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PBS Update April 5, 2014 – 1300 PDT: Problem with May Bids Due to New Aircraft Codes

Dear Flight Attendants,

 

A problem has been identified with the May pairings that is affecting bidding. Consequently, bids have been locked in Navtech’s Preferential Bidding System (PBS) and the Joint PBS Committee is working quickly to resolve the issue. Bidding will reopen as soon as possible and the bidding deadline will be extended.

 

What is known so far is that unbeknownst to Crew Planning and the Joint PBS Committee, several new aircraft codes were loaded into the system:  8EX, 9WX and 9EX. The Joint PBS Committee began investigating the codes as soon as they were discovered. They have found out that these codes are related to aircraft that have been reconfigured with extra seats (the ‘X’)—nine seats on the -900 and six seats on the -800—and the new scimitar shaped winglets (the ‘W’).

 

Because many Flight Attendants bid by aircraft type, not addressing the issue would most likely significantly impact bid awards. Stand by for further updates!

 

In solidarity,

 

Your MEC—Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Yvette Gesch, Becky Strachan, Laura Masserant, Cathy Gwynn and Sandra Morrow; and

 

Your AFA PBS Committee—Stephen Poynter and Rebecca Asbell

 

MEC 5B Logo

Introducing the Mobilization Committee

Dear Flight Attendants:

The VOICE (Volunteer Organizers for Information, Communications, and Education) Committee has served us with distinction over the past several years during contract negotiations.  The MEC would like to thank these committee members for their dedication and contribution to AFA.  Today, we announce a new chapter, as the VOICE Committee evolves to become the new Mobilization Committee.

As we gear up for another round of negotiations, demonstrating our solidarity and unity is more important now than ever before.  Bringing Flight Attendants together through participation in organized solidarity activities will be the primary responsibility of the Mobilization Committee.  The Committee will also work to actively share information pertaining to negotiations and help Flight Attendants to find and access official sources of information.

Mobilization Volunteers

The backbone of our mobilization efforts will be our Mobilization Volunteers.  Volunteers will provide support to the Negotiating Committee through coordinated solidarity activity and two-way communication between the membership and the committee.  They will work closely with the Local Mobilization Chairperson to call other members to action through participation in organized solidarity activities and a program of information sharing with Flight Attendants.

Specific duties of a Mobilization Volunteer include:

  • Responsible for educating the membership and moving them to action.  They will provide information and support for targeted issues or specifically identified groups of Flight Attendants as defined by the Negotiating Committee.
  • To further the Flight Attendants’ understanding of key issues through active information sharing and referral to official sources of information
  • To dispel gossip, rumor, and inaccurate information regarding negotiations by directing Flight Attendants to official sources of information
  • To provide two-way communication of the needs and responses of the membership through feedback to the Local Mobilization Chairperson and the Negotiating Committee
  • Actively participate in organized solidarity activities such as canvassing of membership at airports and crew rooms, informational leafleting or picketing before the general public, or other activities as approved by the Master Executive Council (MEC) 

How To Get Involved

In order to get involved as a Mobilization Volunteer, plan now to attend one of the upcoming mobilization training sessions to be held in May.  Sessions will be held as follows:

Anchorage

Monday, May 12

10 AM to 12 PM § 1 to 3 PM

Seattle

Tuesday, May 13

8 to 10 AM § 11 AM to 1 PM § 2 to 4 PM

Portland

Wednesday, May 14

10 AM to 12 PM § 1 to 3 PM

Los Angeles

Thursday, May 15

10 AM to 12 PM § 1 to 3 PM

San Diego

Friday, May 16

9 to 11 AM § 12 to 2 PM

In order to sign up for one of these sessions, visit the online registration form here: http://alaskamec.org/mobilization/training.  Please note that space in each session is limited and registration will close once capacity is reached.

We are excited about the new Mobilization Committee and look forward to the opportunity to demonstrate our combined resolve for the contract improvements that we deserve!

In solidarity,

Your MEC – Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Yvette Gesch, Becky Strachan, Laura Masserant, Cathy Gwynn, Sandra Morrow and MEC Mobilization Chairperson Adam Clarey

Introducing the Mobilization Committee

Dear Flight Attendants:

The VOICE (Volunteer Organizers for Information, Communications, and Education) Committee has served us with distinction over the past several years during contract negotiations.  The MEC would like to thank these committee members for their dedication and contribution to AFA.  Today, we announce a new chapter, as the VOICE Committee evolves to become the new Mobilization Committee.

As we gear up for another round of negotiations, demonstrating our solidarity and unity is more important now than ever before.  Bringing Flight Attendants together through participation in organized solidarity activities will be the primary responsibility of the Mobilization Committee.  The Committee will also work to actively share information pertaining to negotiations and help Flight Attendants to find and access official sources of information.

Mobilization Volunteers

The backbone of our mobilization efforts will be our Mobilization Volunteers.  Volunteers will provide support to the Negotiating Committee through coordinated solidarity activity and two-way communication between the membership and the committee.  They will work closely with the Local Mobilization Chairperson to call other members to action through participation in organized solidarity activities and a program of information sharing with Flight Attendants.

