This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants

On Thursday, July 17, 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 Deb Wallstrom (ANC), David Lake (SEA), Kalin Lackey (PDX), Brad Young (SFO), Carin Merritt (LAX), and Eva Gatus (SAN). Also present was Alaska MEC ASHSC Chairperson Seth Heiple.

The Committee met with the Manager Inflight Compliance Justin Rossi, Cabin Safety Manager Heidi Styley, Senior Inflight Experience Program Manager Matthew Coder, and Manager of Inflight Safety Programs Johanna Giese. Vice President of Inflight Alan Thieman briefly joined the meeting to meet the ASHSC Chairpersons.

The next scheduled Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee meeting is Thursday, October 2.

Topics of Discussion

The Committee reviewed several items when meeting with management. Some items discussed include (items which are Security Sensitive Information are not included):

• Lithium-Ion Power Bank Restrictions: Many airlines have tightened rules on lithium-ion power banks due to fire concerns. Southwest Airlines now requires power banks to be visible when in use (on the tray table or in the seat pocket), not hidden in bags or overhead bins. We’ve proposed establishing “visibility rules” or entirely restricting their use in the cabin. Heidi will raise this at the next Airlines for America (A4A) meeting.
• IMD Malfunction Concerns: There have been two recent incidents of Inflight Mobile Devices (IMDs) overheating or catching fire, which is a significant concern among crew members. We’ve proposed sharing information from investigations with Flight Attendants. If the investigation yields findings, Heidi will share them with the ASHSC.
• Conflicting Service Animal Guidance: Current Flight Attendant Manual (FAM) guidance regarding service animals on laps (RC2 FAM Section 5.1 p.5) conflicts with guidance stating they must be on the floor (12.900 p.9). Johanna will inform Policies & Procedures (P&P) about the issue.
• Wordy Announcements: Announcements have become excessively long, and the Inflight Service Committee is working with the announcement workgroup to address this. The ASHSC supports this effort. Seth, Matthew, and MEC Inflight Service Committee Chairperson—Alaska Brand Chase Vandergrift will discuss this at the next meeting to ensure marketing announcements don’t overshadow vital safety information.
• Improper Stowage of Divider Curtains: Crews are incorrectly “cramming” divider curtains into overhead bins at row 4. Matthew will work with P&P to add an image or description of the correct way to stow the curtain to the FAM.
• Preparing for an Emergency with a Service Animal: Our safety cards currently lack information on preparing for an emergency with a service animal. We’ve proposed adding diagrams to the safety cards as at least one other carrier has done. Justin will review this recommendation with the Brand and Experience Team in Q1 2026.
• Pre-Departure Announcement for Tablets with Keyboards: Tablets with keyboards must be stowed like laptops, leading to passenger compliance issues. We’ve proposed adding information to pre-departure announcements to help crew members easily ensure compliance. Justin will ask P&P about adding such an announcement.
• Child Restraint Systems (CRS) / Infants in Rows 1 & 6: Agents are still assigning car seats and lap babies in seats with air belts (Rows 1 & 6), and Reservations is providing incorrect information to passengers. We’ve proposed a reminder bulletin for both workgroups. However, a recent SABRE fix should now restrict these bookings.
• Clarity on Prohibited Gadgets: There’s a growing concern about new inflatable items, footrests, infant toys attached to windows, and stickers being used onboard, despite FAM restrictions. We’ve proposed a reminder bulletin about prohibited items, agent awareness, and providing additional guidance on restricted items in the FAM. Matthew will discuss a notification to passengers on alaskaair.com to raise passenger awareness of these use restrictions.
• Agent Assistance with L1 Door Opening: Flight Attendants can be injured when opening the L1 door without assistance. High agent turnover, especially at outstations, necessitates reminding or retraining agents on L1 door opening procedures. We’ve proposed this as a safety discussion topic with stations, particularly for new hires. Johanna’s team will monitor reporting after implementing the new procedure in August to identify any coordination or other issues.
• Well-Marked Paper Clip Bag: We’ve proposed placing paper clips in a small red bag within the Flight Attendant Kit for quick location in an emergency. This item is on hold pending the possibility of obtaining an MRT (Manual Release Tool). Geri will follow up with Maintenance & Engineering (M&E).
• PSU Tool Request: We’ve requested a specific tool to open the Passenger Service Unit (PSU) instead of using a paper clip and proposed installing MRT on the aircraft. Justin will ask Geri for an update on this.
