AFA Alaska + Hawaiian

Representing the Flight Attendants of Alaska + Hawaiian

Click here to report an issue to AFA
You are here: Home / Archives for Committees / Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC)

Upcoming AFA Alaska Phone and Email Outages

This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants

As we move forward with merging the Alaska and Hawaiian Master Executive Councils (MECs), we want to inform you about some changes happening this week that may affect your ability to contact AFA Representatives. Some of the communication systems we use at AFA Alaska, including our email and phone systems, will be combined with those used by AFA Hawaiian. During this transition, you may need to use alternative methods to reach an AFA Representative.

Phone System Outage

Starting tonight, March 18, at 5 PM PT, AFA phone lines—such as the main AFA Alaska number, the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) line, and the Air Quality hotline—will be temporarily unavailable. We expect these services to be offline until early next week. In the meantime, if you need to reach someone, here are some alternatives:

  • You can contact Local Executive Council (LEC) Officers using their direct phone numbers on our website.
  • For EAP or Professional Standards assistance, please refer to the Committee Member or Chairperson phone numbers on your Local Committee page or call AFA International EAP at (800) 424-2406 to be routed to an on-call EAP Representative.
  • The Air Quality Reporting Hotline will be available at (503) 358-3436.

Email System Outage

Additionally, starting at 5 PM PT on Friday, March 21, our AFA Alaska email systems will also be offline until Monday morning, March 24. During this time, AFA Representatives won’t be reachable via their AFA Alaska email addresses and won’t be able to view or respond to tickets submitted through the AFA Online Support Center. However, you can still contact AFA Representatives directly by phone using the numbers listed on your Local Committee page.

Thank you for your understanding and support as we navigate this transition. Merging our AFA systems is an important step towards better communication and efficiency, which will help us serve our combined group of Flight Attendants more effectively.

Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee Meeting Recap – 1st Quarter 2025

Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC)

  • On January 8, our AFA Air Safety, Health, and Security Committee (ASHSC) Chairpersons met to discuss their ongoing work representing Flight Attendants’ interests in safety, health, and security.
  • The committee met with management to receive updates and discuss issues faced by Flight Attendants onboard the aircraft.
  • Reporting safety concerns is crucial in these challenging times. Use ReportIt! to file FAIR, ASAP, and fatigue reports. Contact your Local ASHSC if you need assistance.

On Wednesday, January 8, 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), Blair Kimball (PDX), Brad Young (SFO), Carin Merritt (LAX), and Eva Gatus (SAN). Also present was MEC ASHSC Chairperson Seth Heiple.

The Committee met with Director of Inflight Safety & Compliance Geri Jarrett, Cabin Safety Manager Heidi Stiley, Inflight Services and Data Program Manager Jesse Sexton, Manager of Inflight Safety Programs Johanna Giese, Manager of Inflight Training Delivery Cody Kaifes, Senior Inflight Experience Program Manager Matthew Coder, and Corporate Security Compliance Ops Program Manager David Stewart. 

The next scheduled Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee meeting is Thursday, April 3, 2025.

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):

