This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants

On Tuesday, May 27, our AFA Scheduling Committee Chairpersons/Representatives met 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). Also present were Council 15 (SAN) Local Hotel Committee Chairperson Kanani Vallot, MEC Scheduling Committee Vice Chairperson—Pairing Construction Karen Ferrell, MEC Scheduling Committee Vice Chairperson—PBS Virginia Fritz, and MEC Scheduling Committee Chairperson Jake Jones.

The committee met with Director of Crew Planning Trisha Bennett, Managing Director of Inflight Operations and Crew Scheduling Sara Cook, Inflight Crew Scheduling Supervisor Matthew Trujillo, Manager of Crew Pay Debbie Bakke, Crew Hotels Specialist Nichole Turner, Manager of Flight Crew Systems Support Sue Rawlings and other management representatives from Crew Planning and Crew Scheduling.

The Committee is next scheduled to meet in person on Tuesday, June 24.

Topics of Discussion

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

PBS June Bid Period

• Bidding Trends: There was a noticeable repetition of “Prefer off” lines during the bidding process, where a single mention would have sufficed in most instances. Additionally, many questions were raised regarding new lineholder bidding.
• Bid Award: The June bid awards revealed relatively high lows at the ANC, SAN, and SFO bases, ensuring sufficient reserves were available.
• Bid Protests: Ongoing issues with incorrectly assigned reserve trip assignments have impacted bid awards. These issues were addressed and resolved during the bid protests.

PBS Base Sits

• The Subcommittee hosted PBS Base Sits in ANC in May, which assisted many new hires.
• Upcoming PBS Base Sits:
  • June 5-6: SEA
  • June 9: PDX
  • July 7 SAN
  • July 8: SFO
  • July 9 LAX
  • August 7-9: SEA
  • September 5 PDX
  • September 8-9: ANC
  • October 5-6: SEA
  • October 7 PDX
  • November 8-9: ANC
  • December 5: SAN
  • December 6: SFO
  • December 7: LAX

Pairing Construction

• Training and Development: Attended an advanced Crew Optimization class in Sweden, which provided insights into effective run analysis. 
• Attended the Crew Operations and Development Partners Forum in Sweden focused on upcoming sales and program advancements for products we can utilize or enhance.

Contract Implementation Update

• Holiday Pay: Challenges are anticipated regarding holiday pay for July 4. Flight Attendants should monitor holiday RON (Remains Overnight) and EOR (Extended Overnight Rule) statuses, as data pulls will be necessary. However, this process is not yet automated.

Information Technology (ITS) Update

• NAVBLUE Testing: Testing for version 25.1 is complete. Crew calendars are still under evaluation for requirements needed by the start of next year.
• Data Processing: There has been an increase in JCTE/Open Time trade volume, with 98.6% of requests processed in under 10 seconds.
• Release Cycle: The upcoming release cycle includes testing for reserve holiday and surface transport, with 4K and boarding pay planned for the following release. The default filter has been fixed, but the premium filter still needs adjustments.

Crew Pay Update

• Rainmaker Inquiries: In April, 1,514 out of 2,930 inquiries submitted were resolved, indicating some stabilization in inquiry volume.
• Categorical Adjustments: Unnecessary categories have been identified; a bulletin outlining what needs to be submitted has been issued, and plans are to streamline these categories in June.
• Sick Leave Issues: Two discrepancies regarding state sick leave bank management were noted. Affected individuals should contact pay analysts regarding conversion accuracy. The Committee recommends checking your state bank transfer to ensure no more than 40 TFP was transferred on May 1, 2025.

Crew Planning Update

• July Block Hours: Block hours are expected to increase by about 15,000 in July. Reserve staffing is 20.7%, with a projected adjustment of 107 leaves.
• Pairing Breakdown: Only 10 single 1-position pairings are currently being flown solo, ensuring crews fly together more than separately. There is a significant percentage of redeye flights across bases, ranging from 12% to 30%.
• Commutability Analysis: SEA, ANC, and SAN show favorable commutability for 3-day pairings, while SFO faces the most challenges.

Crew Scheduling Update

• Sick Leave Usage: Overall sick leave usage for May was at 10.3%, with notable increases over weekends. SEA and SAN reported the highest usage.
• Fatigue Management: There were 10 calls regarding fatigue issues from reserves and six from lineholders in May. The team is actively reviewing these concerns and working on mitigation strategies.
• Operational Adjustments: In May, 571 reassignments were noted, primarily due to recrewing in EWR. Adjustments are being made to taxi times and layover durations to reduce fatigue-related delays.

