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        You are here: Home / Archives for Latest News

        Meet Our Merged MEC Committee Chairpersons & Representatives

        October 22, 2025 09:00 Leave a Comment

        We’re excited to introduce our next group of newly elected merged MEC Committee Chairpersons, who will begin their roles on November 1. These leaders are dedicated to representing the interests of our Flight Attendants as they coordinate activities across the merged committees of both airlines. They’ll work closely with the Local Committee Chairpersons from all eight Local Councils, ensuring that the voices of both pre-merger Alaska and pre-merger Hawaiian Flight Attendants are heard and advocated for. Below, you’ll find brief bios that showcase their backgrounds and experiences as they prepare to support our combined Flight Attendant group.

        Seth Heiple, MEC Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee Chairperson

        Seth Heiple started his Flight Attendant career in 1996 at Northwest Airlines and became an Alaska Airlines Flight Attendant in 2008.

        He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in International Business and Economics and is currently the MEC Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC) Chairperson for the pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants.

        In this role, Seth is dedicated to maintaining and improving the safety, health, and security of both the pre-merger Hawaiian and pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants. He intends to achieve this by supporting the merged ASHSC as it works to ensure the safety of our work environments and advocates for the necessary policies, procedures, and tools that allow us to fulfill our roles effectively as aviation’s first responders.

        Seth is based and lives in Portland, Oregon, with his roommate, grandma (98). In his free time, he enjoys walking Portland’s neighborhoods, listening to audiobooks, game nights with friends, and spending time with his extended family in Portland and San Francisco.

        Kerri Ruiz, MEC Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee Vice Chairperson

        Kerri started her Flight Attendant career with Alaska Airlines in 1998 and then joined Hawaiian Airlines in 1999. She was based in Los Angeles for over 10 years and was an active member of the Local Air Safety, Health, and Security (ASHS) Committee. When she transferred to the Honolulu base, she held various AFA positions, including LEC Secretary, MEC Membership and Benefits Committee Chairperson, and, most recently, MEC ASHS Committee Chairperson. However, her affinity and forte have always been working in safety.

        Kerri has one daughter, several stepchildren, and several grandchildren. She enjoys traveling to new destinations with friends and family while nurturing her ties throughout the Hawaiian community.

        Brad Young, MEC Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee Vice Chairperson

        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 is honored and humbled to have been elected to serve a third term as MEC ASHSC Vice Chairperson..

        Deb Wallstrom, MEC Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee Air Quality Representative

        Deb began her career as a Flight Attendant with Alaska Airlines in 1998. She is currently based in Anchorage, though she has previously been based in Los Angeles and San Diego. In 2013, she became involved in AFA work with the Air Safety, Health, and Security Committee and is now the Chairperson for Council 30 (ANC) of the ASHSC. Additionally, she serves on the Benefits Committee. As the Air Quality Representative, Deb is dedicated to ensuring that Members are well-informed and is passionate about helping support Flight Attendants following an air quality event.

        Outside of work, Deb enjoys hiking, reading, and knitting. She frequently travels between Alaska, Seattle, and Southern California to visit family.

        Filed Under: AFA News Now, Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC), AS/HA Merger, Master Executive Council (MEC) Tagged With: committee elections

        Hotel Committee Meeting Recap – October 2025

        October 20, 2025 13:00 Leave a Comment

        On Monday, October 13, our AFA Local Hotel Committee Chairpersons met in person in Seattle to receive an update about current layover hotels and transportation providers and discuss concerns with management. Representing you at the meeting were Dori Marron (ANC), Jarod McNeill (SEA), Kelly Hepworth (PDX), Hilary Streem (SFO), Chris Cardenas (LAX), and Kanani Vallot (SAN), with MEC Hotel Committee Chairperson James Bozanich facilitating the meeting.

        The Committee met with Director of Crew Planning Trisha Bennett, Manager of Crew Hotels and Administration Diane Szubert, Senior Crew Hotels Support Specialist Nichole Turner and Crew Hotels Support Specialist LaFay Williams. Managing Director of Operational Staffing and Resource management Brittany Audette also joined for a portion of the meeting.    

