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        You are here: Home / Archives for Committees

        AFA Update – January 30, 2020

        January 30, 2020 17:00

        In This Edition

        • Novel Coronavirus Outbreak
        • Black History Month AFA Pin
        • Negotiating Committee Interviews
        • Uniform Returns & Packing Materials
        • REMINDER: Contractual Supporting Documents
        • Managing Negativity

        Novel Coronavirus Outbreak

        Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC)

        The novel coronavirus that originated in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China, in December 2019, is creating growing concern for air travel. The first known case has now been confirmed in the United States. AFA is contacting our airlines in an effort to put in place information and precautions for crewmembers. We are sharing what we know about the virus now, although health officials are still determining the full implications of the virus and how it is spread.

        NOTE: It is important that crew redouble efforts to take the best steps against spread of communicable disease. Review personal safety and universal precautions in section 4.200 of the Flight Attendant Manual (FAM).

        The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Situation Summary for the 2019 Novel Coronavirus remains a good source of up-to-date information on the rapidly changing situation.

        AFA is calling on all airlines to institute emergency measures immediately, including providing crew members the latest information regarding the 2019-nCoV outbreak, identification of signs/symptoms of illness (in oneself and others), and procedures to manage potentially ill persons – utilizing information from relevant U.S. authorities including the CDC, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and international authorities including the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). We are also encouraging airlines to adopt AFA recommendations from our Communicable Disease Incident Response Checklists.We will provide additional updates as more information is available. We will continue to press airlines for action on this as we work to keep aviation’s first responders, our counterparts in the flight deck, and our passengers safe and healthy. 


        Black History Month AFA Pin

        Master Executive Council (MEC)

        At the December 2019 meeting of the AFA Executive Board, a resolution was unanimously passed in recognition of February as Black History Month.   The resolution established a special commemorative pin for AFA Members to wear throughout the month of February.

        Black history month AFA pin

        Our Local Executive Council (LEC) Officers have been provided with a limited supply of these special edition pins and will soon be making them available to you.  Please be on the lookout for information directly from your LEC Officers with instructions on how you can obtain your own Black History Month AFA pin! 


        Negotiating Committee Interviews

        Master Executive Council (MEC)

        Our current Joint Collective Bargaining Agreement (JCBA) becomes amendable on December 17, 2021 but also contains an early opener clause for the negotiating process to begin as early as December 2020.  In anticipation of early openers, the Master Executive Council (MEC) will be conducting interviews for the Negotiating Committee during the March Regular MEC Meeting, to be held March 10 and 11, 2020.  All three Negotiating Committee positions are up for interview and consideration.  Per the AFA Constitution & Bylaws, the MEC President is the chairperson of the Negotiating Committee and rounds out the Committee as the fourth member.

        The Negotiating Committee is charged to negotiate and institute the needs and desires of the Flight Attendants into an effective collective bargaining agreement (CBA).  The Committee should have a good working knowledge of the current CBA and be willing to devote their full time to the Committee during negotiations.  The members of this Committee shall serve as the CBA Interpretation Committee until a new agreement is completed.

        Selection of Committee Members

        • Any person seeking a position on the Negotiating Committee must submit a resume to the MEC
        • Committee Members will function until a new Committee is selected
        • The Chairperson of the Negotiating Committee will be the MEC President or her/his designee
        • Committee Members are selected by majority vote of the voting members of the MEC (LEC Presidents)

        Committee Member Duties & Responsibilities

        The duties and responsibilities of the Negotiating Committee shall include the following:

        • The Committee, with the advice of the Staff Negotiator shall have the authority to conclude an agreement, subject to the provisions of Article XII of the Constitution and Bylaws.
        • All members of the Committee, including alternates whenever possible, shall complete a negotiations training seminar prior to writing an “opener.”
        • Be familiar with Union policy and keep abreast of new developments in the industry.
        • Utilize the facilities and resources of the Union and the experience and knowledge of Union Officers, International Office staff and study committees of the Union. (eg., Legal, Retirement and Insurance, Wage and Working Conditions, etc.).
        • Maintain a current record of the:
          • Financial condition of the company.
          • Management lines of authority and methods of communication.
          • Operations statistics and experiences of the airline which may be used in bargaining, grievances, litigation, etc.
        • Be familiar with the wishes of the Flight Attendant group with respect to wages, working conditions, and work rules, through, for example, system-wide distribution of contract surveys, periodic road shows, etc.
        • Prepare the contract opener with the advice of the Staff Negotiator
        • Provide regular updates to the membership on the status of negotiations
        • Proof CBA language and agree with the Company on implementation and effective dates
        • Review tentative agreement with the MEC
        • Prepare membership summary package and Roadshow schedule
        • Present the tentative agreement to the members
        • Proof printed agreement and prepare CBA index
        • Prepare CBA interpretations for new concepts
        • Remain available as a resource for interpretations
        • Maintain a complete record of the negotiations, including proposals, notes and communications, and such record is the property of AFA-CWA.  A copy of this record will be forwarded to the International Office by the Negotiating Committee.
        • Maintain contact, through the MEC President, with IAM, ALPA, TWU, AMFA, and other applicable labor unions on property

        Flight Pay Loss Reimbursement

        Flight pay loss (FPL) reimbursement will be provided to Negotiating Committee Members at the rate of 6 TFP at “A” pay for 8 hours of work.  FPL is not reimbursed for days that solely contain travel to/from an activity.

        Expressing Interest and Interview Scheduling

        The MEC will hold interviews during the March Regular MEC meeting from March 10-11, 2020.  Bid around the interview date or plan to arrange your schedule accordingly to accommodate.

        Interested candidates should submit an expression of interest and resume online at https://forms.gle/6vj5XPxDwv9x54eb9.  The deadline for submissions is 5 PM Pacific time on Tuesday, March 3.  After that time, MEC Secretary-Treasurer Linda Christou will contact qualified candidates to schedule a specific interview time.

        Please note that in order to submit an expression of interest, you must have a Google account.  If you do not have a Google account, you can create one for free at https://accounts.google.com/signup.

        Questions?

        Any questions regarding the Negotiating Committee positions or application process should be directed to MEC President Jeffrey Peterson at jeffrey.peterson@afaalaska.org.


        Uniform Returns & Packing Materials

        Uniform Committee

        Our Uniform Committee has recently received reports that some Flight Attendants have been told that their uniform return shipments were improperly packed when dropping them off at FedEx shipping locations.  Some Flight Attendants have been told by FedEx personnel that they would be required to purchase additional packing supplies including “fill” material to prevent the contents in the package from shifting. 

        According to paragraph B.7 of the Flight Attendant Custom Uniform 2020 Letter of Agreement, Inflight management will assist Flight Attendants with uniform returns and provide appropriate packing supplies at no cost to the Flight Attendant upon request.  If you experience a problem with FedEx personnel accepting your return shipment due to the way it is packaged, it is recommended that you bring the package to an inflight supervisor at any base and ask them to provide the necessary packing materials and assist you with sending the shipment back to Unisync. 

        Questions?

        If you have any questions, please contact your Local Uniform Committee.


        REMINDER: Contractual Supporting Documents

        Contract Committee

        When there is a disagreement or difference of opinion regarding the intent of contractual language or how a contractual provision should be applied, AFA and management work through an established process to attempt to resolve the dispute.  Depending on the issue at hand, the resolution might be documented in one of several forms: a letter of agreement, memorandum of understanding, labor memorandum, or contractual settlement agreement.  Regardless of the format, these documents are contractually enforceable and supplement the provisions of our collective bargaining agreement.

        To allow for the easiest possible access, these contractual supporting documents can easily be accessed from the contract home page of the AFA Alaska website at https://afaalaska.org/contract.  You can also access them on your IMD through the Good Reader app by tapping ASFASupplemental > Collective Bargaining Agreement.

        Questions?

        If you have any questions about contractual supporting documents, please contact your LEC President.