Additional Notes

• Transportation Adjustments: To align with CBA language, transit times will be adjusted based on the day of the week, varying on weekends. For more details, refer to the May 2025 Hotel Committee Meeting Recap.
• Drug Testing Reporting: Any concerns regarding drug testing should be reported through the ReportIt! system using a FAIR, which will be forwarded to the drug abatement team for resolution.
• JFK Operations: Adjustments to operations at JFK have been implemented. Ride shares are only allowed to pick up at Terminals 1 and 8 for after-hours drug testing, necessitating the use of the AirTrain for other terminals. Please coordinate with Crew Scheduling if you are being tested and need transportation.

What The Committee Is Working On

1. NAVBLUE. The PBS Subcommittee preparing for a new release of NAVBLUE. Once received they will test before the release is implemented. The Committee is also continuing to provide in person and virtual base sits so that all Flight Attendants may attend and get answers to all PBS bidding related questions.
2. Crew Scheduling. A monthly review of PowerPoint presentations covered various aspects such as reserve utilization, detailed breakdowns, sick leave (week by week and year over year), premium, personal drops, and other relevant agenda items.
3. Crew Planning. Crew Planning shared a monthly presentation about Pairing Statistics. Crew Planning is focused on anticipating increased block hours as the summer season approaches, with specific strategies to optimize trip lengths and identify commutability for flight crews. The team is also collaborating with operational analytics to develop dashboards that facilitate better decision-making and efficiency in scheduling.
4. Crew Pay. Crew pay is working on additional communications aimed at improving clarity and addressing the high volume of queries surrounding pay discrepancies. The payroll team is committed to resolving ongoing issues quickly to ensure crew members receive their compensation accurately and on time.
5. AFA Payroll Representative. The Committee has been advocating for a streamlined process to resolve outstanding pay issues for crew members efficiently. The focus is on ensuring timely compensation and improved communication.

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

• On January 28, our AFA Scheduling Committee Chairpersons met to discuss their ongoing work representing Flight Attendants’ interests in lineholder scheduling.
• The Committee met with management to receive updates and discuss issues and problems Flight Attendants face with scheduling, pairings, and bidding.
• Your Local Scheduling Committee is available to assist with any lineholder scheduling-related issues. Don’t hesitate to reach out for help!

On Tuesday, January 28, our AFA Scheduling Committee Chairpersons/Representatives met 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). Also present were MEC Scheduling Committee Chairperson Jake Jones, MEC Scheduling Committee Vice Chairperson—Pairing Construction Karen Ferrell, and MEC Scheduling Committee Vice Chairperson—PBS Virginia Fritz. 

The committee met with Director of Crew Planning Trisha Bennett, Manager of Crew Planning Jeffery Hunt, Senior Manager of Product Management Rick Mitchell, Managing Director Inflight Operations and Crew Scheduling Sara Cook, Inflight Crew Scheduling Supervisor Matthew Trujillo, Manager of Crew Pay Debbie Bakke, Crew Hotels and Admin manager Nichole Turner, Crew Hotel Support Specialist LaFay Williams and other management representatives from Crew Planning and Crew Scheduling.

The Committee is next scheduled to meet on Tuesday, February 25, 2025.

Topics of Discussion

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

• Ongoing issues with sit pay discrepancies highlighted, with specific attention to individual Flight Attendants not receiving their due compensation.
• Importance of timely updates from management regarding pay issues emphasized to ensure transparency and build trust among crew members.
• Request for a comprehensive report detailing flight operations, including any changes in schedules and how they affect pay structures.
• Review of pairing structures indicated frequent occurrences of low TFP options, raising concerns about the sustainability of current scheduling practices.
• Concerns were raised about the accessibility of paychecks and the need for a troubleshooting protocol for Flight Attendants experiencing issues.
• Highlighted the need for a more structured approach to managing Open Time trips, focusing on balancing crew preferences with operational requirements.
• Clarification was sought on the procedures for reporting and handling known delays, with an emphasis on ensuring timely communication to all affected crew members.
• Discussions included strategies for improving the speed and efficiency of bid processing, particularly concerning reserve coverage and historical data utilization.
• The significance of timely communication regarding bid protests was noted, with emphasis on ensuring that all crew members understand the criteria for submitting protests.
• Updates on recent meetings with management underscored the importance of collaboration across departments to address crew concerns and enhance operational efficiency.
• Review of future releases and updates highlighted the importance of keeping crew members informed about upcoming changes and how they will impact day-to-day operations.
• Engagement with the committee regarding upcoming class schedules and training opportunities was discussed, with a focus on ensuring new hires are adequately prepared.
• A high volume of inquiries regarding activity claim forms prompted discussions on the need for better categorization and guidance for Flight Attendants filling out claims.
• Emphasis placed on the importance of monitoring block hours and reserve staffing ratios to maintain operational efficiency and crew satisfaction.
• Concerns about the impact of ongoing construction in SAN and operational changes on flight schedules were raised, with a call for proactive measures to mitigate disruptions.
• Acknowledgment of the decrease in sick leave rates and ongoing efforts to manage crew wellness and fatigue through improved scheduling practices.
• Addressed transportation issues related to Crew Access and timeliness, stressing the need for better coordination with ground services to enhance crew experience.

