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Hotel Committee Meeting Recap – January 2026

On Monday, January 12, our AFA Local Hotel Committee Chairpersons met in person in Seattle 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), Kanani Vallot (SAN), and Matt Mitchell (HNL) with MEC Hotel Committee Chairperson James Bozanich facilitating the meeting.

The Committee met with Director of Crew Planning Trisha Bennett, Senior Crew Hotels Support Specialist Nichole Turner and Crew Hotels Support Specialist LaFay Williams. 

Our next monthly meeting with management is scheduled for Monday, February 9, 2026. API, the company’s hotel accommodations vendor, will also host their first quarterly business review (QBR) meeting of 2026 in January, with the pre-merger Alaska meeting on January 21 and the pre-merger Hawaiian meeting on January 22.

Topics of Discussion

The committee reviewed several items during the meeting with management, most of which focused on hotel decisions and challenges in our layover markets. Some items discussed include:

Hotel and Ground Transportation Issues (pmAS):

Most of our meeting time was devoted to a few high-profile events that occurred over the holiday period.  

  • FAI: Crews have reported a number of issues with our Fairbanks hotel, including unresponsive front desk staff, HVAC issues (heating/cooling), and water temperature and drainage issues. These have gone on for far too long, and we made it clear that we need a safe and dependable property in FAI. We have asked that API conduct an emergency market sourcing for an alternative option. Given the smaller size of cities in Alaska, options are unfortunately limited. 
  • CUN: Cancun experienced significant compression the first weekend of January due to the Caribbean airspace being shut down. In hotel terms, compression refers to a situation where the demand for hotel rooms is extremely high, leaving few or no available rooms in the area. This often leads to higher room rates and limited options for securing accommodations. As a result of this compression event, there was a sellout, with API struggling for hours to secure rooms for a cancelled Alaska flight. When rooms were finally secured, the hotel still refused to accept payment, despite being sent via three different avenues. This significantly delayed crews from getting into their rooms. Ultimately, a pilot paid out of pocket. This topic has been added to the QBR agenda for further discussion and future contingencies.
  • LIR: A crew arrived at our long-stay property after a redeye flight to find they did not have a hotel reservation. This was the result of an API mistake during the hotel reassignment period. As a reminder, during the planning process, if hotels cannot accommodate hotel rooms over the contracted maximum cap, pairings are entered as “TBD”, which is what we, as a Hotel Committee, have asked for. This adds greater transparency to the bid as you are bidding for a pairing without a known hotel. API has a process that flags all TBDs to ensure rooms are booked for these pairings. Unfortunately, due to human error, this particular overnight was missed. To prevent this from happening again, API will rerun the reassignment report on the last day of the month to ensure all TBDs have been processed and rooms assigned for the upcoming month.

Reminders About Self-Help (pmAS)

  • Hotel Rooms: If you have not received a hotel room key within ninety (90) minutes after arriving at your hotel, you may be able to arrange your own room and be reimbursed up to $400 per Flight Attendant, per night. Before making your own arrangements, you must obtain approval from Crew Scheduling by phone (or from Base Management if Crew Scheduling is unavailable). To request reimbursement, keep your receipt and submit it according to the steps in section 34.D.2 of the contract.  
  • Late Transportation: Section 34.B.7 of the contract allows you to arrange and submit for reimbursement the actual cost of alternative transportation to/from the airport if transportation is not provided within thirty-five (35) minutes of block-in or within ten (10) minutes of the scheduled departure from the hotel. To be reimbursed, keep your receipt and submit it as outlined in the contract. Alternatively, you may ask Crew Scheduling to arrange transportation at the thirty-five-minute mark if you do not want to pay out of pocket and submit for reimbursement.   
  • Wait Times: If you decide to wait for a hotel room or late transportation, you will be paid if the wait time requirements are met and you follow the reporting steps in section 34.D of the contract.

What The Committee Is Working On

  1. Conducting Hotel Site Visits: The Hotel Committee conducts site visits on hotels under consideration by management to ensure that the selected options provide the safest and most comfortable layover experience for Flight Attendants.  Market reviews are triggered by factors such as contract expirations, crew complaints, and cost-saving opportunities.  
  • Pre-Merger Alaska: We have been provided the site visit schedule for 2026, and it’s quite extensive. Additional site visits may be added due to the conditions listed above. The scheduled site visits through June 2026 are:
    • January: LAX
    • February: CVG, PHL, KEF
    • March: PSP, MKE, CLE, MIA
    • April: LIR, DFW, KOA, JFK
    • May: BOS, PHX, ATL
    • June: OGG, RNO
  • Pre-Merger Hawaiian: The following site visits are confirmed for 2026 so far:
    • January: SFO
    • February:  FCO, SMF
    • March: LHR, SJC
  1. Hotel Gainshare Update: There is no new update at this time. We are still awaiting further information from our AFA International legal department regarding the tax implications raised by management. We will provide additional details as soon as they are available.