  • Paper Clips. Recent events showcased that paperclips are hard to find during an emergency decompression. Action: Geri has a solution in the works to wrap up by the first quarter. Looking for a manual release tool to be placed under the jumpseat on Flight Attendant badge or both.
  • Lap Child Carry-On Bag. Discussed an exception for diaper bags for parents with lap children. The current policy is that only infants with ticketed seats have their own one-plus-one carry-on bag allotment. Action: Geri will open this up for exploration. Some carriers do not count diaper bags towards the carry-on bag limit. 
  • Opening Aircraft Doors for Ventilation. Operation is allowed, provided Flight Attendants follow the procedure in the FAM and do not open the aircraft door more than 12 inches without fall protection in place. Action: Management is open to providing additional guidance if needed. 
  • Air Quality CBT. ASHSC requests Inflight add an Air Quality CBT or RT topic on air quality events. Action: The development team is developing an Air Quality video for Flight Attendants. Whether this will become a CBT or RT topic is yet to be determined. 
  • Unsupervised Passengers Waiting on Jet Bridge for Claim-At-Gate Baggage. There is a lack of consistency with CSAs returning to the aircraft ten minutes after arrival. Passengers may not remain unattended in the jet bridge. Flight Attendants have reported having to stay at the aircraft to attend to passengers in the jet bridge beyond the debriefing period. Action: Johanna will continue to monitor Flight Attendant reports and work with AOCS to determine the problem. 
  • Internet and Voice-Over-Internet Call Usage. We have noticed an uptick in passengers attempting to make calls using voice-over-Internet while in flight. This is not allowed per company policy. Action: Matthew noted that this restriction is covered in the inflight guide/menu, which can be used to show passengers the policy. This policy is for passenger experience and comfort. In addition, the outgoing portion of these calls uses too much internet bandwidth on the aircraft. 
  • Pets in Cabin Carriers Do Not Fit in Front of Aisle Seats C and D. Pets in the cabin that do not fit under the passenger’s assigned seat are creating unnecessary boarding delays and requiring additional management by Flight Attendants. We request that passengers with pets in the cabin not be assigned these seats. Action: Matthew will approach AOCS to determine what can be done to address the issue. Changing the booking system is a more challenging ask and not an immediate solution. 
  • Inflatable Mattresses. Passengers continue to bring inflatable mattresses and other items not allowed by the company onboard. We want to ensure the reservations and the Alaska website give passengers the correct guidance. Action: Matthew will take the request back to the web team to see if they can add information about these items to the passenger-facing website and make sure Reservations has updated information on these policies. 
  • Flight Closed and Fully Boarded. During active boarding, agents close the flight while passengers are still lined up in the jetway and incorrectly state that the flight is “fully boarded.” We believe all passengers should be onboard (and seated) before closing the flight. Action: Jesse will take this back to AOCS and continue to monitor the situation. CSA guidance says to close flight when boarding is “complete,” there needs to be direct guidance on what “complete” means. 
  • Passenger Seating Position for Taxi, Takeoff, and Landing. ASHSC is seeking clarification in the FAM about the definition of “seated” for passengers. We want the FAM to clearly state that passengers must be seated upright with their seatbelts low and tight for taxi, takeoff, and landing. Action: Jesse will benchmark other carriers to ensure we have the highest safety standards for our passengers and appropriate guidance for Flight Attendants. 
  • Window Shade Closure by Fleet Service. Fleet Service personnel have recently been closing window shades to signal that they have cleaned the row. We do close the shades when needed to keep the cabin cool. However, we do not support closing them as a general practice as it reduces safety by making it more difficult for passengers and crew to see if there is a danger outside of the aircraft. Action: Jesse will take the concern back to the stakeholders for discussion. Marketing is looking to align window shade procedures year-round.

What the Committee is Working On

  1. Decompression. We are looking at ways to improve our decompression procedures and systems. We would like to see automated PA added before the cabin altitude reaches 14,000 feet so that we can prepare for a possible decompression. By the time the masks drop at 14,000 feet, we are already experiencing symptoms of hypoxia, which degrades our ability to respond to the emergency. We also want to emphasize being and staying seated during decompression events as long as there is communication with the pilots and the aircraft is descending so we are not put at unnecessary risk and can perform emergency duties once at a safe altitude or on the ground.
  2. Turbulence. We are seeing an increase in turbulence-related injuries. We would like to see changes made to improve communication between pilots and Flight Attendant crew about turbulence and to clarify how we need to respond to different turbulence-related communication. We would also like to find ways to improve cabin management and the use of the fasten-seatbelt sign.
  3. Working to change or mitigate the impact of several recent policy changes:
    1. Single door catering
    1. Switching to ground service power with passengers onboard
    1. CSAs leaving the deplaning door after arrival

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.

AFA Alaska Statement On Recent Severe Turbulence Incidents

Master Executive Council (MEC)

AFA Representatives have been informed that several flights experienced severe turbulence yesterday, resulting in injuries to some Flight Attendants. Since then, various AFA officers and committee members have been actively working with inflight management to ensure that all affected Flight Attendants receive the necessary care and that all contractual provisions are upheld.

We want to recognize the dedication and professionalism demonstrated by our outstanding crews in handling these challenging situations. These events highlight the role of Flight Attendants as safety professionals and first responders onboard the aircraft. AFA Representatives are providing support to all Flight Attendants affected by these incidents.

As a reminder, detailed information about turbulence and procedures for responding to different levels of turbulence can be found in Section 2.400 of the Flight Attendant Manual. Regularly reviewing this information is beneficial for ensuring your safety and that of your fellow crew members and passengers.

Additionally, our AFA Employee Assistance Program (EAP)/Professional Standards Committee is available to provide support whenever needed. Please feel free to reach out at (949) 470-0493 or find contact information at afaalaska.org/eap.

Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee Meeting Recap – 4th Quarter 2024

Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC)

  • On September 10, our AFA Air Safety, Health, and Security Committee (ASHSC) Chairpersons met to discuss their ongoing work representing Flight Attendants’ interests in safety, health, and security.
  • The Committee met with management to receive updates and discuss issues and problems that Flight Attendants face onboard the aircraft.
  • Reporting safety concerns is crucial in these challenging times. Use ReportIt! to file FAIR, ASAP, and fatigue reports. Contact your Local ASHSC if you need assistance.

On Tuesday, September 10, 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 in person were Debi Wallstrom (ANC), David Lake (SEA), Kalin Lackey (PDX), Brad Young (SFO), Carin Meritt (LAX), and Eva Gatus (SAN). Also present was MEC ASHSC Chairperson Seth Heiple.

The Committee met with Director of Inflight Safety & Compliance Geri Jarrett, Inflight Policy & Procedure Specialist Kevin Weatherbie, Manager of Inflight Safety & Compliance Claudia Modl, Inflight Training Supervisor Veronica Carrillo, and Senior Inflight Experience Program Manager Matthew Coder

The next scheduled Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee meeting is Wednesday, January 8, 2025.

Topics of Discussion

The committee reviewed a number of items when meeting with management.  Some items discussed include:

  • DEMO Kit Divider: Issues with DEMO kits being buried by carry-ons in first-class bin. Action: Geri is working with Maintenance and Engineering to address the need for dividers.
  • Boarding Without Pilots: Currently, boarding may start before the pilots’ inbound flight has landed. This has resulted in Flight Attendants being onboard with passengers but without pilots for extended periods of time, leading to hot cabins and other safety issues. Action: Geri will follow up with the NOC.
  • Pilots Switching to Ground Power and Deplaning with Passenger Still Onboard: This policy has resulted in numerous safety reports, primarily due to the loss of power to the interphone and PA system. Action: Claudia will take this back for further discussion.
  • Meeting Agents Leave During Deplaning: Agents are not returning ten minutes after deplaning starts as required. This is causing issues with safely assisting passengers with special needs and unaccompanied minors. It has also resulted in FAs having to extend their debrief periods. Action: Geri will follow up with CSA leadership.
  • Tarmac Delay Snacks: Need for clear guidelines on tarmac delay snacks; they are not a required item. Action: Geri will ensure guidelines are communicated.
  • Minimum Water Count on Board: The ASHSC believes no aircraft should be dispatched without a required minimum number of water bottles onboard for safety. Action: Geri will review the business model while the Inflight Service Committee and ASHSC work with Matthew Coder to determine the water which should be required.
  • MedLink App Not Working: FAs have not received an adequate level of communication about the MedLink app being down. Action: Geri and Heidi will meet with MedAire and look at additional communication.
  • MedAire App Flight Number Requirement: Need for flight number to be auto-loaded or requested earlier in the app flow. Action: Veronica will take this back to Training and user feedback will be provided to MedAire
  • Old Trash Behind Forward Galley Trash Bin: The forward galley trash bin needs to be cleaned regularly. The area can smell and become unsanitary. Action: The area should be cleaned every RON. Flight Attendants should report significant issues via FAIR and Cabin Discrepancy.

What the Committee is Working On

  1. Bin Divider Missing on Refurbished 737-800s. The divider that used to separate the 10-person raft from the portion of the bin that was authorized for the stowage of carry-on bags was removed during the installation of the 25-person raft. We are trying to get the company to reinstall the divider and update the placarding to ensure the raft remains accessible and undamaged.
    A yellow bag in a refrigerator Description automatically generated

    Better Monitoring of Carry-On Bags. We continue to see a significant number of excess and oversized bags being boarded and are advocating that the company does more to ensure their FAA-approved Carry-on Bag program is followed and that limits are enforced. Dealing with excessive and oversized carry-ons is a driver a Flight Attendant injuries.
    Attempting to change or mitigate the impact of several recent policy changes:
    Single door catering
    Switching to ground service power with passengers onboard
    CSAs leaving the deplaning door after arrival

We Want to Hear From You!

If you’ve experienced a safety-related issue, please help the committee to advocate for improvement and change by filing a report.  Flight Attendant Irregularity Reports (FAIR), Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP) reports, and fatigue reports can all be submitted using ReportIt!  If you’re not sure what type of report to file for a particular situation or need help, please don’t hesitate to contact a member of your Local ASHSC.