• Limited Wi-Fi/Data in the State of Alaska: T-Mobile service is poor at some Alaska outstations, forcing Flight Attendants to extend their arm out of the L1 door for Wi-Fi or use a CSA’s phone hotspot. Many struggle with check-in due to data issues and phones entering SOS mode. We’ve proposed new phones for all, eSim cards if effective, clear communication about hotspot use, and guidance on when extending an arm out of L1 for Wi-Fi is necessary. Matthew and Johanna will consult the Inflight Mobile team and assess if certain stations should be designated “no Wi-Fi” stations.
• MAX 8 Headrests: The large clip on the MAX 8 headrests poses a potential injury risk to the back of passengers’ heads if exposed and at a passenger’s head height. The current announcement says the headrest must be lowered for taxi takeoff and landing. However, it was not the company’s intent to be lowered as far as they go, which is below the top of the seatback. We’ve proposed educating crew with photos about the intent of the requirement. Justin will ask P&P about updating the FAM to say, “headrest must not be above seatback.”
• Megaphone Pre-Flight Check: Several Flight Attendants have found megaphones with dead batteries. We’ve proposed making a megaphone battery a pre-flight check. Justin will ask Geri to help drive this change.
• Clarification for Passengers Needing Special Assistance: A passenger using an aisle chair and their own cushion repeatedly slid in their seat and required frequent assistance from a Flight Attendant, raising concerns about whether they needed an attendant and whether Flight Attendants are adequately trained for such situations. We’ve proposed clarification on determining if a passenger requires an assistant and a straightforward procedure in the FAM. Justin will ask P&P for clarity in the FAM and check with AOCS (Airport Operations & Customer Service) and Customer Advocacy for alignment.
• Agents Closing L1 Door with L2 Open: Agents are wanting to close the L1 door while the L2 door is still open and the aircraft is being catered. We’ve proposed updating FAM guidance to more clearly prohibit this and communicate the policy to AOCS. Justin will ask P&P to add this to the FAM and check with AOCS on expectations.
• CRS Booster vs. Medical Device Training: We’ve proposed clearer FAM guidance about Orthotic Positioning Devices (OPDs), Assistive Devices, and booster seats and will work with P&P to implement an update.
• Seatbelt Extension in Exit Row: When a passenger requests a seatbelt extension, a procedure is needed to confirm they are not in an exit row. We’ve proposed a new manual procedure to ask for the seat number if unknown. It’s uncertain where this will be addressed in RC3, but RC3 is expected to allow seatbelt extensions. A follow-up is planned if the current restriction remains.
• Safety Concerns at Sitka Crew Hotel: Flight Attendants have reported numerous unaddressed concerns at a hotel in Sitka, including possible carbon monoxide exposure, heating system malfunctions, noise, overuse of deodorizer spray, and unsanitary conditions. They’ve requested to move to another hotel. Seth will check with the Hotel Committee. Crew Hotel notes that Sitka has limited options but will check the status of available properties. A requirement for carbon monoxide detectors is being added.
• “A” Flight Attendant’s Authority to Remove Intoxicated Passengers: The new policy could be clearer. The intent is for the Flight Attendant crew to still have the authority to remove a passenger without being overridden. The only time the PIC would have that final say is if there was a Flight Attendant on the crew who did not agree with the decision to remove a passenger. Jessie will discuss this with the SOC (Single Operating Certificate) group, which is working on merging policies.
• Boarding Without Power: There are mixed messages regarding when it is safe to board. We’ve proposed updating the FAM and the CSM (Customer Service Manual) to align expectations. To board passengers, the aircraft must have full power to all cabin systems, including the PA, and should not be on “Ground Service” power. This will be clarified in RC3.
• “Flight Closed” with Passengers in Jet Bridge: Agents are prematurely closing flights while passengers are still on the jet bridge, incorrectly stating the flight is “fully boarded,” which causes operational issues and delays. We’ve proposed reminding the AOCS workgroup not to close flights during active boarding in order to meet metrics. Flights should not be closed until the last passenger is on board. Jessie will discuss adding this to the FAM with P&P. Flight Attendants should report this via FAIR if it occurs.
• “Listen Only” Devices (Teams, Zoom, etc.): Passengers may listen to meetings, etc., as long as they are not speaking, which would result in two-way voice communication. However, the FAM is not clear on this distinction. Jessie will contact the SOC team to ensure this is covered in RC4.

