This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants

On Thursday, August 13, our pre-merger Alaska AFA Uniform Committee Chairpersons met to discuss their ongoing work to represent Flight Attendants and push for improvements in the workplace. Representing you at the meeting were Kim Mazzolini (ANC), Dena Heath (SEA), Diana Berni (PDX),  Lisa Mueller (SFO), Heather Holmes (LAX), and JP Perina (SAN). MEC Uniform Committee Chairperson David Jelinek was also present.

The committee met with SFO Inflight Base Manager Cierra Lewis, SEA Fit Center Supervisor Ashley Sentner, Senior Director of Sourcing & Procurement Christine Wakayama, Alaska Principal Product Manager of Service Strategy Megan Low, Brand Partnerships and Uniform Manager Janelle Bayne, and Manager of Flight Attendant Experience Dre Gohlke.

The next Quarterly Uniform Committee Meeting will be held on Thursday, November 12.

Topics of Discussion 

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

• Shoe Exemptions
  • Flight Attendants seeking a medical exemption should begin by contacting HR and completing a Disability Accommodation Request form. HR will review each request and provide guidance on next steps.
  • There are a few styles of pre-approved shoes.
  • Management’s ADA team will review the healthcare provider’s recommendations and determine whether the recommended shoe meets the guidelines. If it doesn’t, they will work with the Flight Attendant to find a shoe that meets the guidelines.
• Uniform Compliance Checks
  • The Committee has observed inconsistencies in how compliance checks are conducted across different bases and among individual supervisors.
  • Management shared reports indicating that the actual number of records of discussion (RODs) issued is not as high as social media comments suggest.
  • The Committee emphasized the importance of consistent understanding and application of policies across all levels of management when conducting compliance checks.
  • Conversations between supervisors and Flight Attendants should remain grounded in established written policies, rather than a supervisor’s personal interpretation.
  • During a compliance check, Flight Attendants should have the opportunity to adjust their uniform before coaching is provided. This is particularly important regarding hem length, as uniforms are known to shift and ride up during normal movement.
  • Management says they are working each month to train supervisors on the policies and on how to conduct compliance checks.
  • Upper management requires supervisors to conduct at least 10 compliance checks per shift. 
  • Management is trying to use a face-to-face “coach to compliance” approach; however, if an in-person conversation is not possible, an email may be sent. 
  • With email coaching, a Flight Attendant has no ability to correct the noted infraction; however, an ROD will not be issued via email. 
  • When speaking with a supervisor, the Flight Attendant should be allowed to address the infraction.
  • The MEC Committee Chairperson discussed with management the need to clarify that “assistance to help” emails are not RODs to minimize confusion.
• Hosiery (Zappos)
  • Hosiery has been added to the Alaska portal on Zappos.
  • Find the Zappos link on the Team AAG uniform page, and sign in with your company email. Alaska discounts will apply. 
• Update on Inventory and Backorders
  • Shirts and pants are the most common backordered items. A new shipment of both has just arrived.
  • When pants are ordered, they must be hemmed to the specified inseam before shipping. The pants are hemmed in the US before being shipped to the Flight Attendant. This step takes a few days and creates a longer lead time for pants. 
  • Skirts and A-line dresses are in production, arriving in December (check Unisync site for back order expected date)
  • The Committee expressed concerns about maintaining sufficient inventory for regular orders while supporting new-hire classes arriving in the fall. Management has stated that preparations are in place for the expected demand. We will continue to monitor the situation closely.
• Wings
  • Wings can be ordered through your supervisor. Wings are ordered in packs of two. 
  • Wings are bulk ordered by the supervisor and picked up at base; however, some bases offer direct shipping to the Flight Attendant’s home. When shipped to the home, wings appeared to have less protective packaging and often arrive broken. If you receive broken wings, let your supervisor know and have another set ordered. 
• New Uniform Timeline update
  • The next information update from management will come out next week.
  • The vendor for the new uniform will be announced soon. 
  • “Meet the Coalition” and “Meet the Designer” videos are planned for Q3 and Q4. These will showcase the progress being made by all workgroups, including Alaska, Hawaiian, and Horizon. 
• Alterations
  • The Fit Center has received an increasing number of expense reimbursement requests that exceed the allowable alteration limits.
  • Many of these requests are for alterations that fall outside approved expenses, such as tapering pants, modifying the A-line dress design, or altering the vest.
  • Before submitting an expense request, ensure the alteration is pre-approved and within the allowable reimbursement amount.
  • Alterations are intended to improve fit only and cannot change the design of a uniform piece.
• Fit Center
  • Flight Attendants who have made an appointment at the Fit Center and need transportation to the GTC may schedule a shuttle using the Alaska Campus Shuttle. The Campus Shuttle App can be found by searching AAG Campus Shuttle in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
  • Fitting Process
    • When a Flight Attendant comes to the Fit Center, they are asked to walk, reach, and bend while wearing uniform pieces. 
    • Sizes are recommended for each piece and recorded. A copy is retained by the fit center that can be referenced later if needed. 
    • If a Flight Attendant comes to the fit center looking for a specific piece, they are asked to try it on to ensure it’s the correct size. 
    • It is the Fit Center’s policy not to sell a piece to a Flight Attendant that they do not believe is a compliant fit. This approach is designed to protect Flight Attendants from potential issues, such as receiving an ROD related to a non-compliant item in the future.