        Managing Negativity

        Employee Assistance Program (EAP)/Professional Standards Committee

        Many work environments have at least that one negative person whose only way of communicating is through a string of complaints.  Escaping that individual at 30,000 feet is difficult. Relentless negativity tears away at our resiliency and ability to ignore the behavior.  While we cannot change the way other people behave, we can change the way we react.  Below are suggestions which may help you manage our own responses to negative communication and limit its impact.

        Don’t Take it Personally

        Negative individuals tend to find something wrong in almost every situation. Being negative may also be one’s main way to engage or connect with others. Negativity is sometimes correlated with self-esteem and inter-generational communication patterns.  A person who chronically finds problems with other people may truly be unhappy with themselves and/or demonstrating the strong influences of familial communication.

        “You” and “I”

        Replace “you” statements with “I” statements.  People feel attacked when their behavior is directly pointed out.  Feeling attacked causes the person to become defensive and may create unnecessary conflict.  For example, instead of “You always complain about working with her, and it gets old.” try “I feel uncomfortable when people discuss their feelings about our co-workers with me.”  

        Make it a Challenge

        Try to say something like “We always seem to have something to talk about, but it is usually negative.  Let’s only talk about cheerful situations today.”  Beginning with a positive comment increases the probability your listener will be receptive.  Giving feedback in this manner may also allow you to point out the negative tone of conversation of which the complainer maybe unaware.  

        Offer or Seek Assistance from Your AFA EAP

        Allowing a person to bombard you with their negativity may actually reinforce that behavior.  Everyone manages some negativity in their lives.  It is important for your own mental health to limit the accumulation of others’ issues. If someone is clearly struggling, remind her/him that AFA EAP offers confidential assistance.  Say something like “You know it sounds like it might be helpful for you to give our EAP a call.  I think they might be a good listener and resource for you.”  Then, give them AFA EAP’s number: (949) 470-0493.  Remember, AFA EAP is also available to you to help you maintain your resiliency in dealing with negativity.  

        Filed Under: Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC), Contract, EAP/Professional Standards Committee, Grievance Committee, Latest News, Master Executive Council (MEC), Uniform Committee Tagged With: 2019, AFA Pin, Black History Month, novel coronavirus, uniform, Unisync

        Recurrent Training 2020 – Part 4

        January 28, 2020 21:00

        The Master Executive Council (MEC) met with management earlier today in Seattle to discuss our questions and concerns regarding Recurrent Training. Members of the AFA Inflight Training Committee; Grievance Committee; Air Safety, Health and Security Committee; and Scheduling Committee also joined us for the discussion. Management was represented by Executive Vice President (EVP) and Chief Operating Officer (COO) Gary Beck, Vice President of Inflight Ron Calvin, VP Labor Relations Jenny Wetzel, VP Safety & Security Max Tidwell, Managing Director (MD) of Inflight Strategy and Support Mary Avey, MD Inflight Operations Michaela Littman, MD Labor Relations Carmen Williams and other senior leaders of the Inflight division.


        Focus on two themes

        Your AFA leaders focused on two themes:

        • Holding management accountable, and
        • Demonstrating proficiency over perfection.

        Questions asked of management

        We submitted several hard questions to management, including but not limited to:

        • Which specific changes to the Recurrent Training (RT) program were required by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as a result of its audit of the Inflight training program last fall and which changes were management’s discretion?
        • Is management aware that the current training program has created an environment of anxiety and fear in which Flight Attendants are now questioning their abilities to handle emergency situations?
        • Is management willing to revise RT 2020 in order to provide Flight Attendants with greater clarity of expectations and improved resources and tools?

        Changes sought by AFA

        AFA advocated for several changes to RT 2020, including but not limited to:

        • Ending the practice of “management only” classes and to mix management personnel into as many classes and locations as possible
        • Providing adequate “hand-on” practice time prior to drill evaluations for evacuations, emergency equipment and CPR
        • Live demonstration of each evaluation scenario for evacuations, emergency equipment and CPR
        • Ability for a Flight Attendant to self-correct during an evaluation
        • Allow an evaluator to provide feedback to a Flight Attendant following an unsuccessful evaluation
        • ‘Forgive’ all Flight Attendants currently in the Special Track Training program (who were placed into the program following two unsuccessful drill evaluations)
        • Significantly revise or drop the Special Track Training program (remediation training, retention check and check ride)
        • No termination of employment following an unsuccessful fourth drill evaluation

        Management took ownership, but we remain ‘cautiously skeptical’

        Management took ownership of the disastrous state of the RT program, but the MEC will remain ‘cautiously skeptical’ until we see meaningful solutions put into action. However, Ron committed to ending the practice of “management only” RT classes and to mix management personnel into regular RT classes throughout the system.