What The Committee Is Working On

1. NAVBLUE. The PBS Subcommittee is seeking feedback on how they can improve their assistance to flight crews regarding bid awards and understanding results. They provided both in-person and virtual meetings for this purpose. The PBS Subcommittee is working with management on PBS base sit budgets.  Management has the committee keep track of how money is being spent to assist flight crews with their bidding. We appreciate your participation in virtual and in person base sits. 
2. Pairings Survey. There is a discussion of reviewing bidding data from NAVBLUE to see what kind of pairings Flight Attendants are interested in flying instead of sending out a survey. We will continue to review options. 
3. Chime Communications. To reduce phone call volumes, Flight Attendants may soon be able to chat with Crew Scheduling via app/Microsoft Teams. The chat will be for Flight Attendant-initiated contact only. The function is currently in the early stages of development and still needs to be discussed with Labor Relations management and our MEC. Testing and implementation are continuing over the next few weeks. We are working on a letter of agreement for implementation, which is still pending review. 
4. Crew Scheduling. A monthly review of PowerPoint presentations covered various aspects such as reserve utilization, detailed breakdowns, sick leave (week by week and year over year), premium, personal drops, and other relevant agenda items.
5. Crew Planning. Like Crew Scheduling, there was a monthly review of PowerPoint presentations that covered subsequent month staffing, trip length distribution, Flight Attendant block hours, special initiatives (e.g., IROPs), commutability, and other relevant agenda items. Statistics around teaming continue to be reviewed. Crew Planning continues to maximize pairing construction and optimizing teaming strategies to minimize costs and ensure that crews (Flight Attendants) can stay together for multiple segments.
6. ITS. Representatives from ITS joined the scheduling meeting to provide updates on NAVBLUE, Crew Access, internal systems, and Block2Block. These updates include performance reviews, data analysis, and information about future releases. 

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

• On December 17, our AFA Scheduling Committee Chairpersons met to discuss their ongoing work representing Flight Attendants’ interests in lineholder scheduling.
• The Committee met with management to receive updates and discuss issues and problems Flight Attendants face with scheduling, pairings, and bidding.
• Your Local Scheduling Committee is available to assist with any lineholder scheduling-related issues. Don’t hesitate to reach out for help!

On Tuesday, December 17, our AFA Scheduling Committee Chairpersons/Representatives met 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), Jaqui Bellenie (SFO), Rita Tillou (SEA), Melodie Anderes (PDX), Kanako Yamado (LAX), and Kitty Cohen (SAN). Also present were MEC Scheduling Committee Chairperson Jake Jones, MEC Scheduling Committee Vice Chairperson—Pairing Construction Karen Ferrell, and MEC Scheduling Committee Vice Chairperson—PBS Virginia Fritz. 

The committee met with Director of Crew Planning Trisha Bennett, Manager of Crew Planning Jeffery Hunt, Manager of Product Management Lilah Behrend, Inflight Crew Scheduling Supervisor Matthew Trujillo, Manager of Crew Pay Debbie Bakke, and other management representatives from Crew Planning and Crew Scheduling.

The Committee is next scheduled to meet on Tuesday, January 28, 2025.

