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Combatting Rising Tensions in the Cabin

The past couple of months have been incredibly challenging for Flight Attendants after back-to-back in-cabin disturbances in the US were broadcast on social media. Those disturbances subsequently “broke the internet” and were widely carried by news outlets. The mob mentality response to the video clips, with little correct information about the incidents, has put Flight Attendants in the cross hairs. AFA immediately focused on a national de-escalation to keep travelers from coming to the plane with bias against crewmembers and the authority we must maintain to keep everyone safe.

Reinforcing Our Role as Aviation’s First Responders

AFA’s message in the media and on Capitol Hill has been to remind the public and our legislators that Flight Attendants are aviation’s first responders charged with the safety, health and security of the passengers in our care. AFA has cited the ever-shrinking personal space in main cabins and minimum staffing as some of the contributing factors to these recent incidents.

In case you missed it, the Today Show recently featured Flight Attendants talking about their perspective on conditions in the cabin. Flight Attendants reminded Matt Lauer and the public about the good job aviation’s first responders do to usher millions safely and efficiently to their destinations every single day. Matt Lauer reiterated this point to millions of viewers who also fly on our planes!

Watch the full interview >

Passenger Incident Reporting Form

AFA has been receiving reports from Flight Attendants about a variety of situations in which they are feeling harassed by passengers. It is imperative that AFA begin collecting confidential data on these types of confrontations so that we can more effectively advocate on your behalf to management, regulators, legislators and the media. For instance, we want to know: (1) How frequently are passengers videotaping us, (2) What exactly are they filming and (3) Are they trying to incite emotions from Flight Attendants by saying or doing inappropriate things?

If you or your fellow Flight Attendants experience concerning behavior from a passenger(s), please take a moment to fill out a confidential reporting form by clicking on the following link. The form is very simple to complete. Filling out this form is optional (although greatly appreciated) and does not relieve you of other reporting requirements indicated in your Flight Attendant manual.

Passenger Incident Reporting Form »

*** If AFA releases any of the data to third parties, be assured we will remove any and all identifying information so that confidentiality is strictly maintained. ***

Thank you very much in advance for assisting AFA in combatting rising tensions in the cabin. Fly safe and continue to look out for each other.

In Solidarity,

Your MEC – Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Linda Christou, Lisa Pinkston, Laura Masserant, Cathy Gwynn, Melissa Osborne, Tim Green and Brice McGee

A Holiday Message from FADAP

The following message is brought to you by your AFA Employee Assistance Program (EAP)/Professional Standards Committee and the Flight Attendant Drug & Alcohol Program (FADAP).  EAP is always available as a resource to any Flight Attendant; contact information can be found at http://afaalaska.org/eap.

The holiday season is here!  Normally, we equate the months of Thanksgiving through the New Year with festive celebrations and good cheers.   However, for some, this time of year serves as a painful contrast to the joy that fills other’s lives, but maybe not our own.

The Flight Attendant Drug and Alcohol Program is a specialized program just for flight attendants and their family members afflicted or affected by substance abuse.

It’s called FADAP (The Flight Attendant Drug and Alcohol Program).

If you answer yes to any of the below questions, your drinking maybe putting you and/or your job at risk.

The Flight Attendant Drug and Alcohol Program (FADAP) can help you:

  • Identify if you have a substance use problem needing professional assistance;
  • Refer you into flight attendant specialized treatment services and
  • Support you in your recovery journey.

So take the below quick screen and call the FADAP helpline if you answer yes to any of the below questions.

Flight Attendant Alcohol Use Screen

In the past year,

  • Have you shown up for a flight hung-over?
  • Have you bid a certain position to have easy access to alcohol?
  • Have you consumed alcohol past the cut-off time?
  • Have you felt bad or guilty about your drinking?
  • Have you felt you should cut down on your drinking?
  • Do you drink alcohol 4 or more times per week?
  • Have you had 5 or more drinks on a typical day when you are drinking?