We Want to Hear From You!

Our Hotel Committee relies on your feedback, whether positive or negative. Please report via CrewCare (pmAS) or the FA Crew Accommodations Feedback form (pmHA), which ensures your experience with a layover hotel or ground transportation is addressed. These are the only official way to report issues, as the Committee does not monitor social media channels.

Each CrewCare and feedback form submission is forwarded to our AFA Hotel Committee, Crew Hotels (Alaska/Hawaiian management), API, and the hotel or ground transportation provider. This ensures quick action can be taken to correct or fix the issue for the next crew member. It also allows us to monitor hotel and transportation trends. Pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants can quickly file a CrewCare report using the web app on your IMD home screen or by clicking here.Do you have any other feedback you would like to share with the Committee or any specific items you want us to bring up with management? Please let us know! Your Local Hotel Committee is here to represent you and ensure management hears your voice. You can find our contact information on the Hotel Committee page of the AFA Alaska + Hawaiian website.

Meet Our Pre-Merger Alaska MEC Reserve Committee Vice Chairperson–New Hire & Probation

This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants

We’re excited to introduce our newly elected pre-merger Alaska MEC Reserve Committee Vice Chairperson—New Hire & Probation, Meghan Casey. Meg began her term immediately upon being elected last week. Below, you’ll find a brief biography highlighting her background and experience as she begins her work supporting our Flight Attendant group.

Meghan Casey, MEC Reserve Committee Vice Chairperson—New Hire & Probation

Meg has been a Flight Attendant based in San Francisco since 2017, when she began her career at Virgin America. She grew up as an Army brat, moving every 2-3 years, which sparked her love of travel at a young age. Looking to pursue a career in service, she attended the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, earning a Bachelor’s degree in government, and subsequently served for 6 years as an active-duty officer in the U.S. Coast Guard. Following the completion of her commitment, she earned a Master’s degree in early childhood education from Lewis and Clark College, worked as a 3rd-grade teacher, and served in civilian administrative roles for the U.S. Coast Guard and the Navy.  Looking for a job that combined travel, meeting new people, and flexibility, Meg decided to pursue a job as a Flight Attendant and hasn’t looked back since. She’s currently due to earn her second Bachelor’s degree in anthropology/archaeology from Cal State East Bay in the summer of 2026. 

For the first 4 years as a Flight Attendant, Meg bounced back and forth between being on reserve and holding a line. Knowing that being on reserve can be among the most challenging years as a Flight Attendant, she pursued a role as the Council 35 (SFO) Reserve Committee Chairperson, a position she has held since 2021. During this time, she worked to ensure reserves were being treated fairly per our contract and also served as a reserve buddy, welcoming the new reserves to SFO. She’s excited to step into this new role as the MEC Reserve Committee Vice Chair for New Hire and Probation and looks forward to serving as an advocate, resource, and supporter for Alaska’s newest Flight Attendants. 

Meg lives outside Sacramento with her husband and young daughter, and when she’s not flying, she enjoys hiking, traveling, reading, and trying all the desserts.

Pre-Merger Alaska MEC Committee Chairperson Election Results

This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants

During this week’s MEC Meeting, our MEC held interviews for the position of MEC Reserve Committee Vice Chairperson—New Hire & Probation. We want to thank everyone who expressed interest in the available positions and their willingness to serve. After careful consideration and deliberation, the following candidate has been elected:

MEC Reserve Committee Vice Chairperson—New Hire & Probation: Meghan Casey

Meghan will carry out her role specific to our six pre-merger Alaska Local Councils as we continue to navigate the merger process. Her official term begins immediately. She will serve for the remainder of the current MEC Officer election cycle, which ends on December 31, 2028.

If you have any questions about the MEC Reserve Committee Vice Chairperson—New Hire & Probation elections, please reach out to your LEC President.

Using Apps to Support New Year Wellness Goals

The start of a new year often brings renewed goals around improved physical and mental well-being. Many people use apps to help with these goals. Here are some popular free wellness apps to try this year that can support your health, sleep, and daily routines. Most have strong free features, and some offer additional options for those who want to upgrade. If you use an app that helps you, consider sharing it with your flying partners. Our AFA EAP/Professional Standards Committee is also here to support your wellness. Call (949) 470-0493.

