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Harvard Flight Attendant Health Study – Third Wave

Researches from Harvard University are continuing their Flight Attendant health study and are seeking additional participants for the next wave of the study.  All current and former Flight Attendants are welcome to participate in the confidential survey regardless of whether or not you have participated previously.  You can access the survey by clicking here.  Additional information about the study can be found below.

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 ASHSC Chairperson Seth Heiple

Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP) Update

New FAA Memorandum of Understanding outlines program for both pre-merger Alaska and Virgin America Flight Attendants

AFA is pleased to announce that a new Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP) Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) has been signed by management, the FAA, and AFA, renewing the ASAP program for another two years.  The new MOU includes a provision to roll out an ASAP program to pre-merger Virgin America Flight Attendants in the near future and then integrate the pre-merger Virgin America ASAP program into the pre-merger Alaska ASAP program once a single collective bargaining agreement and integrated seniority list have been achieved.

Click here to view the new ASAP MOU

Along with the ASAP MOU, an accompanying letter of agreement (LOA) has been signed that specifically apply to the Flight Attendants at each specific pre-merger airline.  The LOAs spell out additional protective provisions of the program that complement the MOU.

Click here to view the ASAP additional provisions LOA for pre-merger Alaska F/As
Click here to view the ASAP additional provisions LOA for pre-merger Virgin America F/As

IMPORTANT: ASAP Reporting Timeline Change for Pre-Merger Alaska Flight Attendants

One important change to the ASAP program involves the timeframe for filing a report under the protective provisions of the program.  Previously, ASAP reports needed to be filed no later than 24 hours after the end of the sequence during which the event occurred.  Recently, the FAA has moved to a new standard template MOU that changes that timeline; this template was used to renew the AS ASAP program.  Under the new ASAP MOU, reports must be submitted no later than 24 hours after the end of the duty period during which the event has occurred in order to qualify for the protective provisions of the ASAP program.

Coming Soon: ASAP for Pre-Merger Virgin America Flight Attendants

AFA and management have also agreed to establish an ASAP program for pre-merger Virgin America Flight Attendants.  Please note that even though the ASAP MOU and LOA have been signed, the ASAP Program for pre-merger Virgin America Flight Attendants is not yet in effect.  A timeline for implementation is currently being discussed with management and more information will be communicated regarding training as well as the date the program will be effective.

Questions?

Pre-Merger Alaska Airlines Flight Attendants

If you have questions about the ASAP program, please contact AFA ASAP ERC Representative Ronda Ruderman or a member of your Local Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC).

Pre-Merger Virgin America Flight Attendants

If you have questions about the upcoming ASAP program, please contact your Local Council Officers.

In Solidarity,

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

Flight Attendant Alert: Changes to DOT Testing Effective January 1, 2018

This message was created by the International Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Department

Background

The Department of Transportation (DOT) has issued a final notice that four commonly prescribed medications will be added to the DOT testing program effective January 1, 2018. These four medications fall under a category of drugs known as opioids. They include:

  • Hydrocodone (example: Vicodin, Lortab, Lorcet, Maxidone, Norco, Zydone)
  • Hydromorphone (example: Diluadid, Exalgo, Hydromorph Contin, Palladone)
  • Oxycodone (example: Percocet, Percodan, OxyContin, Roxicodone, Endocet, Xtampza, OxylR)
  • Oxymorphone (example: Opana, Numorphan).

Opioid medications are typically prescribed for the management of pain after injury, surgery, dental procedures and diagnosis of a medical illness with painful symptoms.

Important Regulatory Clarifications

  • Starting January 1, 2018, DOT testing will now for the very first time detect the use of these specific medications.
  • If the testing lab confirms the presence of these medications in a Flight Attendant’s drug test, the Flight Attendant will be contacted by a Medical Review Officer (MRO) to determine if the Flight Attendant has a legally valid prescription within the overall meaning of the Controlled Substance Act (CSA).
  • DOT has made it clear that it will not issue guidance to the MROs on how long a prescription may be considered valid for the purpose of providing a legitimate medical explanation for a laboratory positive. Specifically, DOT states “it would not be appropriate for the Department to substitute its judgment for that of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), which is the Federal agency with the authority to determine what constitutes a valid prescription under the CSA. The DEA has not set a maximum duration for the length of time a prescription can be considered to be legally used by the person to whom it was prescribed…. Consequently, DOT will not create a time limit on the use of a legally valid prescription. Instead, MROs will make individualized determinations for each donor.”
  • Regardless of whether medical marijuana is prescribed by a physician, it cannot be the basis of a legitimate medical explanation. It will be verified by the MRO as a test positive.
  • When verifying the prescription an employee provides to the MRO, the DOT is now recommending “MROs should speak with the pharmacy and not simply rely on a photograph of the prescription label”.
  • If an MRO has concerns about an employee’s ability to safely perform her/his duties while taking a prescription, a new process has been put in place by DOT to ensure that “an employee is not caught off guard by the MRO’s decision to report the medical information regarding a legally valid prescription to a third party”. Effective January 1, 2018, the MRO must give the employee five (5) business days to have her/his prescribing physician contact the MRO to determine if the medication(s) can be changed to one that does not make the employee medically unqualified or that does not pose a significant safety risk before reporting the safety concern to a third party. If the MRO does not receive such information from the prescribing physician, the MRO would then report to third parties. Previously, the MRO would report to the third party and then engage with the prescribing health care provider.