What The Committee Is Working On

1. Easier Reporting of Quality Concerns: Management is working to add the ability to report quality concerns directly from your IMD in Comply365. We were getting closer; however, with the ongoing merger-related changes, it was pushed down the queue. 

To streamline reporting, the Committee’s top recommendation is to add a bookmarked link to the IMD home screen. This will make it much quicker and easier to access the Quality Concern Form through Team AAG. Creating a new survey isn’t possible right now because the existing survey questions are necessary for tracking consistent age and manufacturing details. We’ll share an update as soon as the new link goes live.

While we wait for the new IMD feature, please continue submitting quality concerns through the Quality Concern Form (Team AAG > Other Resources > Uniforms > Safety & Quality > Quality [AAG SSO required]). Your reports help Unisync and our AFA Uniform Committee identify patterns and address recurring issues. Remember, change is only possible when we can provide vendors with sufficient data to act.

2. AFA Alaska Uniform Committee Page: The Committee is working to update the AFA Alaska Uniform Committee page with resources to help Flight Attendants, such as the maternity process, sensitivity uniform options, and links to other sites and policies. 

3. New Uniform Wear Testing: The new uniform remains on track for a Q4 2028 launch. Management has selected a vendor and will share that news in the next few days. There will be three wear tests: the first, beginning in Q4 2026, will focus on a variety of fabrics, overall fit, and design. The second will help refine choices and address any issues that surface.

The final look and design of the new uniform will be revealed next year, and a third wear test will take place to ensure there are no issues with the final selections. 

The Committee has raised concerns that the garments used for wear testing will be manufactured in the same factories as the production uniforms. Management will provide more information as contacts with vendors and manufacturing facilities are signed. 

Management has not yet provided information on how many wear testers will be needed. The Committee appreciates the enthusiasm of Flight Attendants who have reached out asking to be wear testers. Until we have the details, we cannot anticipate how many volunteers will be able to participate in the test. Unfortunately, we cannot include everyone who has contacted us, but we will reach out in the coming weeks as more details are shared.

4. Seasonal Boot List: The Committee has asked management for an update to the seasonal boot list. If you find a pair that falls within the policy but isn’t listed, share it with your supervisor for approval. A reminder about guidelines for boots: must be navy; must have a navy or black sole; the top of the boot must fall below the kneecap, and all other shoe policies apply (e.g., heel height, materials, etc.).

We Want to Hear From You!

Please fill out the Quality Concern Form on the Uniform subsite on Team AAG with any quality issues. Additionally, you may email your Local Uniform Committee Chairperson.

Do you have other feedback for the committee or items that you’d like brought up with management? Please let us know!  Your Local Uniform Committee is your voice to management. You can find contact information on the Uniform Committee page of the AFA Alaska + Hawaiian website. 

This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants

On Tuesday, May 5, our pre-merger Alaska AFA Uniform Committee Chairpersons met to discuss their ongoing work to represent Flight Attendants and push for improvements in the workplace. Representing you at the meeting were Kim Mazzolini (ANC), Dena Heath (SEA), Bob Moore (PDX), Slater Areno (SFO), Heather Holmes (LAX), and JP Perina (SAN). MEC Uniform Committee Chairperson David Jelinek was also present.

