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Information about CBD Oils and Drug Testing

There has been a lot of interest recently in marijuana oils and products containing Cannabidiol (CBD).  CBD is a different chemical compound than tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the primary psychoactive component of the marijuana plant. You may have read about such products or seen them in the news.

It is important to know that CBD oils and other products containing CBD are considered to be Schedule I controlled substances and are therefore illegal under federal law.  Under federal guidelines, these substances do not have an acceptable medical application.  Regardless of labeling, products containing CBD, may contain traces of THC that would trigger a positive drug test and place your employment at risk.

You can read more about use of CBD oils and the federal government position on their use in a memorandum from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration that you can access by clicking here.

Questions?

If you have any questions, please contact the AFA Alaska EAP Committee.  You can find contact information on the EAP Committee pageof the AFA Alaska website.  Any contact made to AFA EAP is completely confidential.

You may also contact the Flight Attendant Drug and Alcohol Program (FADAP) Hotline at (855) 333-2327 or visit http://www.fadap.org.

In Solidarity,

Your MEC – Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Linda Christou, Lisa Pinkston, Terry Taylor, Mario de’Medici, Melissa Osborne, Tim Green, Brice McGee and MEC EAP Committee Co-Chairpersons Elizabeth Dillon and Jeanne McCleave

Horizon Air Aircraft Incident – Update 4

AFA has mobilized EAP and officer resources to support you. If you or one of your colleagues needs to talk to an EAP representative, please call the AFA Alaska EAP at 949-470-0493.

Staffing is extremely tight at all bases for both Boeing and Airbus operations. Consequently, premium trips are available throughout the system. If you are willing and able to fly today, picking up an Open Time trip would definitely help out the operation. Thank you for considering!

Flight Attendants have been asking for guidance regarding what to say to passengers when approached about yesterday’s incident. AFA offers the following talking points as a general guide:

  • Safety is and will remain #1 at Alaska Airlines.
  • Alaska Airlines has created a blog page for official updates: https://blog.alaskaair.com/alaska-airlines/horizon-air-aircraft/ (All inquiries for information should be referred back to the blog. Media inquiries should be referred to ​Alaska Airlines Media Relations at 206-304-0008; please do not speak to the media.)
  • Our hearts are heavy for the friends and family of the individual involved and for all those affected by the incident.
  • Whenever tragedy touches one member of the Alaska Airlines family, it impacts us all.

You do not have to memorize the talking points. Per CEO Brad Tilden’s “A message on yesterday’s incident,” he says, “You all do an incredible job of living our values and interacting with our customers every day, and we encourage you to be yourselves and share any information that has been made public (via the blog).”

In Solidarity,

Your MEC – Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Linda Christou, Lisa Pinkston, Terry Taylor, Mario de’Medici, Melissa Osborne, Tim Green and Brice McGee

Horizon Air Aircraft Incident – Update 3

Alaska Airlines has created a blog page for official updates regarding the Horizon Air aircraft incident: https://blog.alaskaair.com/alaska-airlines/horizon-air-aircraft/

AFA has mobilized EAP and officer resources to support you. If you or one of your colleagues needs to talk to an EAP representative, please call the AFA Alaska EAP at 949-470-0493.

This will be the final MEC update tonight regarding this incident.

In Solidarity,

Your MEC – Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Linda Christou, Lisa Pinkston, Terry Taylor, Mario de’Medici, Melissa Osborne, Tim Green and Brice McGee

Horizon Air Aircraft Incident – Update 2

Alaska Airlines has created a blog page for official updates regarding the Horizon Air aircraft incident: https://blog.alaskaair.com/alaska-airlines/horizon-air-aircraft/

Please be assured that AFA is aware of the incident and has mobilized our critical incident response.

A few important points:

  • AFA is currently mobilizing EAP resources. If you or one of your colleagues needs to talk to an EAP representative, please call the AFA Alaska EAP at 949-470-0493.
  • Refrain from calling or texting management or AFA officers with questions unless it is urgent.
  • Do not discuss this issue with the media.
  • Enact your personal notification protocol and inform friends and family that you are safe.

This incident occurred in the Seattle-Tacoma metro area. More information will be provided as it becomes available.

In Solidarity,

Your MEC – Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Linda Christou, Lisa Pinkston, Terry Taylor, Mario de’Medici, Melissa Osborne, Tim Green and Brice McGee

Horizon Air Aircraft Incident

Alaska Airlines has just released the following statement:

“We are aware of an incident involving an unauthorized take-off of a Horizon Air Q400. We believe there are no passengers on board. More information as we learn more.”

Please be assured that AFA is aware of the incident and has mobilized our critical incident response.

A few important points:

  • Please refrain from calling/texting management or AFA with questions unless it is urgent. Phone lines are maxed right now.
  • Do not to discuss this issue with the media.
  • Enact your personal notification protocol and inform friends and family that you are safe.
  • AFA is currently mobilizing EAP resources.

This incident occurred in Seattle. More information will be provided as it becomes available.

In Solidarity,

Your MEC – Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Linda Christou, Lisa Pinkston, Terry Taylor, Mario de’Medici, Melissa Osborne, Tim Green and Brice McGee

That’s a Wrap on Government Affairs Focus Month!

As Government Affairs Committee Focus Month comes to a close, we want to sincerely thank everyone who tuned in, asked insightful questions, and shared resources throughout September. Whether you watched a quick video on the van or started a conversation about voting in the crew lounge, your engagement made a difference. We started this month […]

Human Rights & Equity Committee Meeting Recap – 3rd Quarter 2026

On Wednesday, September 23, 2026, our AFA Human Rights & Equity Committee Chairpersons met for their regular quarterly meeting to advance ongoing activism, promote workplace equity, and champion meaningful policy improvements across our workplace. Your representatives attending the meeting were Nyachan Chuar (ANC), Soon Kim (HNL), Bruni Agosto-Pinal (pmHA LAX/SEA), Aaron Miller (PDX), Erika Daniel […]

MEC Town Hall Video and Q&A Recap – September 23, 2026

Whether you joined us live or are ready to watch on your own schedule, the full recording of our September 23 MEC Town Hall is now available! Catch up on the discussions and hear directly from our MEC Officers and AFA panelists. Watch the video anytime on our AFA Alaska + Hawaiian YouTube channel using the link below. (Note: […]

Hotel Committee Meeting Recap – September 2026

In September, our Hotel Committee participated in two meetings: the standing monthly meeting with Crew Hotels on September 14, and a Quarterly Business Review (QBR) with the company’s hotel procurement vendor, API, on September 23 (pmAS) and September 24 (pmHA) in Seattle.  Representing you at these meetings were Dori Marron (ANC), Jarod McNeill (SEA pmAS), […]

Register Now: Reserve Webinar – Wednesday, October 21

This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants When Crew Scheduling calls at 3 AM with a change to the trip you self-assigned, do you know your contractual rights? Understanding what management can—and cannot—do on reserve is your strongest line of defense. Join our Reserve Committee for “Is This Legal?”, the second installment in our three-part pre-merger […]

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