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Scheduling Committee Meeting Recap – December 2025

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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.

Scheduling Committee Meeting Recap – November 2025

This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants

On Tuesday, November 25, 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), Rita Tillou (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 Crew Scheduling Supervisor Matthew Trujillo, Director of Crew Planning Trisha Bennett, Manager of Flight Crew System Support Sue Rawlings, and other management representatives from Crew Planning, Crew Scheduling, information technology (ITS), payroll, and inflight performance.

The Committee is next scheduled to meet in person on Tuesday, December 16.

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

  • Charter Pay Issues: Two Flight Attendants were paid differently for charter assignments. It appears one Flight Attendant was compensated under the night rule, and we’re having payroll investigate if applicable.
  • IT Outage Impact: During the IT outage, issues arose where two Flight Attendants received payment based on the old process, resulting in a flight being partially paid at a premium rate. Reviewing the pay and ensuring it is accurate. 

SAN

  • Grievance Over Duty Pay Concern: Management is not paying compensation for Flight Attendants who are going over duty that extends beyond 12:30 and flying into their day off. AFA plans to file a grievance. It could take several months to resolve, as our position is that they pyramid. 
  • Turn Requests: Emails were sent requesting more turn assignments. There was a lot of discussion about the optimizer, aircraft rotation, duty days, hotel costs, and several other factors that led to pairing length and distribution.

ANC

  • Quiet Operations: The period has been relatively calm, aside from some reassignments related to exceptions.

LAX

  • Surface Deadhead Check-in Issues: Flight Attendants were given a late check-in for a surface deadhead flight. We are expecting a resolution to the ability to check in for surface deadheads in future updates of Block2Block (B2B). For now, please call Crew Scheduling to check in for surface deadheads. 
  • Charter Trip Discrepancies: Blurry picture details for posted charter trips were reported. Crew Scheduling confirmed the information was updated correctly on their end. They needed to upload a new PDF. If you notice an upload is blurry, please contact Crew Scheduling to resolve the issue. 

SFO

  • Pay Concerns: Questions arose surrounding over-duty pay and pyramiding of day-off pay. A grievance is being filed. 
  • Delay Reporting: A delay from JFK required reporting before TSA closed; the ticket regarding this was forwarded to the Reserve Committee for further review.

SEA

  • Social Media Reports and Check-in Times: Flight Attendants raised concerns about late reports, emphasizing that they are not required to check in earlier than scheduled. This has been driven by management’s push to move departures on certain flights earlier than scheduled, when the system updates the flight departure earlier by 5 minutes or less.
  • Tech Stop Policy: Confirmed that tech stops count as 1.5 times for duty periods, and reports need to be tracked to avoid advising Flight Attendants to file inquiries unnecessarily.
  • IT Debrief: Discussions are ongoing regarding deadhead seating and outstanding issues, necessitating follow-up with Crew Scheduling on compensation. 
  • Feedback on Pairings: Flight Attendants expressed a desire for specific turns and two-day trips (one leg per day). This is difficult as the system builds the trips, and the flying is being distributed for a multitude of reasons. 

PBS Subcommittee Report

  • Bidding & Awards: December’s focus was on coverage and denial mode, with good engagement as Flight Attendants sought to understand the program better. December Awards bidding was smooth, coinciding with high coverage during the holiday month.
  • Bid Protests: Most protests were related to coverage, which is not a valid basis for a protest. Flight Attendants are encouraged to reach out for education on why they received their award, rather than relying on a Bid Protest to seek advice.
  • Meetings: A series of meetings took place, including quarterly NAVBLUE customer calls and AFA monthly calls, as well as focus groups discussing error messages.
  • Testing and Releases: Completed testing of PBS version 25.5.574. Goal to upgrade to this version in December to be ready for February Bidding. In 2026, PBS logins will transition to AAG SSO.
  • PBS Base Sits: Base sits for 2026 have been approved, allowing for two visits per base annually, with the first expected in April 2026.

