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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

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

On Thursday, October 22, members of our Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC) met virtually to discuss ongoing safety concerns, operational challenges, policy updates, and workplace improvements impacting Flight Attendants across the operation. Representing you at the meeting were Debi Wallstrom (ANC), Baron Lee (HNL), Bryce Sarmiento (pmAS LAX), Kahea Alvarez (pmHA LAX/SEA), Kalin […]

Hotel Committee Meeting Recap – October 2026

On Monday, October 12, our AFA Hotel Committee Chairpersons met remotely to receive an update on current layover hotels and transportation providers and discuss concerns with management. Representing you at the meeting were Dori Marron (ANC), Jarod McNeill (pmAS SEA), Kelly Hepworth (PDX), Hilary Streem (SFO), Brian Sherill (pmAS LAX), Kanani Vallot (SAN), and Matt […]

Reserve Survey Closing Soon

This message is for both pre-merger Alaska and Hawaiian Flight Attendants The Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) is working to secure the best reserve provisions for our Joint Collective Bargaining Agreement (JCBA). We want to hear from you about which parts of the reserve experience matter most, so we can better meet your needs. The survey […]

Join The Picket Line: Support Horizon Flight Attendants this Wednesday, October 14

This Wednesday, October 14, Horizon Air Flight Attendants will take to the picket line to demand the fair contract they rightfully deserve. During our own contract fight, Horizon Flight Attendants never hesitated. They showed up for us on our picket lines, stood shoulder to shoulder with us at every rally, and proved what true solidarity […]

Reserve Survey Now Open

Our JNC encourages all members to participate in the Reserve survey, regardless of your current Reserve status. Whether you are on Reserve now, pick up Reserve days occasionally, or have not been on Reserve recently, your input is valuable. The survey will be open until Tuesday, October 20 at Noon PT.

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