Resources to Help You Balance Safety and Medication

There are a number of resources under the Flight Attendant Drug and Alcohol (FADAP) Website (www.FADAP.org) to help you balance safety and the use of prescription medications including the 4 new medications for which DOT will test effective January 1, 2018.

Medication Safety Film for Flight Attendants: View this short film to understand the safety issues and best practices around medication use by Flight Attendants. ->

Medication and flying article “What Medications Can I Take While Flying?” Read this three-page article to get a more rounded understanding of the issues surrounding medication use by Flight Attendants and best practices. ->

“Flight Attendant Essential Job Functions” wallet card: There is no list of DOT banned prescriptions for flight attendants, other than prescription marijuana. The decision of which medications you can take and safely perform your Flight Attendant duties is generally determined by your health care provider (including dosage, frequency and timing of use in relation to your work schedule).

To help you inform your provider of your safety sensitive duties, provide your health care provider with your job description for incorporation into your medical file. ->

You can also download wallet size lists of Flight Attendants’ essential job functions for your provider’s quick reference each and every time a medication is discussed. ->

Health Care Provider’s Medication Note: Should your health care provider prescribe a medication containing an opioid or amphetamine (both of which are detectable under DOT testing) have your provider sign this note for your submission just in case you are challenged about the safe use of the medication. ->

* * *

Have more questions? Contact AFA International EAP at 800-424-2406.

In Solidarity,

Your AFA EAP

MEC Inflight Training Committee Interviews

Due to the recent growth within the inflight training department and the increase in other special projects assignments that are being offered by management, the MEC has elected to form an AFA Inflight Training Committee at the MEC level.  The purpose of the committee is to represent Flight Attendant interests related to initial, recurrent, and supplemental training and to represent the unique needs of the inflight instructors and those Flight Attendants on non-flying special projects assignments with management.

The committee will be comprised of one chairperson and two committee members.  Current inflight instructors and members of the special projects pool who are active and regularly assigned to inflight training/special projects duties are eligible to serve on the committee (this includes inflight instructors and ATS Flight Attendants at Virgin America). Flight Attendants who are currently on training or special project assignments who would like more information about how the committee positions including how to express interested may access the full position posting by clicking here.

For more information about the Inflight Training Committee, visit the committee page of the AFA Alaska website or refer to Article VII.I of the AFA Alaska Policy and Procedure Manual.  Additional questions may also be directed to your Local Council President.

In Solidarity,

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

MEC Inflight Training Committee Interviews – Call for Expressions of Interest

[UPDATED 12/04/2017] Clarification was added to indicate that only members of the inflight training department or special projects pool assigned to inflight training-related projects are eligible for Inflight Training Committee membership.

Background

The Inflight Training Committee is an MEC-level committee responsible for working with management to advocate for Flight Attendant interests in all matters pertaining to Flight Attendant training programs and to represent the unique needs and interests of Flight Attendants who are involved in Flight Attendant Initial and/or Recurrent Training, the special projects pool, and other non-flying assignments.

The MEC is seeking to fill the committee with an MEC Committee Chairperson and two Committee Members.  Both pre-merger Alaska and pre-merger Virgin America Flight Attendants who meet the qualifications of the position are eligible to express interest.

Additional Information from the MEC Policy Manual

I. INFLIGHT TRAINING COMMITTEE

1.  SCOPE

a.  The MEC Inflight Training Committee will be responsible for representing the unique needs and interests of Flight Attendants who are involved in Flight Attendant Initial and/or Recurrent Training, the special projects pool, and other non-flying assignments (hereafter referred to as the “Inflight Training Department”).

b.  The Committee will advocate for Flight Attendant interests in all matters pertaining to Flight Attendant training programs, curriculum, materials, and activities.

2.  POLICY/REPSONSIBILITIES

a.  The MEC Inflight Training Committee shall consist of the MEC Inflight Training Committee Chairperson and two additional members-at-large selected by the MEC.

b.  The MEC Chairperson shall:

(i)  Be an active member in good standing who is currently and regularly assigned to Inflight Training Department responsibilities.

(ii)  Meet regularly, but no less than monthly, with the MEC Vice President to discuss the needs, interests, challenges, and other matters of interests to members assigned to Inflight Training Department responsibilities.

(iii)  Represent the Flight Attendant point of view to the Company in all matters pertaining to Flight Attendant Initial and Recurrent Training programs, curriculum, and other materials as well as supplemental required and optional training activities.