The committee also met with SFO Inflight Base Manager Cierra Lewis, SEA Fit Center Supervisor Ashley Sentner, Senior Director of Sourcing & Procurement Christine Wakayama, Alaska Principal Product Manager of Service Strategy Megan Low, and Brand Partnerships & Uniform Manager Janelle Bayne.

The next Quarterly Uniform Committee Meeting will be held on Thursday, August 13.

Topics of Discussion 

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

• Discounted Hosiery on Zappos: Unfortunately, management’s contact at Zappos is no longer working there. They are trying to find a new contact. More to come.
• Compression Socks and Tights: Two companies that provide compression tights and socks (Discount Surgical and Compression Sale) have been added to the Perkspot website. For links to these companies and to see their product lines, check out Perkspot on Team AAG (Team AAG > HR/Pay/Total Rewards > Perks & Discounts > Employee Discounts – Perkspot).  
• Patriotic Tie: is now permitted to be worn when working an Honor Flight. The uniform policy guide will be updated soon. 
• Uniform Quality Concerns:
  • The Committee raised concerns about how the fabric quality appears to have changed between pieces purchased at the uniform launch and those purchased in the last year or two. The fabric content is the same, yet they feel different, and the sizes run differently.  
  • Management has collected samples and is comparing those to pieces in the fit center. At this point, there will be no changes in manufacturing; however, they are trying to pinpoint the cause of the discrepancy. 
• Uniform Compliance Checks:
  • We are all aware of the ongoing uniform compliance checks. Management is focused on increasing compliance with the existing uniform policy among Flight Attendants in preparation for the upcoming new uniform launch. The Committee does not want any Flight Attendants to be issued Records of Discussion (RODs) or any other steps of discipline.
  • If you are flying with a Uniform Committee Member, feel free to ask questions.  If we see something that is not compliant and point it out, we are only trying to help you avoid a ROD. Feedback from a Uniform Committee Member is meant to help you avoid having a potentially negative interaction with a supervisor.
  • The Committee believes there are some vague policies that lead to Flight Attendants’ own interpretation and conflicting responses from management. Prime examples are nails and hair. The Committee asked for a visual reference for nails and hair. Management states that one was published in a monthly newsletter a while back, and that examples are included in the uniform policy guide.
  • Management states they have tried various approaches to get the workgroup on board with compliance standards, yet continue to see the same violations. Some of the most common violations they are seeing are:
    • Transition jacket worn with dresses or during boarding. The transition jacket is not allowed with any of the dresses or during boarding.
    • Noncompliant shoes and boots with Aura dress. Please refer to the shoe standards in the uniform policy guide and reach out to a supervisor or an AFA Uniform Committee Member with any questions before a compliance check.
    • Hoop nose rings. Only a single nose stud, no larger than 2 mm, is allowed.
    • Incorrect pin placement or too many pins. Please see the uniform policy guide for correct pin placement.
    • Quarter-zip, atlas, and aura cardigans, without a shirt or shell under. Aura and atlas cardigans are considered layering pieces and must be worn over the shell or a blue button-up shirt. A quarter zip cardigan can only be worn over a button-up shirt.
  • Management is starting crew check-ins with a focus on premium long-haul, Hawaii, and international flying. Check-ins will focus on multiple job aspects, including uniform compliance. Flight Attendants will be issued three RODs before moving to performance steps. If a uniform violation is not “fixable,” the Flight Attendant may be removed from their trip without pay. 
  • Management will be sending monthly reminders in base newsletters, with varying focuses.
• Wings:
  • There is a trend of wings breaking and even arriving broken. Please inspect your wings upon receipt and let your supervisor know if any are broken.
  • Flight Attendants are allowed to order four sets of wings each year, each style. Example: you can order four sets of standard wings and four sets of “Committed to Kindness” wings for a total of eight. Wings take a while to be produced and shipped, so order wings as soon as you believe you need them.
  • Not having wings on your outer garment may result in a ROD during a uniform check. If you have wings on order and are waiting for them, let the supervisor know during the check. It will be verified, and a ROD will not be issued.
  • Ordering wings after a ROD is issued, following a uniform check, will not remove the ROD.
  • Wearing the children’s wings from the Flight Attendant Kit is not an allowable substitute, and management will issue a ROD.
  • Wearing the gold wings from previous uniforms will also result in a ROD.
• Update on Inventory:
  • What items are currently backordered?
    • Pants: Tall modern pants in size 00 tall and 2 are low in stock. Pants ordered with a specific inseam are hemmed at the factory. There is low stock on some inseam lengths; however, unhemmed pants are available in all sizes. If an item says “no stock” on a specific inseam, order the size you need anyway, and Unisync will have an unhemmed pair of pants hemmed to your requested size. 
    • There are also some inventory challenges with short-sleeve Atlas blue shirts.