Mental Health & Mindfulness

  • Insight Timer – A completely free meditation app with one of the largest libraries of guided meditations, music tracks, and talks to help with stress, sleep, and focus. 
  • Calm (Free Version) – Offers guided meditations, breathing exercises, nature soundscapes, and short mindfulness content for stress and relaxation. (Free basic content, optional subscription available.) 
  • Finch – A gamified self-care app where you complete wellness activities (like mood check-ins and journaling) that help grow a virtual pet, making habit building more fun.

Fitness & Physical Activity

  • Nike Training Club – Free workouts for all fitness levels, from strength and mobility to yoga and conditioning, with tips and structured routines you can customize. 
  • Samsung Health – A holistic health tracker that syncs steps, workouts, sleep, heart rate, and more, helping you monitor overall well-being on your phone or wearable. 

Sleep & Relaxation

  • BetterSleep (Free Mode) – Helps you relax and fall asleep with soundscapes, bedtime stories, and breathing exercises (with optional premium content). 

Mood & Habit Tracking

  • DailyBean: Simplest Journal – A simple mood journal and tracker that lets you log your daily emotions and sleep alongside life notes. 

Scheduling Committee Meeting Recap – December 2025

This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants

On Tuesday, December 16, our pre-merger Alaska AFA Scheduling Committee Chairpersons and Representatives met virtually to discuss their ongoing work to represent our Flight Attendants and push for improvements in our workplace. Representing you at the meeting were Heather Reier (ANC), Melinda Jorge (SEA), Melodie Anderes (PDX), Jaqui Bellenie (SFO), Kanako Yamado (LAX), and Kitty Cohen (SAN). MEC Scheduling Committee Vice Chairperson—Pairing Construction Karen Ferrell, MEC Scheduling Committee Vice Chairperson—PBS Virginia Fritz, and MEC Scheduling Committee Chairperson Jake Jones were also present.

The Committee met with Managing Director Inflight Performance & Crew Scheduling Sara Cook, Crew Scheduling Supervisor Matthew Trujillo, Director of Crew Planning Trisha Bennett, Manager of Flight Crew System Support Sue Rawlings, Manager of Crew Pay Debbie Bakke, and other management representatives from Crew Planning, Crew Scheduling, information technology (ITS), payroll, and inflight performance.

The Committee is next scheduled to meet on January 27, 2026.

Topics of Discussion

The Committee reviewed several topics during internal AFA-only conversations and when meeting with management. Some items discussed include:

Local Committee Chairperson Reports

PDX:

  • Deadhead Seating Issues: Flight Attendants are bringing forward concerns regarding seat assignments, involuntary and voluntary jumpseat assignments, and would like clarification. The Committee is working on programming and a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Alaska management. 
  • Crew Pay Resources: Crew pay charts are accessible online for submitting queries, which were also shared during base sit meetings. This aims to streamline the process for Flight Attendants when addressing pay issues.

SAN:

  • Flight Cancellations and Pay Concerns: A Flight Attendant’s first leg from SAN to ORD was canceled before 8 PM. Despite following guidelines, they faced issues with Crew Scheduling, who suggested a callback for pay discussions. The Committee is investigating the calls and working with management to resolve any potential violations. 

ANC:

  • Year-End Scheduling Queries: Year-end questions about the 480 TFP and PPP were raised.
  • Two Flight Attendants schedules were not uploaded into Crew Access, leading to concerns about data accuracy and reporting. Discussions were initiated to improve the upload process and prevent future errors.
  • Increased TSA and agricultural scrutiny at KOA was reported, affecting operations.
  • There were questions regarding which base would operate flights to Iceland, with reminders about the first three months of the schedule being locked in. The Committee inquired with management about the construction of future trips. 

LAX:

  • Reassignment Pay Issues: Concerns were raised about pairings and the lack of reassignment pay when showing the same city pairings with different times. This resulted in a call to clarify how Flight Duty Time (FDTY) is recorded. The Committee is working with payroll on a dispute regarding reassignment pay. If you believe you are due reassignment compensation and were denied or didn’t receive the pay, then please file a ticket through the AFA Online Support Center. 
  • Flight Attendants reported that Customer Service Agents were incorrectly citing late arrival to the gate under the 5-minute-early push program, creating further confusion.

SFO:

  • Questions arose regarding pay for deadhead releases, particularly in relation to delays, sit times, and how the trip appears at the time of release. 

SEA:

  • Pay Queries and Education Needs: A significant volume of tickets relating to pay questions was noted. Flight Attendants are asking about what they should be paid, and should review the contract prior to contacting the Committee for assistance. 