        Our next meeting with management is scheduled for Monday, November 10.

        Topics of Discussion

        The committee reviewed several items during the meeting with management, most of which focused on hotel decisions and challenges in our layover markets. Some items discussed include:

        • Relationship Management: Although API is our hotel vendor, Crew Hotels is working on increasing direct communication with our contracted properties. This will help build relationships, especially with our newer properties. Crew Hotels will begin communicating with our new properties within six months of usage and perform yearly check-ins at all properties.   
        • Use of Ride Share Transportation:  Due to the changing nature of the ground transportation environment, the use of ride share vehicles is becoming more common. The Committee is aware of this and has been having ongoing discussions around minimum standards. Transportation should always be ordered that can accommodate all crewmembers and their luggage safely and comfortably. If there is ever a concern with the transportation provided, do not get into the vehicle and contact Crew Scheduling immediately to resolve the issue.    
        • TBDs in Bid Packet (pmAS):  There was a high number of TBDs in the bid packet for November. This is due to the process the Hotel Committee requested, which is to place a TBD placeholder in the pairing when the layover hotel is not known before uploading into NAVBLUE. This new process makes these layovers stand out more, but adds greater transparency to the bid. The November TBDs are all due to our rooms being over-capped (that is, the requested rooms are above the contracted usage at our crew hotel in that market) in that particular market. Our hotel usage fluctuates as our network is adjusted. 
        • Recurrent Training Hotel Support (pmAS): Earlier this month, a glitch in the reservation system at one of our training hotels resulted in lost reservations. As this happened over a weekend, it was unclear which Inflight department was responsible for offering support and correcting the issue. In debriefing the event, additional guidance will be added to the Recurrent Training SharePoint site to address who to contact with hotel issues outside regular business hours.  

        Hot Topics

        • Hotel Etiquette: We greatly value the positive relationships we’ve established with our contracted properties as part of our hotel program. During layovers, please remember that you represent the company while staying in a company-provided hotel room. We kindly ask all Flight Attendants to keep this in mind and ensure that any personal charges are settled before checkout. Enjoying hotel amenities responsibly also goes a long way in helping us maintain these important relationships. The Committee works hard to select quality hotels that provide added perks, such as complimentary breakfast, to enhance your comfort and convenience. If you encounter any issues during your stay, we encourage you to approach hotel staff with courtesy and respect. Should you need any further assistance or be unable to resolve a concern, please feel free to reach out to your Local Hotel Committee for additional support. We’re here to help make your layover experience a positive one!

        What The Committee Is Working On

        1. Conducting Hotel Site Visits: The Hotel Committee conducts visits to hotels that are under consideration by management to ensure that the selected options provide the safest and most comfortable layover experience for Flight Attendants. Crew Hotels has provided the Committee with the remaining cities that will be visited in 2025: SAN (Oct), CUN (Oct), BNA (Nov), SFO (Nov), MCO – Long Stay (Nov), ORD – Short Stay (Dec), and SJO (Dec). We are also looking at options in SIT and plan to have a site visit there before the end of the year. Market reviews are triggered by factors such as contract expirations, crew complaints, and opportunities for cost savings. Depending on the outcome of these reviews, additional site visits may be arranged in those cities.
        2. Hotel Gainshare Program: The parties met on September 26 to continue discussing this program. The items needing more time to research center around scheduling issues and processes. We are getting closer to seeing a program come to life. The next meeting is scheduled for October 24. 

        We Want to Hear From You!

        Our Hotel Committee relies on your feedback, whether positive or negative. Please report via CrewCare (pmAS) or the hotel and transportation feedback reporting form (pmHA), which ensures your experience with a layover hotel or ground transportation is addressed. These are the only official way to report issues, as the Committee does not monitor social media channels.

        Each CrewCare and feedback form submission is forwarded to our AFA Hotel Committee, Crew Hotels (Alaska/Hawaiian management), API, and the hotel or ground transportation provider. This ensures quick action can be taken to correct or fix the issue for the next crew member. It also allows us to monitor hotel and transportation trends. Pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants can quickly file a CrewCare report using the web app on your IMD home screen or by clicking here.

