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Inflight Service Committee Meeting Recap – 4th Quarter 2023

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Inflight Service Committee

  • Our AFA Inflight Service Committee Chairpersons met on November 29 to represent Flight Attendants’ interests related to catering and onboard service/sales.
  • The Committee met with management to discuss and receive updates on issues and problems faced by Flight Attendants onboard.
  • The Committee continues to work with management to address catering concerns and improve processes in the future. Please report catering issues through Block2Block and safety-related issues through ReportIt!

On Wednesday, November 29, our AFA Inflight Service Committee 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 Naomi Parcell (ANC), Ross DeJong (SEA), Todd Horn (PDX), Raymond Ramirez (SFO), Johanna Thomas (LAX), and Chase Vandergrift (SAN). MEC Inflight Committee Chairperson Stephanie Garnett was also present. 

The committee met with Senior Inflight Experience Program Manager Matthew Coder, Inflight Product and Experience Director David Scotland, Principal Cabin Product and Experience Manager Chris Dela Rosa, Director of Onboard Food and Beverage Services Dean Courtelis, Senior Food and Beverage Product Manager Jessica Johnston, Manager of Food and Beverage Planning and Programs David Rodriguez, Senior Onboard Food and Beverage Specialist Andrea Lockett, Principal Product Manager ITS Apps Ranjita Prasad, Director of Catering Operations Andrew Moyer, and other management representatives from the food & beverage and catering operations. 

The next scheduled Inflight Service Committee meeting is Tuesday, February 27, 2024.

Topics of Discussion

The committee reviewed several topics during internal AFA-only conversations and when meeting with management. Some items discussed include:

  • Local Committee Chairperson Discussion. During the AFA-only session, some items discussed were the snacks, brewing the new coffee, testing the Apple tap-to-pay process, catering loading, and service flow.
  • MAX 8 Galleys. The diagrams for the MAX 8 galleys were reviewed. Galley 4 will have an expanded trash bin on aircraft right, and catering loading will need to be modified. Discussions included the ability to have completely separate supplies for legs 1 and 2.
  • Aircraft Interiors. Management is continuing to work on refreshing interiors across the fleet.
  • Onboard Service Procedures. Management noted that the completion rate of the pre-departure beverage service has improved. However, the service flow was identified as difficult to complete. Premium Class has many service components that contribute to delivering a positive experience for passengers, which will continue to be discussed. There will be an emphasis on enhancing the Premium Experience for 2024.
  • Catering Products. The catering team has successfully transitioned to Stumptown Coffee and is working on improving the brewing process. Feedback from passengers suggests that those traveling in first class are enjoying the “greatest hits” menu, which has been received positively. Additionally, new products have been introduced, including changes to the flavors of Stellar Snacks, Freemont Brewing’s Cloud Cruiser IPA, non-alcoholic beer, Polar cranberry-lime seltzer, and oat-milk creamers.
  • Catering Operations. The management team has recently made some improvements to the glassware cleaning process. They have also introduced some logistical changes to make catering supplies more readily available on the aircraft. The Committee was introduced to the new Director of Catering Operations, Andrew Moyer. Going forward, the Committee will work closely with him to address any catering-related issues or concerns.
  • IMD Updates. Management is in the process of introducing software-based payment options through a Tap-to-Pay feature. This option eliminates the need to swipe credit cards physically and simplifies transactions. On December 20, a Block2Block update will be released with a fix for current bugs and functionality to provide timely flight delay information to crewmembers and passengers. Additional updates, including the release of version 3.0 of Block2Block, will be available in April.

We Want to Hear from You!

Please continue to report any catering issues or problems with onboard service using the catering feedback function in Block2Block. If you’ve experienced a safety-related issue, please submit a report through ReportIt! Your reports provide the Committee with the data needed to continue pushing management for meaningful improvements in our workplace.

Do you have other feedback for the Committee or items you’d like brought up with management? Please let us know! Your Local Inflight Service Committee is your voice to management. You can find our contact information on the Inflight Service Committee page of the AFA Alaska website.

Housing & Food Assistance Resources

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Employee Assistance Program (EAP)/Professional Standards Committee

  • Starting a career as a Flight Attendant is more challenging than ever due to low pay rates that haven’t kept up with the cost of living.
  • Many new Flight Attendants face difficulties securing housing and food in expensive cities where they are based.
  • Our EAP Committee has created a new website page with comprehensive information on resources to help Flight Attendants overcome these obstacles.