        Inflight management has canceled all Recurrent Training and Requalification Training classes that were scheduled to start between 1/28 and 2/7, and management has pledged to use this time to incorporate feedback and revise the RT 2020 program. Whatever changes may come out of this process, the MEC will make every effort to ensure management provides adequate training for the Inflight Instructors. It is critical that evaluations are performed uniformly and without subjectivity in order to guarantee a consistent and fair experience for all.  


        Management is developing a communication that outlines the plan in more detail. AFA is also drafting several contractual grievances specific to Recurrent Training. We anticipate publishing another RT update in the coming days after management’s next communication goes out and our grievances have been filed.

        In Solidarity,

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

        Filed Under: Inflight Training Committee, Latest News Tagged With: 2020, recurrent, recurrent training, RT, training

        Recurrent Training 2020 – Part 3

        January 24, 2020 21:00

        The Master Executive Council (MEC) has collected the following information to help you navigate the pitfalls of this year’s Recurrent Training. See AFA Alaska’s “Recurrent Training” (January 16, 2020) and “Recurrent Training 2020 – Part 2” (January 23, 2020) for additional background and information.


        General preparation

        The Recurrent Training SharePoint Site has a ton of useful information. How to get there? World of Inflight -> Training -> Recurrent Training -> Recurrent Training SharePoint Site. Click the “View Videos & Completion Packs” button for “must-have” drill resources such as videos and completion packs for Recurrent Training (RT) and Requalification Training (RQ). (There are now two completion packs for RT, one per day.) AFA is aware there have been unannounced changes to this site, but to the best of our knowledge, the information posted at the time of this writing is current.

        2020 RT CBT must be completed a minimum of two hours prior to class time.

        There is no late grace period. If you are late to RT, then you will be assessed one attendance point, sent home without pay and asked to reschedule your RT class.


        Inflight Instructors are Flight Attendants

        Flight Attendants in Recurrent Training are understandably frustrated. However, please keep in mind that Inflight Instructors are Flight Attendants, and they are feeling stressed about Recurrent Training as well. Please direct your frustration towards management and not your fellow Flight Attendants. For those of you sending feedback to management by email, please copy in your AFA Local Executive Council (LEC) leadership (e.g. if SEAFA, then copy in sea@afaalaska.org; if SFOFA, then copy in sfo@afaalaska.org). The MEC will announce a more comprehensive communication strategy following our meeting with management early next week.


        Drills/Evaluations

        As of this writing, RT 2020 includes only 45 minutes of hands-on practice for the doors and windows and no hand-on practice for emergency equipment. AFA has advocated to management that Flight Attendants need much more hands-on time for doors and windows and at least some hands-on time with the emergency equipment rather than none. AFA has received reports that access to or view of emergency equipment may not be available in at least some locations, so do not count on touching equipment prior to being evaluated.

        CPR & AED operation, door and window operation, door evacuations and emergency equipment are all being evaluated as successful/unsuccessful (i.e. pass/fail) drills. You must receive 100% on each drill in order to be successful.

        Instructors are no longer allowed to coach or provide any feedback between evaluations. If you are unsuccessful, ask to look at your completion pack to determine which area caused the failure. You may also ask to step out of the evaluation environment to review your completion pack or example videos. Finally, you may request a different Instructor prior to proceeding to a second attempt.

        FAs will be given two opportunities to successfully pass each drill in class. A Flight Attendant will be allowed to complete class after the second unsuccessful attempt. However, s/he will be placed into disqualified (FNQ) status, which results in loss of Known Crewmember (KCM) privileges and the ability to jumpseat until resolved.


