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A September 11th Anniversary Message From Your AFA EAP

 

We know that the anniversaries of significant events in people’s lives can sometimes trigger reactions.  September 11, 2017 will be no different.  Some of us may harness our responses by participating in commemorative activities and memorials.    For others, September 11th will be marked by private reflections and personal tributes like a moment of silence or picking up a trip on the 11th.  For others, September 11th will serve as a reminder that September is National Preparedness Month.  Many will channel their responses into creating or updating family disaster communication/preparedness plans.

How ever you choose to structure your day this September 11th or how ever it just naturally unfolds, please remember that your AFA EAP committee representatives welcome being a part of it.  If you or a flying partner needs a confidential ear, please call us at:

Pre-Merger Alaska

(949) 470-0493 or find your local EAP representatives’ contact information at afaalaska.org/eap

Pre-Merger Virgin America

(800) 424-2406

Remember, we’re just a phone call away.

Strategies for Dealing With The Anniversary of September 11th

Anniversaries of tragedies can be difficult times for many people.  For some, the anniversary of 9/11 continues to be a powerful reminder of loss.  For others, who thought they had put the tragedy behind them, the anniversary may produce unexpected anxiety or grief.

The anniversary and the media replay of that day’s destruction may stir strong emotions and difficult memories in many of us.  But there are ways to cope:

  • Observe the anniversary in a way that’s comfortable for you. Being with other people, getting involved in memorial activities and talking about the tragedy are all important coping strategies, but taking time to be by yourself – to think and reflect – can be helpful and healing as well.
  • Limit television as much as possible. The visual images can prompt especially strong reactions.  Instead, be prepared to turn to a movie channel, read a book, or go to Blockbusters.
  • If you start to feel overwhelmed, talk with a friend, family member, or your AFA EAP. Often, talking about your fears and feelings is enough to relieve stress and realize that other people share your feelings.  Taking action is a sign of strength and self-awareness.
  • Recall other times you’ve experienced strong emotions. Identify which coping strategies have worked for you in the past, and use them.
  • Don’t compare yourself to how others around you appear to be dealing with the September 11 anniversary. Everyone experiences and copes with stress differently.  Try not to judge people’s emotions by their outsides.
  • If you have children, encourage them to discuss their concerns and feelings with you.
  • If you have strong feelings that haven’t or won’t go away, seeking help from a professional may prove useful. Your AFA EAP can provide you with referrals.
  • Share this information with a flying partner who may be struggling with the upcoming anniversary.

Modified from information from the National Mental Health Association

[AS] Enacting §8.S [Natural Disasters…] Due to Hurricane Irma

This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants

Turning crews out of Fort Lauderdale (FLL) and Havana (HAV) starting tomorrow

In anticipation of Hurricane Irma, Alaska Airlines management has made the decision to reposition crews out of Fort Lauderdale (FLL) tonight and to turn crews out of FLL and Havana (HAV) starting tomorrow. AFA and Alaska Airlines have agreed to enact the provision of §8.S [Natural Disasters…] in order to ensure crew safety. The provisions of §8.S remain in effect until such time as Alaska Airlines is able to resume normal operations to the affected stations. Based on the size of Irma, AFA is advocating for management to widen the scope of §8.S in the coming days if the latest forecast models hold. AFA has also requested that management keep the Inflight webpage (SSO login required) updated with the latest information regarding which stations have been affected by Hurricane Irma and are covered by the provisions of §8.S.

Irma Preparedness

AFA International has developed a Hurricane Irma preparedness page for those potentially affected by the storm.

Read more >

Hurricane Harvey and Houston (IAH)

The Master Executive Council (MEC) is pleased that management appears to be more proactive in seeking to utilize §8.S for Hurricane Irma than it was for Hurricane Harvey. Management never sought AFA’s approval to use §8.S in order to turn crews out of Houston (IAH) in advance of Harvey, which resulted in one Flight Attendant crew being stranded in IAH during the storm. Thankfully, management successfully worked with that crew over the next several days, and the crew was eventually evacuated without physical harm. AFA is hoping Hurricane Irma will be an opportunity for the Company to improve its response.