Starting a career as a Flight Attendant is a significant and challenging life change, especially in today’s industry. The ever-increasing pace of inflation and lagging pay rates that haven’t kept up with the cost of living makes it difficult for many new hires to make ends meet. Finding affordable housing and healthy food options in newly assigned bases, located in some of the most expensive cities in the country, can be overwhelming and stressful for many new Flight Attendants. 

Our Negotiating Committee recognized the need for immediate financial improvements to help Flight Attendants address these challenges, and they approached management for an interim pay increase when negotiations first got underway in late 2022. Unfortunately, management declined even to discuss the request. This is highly disappointing, considering that Flight Attendants are falling further and further behind every day.

We want you to know that if you are struggling, you are not alone, and our EAP Committee is here to help. To assist those currently facing housing and food challenges, we’ve created a new website page with comprehensive information on resources to help Flight Attendants overcome these obstacles. You can find the page by clicking here or through the links section of the EAP Committee page on afaalaska.org. The page provides useful information on affordable housing options, food banks, and other resources to help ease your worries and offer much-needed relief.

We realize that the need for housing and food assistance can be sensitive, and we want to ensure you have a safe, supportive, and confidential environment to access these resources. Our new website page will provide tools and resources to help you overcome these challenges and find comfort and security. If you have any questions or are looking for support, please get in touch with our AFA EAP Committee. Call (949) 470-0493 or find your Local EAP Committee at afaalaska.org/eap.

Housing & Food Assistance Resources

Air Quality Quick Reminders

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Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC)

  • Fume events can occur on flights for various reasons, such as oil leaks or mechanical issues.
  • Familiarize yourself with the symptoms of air quality, fume, and hypoxic events, so you know what to do if you suspect one is happening.
  • More resources are available on the Air Quality Subcommittee page of the AFA Alaska website.

As Flight Attendants, our top priority is ensuring everyone onboard the aircraft has a safe and comfortable experience. However, despite our best efforts, unexpected situations can still arise. One such situation is a fume event, which can be caused by smoke, fumes, or a strong odor in the cabin. Fume events can occur for various reasons, such as oil leaks, hydraulic fluid leaks, or other mechanical issues. It’s essential to learn how to identify a fume event and what to do if one takes place to ensure the safety and well-being of yourself, fellow crewmembers, and passengers. To that end, we’d like to offer some reminders about what to do if you suspect a fume event is happening.

How To Identify A Fume Event

  • Pay attention to unpleasant/unusual odors coming from the air supply system. 
  • Use the FOUR S’s
    • Identify the SOURCE. Is this coming from the air supply vents or a cabin item?  
    • Explain the SMELL. Description including strength, duration, and when it started/the phase of flight. 
    • Describe the SITE. Where is observed in the cabin: forward, aft, galley, etc.?
    • What are the SYMPTOMS? See the list of possible symptoms below. Does anyone need medical attention?

What To Do If Involved In An Air Quality/Fume Event

  • On The Ground
    • Notify Pilots, if presentDeplane, if possibleIf you have symptoms (see below), call MedAire Crew Support at (800) 350-4390; have the CSA call paramedics, if needed.  
    • DO NOT return to the aircraft until it has been cleared Maintenance. You are not a sniff tester.
  • In the Air
    • If you have symptoms of hypoxia (see below), immediately don oxygen.
    • Notify Pilots 
    • Contact MedLink
    • If you can, fill out the Cabin Air Quality Reporting Form in the stationary kit and give it to Pilots.
  • Call the AFA Air Quality Reporting Hotline as soon as possible at (206) 457-2010, option 3
  • Notify Inflight management by calling scheduling and asking for the Manager on Duty (MOD)
  • It’s essential to familiarize yourself with the symptoms of both quality/fume/hypoxic events. 

What Are The Possible Symptoms Of An Air Quality/Fume/Hypoxia Event? 

  • Headache
  • Dizziness
  • Fatigue or weakness
  • Nauseous 
  • Slowed thinking/delayed reactions
  • Tingling fingers/lips/toes/numbness
  • Irritated eyes/throat/nose
  • Abnormal taste
  • Trouble breathing
  • Multiple other physiological/neurological symptoms (some may have delayed onset)

Our AFA Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC) has developed resources to assist you if you have been in a suspected fume event. You can access this information by clicking here.