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

Supplemental Ditching Training

Grievance Committee

  • AFA has not agreed to any extra-contractual terms for the newly announced supplemental ditching training; discussions with management just started.
  • Many management decision-makers are away at contract negotiations, delaying progress toward any sort of agreement.
  • Our AFA Committees are committed to advocating for your rights and will address unresolved issues through the contractual grievance process if necessary.

AFA Representatives have recently been receiving a lot of questions about the supplemental ditching training announced by management. We want to make it clear that AFA has not agreed to any extra-contractual terms for this training. Management just began substantive discussions yesterday with our Grievance, Scheduling, Inflight Training, and Air Safety, Health, & Security Committees to work out the administrative and logistical details of the training, but those details are still undetermined. Progress has been slow because many of the primary management decision-makers are currently involved in contract negotiations in Washington, DC, this week and are unavailable to discuss the supplemental ditching training issues.

While the situation is not ideal, we must meet the regulatory training requirements and address the remaining details later. We don’t yet know what management intends to propose, nor do we know if we can successfully reach an agreement on which contractual provisions AFA believes apply. If we can’t agree, it may come down to addressing the unresolved provisions (particularly contract sections 30.C.3-5) through the contractual grievance process and arbitration afterward, which can be time-consuming.  

We have clearly communicated your concerns to management and have asked them to provide responses to numerous unanswered questions. Our AFA Committees are actively advocating for your contractual rights. We are dedicated to fighting for those rights, even if it takes time, rather than providing an instant fix.

Important Update: Irregular Operations Due to Civil Unrest In Mexico

In response to the significant operational disruptions caused by the civil unrest affecting cities throughout Mexico, particularly Puerto Vallarta (PVR), Guadalajara (GDL), and Manzanillo (ZLO), management continues to operate under an Irregular Operations (IROPS) situation. Our MEC and Committees are actively monitoring the situation and working with management to support our Flight Attendants. Management has […]

Invitation to Training: What To Do if a Union Member is Detained

The California Federation of Labor Unions is offering a series of Union Rapid Response Trainings. The next session, “What To Do if a Union Member is Detained,” will offer practical information and guidance on how to respond if this happens. Details of the training are as follows: Date: Thursday, February 19Time: 11:30 AM to 1 PM PTLocation: Zoom Please register […]

Hotel Committee Meeting Recap – February 2026

On Monday, February 9, our AFA Local Hotel Committee Chairpersons met virtually to receive an update about current layover hotels and transportation providers and discuss concerns with management. Representing you at the meeting were Dori Marron (ANC), Jarod McNeill (SEA), Kelly Hepworth (PDX), Hilary Streem (SFO), Brian Sherill (LAX-pmAS), and Kanani Vallot (SAN), with MEC […]

SEA Domicile Negotiations Update – February 2026

This message is for pre-merger Hawaiian Flight Attendants SEA Domicile May Vacancy Posting The company has posted vacancies for the SEA domicile. There are 121 permanent vacancies available, effective May 1, 2026 for the May bid month. Bids will close at 11:59 PM HT on Monday, February 16. Awards will be posted by 12:00 PM […]

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

On Wednesday, January 28, 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 & MEC ASHSC Vice […]

Recent Posts

News By Month

News By Category

AFA News Now Air Quality Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC) Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) AS/HA Merger AS/VX Merger Benefits Committee Committees Communications Committee Contract Contract 2014 Negotiations Blog Council 15 SAN Council 18 LAX (pmAS) Council 19 SEA Council 30 ANC Council 35 SFO Council 39 PDX Council 47 LAX (pmHA) EAP/Professional Standards Committee Extension 2021 Blog Featured Government Affairs Committee Grievance Committee Hotel Committee Human Rights & Equity Committee Industry News Inflight Service Committee Inflight Training Committee JNC Blog Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) Latest News Local Councils Master Executive Council (MEC) Membership Committee Membership Engagement Committee Message from the MEC President Mobilization Committee Negotiations Pairing Construction Preferential Bidding System (PBS) Press Releases Reserve Committee Retirement Committee Scheduling Committee Uniform Committee

Want To Stay In The Loop?

Stay up-to-date on AFA Alaska news and information by signing up for our email and text message updates. Click a button below to get started or update your preferences if you're already a subscriber.
Sign Up for Emails
Sign Up for Text Updates