Pairing Construction Report

  • Raw Pairings: Sent out to Local Scheduling Committee Chairpersons, with a focus on penalizing three and four-day trips while increasing one and two-day trips. 
  • Run Selections: Noted an increase in soft locks within the chosen runs.

ITS Report

  • PBS Testing Completion: Successfully tested PBS version 25.574 with 234 out of 239 passes.
  • TFP Calendar Changes: Development is complete; user acceptance testing has started.
  • Trade Data: November saw 103539 total trades, with a 98.5% transaction speed under 10 seconds. A release is scheduled for December 8, 2025. Information about the release will be distributed within the next few weeks. 
  • Future Releases: Focusing on international restrictions and automating deadhead flight components.

Payroll Report

  • Pay Inquiries: Increased inquiries to 4323 for October, a rise from September.
  • Quarterly Rainmaker Meetings: Scheduled for 2026, focusing on Crew Scheduling annotations and upcoming system updates aimed at automating pay components.

Crew Planning Report

  • January 2026 Projections: Total block hours at 288844, which is lower than December. Staffing adjustments for the month are around 312. We expect to see reserve percentages around 19% for the system-wide. 
  • Upcoming Changes: The Pairing Analytics Dashboard is scheduled to launch soon, with adjustments for pilot teaming and Flight Attendant pairing strategies ongoing through February.
  • PBS Update: There will be an update to NAVBLUE around December 17, 2025, that will require Flight Attendants to utilize SSO and change their passwords every 90 days. 

Crew Scheduling Report

  • Sick Leave Trends: Sick leave rates remain consistent with the previous year, with 5587 calls in November.
  • Reserve Utilization: Reserve utilization is currently at 90%, with Seattle having the highest rates.
  • Premium Breakdown: November’s premium figures reported significant activity in both awarded and contractual premiums.
  • Implementation Timeline: Ongoing updates regarding B2B contactability and upcoming changes to the project management structure.

Hotel Committee Update

  • Transportation Safety: Initiatives are underway to ensure the safe transportation of crews and luggage. Testing of Uber black for pilots is being conducted. We discussed the importance of contacting Crew Scheduling if safety concerns arise with hotels or transportation, and filing Crew Care reports.

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 Crew Access update is scheduled for December 8, 2025, featuring several improvements and updates. 
  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. AFA is filing grievances regarding several concerns with pyramid pay. 
  3. ISA for Reserves Implementation: Working to finalize a new system for ineligibility for self-assignment (ISA) for Reserve Flight Attendants, with the next Crew Access release expected in early December 8, 2025. 
  4. Vacation Bidding: AFA 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 that 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. 

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.

What You Need To Know About The FAA Capacity Cuts

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has announced plans for a 10% reduction in flight capacity across 40 markets, starting this Friday. According to news reports, these schedule reductions will begin on Friday and will gradually increase throughout the weekend until they reach the full 10% by the following week. Reports also suggest that all Alaska and Hawaiian Flight Attendant bases are likely to be included in the markets affected by these capacity cuts. AFA International President Sara Nelson issued a statement regarding these reductions yesterday.

Management is aware of this announcement and is currently awaiting finalized guidance from the FAA to make necessary adjustments to operations. Our Master Executive Council (MEC) and Scheduling Committee are in contact with Inflight and Crew Scheduling management and are waiting for further information regarding their plans once they receive additional details from the FAA. In addition, AFA International has proactively reached out to management to push for the implementation of protections and mitigations for Flight Attendants attempting to commute to work in light of potential delays and cancellations.

Review Your Contract Now In Case Your Flying Is Affected

As these capacity reductions take effect, you may experience cancellations or changes to your flying schedule. In anticipation of this, our Scheduling Committee recommends that you familiarize yourself with your contractual rights and understand the options available to you if you are impacted.

Pre-Merger Alaska Flight Attendants: Review sections 10.R (Same-Day Scheduling Changes and Reassignments) and 10.S (Pre-Cancellations), as well as the Reassignment Flowchart and Pre-Cancellation Flowchart.