        Special Track Training

        Following a second unsuccessful attempt of a drill, a FA will be placed into a Special Track Training program. The FA will be removed from payroll and all scheduling obligations as a crewmember until remediation training is conducted and a retake of the drill is successfully completed. Only scheduling obligations impacted by the disqualified (FNQ) status will be removed, not the entire schedule. Flight Attendants will retain insurance during this process. S/he will be pay protected between the second and third attempt. Management will make every effort to conduct the remediation training and third attempt within seven days of RT. (A Flight Attendant also has seven days to re-take and successfully pass the written exam if s/he scores less than 80%, but this does not cause a FA to enter the Special Track Training.)

        Flight Attendants will be paid 6 TFP for each day of additional training or testing, and travel pay will apply for required out of domicile training as applicable. Be aware there is a contractual limitation regarding the number of hours and time of day that training may be conducted pursuant to §30.A.2: “Training will be scheduled for no more than eight (8) hours and will occur between the hours of 7:00 AM and 5:00 PM local time.” It is management’s discretion regarding the training location, but AFA understands that management has a strong desire to hold remediation training and re-takes in Seattle.

        The FA will be required to demonstrate proficiency through additional retention checks prior to the next annual RT class. In other words, you will probably be tested again on the same drill in the coming months. Another 6 TFP and travel pay will apply for required training out of domicile as applicable. The Special Track Training also includes some form of an operational observation, which is being called a “checkride.” However, this is not necessarily the traditional checkride one receives while on probation; the truth is that none of the details have been worked out yet.

        The Special Track Training program specific to unsuccessful emergency equipment drills is still being developed, so AFA cannot can’t share those details with you because we don’t know what they will be. Much of this is still a moving target, but AFA is not supportive of the Special Track Program as it is currently constructed.

        See “Drill Evaluation & Drill Attempt Process” in the RT 2020 FAQs document on the Recurrent Training SharePoint Site for more info.


        Recurrent Training feels more like Recurrent Testing

        The unfortunate reality is that as of now, Recurrent Training feels more like Recurrent Testing. AFA will continue to advocate to management to develop rational competency criteria, to provide adequate notice and the proper tools to be successful in RT. Meanwhile, Flight Attendants should probably take the initiative to actively perform their silent review using the updated verbatim commands, and to do this often.


        Contact your Local Executive Council (LEC) leadership if you have any concerns or questions about Recurrent Training. The Inflight Training Committee may also be utilized as an additional AFA resource.

        AFA is planning another update regarding Recurrent Training after our meeting with management next week.

        In Solidarity,

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

        Your MEC Inflight Training Committee – Megan Brown, Steve Vincent, Sam Clifton and Justin Wetherell

        Filed Under: Inflight Training Committee, Latest News Tagged With: 2020, recurrent, recurrent training, RT, training

        Recurrent Training 2020 – Part 2

        January 23, 2020 20:00

        The Recurrent Training (RT) program for 2020 was unveiled with many significant changes: two days rather than one, verbatim drills, instructor vs. evaluator, the list goes on. Unfortunately, what we didn’t expect was how disorganized and unprepared Inflight Training management would be in delivering this new program. In our last communication about Recurrent Training (January 16, 2020), AFA informed Flight Attendants of the approved exceptions to the “verbatim” evacuation commands when management was unwilling to communicate. Why is management reluctant to be forthright and honest? Management should be held to the same standards they expect us to uphold.

        Communication from management to the Flight Attendants has been abysmal at best. The core value of “Deliver Performance” in the Company’s Service Framework says, “I’m accountable and responsible for the success of the operation.” This is followed by, “know and perform my role,” “execute operational timelines,” “use time and resources wisely” and “collaborate across roles to ensure the team’s success.” Management has missed the mark on each. The same value states, “I take initiative to provide accurate and timely information,” which management has failed to do since the chaos of RT 2020 started. Management can keep throwing apologies out, but there is no accountability and no repercussions for them despite the many consequences Flight Attendants have experienced as a result of management’s actions.