Hurricane Harvey resources for AFA members

The AFA International Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Department has developed an informational page with details on giving help, getting help and recovery resources related to Hurricane Harvey.

Read more >

AFA Disaster Relief Fund

The AFA Disaster Relief Fund provides a means for AFA members to assist other members and retirees who have suffered significant damage and/or relocation as a result of a disaster. Since it began in the fall of 2001, the AFA Disaster Relief Fund has provided support in the aftermath of many large-scale disasters including the September 11th terrorist attacks, Hurricane Katrina, and other natural and/or man-made disasters.

AFA encourages members to donate now. Be assured 100% of your contribution will go directly to impacted Flight Attendants in the form of cash assistance.

Read more >

If you have any concerns, questions or need assistance, contact the appropriate AFA resources (e.g. EAP, local officers or Scheduling or Reserve Committee members).

In Solidarity,

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

[AS] Open Time Update – September 2, 2017

This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants

What is “Back to Book”?

The “Back to Book” Open Time system is the trading system outlined in the 2006-2010 Flight Attendant Agreement as modified by the 2011 AFA Arbitration Award No. 6-99-2-18-11 “Withholding Open Time.” This modified trading system was in place 2012-2015. The contractual language associated with this system is found in CBA §12.F [Exchange of Sequences – Back to Book: Open Time Trading]. The “Back to Book” Section 12 Exchange of Sequences follows the regular Section 12 and precedes Section 13 Uniforms in your contract. The arbitration award follows LOA 6 Contract Implementation Schedule and precedes the index.

What is the Status of “Back to Book”?

It has been three months since our last Open Time update (“Open Time Negotiations Update – June 1, 2017”), so it is not a surprise that Flight Attendants have been inquiring about the “Back to Book” Open Time system. As indicated in the last update, AFA filed a grievance earlier in the summer disputing management’s failure to to provide sufficient IT resources for reverting Back to Book. That grievance was subsequently sustained by management, which essentially means management agrees with AFA’s position. Management further agreed to remedy the situation by contracting with Jeppesen to program Back to Book.

It is ridiculous that a whole year has passed after ending the Open Time Trial, yet very little progress has been made toward actually programming Back to Book into the new Jeppesen Crew Access (JCA) crew tracking and trip trading system. Management has been citing “IT limitations” as the reason why reverting Back to Book is still so delayed. (“If reverting, the timeline for rolling back will be dictated by IT limitations” per §12.F.9.a [Exchange of Sequences: Open Time Trial]). Management and Jeppesen claim that all available resources have been allocated to implementation of JCA.

Representatives from the Master Executive Council (MEC) and Alaska Airlines management have met several times recently to have frank discussions about the entire situation. Some of these meetings have included representatives from Jeppesen. The MEC’s goal in these meetings has been to achieve implementation guarantees for programming the new Open Time Tentative Agreement (TA) reached back in May and/or programming Back to Book. As you may recall, the MEC unanimously voted against releasing the Open Time TA due to a lack of implementation guarantees. Unfortunately, the meetings have been depressing.

Management is not inclined to agree to implementation guarantees without confident estimates about when the work would be completed. Further complicating the programming of a replacement Open Time system is the reality that Jeppesen and Alaska management have limited resources. Those resources are stretched even more thinly due to merger-related projects that have aggressive deadlines and several key staffing changes at Jeppesen and in Inflight management.

Finally, the eMaestro system is totally and irrevocably gone. Jeppesen cannot simply ‘flip a switch’ and resurrect eMaestro and/or Back to Book Open Time. Going Back to Book requires Jeppesen to completely replicate the Back to Book trading rules in JCA. Even if implementation were seamless, the “new” Back to Book system would have a significantly different look and feel than in eMaestro.

The very preliminary estimate for programming Back to Book is late summer next year. Based on our recent and ongoing experience with JCA implementation, let’s just say that the MEC does not have confidence that Back to Book—or a completely new Open Time system—will be implemented on time or without glitches.