Pre-Merger Hawaiian Flight Attendants: Review section 7.J (Reassigning of Flight Attendants).

Questions?

If you have any questions that remain unanswered after reviewing the contract, please reach out to your Local Scheduling Committee (pmAS) or your LEC Officers (pmHA) for further assistance. 

Scheduling Committee Meeting Recap – October 2025

This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants

On Tuesday, October 28, 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), Rita Tillou (SEA), Melodie Anderes (PDX), Jaqui Bellenie (SFO), Kanako Yamado (LAX), and Joey Lawrence (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 of Inflight Operations & Crew Scheduling Sara Cook, Director of Crew Planning Trisha Bennett, and other management representatives from Crew Planning and Crew Scheduling.

The Committee is next scheduled to meet in person on Tuesday, November 25.

Topics of Discussion

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

  • Upcoming Meetings: MEC Scheduling Committee meetings are next scheduled for November 25 and December 16 (in-person). Meetings for 2026 have also been scheduled.
  • Special Reports & Meetings: Scheduling Review Board (SRB) meetings are set for November 6 and December 4, 2025. Alternate Dispute Resolutions (ADR) Meetings are scheduled for November 6, November 20, December 4, and December 18, 2025, with other dates into 2026. JCTE Update is on November 17, 2025. Pairing Selection Meetings are November 18 and December 16, 2025.
  • Tentative Agreement (TA) Implementation: Key items will have a timeline of ratification plus 1, 30, 60, 90, and 120 days.
  • ELP Meeting: A meeting for the new vacation bidding and trading vendor is set for November 4, 2025.
  • MEC Committee Chairperson Report: Topics included Crew Backlog Review, Bi-Monthly Reviews with ALPA, Crew Access Issues, Rainmaker Crew Pay System, Fatigue Review Board, NAVBLUE Monthly Calls, JCTE Open Time Performance Quarterly Review, and Personal Drop Report Process updates. Disputes regarding Pyramiding Pay and 4k compensation were also discussed.
  • Local Committee Chairperson Reports: Various issues were reported from PDX (hotel assistance, IT outage, jury duty, vacation award), SAN (double out rest, Daylight Savings pairings), ANC (Crew Access tickets), LAX (pre-cancel issue), SFO (missing pay, communication with flying reductions), and SEA (multiple days off, transportation issues, sick leave form availability).
  • PBS Subcommittee Report: Noted good participation in November holiday bidding, legal solutions for SEA pairings, steady bid protests, and monthly meetings with NAVBLUE. Upcoming releases for 2026 bidding and TA2 updates are expected.
  • Pairing Construction Report: Focused on cost-effective December pairings and in-person collaboration days for pairing building with Crew Planning in Seattle.
  • ITS Report: Covered NAVBLUE/PBS testing and personal drop form in production. Noted that Open Time trades had lower transaction numbers this month, with steady transaction times.
  • Crew Scheduling Report: Highlighted the major internal outage. Had to switch to manual scheduling during the outage, with significant manual work. Sick leave monitoring (October absence rate at 9.6%), reserve utilization (over 90% for the last four months), and scheduler staffing plans were also reviewed.
  • Crew Planning Report Summary: Anticipated increase in block hours for December (+33k hours, primarily at the end of the month), no staffing adjustment leaves will be offered, focus on operational efficiency, and future planning.

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.
  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.
  3. ISA for Reserves Implementation: Working to finalize a new system for ineligibility for self-assignment (ISA) for Reserve Flight Attendants, with the next Crew Access release expected in early October 2025.

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.

Meet Our Pre-Merger Alaska Committee Chairperson & Representatives

This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants

We’re excited to introduce the next 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 highlight their backgrounds and experiences as they prepare to support our Flight Attendant group.

David Lake, MEC Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee LOSA Representative

David began his career as a Flight Attendant in 1979, initially based in Denver with Continental Airlines and since 1982 at Alaska Airlines.