We Want to Hear From You!

If you’ve encountered any safety-related issues at work, you can help the Committee advocate for improvement and change by submitting a report. You can use ReportIt! to submit Flight Attendant Irregularity Reports (FAIR), Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP) reports, and fatigue reports. If you need clarification or assistance on what type of report to file, please get in touch with a member of your Local ASHSC.

Your Local ASHSC is always ready to represent your voice to management. Please don’t hesitate to let us know about any issues or concerns you want us to bring forward. We would also love to hear any other feedback you may have for the Committee. You can find our contact information on the ASHSC page of the AFA Alaska website.

This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants

On Thursday, April 3, 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 Deb Wallstrom (ANC), David Lake (SEA), Kalin Lackey (PDX), Brad Young (SFO), Carin Merritt (LAX), and Eva Gatus (SAN). Also present were Hawaiian MEC ASHSC MEC Chairperson Kerri Ruiz and Alaska MEC ASHSC Chairperson Seth Heiple.

The Committee met with Director of Inflight Safety & Compliance Geri Jarrett, Cabin Safety Manager Heidi Stiley, Temporary Manager of Inflight Policy and Procedure Jesse Sexton, and Manager of Inflight Safety Programs Johanna Giese. 

The next scheduled Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee meeting is Thursday, July 17.

Topics of Discussion

The committee reviewed several items when meeting with management. Some items discussed include (items which are Security Sensitive Information are not included):