AFA and management are meeting again early next week to discuss our options. The MEC will provide another update after that meeting. After all the disappointments with extremely delayed implementation timelines and a disastrously executed transition to the new trip trading system, you deserve better!

In Solidarity,

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

[AS] Introducing the Next MEC Scheduling Committee Chairperson

This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants

At our monthly meeting held yesterday, your Master Executive Council (MEC) interviewed candidates for the position of MEC Scheduling Committee chairperson. Former Chairperson Zac Weeks recently vacated that position to successfully pursue an opportunity in Alaska Airlines management as the duty manager of Inflight Crew Scheduling. Two candidates interviewed for the position (one Seattle-based Flight Attendant and one Los Angeles-based Flight Attendant). The MEC thanks the candidates for stepping forward in the spirit of Union service. The MEC has appointed Jake Jones as MEC Scheduling Committee chairperson.

About Jake

Jake Jones is currently serving a third term as vice president of AFA-CWA Council 19 Seattle. Jake is a Seattle-based Flight Attendant and joined the company in 2006.  He holds an AA in Business Administration and Management. Prior to working for Alaska Airlines, he was in the banking industry for seven years.

In Solidarity,

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

Inflight Service Tidbits – August 2017

Inflight Service Tidbits

Items in bold are recently added

First Class

  1. Don’t lose your serving tray again–when the door to the ice bucket compartment is open, there is a small space created above the door. This is a great place to stash one small serving tray.
  2. Use metal tongs to handle the aluminum cups when plating food—saves you from burns from handling the hot cups.
  3. Dirty scoops need to be placed in the used food cart so they go back to the galley for cleaning
  4. The extra silverware bag is for multiple flights. When you are picking up the first course (fruit or salad) don’t forget to ask the passengers to keep their knives and forks for the entrée.
  5. After giving the pilots their water bottles move your red wine from your beverage cart dry drawer into the pilot water drawer.
  6. Make sure the pilots get their water from 1-10.
  7. Let your D know where the hot towels are prior to 10K so they can locate them quickly.
  8. Used linens may be placed in used oven or bread bags—they do not need to be separated by color. Please do not use recycle bags for used linens.  A handy trick for linens is also to tie two linens together, place all used linens in the center and then tie to the remaining ends together—all linens contained and no plastic bags.
  9. If you are unsure how to pronounce something you are going to be serving Wikipedia is your friend.
  10. In FC scrape and stack your FC items. Dump liquids/trash from your FC glasses and leave galleys clean—don’t forget to use just half of the FC glassware on RON or double catered flights (Trans-con flights are an exception because they are fully re-stocked.
  11. After landing and the seatbelt sign goes off, remove the garbage and recycle bags from the carts when the cart will not be removed from the aircraft during catering or if there is just a catering trash and water service. Trash and recycle out of the carts? Time to seal the carts—don’t forget the liquor cart, too. 

Premium Class

  1. Keep the PC boxes in the PC section PLEASE
  2. If you have no PC section but lots of PC boxes, put those beverage cart drawers that are full of PC boxes in the IFE cart to make room for new top drawers in your beverage cart. At the end of the flight it is easy to just slip the drawers back in the beverage cart so they can go back to the kitchen

RON (Remain Overnight) Aircraft

  1. RON flights need to have all open juices disposed of.  If they are empty flatten the cartons and put them in the recycle.  If the juice cartons are partially full drain them and recycle or put the lids on and put them in the trash.
  2. RON flights – Please leave one empty oven rack in the oven but remove everything else!
  3. No morning smelly surprises wanted—please remove the trash from all of the carts after landing and the seat belt sign has been turned off. Trash and recycle removed time to seal the carts too.