PBS Update

  • Bidding and Awards: The January bidding process was reported to be smooth, with a lot of education regarding coverage requirements and legalities that are unique to January Bidding
  • Protests: We had valid protests related to 11.B.3.c violations. A fix for this is in the newest accepted release for NAVBLUE.
  • Meetings: Many extra meetings with management were conducted to prepare for the newest NAVBLUE Release
  • Releases:
    • Release 25.5.574 will go live for Flight Attendants on 12/17, including updates on password and offline mode changes. 
    • Release 25.7 is expected to enter testing soon with final TA2 updates.
    • Company Plans to move NAVBLUE access to AAG SSO in March

ITS Update

  • NAVBLUE testing has completed pre-production evaluations, achieving approximately 94% automation for IOS and web applications. 
  • A bulletin will be issued to instruct Flight Attendants on necessary password resets and cache clearing, ensuring a smoother user experience with our new update.
  • We are awaiting statistics for Flight Attendant to Flight Attendant trading and Open Time for December, but we were unable to discuss them during the meeting. 

Payroll Update

  • In November, 2731 queries were logged, with 1778 categorized as manageable. Ongoing discussions highlighted the need to address irregular operations from October, comparing historical data to current trends.
  • Adjustments in holiday pay protocols were discussed, particularly concerning early arrivals and their implications for compensation. 
  • Security testing for TFP calculators remains pending, with an update expected in 2026.
  • The Committee is reviewing the payroll checklist for reports and queries. Please note that each pay analyst pulls weekly reports and has the flexibility to do them in the order they choose. 

Crew Planning Update

  • The introduction of a Pairing Analytics Dashboard aims to enhance data visualization for both the Committee and management. This tool breaks down pairings by month, year, and base, offering detailed insights into trip details, commutable trips, and deadhead statistics.
  • The need for AFA access to these analytics was emphasized for better transparency and collaboration. Management agrees that AFA should have access to review the data. 
  • Pairing selection is scheduled for Friday, December 19, 2025, for the February bid month. There was no PowerPoint presentation from Crew Planning due to the timing of  the monthly meeting and pairing selection. 

Crew Scheduling Update

  • Sick Leave Trends: Year-over-year data shows lineholder and reserve sick leave at 10.7%, with a slight increase in attendance noted. An uptick in sick calls was observed during the year-end period, particularly among Flight Attendants attempting to complete their trips.
  • Monitoring Resources: Concerns about the clarity of state sick leave versus CBA sick leave were discussed extensively, with requests for more precise resources to aid Flight Attendants in understanding their options and bank balances in Rainmaker.
  • December Operations: Reserve utilization is projected at 89.7% for December, with an expected increase in block hours and schedules due to holiday travel. A significant spike in charter flights for upcoming bowl games was anticipated, necessitating careful management of resources and staffing.

Key Takeaways

  • Urgent Need for Clarity: Addressing pay discrepancies and scheduling errors is crucial for maintaining accurate compensation and operational efficiency.
  • System Improvements: Ongoing technological enhancements are vital to streamline processes and improve communication channels. The Committee and management continually review technology and automated practices to enhance efficiency and improve user experiences.
  • Education and Resources: There is a pressing need for Flight Attendants to become more familiar with their contracts and available resources to mitigate confusion and empower self-advocacy.

What The Committee Is Working On

  1. Crew Access Issues: Addressing challenges affecting operations and Flight Attendant satisfaction. Meetings with Jeppesen management and internal/external debriefs regarding a recent outage are scheduled. A recent update to Crew Access was installed on December 8, 2025. We are asking crew members to familiarize themselves with the changes. Our next installation is scheduled for February 2026. 
  2. Resolving Pyramiding Pay Disputes: Discussions are ongoing through the Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR) process to clarify payment rules for over-duty pay and day-off violations. Our Grievance Committee is filing grievances regarding several concerns with pyramid pay. 
  3. Vacation Bidding: Representatives from the Committee met with management to discuss the new vendor, AI Crew Solutions. It was determined that when a Flight Attendant either doesn’t hold a bid or forgets to bid, they will be allowed to bid in the 2nd round of vacation. The current process assigns slot 1 and slot 2.  We will provide educational material and information when bidding begins next year on the new platforms. 
  4. Ground Commuting: The Committee wants to remind Flight Attendants that contractual provisions are available for review under Section 37.B.  
  5. Flow Charts: The Committee is internally reviewing flow charts with management and will update once the parties agree. Stay tuned for an update soon. 

We Want to Hear From You!

Whether you have feedback for the Committee, concerns to share, or items you’d like brought up with management – don’t hesitate to let us know. Your Local Scheduling Committee is here to be your voice to management. You can easily open a support ticket on the AFA Alaska Online Support Center or directly contact us using the information provided on the Scheduling Committee page of the AFA Alaska website.

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 […]

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