He is currently the Council 19 (SEA) Air Safety, Health, and Security Committee Chairperson. In addition to his primary responsibilities of improving Flight Attendants’ health, safety, and security, he works with SEA base management on various areas relating to the Flight Attendant group, including ground and flight operations, training, aircraft catering, maintenance, and customer service. 

Before his current role on the Council 19 ASHSC and as the MEC ASHSC LOSA Representative, he served as the MEC ASHSC Chairperson. Passionate about continuous improvement, David remains dedicated to strengthening programs that ensure the well-being and operational excellence of his colleagues throughout the airline. 

Brad Young, MEC Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee ASAP & FRB Primary Representative

Brad has been a San Francisco–based Flight Attendant since 2010. He began his career with Virgin America during its early years, when the airline operated just a few aircraft and served a limited number of destinations.

His in-depth AFA involvement began when he was appointed the Local Safety Committee Chairperson for the AFA Alaska Council at the newly established SFO base following Alaska Airlines’ acquisition of Virgin America in 2017. Later that same year, he was elected to office, marking the start of his formal leadership within our Union.

After being re-elected as Council Representative in 2019 and again in 2022, Brad continues to advocate for his peers with dedication and experience. He is enthusiastic about representing over 10,000 Flight Attendants as the combined Alaska/Hawaiian merger approaches Single Operating Certificate (SOC) in October 2025.

Brad has also served as the MEC Air Safety, Health, and Security Committee (ASHSC) Vice Chairperson since 2018, where he holds primary responsibility for member representation in both the ASAP and Fatigue Review Board (FRB) programs. He was also recently elected to serve a third term as MEC ASHSC Vice Chairperson.

Ronda Ruderman, MEC Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee ASAP Alternate Representative

Ronda began her career in 1985 when she was hired by Alaska Airlines. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Engineering and has dedicated a significant portion of her professional life to safety. For 25 years, she served as MEC Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC) Chairperson and has been a member of the Committee for an impressive 40 years. In 2006, Ronda played a key role in launching the ASAP Program at Alaska Airlines and has maintained ongoing involvement in the ASAP Event Review Committee ever since.

Her commitment to excellence is further evidenced by her positions as an AFA Inflight Service Committee Member and an Inflight Training Instructor. Additionally, Ronda is the Chair of the AFA International Aircraft Technical Committee and serves as an AFA International Training Instructor, sharing her expertise with the ASHSC and in accident investigations. Passionate about her role, she truly enjoys assisting her fellow Flight Attendants and continues to find joy in flying.

Julie Thornton, MEC Reserve Committee Chairperson

Julie Thornton is a proud Seattle native, who earned dual Bachelor of Arts degrees in Communication and Spanish from the University of Washington. Her college years were filled with vibrant experiences, including active involvement in Kappa Delta sorority, where she attended social gatherings and devoted time to philanthropic events—moments that helped shape her love for community and leadership. (Go Huskies!)

Julie’s professional story began on the shores of South Lake Union, where she spent just over two years at a boutique Public Relations firm. While she thrived in the fast-paced PR environment, Julie soon realized her heart was set on a career that combined her love of travel, helping others, and making a tangible difference. In 2013, Julie took a leap and joined Alaska Airlines as a Flight Attendant, initially based in Los Angeles. 

Julie’s commitment to service quickly found an outlet, in 2014 she began volunteering on the Seattle Reserve Committee as a Reserve Buddy. In this mentorship role, Julie welcomed and supported new reserve Flight Attendants, sharing her insights and easing their transitions. In 2018, she was selected as the Seattle Reserve Committee Chairperson—a role in which she fostered a supportive environment for her SEA peers. Julie’s AFA journey continued to blossom in 2020, Julie was elected to serve her first term as the MEC Reserve Committee Chairperson. Her impact grew further; in 2020 she joined the Seattle Grievance Committee as a Grievance Committee Member. In her new role as Grievance Committee Payroll Representative, she hopes to create enhanced training workshops and peer support resources, making the often-challenging pay system more accessible for all.