• Door Closure Procedure Clarity: There is concern that passengers may be in the forward lavatory or vicinity during door arming, which can be distracting. Ideally, passengers should not be near the forward galley during door closure to prevent unnecessary distractions. Jesse will update the ASHSC on this matter on April 16 at the SAN semi-annual base meeting (SBM).
• Better Care/Procedures for Pets in Hold: Ramp agents must handle pets in cargo with extreme care. Pet-in-hold tags should be given at least 15 minutes before door closure to prevent delays, and a checklist should verify that the pet-in-hold tag matches the information in B2B. To address this, we propose additional training and increased awareness. Jesse will provide additional FAM guidance and a procedure for verifying pets on hold.
• Safety Concerns About Sitka Crew Hotel: Reports suggest there may be various issues related to safety and health, including potential hazards and maintenance challenges. Moving to another hotel in the area is proposed. Although options are limited, alternate hotels will be considered and discussed at the next meeting between the MEC Hotel Committee Chairperson and management.
• Tangled MedLink Headsets: MedLink Headset cords are often tangled when needed. The Committee discovered that maintenance does not check for cord tangling, but inflight management will send out a reminder to ensure headsets are stowed correctly after use.
• Seat Backs That Won’t Stay Upright for Taxi, Takeoff, & Landing: Better guidance is needed for seat backs that won’t stay upright when no other passenger seats are available. A straightforward procedure is proposed in the FAM. Geri shared that this will be addressed in the Q2 CBT.
• Cabin Jumpseat Briefing Cards Not Used: The briefing cards in the stationary kit are not always used when Horizon Flight Attendants travel on Alaska Flight Attendant jumpseats. The briefing cards will be updated, a bulletin will be issued, and Heidi will check with Horizon to see if they have similar issues when Alaska Flight Attendants travel on Horizon Flight Attendant jumpseats.
• Passengers Needing to Pre-Board Should Not Be Assigned Exit Row Seats: Passengers with exit row seats who attempt to pre-board should receive additional vetting by the CSA to ensure they are qualified to sit there. Geri will get Inflight ASAP ERC data and talk to Airport Operations & Customer Service (AOCS) about improving exit row questions/vetting during boarding.
• Add Absorbent Material to UPK: The Committee requests that management add an absorbent product, like absorbent powder, in addition to the “towels” in the UPK for liquid/vomit/smell. This is something Hawaiian Airlines has provisioned on its aircraft. Geri will ask Fleet about this and check with the SOC group about the plan for UPKs for the merged airline.
• Cross-Body Bags: With the popularity of cross-body bags, we need better tools to ensure passenger compliance with the requirement to stow these bags. We recommend that CSAs take additional care in monitoring “one plus” and that a Flight Attendant boarding announcement be developed regarding the requirement to remove and stow these bags. Management will review the current CSA announcement and look at adding a Flight Attendant announcement.
• Minimum Amount of Potable Water for Safety: To ensure safety and well-being, the Committee recommends that a minimum number of water bottles be onboard to dispatch an aircraft. Geri will look into this request.
• When to Board Without Pilots: Clarity and alignment between the FAM and CSM are needed regarding when it is okay to board without Pilots, including power requirements for the aircraft. Management stated that to board passengers, the aircraft must have full power/all cabin systems powered, including the interphone, and may not be on “ground service power.”
• Commingling Demo Kits with Carry-On Bags in Overhead Bins: Demo kits are sometimes commingled with passenger carry-on bags (COBs) in overhead bins, making them difficult to access. We believe a divider should separate the demo kits from COBs. Geri will review the request with Alaska Maintenance and Engineering.
• Paper Clips/Hard to Find and Use, Need Manual Release Tools: Ideally, every Flight Attendant jumpseat would have a manual release tool (MRT). Geri is working on something and will coordinate with the ASHSC on the project.
• Passengers Waiting for Baggage, etc., in Jetbridge After Deplaning: Flight Attendants need to be able to go to their next assignment or be released after the last passenger deplanes, and CSAs need to be available to attend to passengers still in the jetbridge.
• Pet Carriers Do Not Fit Under Aisle Seats: Passengers with pets and carriers often have assigned aisle seats where even size-compliant carriers may not fit. Geri and Jesse will set up a discovery meeting about this issue.

What the Committee is Working On

1. Merger—Policy and Procedure: As we move towards achieving a Single Operating Certificate (SOC) with Hawaiian, we will merge policies and procedures as much as possible. This will result in a shared Flight Attendant Manual (FAM) that will be used by the combined group of pre-merger Alaska and Hawaiian Flight Attendants. The ASHSC has advocated for the opportunity to provide recommendations on which policies and procedures will be adopted by the combined carrier.
2. Merger—Uniform: The ASHSC is collaborating with the Uniform Committee to ensure we have the opportunity to provide recommendations on uniform safety issues and maintain a trusted and reliable supply chain for uniform items.
3. Merger—Aircraft Interiors: The ASHSC is working with our MEC and Grievance Committee to ensure that our contractual right to review and provide feedback on any changes to aircraft interiors is upheld.

We Want to Hear From You!

If you’ve encountered any safety-related issues at work, you can help the Committee advocate for improvement and change by submitting a report. You can use ReportIt! to submit Flight Attendant Irregularity Reports (FAIR), Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP) reports, and fatigue reports. If you need clarification or assistance on what type of report to file, please get in touch with a member of your Local ASHSC.

Your Local ASHSC is always ready to represent your voice to management. Please don’t hesitate to let us know about any issues or concerns you want us to bring forward. We would also love to hear any other feedback you may have for the Committee. You can find our contact information on the ASHSC page of the AFA Alaska website.