Recycling, Trash, and Conservation

  1. Only use a plastic cup for tea fixings…please do not use plastic cups for putting coffee condiments (cream/sugar/equal) for the customer. Use a napkin and put coffee condiments on the napkin and hand to customer.
  2. Do you know where to put your coffee ground compost bag…try and put them in your “used” food cart.
  3. Chocolate bars go back in the beverage carts at the end of your segment.
  4. Partial cans of soda do NOT need to emptied out. They will still be recycled
  5. If your juice box is empty or contains less than a cupful, please dispose of the box. If you don’t have time to drain it put the lid on and place it in a drawer in a trash cart.  Don’t leave it for the next crew to deal with.  If the juice box on the downline leg is swollen please do not use it.
  6. Juice and soda should NOT be emptied in the drain in front of the coffee makers. The cans will be recycled if they are in the drawers and open.  Put the lids on the open juice and place them in a drawer in the bottom of a trash cart.
  7. Make sure that you are stacking cups and fruit & cheese platters for recycling to maximize space.
  8. On the Trans-con/HI/MX/Long-hauls Services: Move picnic packs/cheese platters to the other food or supply cart to create more garbage space.  You have now have separated your remaining food from future garbage and recycle.  You have also created a trash cart by completely emptying one cart.
  9. Remove the tins or skillets from the ovens after service—the oven racks can be interlocked in the ovens providing more trash space in the carts.
  10. Keep that gray bag from slipping off the cart door w/o hanging it by a soda can—pull the handle up and tie a knot in it and put this on the inside of the door of the cart. This will keep the bag from slipping off.
  11. Main cabin trash cart—Have your normal setup on top of the cart. Leave the door open and put a drawer on the inside with a bag hanging from the drawer.  Use a pokie to affix the gray bag.  You now have room for large passenger trash bags, pizza boxes and items too large for the top of the cart.
  12. Coffee compost bags—Hang it! Tie a knot in the corner of the coffee compost bag corner and slip the knot behind the galley trash door making sure the galley trash door is securely closed.  The knot keeps the bag from slipping out from the door and the coffee packs are not out of the way. 
  13. Help corral the loose crayon boxes—if you have a spare zip lock bag reuse it and place the crayon boxes in the bag. 

Pay It Forward

  1. Carts that are not designated for your flight should remain sealed. Paying it forward doesn’t mean to open another crew’s cart and set it up.  Paying it forward means to restock (sugar/tea caddies) and put other items back where they came from.
  2. If you are leg 1 of a double catered flight make sure you remove items from the ovens for the next crew or leg 2.
  3. When flying a Trans-con/Hawaii if you have room in your used aisle cart put some water bottles in the drawers prior to landing—this will give the crew extra water for their flight home.
  4. On the Trans-cons where you will be restocked with soda if you have extra fresh soda drawers at the end of the first segment, load them in your used aisle carts—this gives the second crew a few extra supplies from your used aisle cart.
  5. Find an appropriate place for trays—on the second leg put them in the used cart, put them in the ice cart, put them in the picnic pack cart but don’t leave them so they fall on someone’s head
  6. Dirty scoops need to be placed in the used food cart so they go back to the galley for cleaning
  7. After landing and the seatbelt sign goes off, remove the garbage and recycle bags from the carts when the cart will not be removed from the aircraft during catering or if there is just a catering trash and water service. Trash and recycle out of the carts? Time to seal the carts—the aisle carts and the shelf stable BYOB cart, too.
  8. Restock the sugar/tea caddies for the next crew just the way you would like them stocked for you. The middle upper galley 4 skinny compartment is a great place to stow the re-stocked caddies.  If you are on an aircraft that does not have this space use the AC L little corner cubby.

Hot Water Carafes

  1. There is an arrow on the lid of the hot water carafe.  This needs to be pointed to the spout to have an opening for the hot water to pour out.  If you cannot see the arrow you can feel it as a small bump on the edge of the lid.
  2. When you are finished using the hot water carafe screw lid on loosely. If screwed on tightly the change in cabin pressurization can make it very difficult to remove the lid
  3. If you have a clean coffee pot, fill it with hot water and leave it on the hot plate prior to service. It is a QUICK refill for your carafe.