Remember, the Flight Attendant Drug and Alcohol Program (FADAP) is available 24/7 at (855) 333-2327 or (855) 33-FADAP.  The FADAP operator will patch your call directly into your airline peer assistance program or the peer on-call.  Your conversations are always confidential.

“Wings of Sobriety” Telephonic Meetings

Meeting times are scheduled on Wednesday at 3 PM EST and Saturday at 9 AM EST.  Each meeting will last between forty-five (45) minutes to one (1) hour.  The conference call in number is (855) 544-2320.

In Solidarity,

Your MEC – Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Yvette Satterlee, Lisa Pinkston, Laura Masserant, Cathy Gwynn, Tim Green, Brice McGee and MEC EAP Committee Co-Chairpersons Elizabeth Dillon and Jeanne McCleave

Mental Health Resolutions for the New Year

 

A message from your Employee Assistance Program (EAP)/Professional Standards Committee

The New Year is not just a ritual. It is the celebration of new hopes and dreams. It is an opportunity to start with a clean slate. Typically, New Year resolutions tend to focus on weight, general health and finances.   But, what might the new year offer us if we used it as an opportunity to commit to improvements in our emotional and mental well-being.  Below are seven positive mental health resolutions that you can borrow for your new year.

  1. “I will treat myself with respect and speak nicely about myself.” Try taping a list of positive characteristics about yourself in various places throughout the house to remind you of these affirmations.
  2. “I will be physically active on a daily basis.” Multiple studies show a link between exercise and improved mental health.
  3. “I will act and not react.” Many times we feel like everyone is “pushing our buttons”. When this happens, we are caught up in a reaction cycle. If you know you’ll be around someone who says negative things, plan for this and have a list in your head of disarming statements. You might even consider modifying your plans to limit exposure to negative people.
  4. “I will learn to relax and enjoy.” Many times we become so busy we forget how or even when to take care of ourselves. Find or “re-discover” an activity that is relaxing and enjoyable to you. Dedicate time to this daily or at a minimum, weekly.
  5. “I will be mindful.” Being mindful is about staying in the moment. We cannot change yesterday and we cannot predict tomorrow. We do, however, have control over our attentiveness in the here and now. So, commit to being aware in the moment, and enjoy that moment.
  6. “I will work towards being the person I want to be.” When we see life as a journey and a time to continue to be the person we desire to be, we find hope and fulfillment in our tomorrows.
  7. “I will resolve to be mentally healthy”. There is still a stigma about seeing a mental health professional.  However, it is truly one of the healthiest things we can do for ourselves. A therapist gives us an unbiased ear and can also help us to understand why we do the things we do … think of seeing a therapist as a mental health oil change. If you need assistance finding a referral, give your AFA EAP a call.  Your local AFA EAP committee members are listed at www.afacwa.org/eap.   We are just a phone call away.

These suggestions have been adapted from an email written by Chip Coffey, the Director of Outpatient Services at St. Luke’s Behavioral Health Center. 

Help from the AFA-CWA Disaster Relief Fund For Hurricane Matthew

The AFA Alaska Master Executive Council is passing along this important message from our International officers as a service to our members who had their primary residence impacted by Hurricane Matthew. Please note the AFA-CWA Disaster Relief Fund is open to contributions either by check or electronic payment. Information on how to make a donation is now available at www.afacwa.org.

afa-cwa-disaster-relief-fund-logo

Help from the AFA-CWA Disaster Relief Fund For Hurricane Matthew

We know that disasters can change lives forever. While we can’t stop destructive events from happening, we can, as a Union, assist our members with their recovery. AFA established the disaster relief fund after September 11th to assist our members whose lives were placed in harms way. AFA members and retirees, whose primary residence is in the counties listed below and who have suffered damage and/or dislocation, are eligible for $200.00 from the AFA-CWA Disaster Relief Fund. It is a gift made possible by the generosity of your fellow union sisters and brothers with AFA.

Florida Counties: Flagler, Putnam, St. Johns, and Volusia.

Georgia Counties: Bryan, Bulloch, Chatham, Effingham, Glynn, McIntosh, and Wayne.