What The Committee Is Working On

1. Easier Reporting of Quality Concerns: Management is working to add the ability to report quality concerns directly from your IMD in Comply365. We were getting closer; however, with the ongoing merger-related changes, it was pushed down the queue. An update will be provided when the tool is available. 

To ensure issues are addressed until the new IMD feature is available, please submit quality concerns using the Quality Concern Form on Team AAG > Other Resources > Uniforms > Safety & Quality > Quality > Here [AAG SSO required]. This will enable Unisync and the AFA Uniform Committee to track recurring issues. Changes can only be made if the vendor is provided with sufficient data and evidence of quality concerns.

2. Policy and Standards Expectations of the New Uniform: The Committee and management are aware of the challenges ahead as we move forward with the new uniform and a global look. The Committee raised concerns about the expectation that a single workgroup will represent two brands. It was suggested that the design team for the new uniform meet with Crew Planning to discuss how our pairings are currently built and how Reserves are used for last-minute flights.

3. AFA Alaska Uniform Committee Page: The Committee is working to update the AFA Alaska Uniform Committee page with resources to help Flight Attendants, such as the maternity process, sensitivity uniform options, and links to other sites and policies. 

4. New Uniform Wear Testing: The new uniform is still on schedule to launch in Q4 of 2028. The vendor is expected to be selected this month, and the process of developing the first wear test pieces will take place over the summer. The first wear test is expected to start in Q4 2026. The first wear test will focus on multiple fabrics and general fit and design. The following wear tests will narrow down the fabrics and designs and address any issues that come up. 

Management has not yet provided information on how many wear testers will be needed. The Committee appreciates the enthusiasm of the Flight Attendants who have reached out asking to be wear testers. Until we have the details, we cannot anticipate the number of volunteers we will be able to use. Unfortunately, we cannot use everyone who has contacted us, but we will be reaching out in the coming months.

We Want to Hear From You!

Please fill out the Quality Concern Form on the Uniform subsite on TeamAAG with any quality issues. Additionally, you may email your Local Uniform Committee Chairperson.

Do you have other feedback for the committee or items that you’d like brought up with management? Please let us know!  Your Local Uniform Committee is your voice to management. You can find contact information on the Uniform Committee page of the AFA Alaska + Hawaiian website. 

This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants

On Thursday, February 19, our AFA Local Uniform Committee Chairpersons met to discuss their ongoing work to represent Flight Attendants and push for improvements in the workplace. Representing you at the meeting were Kim Mazzolini (ANC), Dena Heath (SEA), Bob Moore (PDX), Lisa Mueller (SFO), Heather Holmes (LAX), and JP Perina (SAN). Horizon AFA MEC Uniform Committee Chairperson Norann Mann and MEC Uniform Committee Chairperson David Jelinek were also present.

The committee also met with SFO Inflight Base Manager Cierra Lewis, SEA Fit Center Manager Ashley Sentner, Director of Procurement and Logistics Eric Phillipson, Director of Operations Supply Chain Management Christine Wakayama, Principal Product Manager of Service Strategy Megan Low, and Brand Partnerships & Uniform Manager Janelle Bayne.

The next Quarterly Uniform Committee Meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 5.