        Did you know that Instructors have been required to go through up to three different “calibration trainings” due to changing expectations, unclear standards and poor communication? Training materials are constantly being updated for Flight Attendants and Instructors sometimes after class begins, which could mean the difference between a successful or unsuccessful drill. Training management has also been unclear in their communications with base leadership and scheduling leadership, which has set those leadership groups up for being unable to help Flight Attendants or answer their questions.

        Failure rates for the drill evaluations in some locations have been as high as 45%. What is meant by a failure rate? You have two attempts at each evaluation to successfully complete the drill. If you do not pass those two attempts, then you are allowed to complete RT but immediately pulled off the line and your Known Crewmember (KCM) access and jumpseating privileges are revoked until you go through remediation training and successfully pass the drill. More information about remediation training and the associated “Special Track” training program will be shared in the next RT communication, which will be published by AFA tomorrow.

        We cannot continue RT 2020 on this track. With change there is understandably some stress attached. However, the level of stress added to both Flight Attendants and Instructors is out of control, and something needs to be done. Vice President of Inflight Ron Calvin and his team need to come together and make things right. This was their mess to begin with, and they are not meeting the same standards of near perfection they require from our workgroup. Management can and must do better.

        The MEC requested a meeting with management as soon as possible to discuss these failures, and we are hoping management will meet with us next Tuesday. We want management to acknowledge the poor development of RT 2020 drill evaluations, the abysmal execution of the program so far, and the lack of communication and lack of transparency that has caused so much angst amongst our group. What will be done to rectify this unacceptable situation?

        To be clear, the MEC takes issue with management in this debacle. We fully support our Instructors and their desire to provide a neutral, fair and supportive environment at each training location.

        Stay tuned for the next RT update tomorrow!

        In Solidarity,

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

        Filed Under: Inflight Training Committee, Latest News Tagged With: 2020, recurrent training, RT, training

        Recurrent Training 2020

        January 16, 2020 22:15

        The Master Executive Council (MEC) appreciates Inflight management addressing the rumor mill regarding Recurrent Training (RT). We are particularly thankful Inflight went on record to state the recent changes to RT in response to an audit by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) were absolutely not due to inadequate Inflight Instructors. However, the MEC is extremely disappointed that management has not taken more ownership of the situation at a much earlier date.

        We are further frustrated by the fact that management missed a key opportunity to potentially mitigate or perhaps even eliminate some of the changes. How so? Management failed to accept AFA recommendations during integration in 2018 to incorporate “approved alternative” evacuation command verbiage into the Flight Attendant Manual (FAM).

        AFA officers and representatives, the Inflight Training Committee and Inflight Flight Attendant Instructors have spent much of the past few months asking tough questions of management regarding the RT debacle and advocating for the best interest of Flight Attendants. We’re certainly not finished, but this is what we can report so far:


        RT Computer Based Training (CBT) “Homestudy”

        Cornerstone is a joke and needed to be replaced yesterday. AFA will continue to pressure management to provide Flight Attendants with the tools to help make us successful. Cornerstone is not one of those tools.


        RT Written Test

        The written test is still 25 questions and requires 80% (20 or more correct) to pass. Although the test question database has been eliminated for RT 2020, AFA has confirmed the test is derived exclusively from the (as of this writing) 74 questions in the various knowledge checks of the Homestudy. Once you have completed the Homestudy, you can go back and directly access each knowledge check separately in order to review the questions and answers as many times as you would like.

        Be aware the order of the questions and/or responses may be randomized, but the actual questions and the one correct answer for each respective question will remain the same. If the knowledge checks in the Homestudy happen to be updated (this happens occasionally if a question is corrected or if a policy or procedure changes), then the questions and answers may change slightly. In summary, the Homestudy knowledge check database that is current at the time of RT is the one used to construct the written test.

        How to access the knowledge checks?

        World of Inflight (login required) -> Training -> Recurrent Training -> Recurrent Training SharePoint Site -> “IMD Tutorial” or “Web Tutorial”


        Evacuation Commands

        Flight Attendants are expected to come to RT prepared to demonstrate proficiency by using verbatim evacuation commands. However, AFA can positively confirm all those meetings with management over the past few months about the commands paid off!

