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.