        Do you have any other feedback you would like to share with the Committee or any specific items you want us to bring up with management? Please let us know! Your Local Hotel Committee is here to represent you and ensure management hears your voice. You can find our contact information on the Hotel Committee page of the AFA Alaska website.

        Filed Under: AFA News Now, Hotel Committee Tagged With: committee meeting

        AFA News in Review – October 17, 2025

        October 17, 2025 17:00 Leave a Comment

        In This Edition

        • Hawaiian Brand Inflight Service Committee Update – 3rd Quarter 2025
        • U.S. Customs & Border Protection Gender Code Requirement
        • Merged MEC Committee Chairperson Election Results
        • Pre-Merger Alaska MEC Committee Election Results
        • ICYMI: Stand Up for Our Rights October 18
        • Next Week’s Events

        Hawaiian Brand Inflight Service Committee Update – 3rd Quarter 2025

        Originally posted October 15, 2025

        Stay informed with the latest Hawaiian Brand Inflight Service Committee updates, including changes to the Boeing 787-9 SEA-ICN and SEA-NRT service and the transition of Extra Comfort to “Premium Class.” Read on for details about catering, pre-recorded announcements, and important safety reminders as we head into the winter season.

        Read More >


        U.S. Customs & Border Protection Gender Code Requirement

        Originally posted October 15, 2025

        Recently, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced changes to the rules surrounding how airlines report information about passengers and crew before flights using a system called Advance Passenger Information System (APIS). Going forward, APIS will only accept “M” for male or “F” for female in the gender field, and airlines will need to choose one of these options even if a traveler’s document shows a different gender indicator or none at all.

        Read More >


        Merged MEC Committee Chairperson Election Results

        Originally posted October 17, 2025

        This week, our MEC announced the newly elected MEC Committee Chairpersons and Representatives who will lead the way for our next group of merged MEC committees. Learn about the Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC) Chairpersons and Representatives who are set to begin their roles on November 1.

        Read More >


        Pre-Merger Alaska MEC Committee Election Results

        Originally posted October 17, 2025 | Pre-Merger Alaska

        We’re excited to announce the results of the elections for the next group of pre-merger Alaska MEC Committee positions for the upcoming MEC Officer term. Congratulations to the newly elected Flight Attendants who will serve as part our Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC), Reserve Committee, and Scheduling Committee starting January 1, 2026.

        Read More >


        ICYMI: Stand Up for Our Rights October 18

        When our rights are under attack, what do we do? Stand up, fight back!

        In our workplaces, across the country, and around the world, our rights are under attack. Due process is being denied. Freedom of expression is under attack. And Flight Attendants at non-union carriers are being fired for protected speech expressed in off hours and outside connection to the workplace.

        Read More >


        Next Week’s Events

        Tuesday, October 21 – Thursday, October 23Joint Contract Negotiations
        Wednesday, October 22Monthly Communications Committee Meeting
        Thursday, October 23SAN Base Safety Meeting

        See the MEC Event Calendar >

        Filed Under: Latest News Tagged With: AFA News in Review

        Pre-Merger Alaska MEC Committee Election Results

        October 17, 2025 13:05 Leave a Comment

        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 consideration and deliberation, the following candidates have been elected:

        MEC Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC) LOSA Representative: David Lake
        MEC Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC) ASAP Primary Representative: 
        Brad Young
        MEC Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC) ASAP Alternate Representative: 
        Ronda Ruderman
        MEC Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC) FRB Primary Representative: 
        Brad Young
        MEC Reserve Committee Chairperson: 
        Julie Thornton
        MEC Scheduling Committee Chairperson: 
        Jake Jones
        MEC Scheduling Committee Vice Chairperson – Pairing Construction: 
        Karen Ferrell
        MEC Scheduling Committee Vice Chairperson – PBS: 
        Virginia Fritz
        MEC Scheduling Committee PBS Subcommittee Members: 
        Adam Clarey, Melodie Anderes, and Krystal Kehrli
        MEC Scheduling Committee FRB Primary Representative: 
        Bianca Dew
        MEC Scheduling Committee FRB Alternate Representative: 
        Russel Rivinius

        These newly elected MEC Committee Chairpersons and Representatives will carry out their respective roles specific to our six pre-merger Alaska Local Councils as we continue to navigate the merger process. They’ll begin the transition into their roles over the next few months, with their official term beginning on January 1, 2026. They will serve for the upcoming MEC Officer election cycle from January 1, 2026, to December 31, 2028.