        Flight Attendants will be deemed proficient (and therefore successful in completing their evacuation evaluation) if they inadvertently use any of the four approved exceptions: “the” may be added between “Help” and “people,” “airplane” or “aircraft” may be used instead of “plane” and “jump” may be said twice in a row. Although a Flight Attendant will be coached to use verbatim commands in the future, the following commands would be considered successful:

        “Heads down, stay down” / “Open seatbelts — Open seatbelts” / “Stay back –Stay back” / “You two, stay at the bottom” / “Help (the) people off” / “Send them away from the plane (/ airplane / aircraft)” / “Leave everything” / “Exit here” / “Jump (Jump)”.

        Again, you are expected to deliver the commands verbatim, but using the approved alternatives will still result in passing the evaluation. We hope this information will help to reduce the understandably high level of anxiety regarding evacuation drills in RT this year. Please keep in mind that Inflight Instructors are Flight Attendants, and they are feeling stressed about Recurrent Training as well.


        Contact your Local Executive Council (LEC) leadership if you have any concerns or questions about Recurrent Training. The Inflight Training Committee may also be utilized as an additional AFA resource.

        In Solidarity,

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

        Your MEC Inflight Training Committee – Megan Brown, Steve Vincent, Sam Clifton and Justin Wetherell

        Filed Under: Inflight Training Committee, Latest News Tagged With: recurrent, recurrent training, RT

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        We Will Never Forget – September 11, 2001

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        AFA Never Forget Website United Flight 175 Robert J. FangmanAmy N. JarretAmy R. KingKathryn LaBorieAlfred G. MarchandMichael C. TarrouAlicia N. TitusCaptain: Victor SaraciniFirst Officer: Michael HorrocksCustomer Service Representatives: Marianne MacFarlane and Jesus Sanchez United Flight 93 Lorraine G. BaySandra BradshawWanda A. GreenCeeCee LylesDeborah WelshCaptain: Jason DahlFirst Officer: Leroy Homer American Flight 11 Barbara AresteguiJeffrey CollmanSara […]

        Vacation Survey Now Open

        September 10, 2025

        This message is for both pre-merger Alaska and Hawaiian Flight Attendants Your Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) is working diligently to understand and improve the vacation benefits for our Flight Attendants at Alaska and Hawaiian. Your input is essential in ensuring that the vacation provisions we adopt reflect your needs and preferences. To gather your perspectives, […]

        SEA Domicile Negotiations – September 2025

        September 6, 2025

        This message is for pre-merger Hawaiian Flight Attendants Negotiations Update The SEA Domicile Negotiating Committee met this week for three days of collective bargaining with management.  The SEA NC met with management on September 3 to September 5 in Honolulu. At the negotiating table for this session were: Representing AFA and our Flight Attendants   […]

        Pre-Merger Alaska MEC Committee Interviews—October 2025

        September 5, 2025

        This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants In accordance with Article VI.C of the AFA Alaska MEC Policy and Procedure Manual, the terms of office for the MEC Committee Chairpersons and other MEC-level positions align with those of the MEC Officers. Since the current term for the MEC Officers will conclude on December 31, […]

        Recent Posts

        • AFA News in Review – September 12, 2025
        • Hotel Committee Meeting Recap – September 2025
        • We Will Never Forget – September 11, 2001
        • Vacation Survey Now Open
        • SEA Domicile Negotiations – September 2025
        • AFA News in Review – September 5, 2025
        • Pre-Merger Alaska MEC Committee Interviews—October 2025
        • Merged MEC Committee Chairperson Interviews—October 2025
        • Council 39 September 2025 Update 
        • AFA News in Review – August 29, 2025
        • Scheduling Committee Meeting Recap – August 2025
        • AFA News in Review – August 22, 2025
        • Uniform Committee Meeting Recap – 3rd Quarter 2025
        • Hawaiian Airlines SEA Flight Attendant Domicile Update – August 2025
        • Seniority Merger Integration Committee Update – August 2025

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