Topics of Discussion 

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

• Because of changes in state laws, management and the Committee have not been able to get Occfit tights and shoes covered by insurance. Management is now working to add compression tights to the PerkSpot website so you can buy them at a discount. There has been some progress, and we hope to have an update by the next meeting.
• You can now buy a selection of compliant shoes at a discount on the Zappos for Work page. The Fit Center is also working to add hosiery to Zappos soon. Flight Attendants can access the Zappos for Work page through the Uniform Subsite on Team AAG and use their AAG SSO to create an account.
• The Committee discussed the discontinuation of the ¼ Zip Cardigan and Aura Ponte Knit Dress with management.
  • The ¼-zip cardigan and gilet were brought back as limited, one-time items. They were not meant to be permanent because of the existing large inventory. Since the ¼-zip is now gender neutral, it sold out faster than expected. Management knows this item is popular, but producing more would take about 10 months. With a new uniform expected in late 2028, management does not want to cover the cost of an item that would be used for only about a year.
  • The same reasoning applies to the Aura knit dress. Order history shows the dress is not as popular as it might seem. Making more would mean ordering 3,000 to 5,000 dresses, which would leave a lot of extra inventory when we switch to the new uniform. Because the manufacturing process takes a long time, the dresses would arrive close to the new uniform launch. While the Committee thinks the dress was discontinued too soon, management does not want to take on the cost or extra inventory right now.
  • As we move toward the new merged uniform, management is starting to reduce inventory on some items. Once stock runs out, those items will not be restocked. Right now, this only affects the Aura Ponte Dress, Gilet, and Aura Blazer. The Committee has asked management to keep us updated on any more changes so we can help keep Flight Attendants informed.
• Flight Attendants can wear the Patriotic Tie and Scarf on Honor Flights. The uniform policy guide will be updated soon.
• The Committee has requested better descriptions for items like pants on the Unisync website. The Fit Center will work with Unisync to add these descriptions.
  • For Aura pants, the Classic fit is roomier in the hips and thighs, while the Modern Fit is slimmer.
  • For Atlas pants, the Classic fit is roomier in the hips and thighs and has pleats. The Modern Fit is slimmer with a flat front.
• The Committee has raised concerns about the quality of the wings, as some are arriving broken at a weak point. Flight Attendants should inspect their wings when they receive them and fill out a quality report if they are damaged. You can order up to four sets of each type (such as committed to kindness or language speaker) each year through your base supervisor.

What The Committee Is Working On

1. Easier Reporting of Quality Concerns. Management is working to add the ability to report quality concerns directly from your IMD in Comply365. We are getting closer, and hopefully, this feature will be available in the next couple of months.

To ensure issues are addressed until the new IMD feature is available, please submit quality concerns using the Quality Concern Form on Team AAG > Other Resources > Uniforms > Safety & Quality > Quality > Here [AAG SSO required]. This will enable Unisync and the AFA Uniform Committee to track recurring issues. Changes can only be made if the vendor is provided with sufficient data and evidence of quality concerns.

2. Policy and Standards Expectations of the New Uniform. The Committee and management are aware of the challenges ahead as we move forward with the new uniform and a global look. The Committee raised concerns about the expectation that a single workgroup will represent two brands. It was suggested that the design team for the new uniform meet with Crew Planning to discuss how our pairings are currently built and how Reserves are used for last-minute flights.

Management will begin exploring ways to engage Flight Attendants as we approach the launch of the new uniform. Management talked about things they have tried that have not worked and is asking for ideas as we move forward. It was agreed that it would be easier to get Flight Attendants engaged with changes once the design of the new uniform is officially revealed. 

3. SEA Fit Center has moved to the new Global Training Center (GTC). The Fit Center Website has been updated with the new location, hours, and transportation information. Appointments are encouraged. Drop-ins may not be accommodated if Fit Center employees are working with a new-hire class. 

4. New Uniform Wear Testing. The Committee is working with management to develop the wear testing process for the new uniform. The Committee shared what has worked and what has not in previous wear tests, as well as contractual requirements. 

Management has not yet provided information on how many wear testers will be needed. The Committee appreciates the enthusiasm of the Flight Attendants who have reached out asking to be wear testers. Until we have the details, we cannot anticipate the number of volunteers we will be able to use. Unfortunately, we cannot use everyone who has contacted us, but we will be reaching out in the coming months.

We Want to Hear From You!

Please fill out the Quality Concern Form on the Uniform subsite on TeamAAG with any quality issues. Additionally, you may email your Local Uniform Committee Chairperson.

Do you have other feedback for the committee or items that you’d like brought up with management? Please let us know!  Your Local Uniform Committee is your voice to management. You can find contact information on the Uniform Committee page of the AFA Alaska website.