Other Things To Keep In Mind

  • If multiple Flight Attendants and/or passengers are experiencing symptoms (see above), you may be experiencing an air quality/hypoxia event. 
  • When experiencing the above symptoms, communicate the possibility of an air quality event with the crew, including the pilots.
  • It is essential to communicate with the pilots. If they don’t document an air quality/fume event in the logbook, Maintenance will not inspect the aircraft.
  • Different people may experience varying symptoms and severities. 
  • Symptoms of exposure to Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) in engine oil and hydraulic fluid are similar to carbon monoxide exposure. It’s possible to mistake symptoms of VOC exposure for carbon monoxide exposure.

Questions?

If you have any questions, please visit the ASHSC Air Quality Subcommittee page on the AFA Alaska website or email us at airquality@afaalaska.org.

Scheduling Committee Meeting Recap – November 2023

Scheduling Committee

  • Our AFA Scheduling Committee Chairpersons met on Tuesday, November 28 to discuss their ongoing program of work to represent Flight Attendants interests related to lineholder scheduling.
  • The Committee also met with management to receive updates and discuss issues and problems that Flight Attendants are experiencing with scheduling, pairings, and bidding.
  • Your Local Scheduling Committee is available to answer questions, provide clarification, or help to resolve any lineholder scheduling-related issues. Please don’t hesitate to reach out!

On Tuesday, November 28, our AFA Scheduling Committee 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 Heather Reier (ANC), Rita Tillou (SEA), Melodie Anderes (PDX), Jaqui Bellenie (SFO), Kamako Yamado (LAX), and Kitty Cohen (SAN). Also present were MEC Scheduling Committee Vice Chairperson—Pairing Construction Karen Ferrell, MEC Scheduling Committee Vice Chairperson—PBS Virginia Fritz.

The committee met with Managing Director Inflight Operations Michaela Littman, Managing Director Inflight Operations & Crew Scheduling Allen Thieman, Managing Director Ops Staffing and Resource Management Brittany Audette, Director Inflight Crew Scheduling Sara Cook, Manager Inflight Crew Scheduling Goose Hlaingmyint, Director of Crew Planning Mike Ostler, Manager of Crew Planning Trisha Bennett, and other management representatives from Crew Planning.

The Committee is next scheduled to meet on December 26, 2023.

Topics of Discussion

The committee reviewed a number of items both during internal AFA-only conversation and when meeting with management. Some items discussed include:

  • Regular presentation with some interactive elements focused on Reserve utilization and working over 90%. Some relief seen in October/November. The PowerPoint presentation showed data on flexibility.
  • Breakdown of Reserves used: decrease month over month, with 11.4% covering other sick calls and 49% covering line holder trips. Detailed Reserve breakdown provided.
  • Year-over-year absence rates are slightly higher but trending down. Flexibility with Threshold Sequence Number (TSN) and Personal Drops (PDs) helping. 
  • Premium numbers being worked on, holiday calendar impacting data. October 2023 showed premium isolation to Sundays with a drastic decrease in the number of trips.
  • Personal drops increased, with 7302 compared to 9206 last year at this time. TSN adjustments and more trips allowed into OT. November saw a significant increase in TSN trips, offering more flexibility.
  • Reviewed sick leave days compared to TSN and PDs. Interesting data on leaves and collective attendance.
  • Discussed reassignments and their impact. Reassignments tracking is manual. November reassignments drastically down. Last-minute issues can lead to reassignments for operational reasons.
  • Review of rotation and pairings to address high reassignments. Closer-in sick calls during summer months affected options and peers. Leveraging reserves affects utilization.
  • Highlights of winter operations progress: training new crew schedulers, deadhead reservation support, NOC risk management, IROPs support and resources, teaming/pairings, inflight hotline, and Crew Scheduling Mobile Comm.
  • Testing UAT for Inflight for Teams, encouraging real-time feedback. Go-live expected in mid-December.
  • Discussed January 2024 planning challenges. Seeking 651 Staffing Adjustment Leaves, considering additional solicitation. Reserve staffing anticipated at 20% with 75.4 line averages for the system.
  • Reviewed trip length distribution and ANC commutability. ANC commutability to be tracked separately.
  • Block hour comparison for Dec 2023/Jan 2024, down 12.5% due to the booking environment. Industry fare and cost structure analysis provided. Imbalance in departures and arrivals, optimization challenges.
  • Hotel improvements and teaming to improve recovery, encourage following each other. Focus on SEA, optimizing routes, aircraft, and profits. Open to discussions and potential changes.
  • Overall, the discussion covered various topics related to reserve utilization, absence rates, premium numbers, personal drops, reassignments, winter operations progress, planning challenges, and optimization strategies.