(iv)  Work with the Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC) to review all Flight Attendant training activities and materials

(v)  Work with other AFA Committees as needed to accomplish assigned tasks and responsibilities

(vi)  Participate in AFA presentations to Flight Attendant Initial Training (IT) classes

(vii)  Keep the membership informed of items of interest pertaining to members assigned to Inflight Training Department responsibilities.  He/she will compose informational and educational articles of interest to the membership and provide them to the MEC Communications Chairperson to be included in MEC communications and posted to the MEC website

Qualifications

  • Current member of the inflight training department and/or inflight special projects pool assigned to inflight training-related projects (includes Virgin America ATS Flight Attendants)
  • Working knowledge of inflight training department policies and procedures
  • Strong computer skills. Working knowledge of Google email and Microsoft Office.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills. Ability to write membership communications, respond professionally to internal and external e-mail, prepare reports, and plan meeting agendas and take minutes.
  • Ability to meet deadlines, delegate responsibilities, and follow up on assigned tasks.

Duties

  • Review and provide input on Flight Attendant Initial and Recurrent Training programs, curriculum, and other materials
  • Review and provide input on supplemental training activities
  • Act in an advisory role to the MEC on inflight training-related matters
  • Review material, handle correspondence, and keep the members well informed of current inflight training developments. Provide information to the Communications Committee for inclusion in MEC communications.
  • Attend meetings with management and represent the AFA position on inflight training-related matters.
  • Correspond with the MEC regularly to provide status updates. Prepare and send a monthly committee report to the MEC.

Time Commitment and Flight Pay Loss Reimbursement

  • It is estimated that most of the work of these positions will be conducted in conjunction with performing regular inflight training or special projects responsibilities. Some additional remote work may be required.
  • These positions do not have an allocated budget for flight pay loss reimbursement.

Working Relationships

With Other MEC Committee Chairpersons

Regular interaction with other MEC Committee Chairpersons; particularly the Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC), Grievance Committee, and Reserve Committee Chairpersons.

With The Master Executive Council

This position reports to the Master Executive Council. The MEC executive sponsor for the committee is the MEC Vice President.

With Alaska Airlines Management

Constant interaction with inflight management, particularly the Managing Director of Inflight Strategy and Support (Carmen Williams), Manager of Inflight Training Delivery (Amanda Westendorf), Manager of Inflight Policy and Procedure (position currently vacant), and the Inflight Training Supervisors.

Expressing Interest and Interview Scheduling

  • The MEC will hold interviews during the January MEC meeting on Thursday, January 18 and Friday, January 19, 2018.
  • Interviews will be at the AFA Alaska MEC office in Seattle.
  • Submit an expression of interest and resume to MEC Secretary-Treasurer Linda Christou at linda.christou@afaalaska.org no later than 5 PM Pacific Time on Monday, January 8, 2018. In your expression of interest, please indicate the position you are interested in: Chairperson, Committee Member, or both.
  • Linda will be able to provide additional information regarding transportation and booking of flights if necessary.

 

In Solidarity,

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

Joint Contract Negotiations Session 7 – September 2025

Our JNC made significant progress in shaping our JCBA, successfully reaching a Tentative Agreement on Section 13 – Uniforms. Key provisions include enhancements to uniform standards, ensuring protective measures such as no surnames on name tags from the Hawaiian CBA. While we continue discussions on various sections, including Air Safety Health and Security, Training, and Commuter Policy. We appreciate feedback from the 2207 Flight Attendants who participated in our recent Vacation Survey.

Refreshed Inflight Mobile Device (IMD) Distribution

This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants Management has recently informed our Master Executive Council (MEC) that they are distributing new Inflight Mobile Devices (IMDs) to Flight Attendants with devices nearing the end of their lifecycle. The specific schedule for this distribution will be communicated by management separately. Flight Attendants with the oldest devices […]

Scheduling Committee Meeting Recap – September 2025

This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants On Tuesday, September 23, our pre-merger Alaska AFA Scheduling Committee Chairpersons and Representatives met in person at Alaska Airlines Corporate Headquarters 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), […]

Meet Our Pre-Merger Alaska Committee Chairperson & Representatives

This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants We’re excited to introduce the first group of pre-merger Alaska MEC Committee Chairpersons and Representatives for the upcoming MEC Officer term. They’ll begin transitioning into their roles over the next few months and officially start their terms on January 1, 2026. Below, you’ll find brief biographies that […]

Inflight Service Committee Meeting Recap – 3rd Quarter 2025

On Thursday, September 18, our AFA Inflight Service Committee Chairpersons met to discuss their ongoing efforts to represent our Flight Attendants and advocate for improvements in our workplace. Although our Inflight Service Committee has now merged, meetings with management continue to focus primarily on the Alaska or Hawaiian brands individually. This particular meeting was centered […]

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