Specific duties of a Mobilization Volunteer include:

  • Responsible for educating the membership and moving them to action.  They will provide information and support for targeted issues or specifically identified groups of Flight Attendants as defined by the Negotiating Committee.
  • To further the Flight Attendants’ understanding of key issues through active information sharing and referral to official sources of information
  • To dispel gossip, rumor, and inaccurate information regarding negotiations by directing Flight Attendants to official sources of information
  • To provide two-way communication of the needs and responses of the membership through feedback to the Local Mobilization Chairperson and the Negotiating Committee
  • Actively participate in organized solidarity activities such as canvassing of membership at airports and crew rooms, informational leafleting or picketing before the general public, or other activities as approved by the Master Executive Council (MEC)

How To Get Involved

In order to get involved as a Mobilization Volunteer, plan now to attend one of the upcoming mobilization training sessions to be held in May.  Sessions will be held as follows:

  • Anchorage – Monday, May 12 – 10 AM to 12 PM / 1 to 3 PM
  • Seattle – Tuesday, May 13 – 8 to 10 AM / 11 AM to 1 PM / 2 to 4 PM
  • Portland – Wednesday, May 14 – 10 AM to 12 PM / 1 to 3 PM
  • Los Angeles – Thursday, May 15 – 10 AM to 12 PM / 1 to 3 PM
  • San Diego – Friday, May 16 – 9 to 11 AM / 12 to 2 PM

In order to sign up for one of these sessions, visit the online registration form here: http://alaskamec.org/mobilization/training.  Once you’ve registered, be sure to mark your calendar and plan to bid the day off.  Please note that space in each session is limited and registration will close once capacity is reached.

We are excited about the new Mobilization Committee and look forward to the opportunity to demonstrate our combined resolve for the contract improvements that we deserve!

In solidarity,

Your MEC – Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Yvette Gesch, Becky Strachan, Laura Masserant, Cathy Gwynn, Sandra Morrow and MEC Mobilization Chairperson Adam Clarey

April 2014 Pairings Report and Statistics

Crew Planner John Bumanglag’s  D position pairings and the AFA 3 position pairings were selected for April.

There is a schedule change on April 6th and also Mexico Daylight Saving Time starts on that day.  You may note minor flight time changes on this date.  Another Schedule change happens April 27th.  Some seasonal warm destination flights end for the season on these dates. More detail below.

Here are comments specific to each base.

SEA–   High time turns continue to MSP/MCI/TUS/ and DFW.  Also STL goes back to a turn starting April 6th.  Popular two day trips to PHL/FLL/EWR/BOS and DCA continue daily.  SJD and PVR nonstops run through April 26 before ending for the season.  Long MCO layovers are frequent.  Long KOA layovers 3 days/week as well.

PDX–   Two day trips to BOS and DCA operate daily.  AM LAS turn, mid AM PHX and DFW turn run daily as well.  PDX loses KOA and LIH nonstops April 27th until next November. OGG all nighter goes from daily to 3 days/week April 27th.

ANC–  HNL and ORD nonstops continue daily.  Overall TFP looks good. ANC loses OGG and KOA nonstops April 5th for the season.

LAX–  BUR has a nice variety of trip lengths and Hawaii layovers are frequent.  LAX-YVR turn 703/702 is back daily!  DCA two day and high time Mexico turns continue. SNA turns continue as well.

SAN–  BOS two days run daily.  OGG will really be a two day starting April 6th.  HNL continues to release after midnight so is one day longer than it appears.

Thanks for your comments and suggestions.  Please see attached April pairing stats.

Your Crew Planning Team,

Jeff Stein
AFA Pairing Analyst

Kelly Yeager
Crew Planner

John Bumanglag
Crew Planner

 

April Pairing Statistics

Apr 2014 Pairing Stats

March 2014 Pairings Report and Statistics

Crew Planner John Bumanglag’s  D position pairings and the AFA 3 position pairings were selected for March.

  • The bid month begins March 2nd
  • Daylight savings time begins March 9th.  This coincides with a large schedule change where you will see many minor flight time changes as well as some flight number changes.
  • Some flights that have seen reductions for the winter months will resume or return to daily as of March 9th.  These include ANC-ORD and BOS-SEA and PDX and SEA-EWR market.  Also the 3rd ONT-SEA flight will come back which brings back the morning pairing out of ONT.
  • Horizon begins operating in Alaska March 3rd.  They primarily will fly ANC-FAI with one daily flight ANC-ADQ.  We have some D position pairings with deadhead on Horizon for March.

Here are comments specific to each base.

SEA-  Two day pairings continue daily to DCA(2x)/PHL/PVR and SJD nonstop and FLL.  High time turns continue daily to MCI/TUS/DFW and MSP(2x).

PDX-  Two day pairings continue daily to KOA and DCA.  They resume daily to BOS March 9th.  AM LAS turns, mid AM PHX and DFW turns run daily as well.

ANC-  ANC-ORD resumes daily March 9th.  ANC-HNL nonstop continues daily.

LAX-  DCA two day and high value Mexico turns continue daily.  TFP overall looks better than previous months.  ONT RON flight resumes March 9th so trips out of there should be more normal.  SNA has frequent turns per FA feedback.

SAN-  BOS two day operates daily.  As a reminder OGG and HNL-SAN both currently duty off after midnight so the trip is actually one day longer.  So though it may look like a two or three day…it’s really a three or four day for bidding purposes.

Thanks for your comments and suggestions.  Please see attached March pairing stats.

Your Crew Planning Team

Jeff Stein
AFA Pairing Analyst

Kelly Yeager
Crew Planner

John Bumanglag
Crew Planner

Important Update: Irregular Operations Due to Civil Unrest In Mexico

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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 […]

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