What The Committee Is Working On

  1. NavBlue. The PBS Committee seeks feedback on how they can better assist flight crews with bid awards and understanding results. In-person and virtual meetings were available for this purpose.
  2. Pairings Survey. A survey on pairing construction is being discussed, along with the possibility of a virtual session or town hall. Meeting with management occurred June 5, 2023, with a follow-up meeting to be scheduled. No update or ETA yet.
  3. Teaming. Crew Planning is reviewing pairing construction and optimizing teaming to keep costs low and ensure crews (pilots/Flight Attendants) stay together for multiple segments. Currently, the system teams around 10-15%, but enhancements aim to increase it to 20-35% for winter operations. December pairings will reflect this change. Management will communicate about teaming. In December 2023, approximately 23% of sequences will be teamed together, while 52% of duty periods will be teamed.
  4. In and Backs. Network/Crew Planning is reviewing initiatives to restart operations when crews are stranded and flights are canceled. The 2023/2024 IROPs plan was reviewed by Alaska management in September/October, creating opportunities to clear flight schedules on the day of operations.
  5. Chime Communications. Flight Attendants may chat with crew scheduling via app/Microsoft Teams to reduce phone calls. Flight Attendant-initiated contact. Early stages of development, to be discussed with AS Labor Relations and AFA. Testing and implementation to occur in the next few weeks. We are working on a letter of agreement for implementation. 
  6. Crew Scheduling. Monthly review of PowerPoint presentations covering reserve utilization, detailed breakdowns, sick leave (week by week and YoY), premium, personal drops, and other relevant agenda items.
  7. Crew Planning. Monthly review of PowerPoint presentations covering subsequent month staffing, trip length distribution, Flight Attendant block hours, special initiatives (e.g., IROPs), commutability, and other relevant agenda items.
  8. ITS. ITS representatives join scheduling meetings to provide updates on NavBlue, Crew Access, internal systems, and Block2Block. Includes performance updates, data review, and future release information. 

We Want to Hear From You!

Do you have feedback for the committee, concerns you’d like to share, or items that you’d like brought up with management? Please let us know! Your Local Scheduling Committee is your voice to management. You can open a support request on the AFA Alaska Online Support Center or contact us directly using the information on the Scheduling Committee page of the AFA Alaska website.

Uniform Committee Meeting Recap – 4th Quarter 2023

Uniform Committee

  • Our AFA Uniform Committee Chairpersons met on Tuesday, November 14 to discuss their ongoing program of work to represent Flight Attendants interests related to uniforms.
  • The Committee also met with management to receive updates and discuss issues and problems that Flight Attendants are reporting related to uniform quality, wearability, and availability.
  • If you are experiencing any issues with uniform quality or construction, please report the issues to Unisync as soon as possible. Please include your Local Uniform Committee Chairperson on the email so they can help track any issues or trends that might be developing.

On Tuesday, November 14th, the AFA Local Uniform Committee Chairpersons met to discuss their ongoing work to represent Flight Attendants and push for improvements in the workplace. Present at the meeting were Kim Mazzolini (ANC), Dena Heath (SEA), David Jelinek (PDX), Lisa Mueller (SFO), Heather Holmes (LAX), JP Perina (SAN), and MEC Uniform Committee Chairperson Kiara O’Bryant.

The committee also met with Director – Procurement and Logistics Eric Phillipson, Sr Product Manager Marketing Megan Low, Uniform Fit Center Lead Ashley Sentner, Supply Chain Program Manager Lizzie Revard, PDX Base Manager Kristie Stafford, SFO Inflight Base Manager Cierra Lewis and Manager Inflight Policies and Standards Jeannette Waddel.

The next Quarterly Uniform Committee Meeting is tentatively set for Tuesday, February 22, 2024.

Topics of Discussion

The committee reviewed several items during internal AFA-only conversations and when meeting with management. Some items discussed include:

  • The new Unisync website launched at the end of October.
  • New method for reporting quality issues – now located directly on the Uniforms page in Team AAG.
  • Mockneck sweater now available for order. Delivery slated for Q1 2024. Aura vest (blue) is scheduled to ship in Summer 2024 and ordering will be available shortly before then.
  • Spinner suitcase testing will begin in the near future. A Travelpro spinner was previously tested but proved to be too top heavy (tipped easily) and one inch smaller (inclusive of the wheels). This created about two inches less space compared to our current roller making it unsuitable for 4+ day trips. AFA and management will continue to explore other options.
  • New uniform policies were updated at the end of October.
    • Aura and Atlas pieces may be mixed and matched to suit body types and style preferences, however, the style guide must be followed regardless of which pieces are being worn.
    • Uniform checks are currently being conducted. The main areas of concern receiving discipline are:
      • Outerwear – Noncompliant coats
      • Nose rings (hoops) and earrings that are larger than approved size of a quarter
      • Hemlines – Too short
      • Lanyards other than ones from the company store (Labor has expressed that management will not pursue discipline, however, if you are asked to remove your lanyard, please comply and submit a ticket at support.afaalaska.org)
      • Shoes with white soles or stitching (you can use a navy/brown permanent marker or leather dye on the white stitching to make them compliant)
  • Management will consider moving from the current approved list to “boot guidelines and requirements” for the seasonal navy boots. Updates will be made by March of 2024 when boot season concludes.
  • March 2024 will also see the ban of popular lug-style shoes and discipline may be issued for noncompliance. AFA has gone all the way up through marketing (including Luly Yang) in attempts to advocate for the shoe to remain in compliance. The final decision is that these shoes will not be allowed.
  • Seasonal aprons will continue to be allowed and the committee is advocating for marketing to make this a permanent part of the style guide.
  • Maternity pieces should be in full stock and available. Please email or call the Fit Center if you encounter any issues and let your local Uniform Committee Chairperson know if you are unable to obtain pieces.
  • The Uniform survey closed on 11/07/2023 and results will be shared with AFA in late December once the data has been analyzed.
  • Discussed the possibility of opening the PDX Fit Center on an annual or semiannual basis, but there has not been much turn out in the past. If you are interested in this opportunity, please email AFA at uniform@afaalaska.org so we can collect data on how many FAs would attend to return items, have repairs done, and get fitted.

What The Committee Is Working On

  1. Wear Testing. Trying to create a diverse pool of wear testers. Finding convenient ways to get wear test items to testers other than base office hours as we would like FAs working early AM trips and nighters to also be part of future wear tests. Would also reduce issues with returns getting back to the Fit Center.
  2. Annual Review of Basic Uniform Cost. AFA meets annually to review the cost of the basic uniform per the contract to ensure the allotment amount is correct with the addition of new pieces.
  3. Unisync Usability. Concerns over confusion with new ordering sizes. Wool Sensitivity options are available but not widely known or advertised. Made-to-order pieces (tall) still require a phone call.

We Want to Hear From You!

Please email Unisync with any quality issues. In the email, please describe the issue in detail, include the “PO” number from the tag, attach photos of the issue and the tag, if possible, and CC your Local Uniform Committee Chairperson. Please consider opening a ticket at AFA Alaska Support so the Uniform Committee can track these issues.

Would you like to join the wear test pool? Do you have other feedback for the committee or items that you’d like brought up with management? Please let us know! Your Local Uniform Committee is your voice to management. You can find contact information on the Uniform Committee page of the AFA Alaska website.

Inflight Service Committee Meeting Recap – 4th Quarter 2023

Inflight Service Committee On Wednesday, November 29, our AFA Inflight Service Committee 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 Naomi Parcell (ANC), Ross DeJong (SEA), Todd Horn (PDX), Raymond Ramirez (SFO), Johanna Thomas (LAX), and Chase Vandergrift […]

December 2023 MEC Meeting Recap

Master Executive Council (MEC) The December 2023 Regular MEC Meeting was held this week on Wednesday, December 6. The meeting consisted of updates from our MEC Officers, LEC Presidents, Grievance Committee, and Scheduling Committee. Our MEC also reviewed written reports submitted by other AFA MEC Committee Chairpersons about their current programs of work. Meeting with […]

Join The Picket Line: Support United Flight Attendants on Thursday, December 14

Master Executive Council (MEC) On December 14, 2023, United Airlines Flight Attendants will take to the picket line – their holiday spirit of unity and solidarity burning brighter than ever. They are determined to strengthen their power and demonstrate their unwavering commitment to securing a contract that genuinely values their work and contributions to United […]

Housing & Food Assistance Resources

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)/Professional Standards Committee Starting a career as a Flight Attendant is a significant and challenging life change, especially in today’s industry. The ever-increasing pace of inflation and lagging pay rates that haven’t kept up with the cost of living makes it difficult for many new hires to make ends meet. Finding affordable […]

Air Quality Quick Reminders

Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC) As Flight Attendants, our top priority is ensuring everyone onboard the aircraft has a safe and comfortable experience. However, despite our best efforts, unexpected situations can still arise. One such situation is a fume event, which can be caused by smoke, fumes, or a strong odor in the […]

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