North Carolina Counties: Beaufort, Bertie, Bladen, Columbus, Craven, Cumberland, Dare, Duplin, Edgecombe, Gates, Greene, Harnett, Hoke, Hyde, Johnston, Jones, Lenoir, Martin, Nash, Pender, Pitt, Robeson, Sampson, Tyrrell, Washington, Wayne, and Wilson.

South Carolina Counties: Allendale, Bamberg, Barnwell, Beaufort, Colleton, Darlington, Dillon, Dorchester, Florence, Georgetown, Hampton, Jasper, Lee, Marion, Orangeburg, Sumter and Williamsburg.

If you would like to apply for AFA-CWA Disaster Relief Funds, download the Disaster Relief Fund Application and fax it to the International AFA EAP Department at 202-434-1411 or mail it to AFA-CWA EAP Department, 501 Third Street NW, 6th Floor, Washington, D.C. 20001-2797.   You can also e-mail this same information to lfoster@afanet.org or phone in the necessary information to 1-800-424-2406.

We extend our heartfelt sympathy to AFA members affected by Hurricane Matthew and their families during this difficult time.

Sincerely,

Sara Nelson, International President

Debora Sutor, International Vice-President

Kevin Creighan, International Secretary-Treasurer

afa-cwa-application-for-disaster-relieve-fund

Flight Attendant in Recovery Survey

The following message is from Heather Healy, Director of the AFA EAP Program and Manager of the Flight Attendant Drug and Alcohol Program (FADAP).  If you have questions about EAP or the FADAP Program, feel free to contact Heather at the telephone number below or reach out to your Local EAP Committee.  You can find contact information for your EAP Committee Members at http://afaalaska.org/eap.

If today, you are currently a Flight Attendant and in recovery from alcohol and/or drug abuse, please consider completing this short 9-question survey.  Your answers are completely anonymous. You can skip any questions you don’t want to answer.

Click here to access the Flight Attendant in Recovery Survey

The purpose of this survey is to collect data on the value of supporting Flight Attendants through the recovery and return to work process. Your answers could help Flight Attendants still struggling with their substance use. Thank you in advance for your assistance. Please don’t hesitate to call me with any concerns or questions.

Sincerely,

Heather Healy
Director of AFA EAP and Flight Attendant Drug and Alcohol Program Manager
(800) 424-2406

Pre-Merger Alaska MEC Committee Election Results

This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants During this week’s MEC Meeting, our MEC held interviews for the next group of pre-merger Alaska MEC Committee positions to be elected for the upcoming MEC Officer term. We want to thank everyone who expressed interest in the available positions and their willingness to serve. After careful […]

Merged MEC Committee Chairperson Election Results

During this week’s MEC Meeting, our MEC held interviews for the next group of merged MEC Committee Chairpersons and Representatives. We want to thank everyone who expressed interest in the available positions and their willingness to serve. After careful consideration and deliberation, the following candidates have been elected: MEC Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee […]

U.S. Customs & Border Protection Gender Code Requirement

Recently, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced changes to the rules surrounding how airlines report information about passengers and crew before flights. This system is called the Advance Passenger Information System, or APIS. These changes are in response to a Presidential Executive Order. What is APIS? APIS is a system that airlines are legally […]

Hawaiian Brand Inflight Service Committee Update – 3rd Quarter 2025

Our AFA Inflight Service Committee holds regular meetings and discussions with management to receive updates, address Flight Attendant concerns, and advocate for improvements in our workplace. Although our Inflight Service Committee has now merged, meetings with management continue to focus primarily on the Alaska or Hawaiian brands individually. This particular update is centered on the […]

SEA Domicile Negotiations – October 2025

The recent meetings of the SEA Domicile Negotiating Committee in Seattle and Honolulu highlighted both progress and persistent challenges in negotiations with management. While there has been advancement on some issues, significant concerns remain. Key topics under discussion include the transfer processes, return options to HNL or LAX, staffing, moving expenses, and safeguarding existing bases. Our committee prepares for the next round of negotiations in Seattle during the week of October 20.

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