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.
