API, on our behalf, for
them to use in securing our hotel contracts. Some of these things include
safety, hygiene, location, and cost. When the economy was in a downward spiral
a couple of years ago, hotels wanted our business, but when the travel industry
turned around again, they were no longer as interested in our business, so our
options have decreased to some extent. Kathy Oberg shared with us that when
the hotel committee goes out to do a site visit, there are numerous other
things that come into play (i.e., some hotels do not even put out a bid to get
our business as they can bring in more revenue just selling to the public).
The Ala Moana hotel was brought up once again, as being a concern for Flight
Attendants, but several people said that the hotel has drastically improved
lately, and it is hoped that that trend will continue. We were told that their
bedding has changed, as well as other things that had apparently been out of
their control in the past, and which we had not been happy about. When some of
the issues regarding API’s service were brought up, Ron told us that Denia Pesa
was just hired to be a Crew Scheduler supervisor, with her work hours being
offset from Kieran Whitney’s (weekends and evenings) to help problem solve some
of the issues that come up, in a timelier manner. It is expected that she will
be a “conduit” between API and CS.
With regard to pairings, Andy told us that before pairings even come out, the
Company has a Planning Meeting to discuss numerous things that effect how many
people they need to be flying in each base. They estimate leaves, training
requirements, the number of Reserves needed, schedule changes, to name just a
few.
Jeff Stein then explained how the pairings are decided upon. He said that he
locks a few trips, based on what he thinks the base wants, and several people
asked if we could try, for one month, not locking any pairings at all, to see
how things play out. Andy shared with us why the pairings sometimes don’t work
for us, when they had the preceding month – this seems to be directly tied into
the aircraft rotation. For example, if we fly from Anchorage to Seattle and
then the plane goes to San Jose, if the crew starting in Anchorage and landing
in Seattle isn’t going with the plane, their next leg has to be originally
scheduled to have at least a ground time of 1:10. The Company feels scheduling
anything less than that will set us up for failure in that it will increase the
potential for a delay. It is important to keep in mind that we are talking
about the original scheduled pairing times, although many things then come into
play down the line (i.e., winds, mechanicals, etc.) that could effect the
actual ground time. Andy used this information to explain why ANC lost the
morning ANC/PDX turn (as the ground time dropped to 1:01), but had no
information about the other two ANC/PDX flights. She will get back to us on
that, to let us know if that is the same scenario as to why we lost those
turns, as well.
It is still hoped that we will get the new destination pairings (LAS and PHX),
but there have been no promises made in that regard.
The topic of Open Days and Closed Days was brought up. An example of a closed
day was given (August 15th) when there were 26 Reserves sitting. We discussed
our unhappiness that we will have closed days because our ANC Reserves might
need to be sent to do another base’s flying. Andy said she would look into
this more and get back to us.
Someone brought up our dissatisfaction with a turn going past midnight by just
a few minutes, but not receiving 4 tfp for each day the trip touches. Andy and
Jeff both said that that is a “negotiations” issue and nothing that can be
resolved at today’s meeting. (side note, we have duty periods, not duty
days…that’s why you have 3 day trips worth 8 at times) and is being looked at
in negotiations.
The issue of “communication” was again brought up and Andy assured everyone
that the Company is trying to improve on that. (Ron said that more people need
to sign up to receive the alerts from Alaska Airlines that you can find on
Alaskasworld). Several examples were given were the “ball gets dropped” with
regard to communication and both Ron and Andy assure us that the company is
aware of this and is trying to improve things with the planned technology to be
implemented down the road. In the mean time, Andy asked that each time someone
feels that the Company dropped the ball in this regard, we contact her and Ron
to let them know. Andy reminded us that sometimes they are not even aware that
something happened, and sometimes, it is a privacy issue with regard to the
incident. Andy talked about a new program “Office 365” that should drastically
help improve the communication aspect of things, although it seems that
implementation of this software is a ways down the road.[Marker]
Melanie Buker
Anchorage Council 30 LECP
personal email: melanie.buker@gmail.com
cell: 208-890-1849
Five Bases, One VOICE