Topics of Discussion

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

Scheduling Committee Concerns

• Crew Scheduling Hold Times. Discussion focused on updating and providing communication protocols to Flight Attendants when experiencing extended hold periods over the phone. The agreement is to maintain normal contact unless a different approach is agreed upon.
• COVID Protections. It’s confirmed that COVID protections remain in effect for offline commuting. Review the LOAs still in effect.
• End-of-Year AFA Alaska Support Center Tickets. To ensure all open issues are settled, an emphasis was placed on the urgency of resolving and closing out end-of-year ticketing issues.
• Ground Staff Widebody Aircraft Training Concerns. Significant concerns exist regarding the upcoming introduction of a widebody Hawaiian Airlines aircraft to ANC operations. Staff are currently untrained on this aircraft type, raising questions about operational logistics and potential reductions in Hawaii flying. More information on this situation is critical as spring approaches.
• Daylight Savings Review. There was a discussion about the confusion surrounding crew reporting times during the daylight savings transition. A recent social media post indicates a need for clarity in communication.
• Charter Issues. The denial of base turns for charters was raised, alongside a commitment from scheduling to provide necessary training. Concerns were also expressed regarding the limitation of one charter bid per day, with options to add a charter as a base turn if flying is non-charter.
• Transportation Delays. Significant issues with crew transportation in LIR were highlighted, including long wait times for transport to hotels. This has led to discussions about changing hotel arrangements to improve the situation.
• Crew Access. A need for improved notification systems for out-of-base trips was voiced; there is a current bug that sometimes doesn’t prompt the Flight Attendant when picking up a trip out of their home domicile.
• Redeye Flight Loss. Crew members expressed frustration over losing redeye flights to the East Coast, noting management’s lack of timely communication regarding schedule changes. They are only learning about changes through bid packets, which is not ideal.
• Van Delays. There were reports of delays in getting crews to hotels after flights, with a suggestion that communication could have been faster. Crews found themselves waiting at the airport instead of being transported to their accommodations. Reminder to file feedback reports with API for all hotel and transportation issues. This falls under the scope of the Hotel Committee, and they need more visibility into these concerns. 
• Uber Coordination. Issues with Uber transportation at JFK were discussed, highlighting the inconvenience of being assigned to distant pick-up zones without prior notice. This created long walks for crew members and significant wait times.
• Personal Drops. A grievance regarding personal drop policies will be filed soon, with expectations that the resolution process could take several months.

PBS

• Bidding & Awards. January’s bidding process was described as busy yet inconsistent, with high coverage levels leading to challenges in securing legal runs while also managing reserves. 
• Upcoming Meetings. Several meetings are scheduled, including a discussion with NAVBLUE and a meeting planned to address the separation of pilots and Flight Attendants on NAVBLUE systems in 2025.
• Future Releases. No further updates have been provided beyond the 25.1 release, indicating a stable but unchanging landscape for now.

Pairing Construction

• February Planning. As the group prepares for pairing construction for February, they are seeking more information on flight schedules, particularly with the hope of reviewing outbound and inbound flights for better operational awareness.

Crew Planning

• Transportation Adjustments. Flight timing for LIR to LAX has been adjusted due to past cancellations tied to customs timing. The new location for crews is being considered to avoid long transport times.
• Staffing Updates. The committee reviewed the status of staffing leaves (approximately 380), projecting crew awards and establishing a plan to open bids shortly, along with ensuring base numbers of availability are communicated clearly.

Crew Scheduling

• Absence Rates. An upward trend in absence rates was noted, with sick leave calls increasing. The committee is monitoring these trends closely as they could affect overall operations and flexibility.
• Premium Pay. There was a review of premium pay structures for December, which have been implemented to assist with operational needs, especially during high absence periods on the weekend.

Flight Attendant Crew Pay

• Flight Attendant Crew Pay Inquiries. A high volume of resolved queries regarding Flight Attendants’ pay was reported, with a focus on enhancing the clarity of the claims process and ensuring Flight Attendants have access to necessary information for filing claims.

What The Committee Is Working On

1. NAVBLUE. The PBS Subcommittee is seeking feedback on how they can improve their assistance to flight crews regarding bid awards and understanding results. They provided both in-person and virtual meetings for this purpose. The PBS Subcommittee is working with management on PBS base sit budgets.  Management has the committee keep track of how money is being spent to assist flight crews with their bidding. We appreciate your participation in virtual and in person base sits. 
2. Pairings Survey. There is a discussion of reviewing bidding data from NAVBLUE to see what kind of pairings Flight Attendants are interested in flying instead of sending out a survey. We will continue to review options. 
3. Chime Communications. To reduce phone call volumes, Flight Attendants may soon be able to chat with Crew Scheduling via app/Microsoft Teams. The chat will be for Flight Attendant-initiated contact only. The function is currently in the early stages of development and still needs to be discussed with Labor Relations management and our MEC. Testing and implementation are continuing over the next few weeks. We are working on a letter of agreement for implementation, which is still pending review. 
4. Crew Scheduling. A monthly review of PowerPoint presentations covered various aspects such as reserve utilization, detailed breakdowns, sick leave (week by week and year over year), premium, personal drops, and other relevant agenda items.
5. Crew Planning. Like Crew Scheduling, there was a monthly review of PowerPoint presentations that covered subsequent month staffing, trip length distribution, Flight Attendant block hours, special initiatives (e.g., IROPs), commutability, and other relevant agenda items. Statistics around teaming continue to be reviewed. Crew Planning continues to maximize pairing construction and optimizing teaming strategies to minimize costs and ensure that crews (Flight Attendants) can stay together for multiple segments.
6. ITS. Representatives from ITS joined the scheduling meeting to provide updates on NAVBLUE, Crew Access, internal systems, and Block2Block. These updates include performance reviews, data analysis, and information about future releases. 

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.