        If you have any questions about the pre-merger Alaska MEC Committee elections, please reach out to your LEC President.

        Filed Under: AFA News Now, Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC), Master Executive Council (MEC), Reserve Committee, Scheduling Committee Tagged With: committee elections, interviews

        Merged MEC Committee Chairperson Election Results

        October 17, 2025 13:00 2 Comments

        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 (ASHSC) Chairperson: Seth Heiple
        MEC Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC) Vice Chairpersons: Brad Young and Kerri Ruiz
        MEC Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC) Air Quality Representative: Deb Wallstrom

        These newly elected MEC Committee Chairpersons and Representatives will coordinate the activities of their respective merged committees across both airlines. They’ll support the Local Committee Chairpersons from all eight Local Councils—both pre-merger Alaska and pre-merger Hawaiian. Their official term will begin on November 1, 2025. They’ll serve for the remainder of the current MEC Officer election cycle (January 1, 2023, to December 31, 2025), as well as for the upcoming cycle (January 1, 2026, to December 31, 2028).

        If you have any questions about the MEC Committee Chairperson elections, please reach out to your LEC President.

        Filed Under: AFA News Now, Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC), AS/HA Merger Tagged With: committee elections, interviews

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        Latest News

        • Meet Our Merged MEC Committee Chairpersons & Representatives
        • Hotel Committee Meeting Recap – October 2025
        • AFA News in Review – October 17, 2025
        • Pre-Merger Alaska MEC Committee Election Results
        • Merged MEC Committee Chairperson Election Results
        • U.S. Customs & Border Protection Gender Code Requirement
        • Hawaiian Brand Inflight Service Committee Update – 3rd Quarter 2025
        • AFA News in Review – October 10, 2025
        • SEA Domicile Negotiations – October 2025
        • Protecting Yourself From Drug-Facilitated Sexual Assault

        Meet Our Merged MEC Committee Chairpersons & Representatives

        October 22, 2025

        We’re excited to introduce our next group of newly elected merged MEC Committee Chairpersons, who will begin their roles on November 1. These leaders are dedicated to representing the interests of our Flight Attendants as they coordinate activities across the merged committees of both airlines. They’ll work closely with the Local Committee Chairpersons from all […]

        Hotel Committee Meeting Recap – October 2025

        October 20, 2025

        On Monday, October 13, our AFA Local Hotel Committee Chairpersons met in person in Seattle to receive an update about current layover hotels and transportation providers and discuss concerns with management. Representing you at the meeting were Dori Marron (ANC), Jarod McNeill (SEA), Kelly Hepworth (PDX), Hilary Streem (SFO), Chris Cardenas (LAX), and Kanani Vallot […]

        Pre-Merger Alaska MEC Committee Election Results

        October 17, 2025

        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

        October 17, 2025

        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

        October 15, 2025

        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 […]

        Recent Posts

        • Meet Our Merged MEC Committee Chairpersons & Representatives
        • Hotel Committee Meeting Recap – October 2025
        • AFA News in Review – October 17, 2025
        • Pre-Merger Alaska MEC Committee Election Results
        • Merged MEC Committee Chairperson Election Results
        • U.S. Customs & Border Protection Gender Code Requirement
        • Hawaiian Brand Inflight Service Committee Update – 3rd Quarter 2025
        • AFA News in Review – October 10, 2025
        • SEA Domicile Negotiations – October 2025
        • Protecting Yourself From Drug-Facilitated Sexual Assault
        • Government Affairs Committee Update – 4th Quarter 2025
        • Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee Meeting Recap – 4th Quarter 2025
        • AFA News in Review – October 3, 2025
        • Joint Contract Negotiations Session 7 – September 2025
        • Refreshed Inflight Mobile Device (IMD) Distribution

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