Ovens

  1. Do not cook a customer’s personal food per FAM, Section 8.100 pg. 6 (Oven Components and Supplies)
  2. On the 900ER or any oven please don’t draw on the face of the oven dial.
  3. Turn off the ovens prior to arrival—hot oven racks are a safety hazard for catering.
  4. Do not start heating meals until after take-off

Coffee Makers and Hotplates

  1. If you have trouble removing coffee from the coffee drawer as the coffee pouches have inflated—Remove a couple of pouches of coffee from the drawer prior to cabin pressurization. Suggested spots for these coffee pouches–MC—creamer drawer, FC – in the galley bar compartment.
  2. Turn off the coffee “hotplates” and make sure they are cool so that you can wipe them to remove the “old” spilled coffee.
  3. Winter time…Put a little water in the coffee pots and turn the coffee makers and hotplates on when you get on the plane. This will help you serve hot coffee even on a very cold morning.

Inflight Entertainment Tablets

  1. IFE players need to be cleaned prior to all arrivals in ANC
  2. Every IFE Player on a downline flight should be handed out with a charging cord. This includes those players that do not appear to have been used.

Service

  1. Remember that the service starts shortly after 10K (depending on weather) and not at cruise attitude.
  2. Do you know how many carts you do and when you get re-stocked? Check out the IMD in GoodReader/ASA Supplement/Service Guide…to find out your re-stocking you go to GoodReader/ASA Supplement/ Onboard Experience/Cater-Restocking Schedule.
  3. When doing a water service place an upside down coffee cup on the bottom…it gives stability to your stack of plastic cups.
  4. C FA….”Take Two Rows and Turn”. When the C FA is directly on the food cart…. assist the B FA by taking 2 rows and selling food.
  5. NO personal cups, thermos etc. can be filled or refilled. If passengers want extra pour 2 cups of the beverage.
  6. After the beverage cart is in place with the D Flight Attendant at row 6, if you are the C please turn and help the B bring the retail cart forward.
  7. Save time and steps back to the galley, find a space for a couple of entertainment players on your first service retail cart.

Miscellaneous

  1. Did you know that your beer bins are supposed to be dumped of the water and re-iced when on Hawaii flights, mid-con and trans-con. Take the time to file a Flight Attendant Incident Report (link on the flight attendant webpage).  This is a SAFETY problem.
  2. Please do not co-mingle catering supplies with emergency equipment in the overhead bins.
  3. The Report It App is to be used for all catering feedback and the IMD version is much easier to use.

Joint Contract Negotiations Session 14 – April 2026

The JNC continued its thorough review of both the Alaska and Hawaiian vacation systems, engaging in productive discussions with key company stakeholders. A collaborative approach was proposed to address the complex provisions, ensuring that all parties’ needs are considered. Looking ahead, the committee is preparing to gather feedback through a Crew Meal Survey and anticipates further sessions with management from June 2 to June 4.

Celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month in the United States—a time to celebrate the vibrant stories, achievements, and enduring impact of these communities. Their cultures, traditions, and innovations have enriched every facet of American life, from art and science to activism and public service. What started in 1978 as a weeklong observance […]

Join The Picket Line: Support Horizon Flight Attendants on Tuesday, April 28

Since November 2023, Horizon Air Flight Attendants have been in negotiations, fighting tirelessly to secure a new contract that recognizes their work. Even after applying for mediation in January 2025, management continues to offer proposals that ignore the essential contributions Horizon Flight Attendants make to the success of Horizon Air and Alaska Air Group.  On […]

Scheduling Committee Meeting Recap – April 2026

This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants On Tuesday, April 21, our pre-merger Alaska AFA Scheduling Committee Chairpersons and Representatives met in person at the Alaska Airlines Global Training Center in Renton, WA to discuss their ongoing work to represent our Flight Attendants and push for improvements in our workplace. Representing you at the […]

Hotel Committee Meeting Recap – April 2026

On Monday, April 13, 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 pmAS), Kelly Hepworth (PDX), Barry Spitzer (SFO), Brian Sherill (LAX pmAS), and Kanani Vallot (SAN), […]

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