When Julie isn’t soaring at 35,000 feet, she’s spending time with her family and friends. She and her husband love introducing their young son, Brooks, to the wonders of the world—along with their two mischievous chocolate Labradors, Herman and Hazel. Julie’s circle of friends and family is her anchor, and she cherishes every moment spent at home or abroad.

Jake Jones, MEC Scheduling Committee Chairperson

Jake Jones is a Seattle-based Flight Attendant who has been with Alaska Airlines since 2006. He began serving as the MEC Scheduling Committee Chairperson in January 2015 and has held this position for several years. Throughout his career, he has been actively involved in union work, serving multiple terms as the LEC Vice President of Council 19 (SEA). He has also held roles such as the SEA Local Grievance Committee Chairperson and Negotiating Committee Member.

Jake earned an Associate’s Degree in Business Administration and Management and spent seven years in the banking industry, which provided him with valuable skills applicable to his current role. As the AFA MEC Scheduling Committee Chairperson, he is dedicated to advocating for Alaska Flight Attendants and enhancing their contractual rights. He aims to address questions and concerns promptly, ensure compliance with all contractual obligations, and educate Flight Attendants about their rights under the contract.

Outside of work, Jake lives in Auburn and enjoys spending time with friends and family, attending concerts, and participating in sporting events.

Karen Ferrell, MEC Scheduling Committee Vice Chairperson – Pairing Construction

Karen has worked for Alaska Airlines for over 40 years in various roles. She is currently an Anchorage-based Flight Attendant. Her involvement with AFA began in Council 30 (ANC), where she previously served as the LEC Vice President and Scheduling Committee Co-Chairperson. Since 2016, she has also held the position of of the MEC Scheduling Committee Vice Chairperson—Pairing Construction.

Karen has always been interested in the scheduling aspect of our job. Before the current system was implemented, she met with the previous AFA line builder several times to learn about the line-building process. In her current role, she works to find solutions that balance the Company’s priorities and need for operational integrity with the need to create a variety of pairings that can meet the diverse requirements of our workgroup.

Virginia Fritz, MEC Scheduling Committee Vice Chairperson – PBS

Virginia has been a Flight Attendant based in San Francisco since 2015, when she began her career at Virgin America. She has always had a passion for aviation, sparked by her experiences traveling as an unaccompanied minor at age five. Her enthusiasm for the industry has led her to work on a Zeppelin, work as a Gate Agent, and hold the position of Air Transportation Supervisor. 

When Alaska Airlines acquired Virgin America, Virginia became an AFA Member and eagerly seized the opportunity to advocate for her fellow Flight Attendants. She has served as the Council 35 (SFO) Scheduling Committee Chairperson and Mobilization Committee Co-Chairperson. Currently, she holds the position of SFO LEC Vice President and is a member of the Joint Negotiating Committee. 

Virginia is particularly passionate about PBS and has been involved with the PBS Committee since 2020. She is honored to have been elected to a second term as the MEC Scheduling Vice Chairperson–PBS. 

Outside of her advocacy work, Virginia resides in Los Gatos, CA, with her supportive and loving husband, their adorable pup, Strudel, and her especially union-proud grandmother.

Adam Clarey, MEC Scheduling Committee PBS Subcommittee Member

Adam grew up in the Seattle area and has spent most of his life in Washington State. He has been a Flight Attendant with Alaska Airlines since 2004. Adam has been involved as an AFA representative since 2011 and has served on the PBS Committee since 2017. His previous career experience is in marketing and advertising.

In his free time, Adam enjoys spending time with his wife and two children. He also loves outdoor activities such as surfing, camping, golfing, and hiking. Adam is excited to bring his experience, leadership, and compassion to his role as a PBS Subcommittee Member.

Melodie Anderes, MEC Scheduling Committee PBS Subcommittee Member

Melodie began her career as a Flight Attendant with Alaska Airlines in 1997. She was initially based in Anchorage and has since been based in Seattle, San Diego, and is currently Portland-based. In 2018, Melodie became involved with the Local Scheduling Committee, and in 2023, she joined the PBS Committee. She enjoys assisting Flight Attendants with their bids and helping them learn new bidding strategies.

Before joining Alaska Airlines, Melodie studied at Washington State University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts. Outside of work, she enjoys hiking and traveling with her husband and two boys, volunteering at her children’s schools, and gardening.

Krystal Kehrli, MEC Scheduling Committee PBS Subcommittee Member

Krystal Kehrli has been a Flight Attendant based in San Francisco since 2008. She currently serves on the Council 35 (SFO) Grievance Committee. Krystal is passionate about helping her colleagues understand the Preferential Bidding System (PBS). Her involvement began during the merger of Virgin America and Alaska Airlines, where she volunteered to teach NAVBLUE PBS and other systems during the integration process.

In 2023, Krystal was elected to the AFA PBS Subcommittee, and she enjoys assisting members with their monthly bidding needs. She is grateful for the opportunity to serve another three-year term supporting Alaska Flight Attendants. 

When she’s not flying or helping with bids, Krystal can be found on adventures with her partner and their two young children, participating in races she hasn’t trained for, or singing with the Denver Feminist Chorus.

Bianca Dew, MEC Scheduling Committee FRB Primary Representative

Bianca started her career in 2015 at Virgin America as an SFO-based flight attendant. She holds Associate of Arts in Behavioral Science and a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from California Baptist University. After some time flying, she became an Inflight Team Lead and then an Air Transportation Supervisor, where she conducted IOEs and check rides. 

Her dedication to the well-being of her peers led her to become actively involved with AFA. She served as the Legacy Virgin America Scheduling Committee Chairperson and currently as MEC Grievance Committee Assistant, where she continues to represent our Flight Attendants. Bianca has remained a steadfast advocate for the needs of Flight Attendants, leveraging her experience to help address the unique challenges of our profession.

Bianca is currently SEA-based, but when she’s not working, Bianca can be found pursuing her love for the outdoors. An avid traveler, she enjoys hiking, reading, gardening, and snowboarding.

Russel Rivinius, MEC Scheduling Committee FRB Alternate Representative

Russel began his career as an Alaska Flight Attendant in early 2017. Initially based in Los Angeles, he has been in Portland for six years. He currently serves on the Council 39 (PDX) Scheduling Committee and has also worked as a Mobilization Volunteer in Portland.

Russel believes it is vital to support Flight Attendants who experience fatigue incidents and ensure their concerns and reasons for using fatigue procedures are taken seriously. Having utilized the FRMP several times personally, he understands the impact fatigue can have on Flight Attendant safety, performance, and well-being. 

Before joining Alaska Airlines, Russel worked in the service industry and managed several bars and restaurants. He lives in the beautiful city of Portland with his partner, Fabio, and their cats, Moira and Jonni. 

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), […]

Reserve Committee Meeting Recap – 4th Quarter 2025

This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants On Thursday, December 11, representatives from our AFA Local Reserve Committees met to discuss their ongoing work to advocate for Reserve Flight Attendants. Representing you at the meeting were Conner Gallager (SEA), Anthony Eskander (PDX), Meghan Casey (SFO), Kanako Yamada (LAX), and Rebecca Garcia (SAN). Also present […]

Inflight Service Committee Meeting Recap – 4th Quarter 2025

On Thursday, December 4, our AFA Inflight Service Committee Chairpersons met to discuss their ongoing work in representing our Flight Attendants and advocating for improvements in our workplace. Representing you at the meeting were Naomi Parcell (ANC), Ross DeJong (SEA), Todd Horn (PDX), Raymond Ramirez (SFO), Johanna Thomas (LAX pmAS), and Andrew Malone (SAN). MEC […]

Joint Contract Negotiations Session 10 – December 2025

The Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) met with management this week to continue bargaining sessions in Seattle, WA. Discussions focused on narrowing issues in Leaves of Absence, Association General, and reviewing vacation provisions as part of the joint contract process.

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