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Scheduling Committee Meeting Recap – January 2026

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This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants

On Tuesday, January 27, our pre-merger Alaska AFA Scheduling Committee Chairpersons and Representatives met virtually 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). MEC Scheduling Committee Vice Chairperson—Pairing Construction Karen Ferrell, MEC Scheduling Committee—PBS Subcommittee Member Adam Clarey, and MEC Scheduling Committee Chairperson Jake Jones were also present.

The Committee met with Managing Director Inflight Performance & Crew Scheduling Sara Cook, Director of Crew Planning Trisha Bennett, Manager of Flight Crew System Support Sue Rawlings, Manager of Crew Pay Debbie Bakke, and other management representatives from Crew Planning, Crew Scheduling, information technology (ITS), payroll, and inflight performance.

The Committee is next scheduled to meet on Tuesday, February 24.

Topics of Discussion

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

Upcoming Meetings

  • Monthly MEC Scheduling Committee Meetings are planned for February 24, March 24, April 21 (in-person), and additional dates through December 2026.
  • Scheduling Review Board (SRB) is scheduled through the end of 2026. These meetings are held monthly and address unresolved issues related to Crew Scheduling, Crew Planning, Crew Pay, and ITS. Issues not resolved in SRB are escalated to ADR. 
  • Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR): This meeting is facilitated by the Grievance Committee, with the MEC Scheduling Committee Chairperson participating as a stakeholder. ADR meeting dates are scheduled throughout the end of the year and are generally held every other week. 
  • AI Crew Solutions: Kicked off with a meeting on November 4, 2025, focused on improving vacation awards processing and unbid slots. Implementation of the system is expected throughout 2026, with a follow-up scheduled for March 12, 2026.

MEC Committee Chairperson Report

  • Crew Backlog Review: Scheduled for February 4, 2026. Discussions will center around addressing the backlog and optimizing crew utilization.
  • Crew Bi-Monthly Review with ALPA: Set for March 4, 2026, to discuss known Crew Access issues and solutions.
  • Rainmaker Crew Pay System: Meetings scheduled for February 18, May 20, August 19, and November 18, 2026, to focus on updates and resolve discrepancies in pay calculations.
  • Fatigue Review Board (FRB): Ongoing meetings throughout 2026, with a focus on evaluating crew fatigue management and necessary policy adjustments.
  • NAVBLUE Monthly Call: Regular updates to discuss system performance, with a focus on enhancing user experience and resolving technical issues.
  • Pyramiding Pay Dispute: Ongoing discussions regarding compensation for over-duty situations and related contractual obligations.

Local Chairperson Reports

  • ANC:
    • Addressed missed audits for flying on days off and concerns about compensation for pre-board situations.
  • LAX:
    • Reports of inadequate hotel arrangements for crews in LIR and CUN, leading to situations where crews had to utilize contractual self-help. 
    • Ongoing discussions regarding compensation for wait times at hotels due to scheduling errors.
  • PDX :
    • Issues regarding hotel assignments during irregular operations, specifically for crews during long layovers. A follow-up discussion with Labor Relations is planned.
  • SAN:
    • Reports of missed updates in the Rainmaker system affecting pay calculations, leading to discrepancies in PPP blocks. 
    • Compensation request for a Flight Attendant who was due a jumpseat premium for December 1, 2025. 
  • SEA:
    • Concerns about negative vacation balances and reassignments affecting pay. Requests for clearer communication regarding these issues for year-end. Please refer to the Rainmaker Pay Guide as well for additional resources. 
    • Discussions on fatigue calls and layover management, emphasizing the need for better protocols.
  • SFO:
    • Multiple pay questions and situations
    • Concerns about Crew Scheduling moving crews on layovers.

Crew Systems/JCTE Update:

  • NAVBLUE testing new releases, with updates to automated test cases and system enhancements expected by late February.
  • Emphasis on improving TFP calculators and addressing security issues within the system.

Crew Scheduling Operational Insights:

  • Acknowledgment of increased sick leave rates impacting crew availability, leading to operational challenges at the start of January.
  • Discussions on the necessity of accurate hotel assignments and the implications of poor communication regarding crew accommodations.

Quality of Life Survey:

  • Ongoing internal discussions regarding the potential for a Quality of Life survey to better understand and manage crew expectations and experiences.

General Discussion Points

  • Multiple Pay-Related Questions:
    • Significant inquiries about Rainmaker’s accuracy, with Flight Attendants expressing confusion about pay calculations and audit processes.
    • Management acknowledged the need for clearer, more consistent responses to Flight Attendants’ queries.
  • Hotel Arrangements:
    • Persistent issues with hotel assignments and crew accommodations during layovers were extensively discussed.
    • Management is committed to reviewing policies to ensure compliance with contractual obligations regarding layover accommodations.
  • Compensation Issues:
    • Ongoing discussions about the handling of compensation for wait times and the impact of scheduling decisions on crew wellbeing.
    • Emphasis on the importance of adherence to contractual agreements regarding pay and working conditions.

What The Committee Is Working On

  1. Crew Access Issues: Addressing challenges affecting operations and Flight Attendant satisfaction. Meetings with Jeppesen management and internal/external debriefs regarding a recent outage are scheduled. A recent update to Crew Access was installed on December 8, 2025. We are asking crew members to familiarize themselves with the changes. Our next installation is scheduled for February 2026. 
  2. Resolving Pyramiding Pay Disputes: Discussions are ongoing through the Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR) process to clarify payment rules for over-duty pay and day-off violations. Our Grievance Committee is filing grievances regarding several concerns with pyramid pay. 
  3. Vacation Bidding: Representatives from the Committee met with management to discuss the new vendor, AI Crew Solutions. It was determined that when a Flight Attendant either doesn’t hold a bid or forgets to bid, they will be allowed to bid in the 2nd round of vacation. The current process assigns slot 1 and slot 2.  We will provide educational material and information when bidding begins next year on the new platforms. Our next meeting is scheduled for March 12, 2026. 
  4. Ground Commuting: The Committee wants to remind Flight Attendants that contractual provisions are available for review under Section 37.B.  
  5. Flow Charts: The Committee is internally reviewing flow charts with management and will update once the parties agree. Stay tuned for an update soon. 
  6. Block2Block (B2B) Contactability – Implemented on February 1, 2026. Please familiarize yourself with the contractual language and bulletin bundle.
  7. Chime (Microsoft Teams) – Implemented on February 9, 2026. This will allow Flight Attendants to contact Crew Scheduling for additional resources. Please refer to the letter of agreement and bulletin bundle. 

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.

Celebrating Black History Month

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February 1 marks the start of Black History Month in the United States—a vibrant celebration with roots dating back to 1925, when acclaimed historian Carter G. Woodson first introduced “Negro History Week” to highlight the remarkable achievements of Black individuals. In 1976, President Gerald R. Ford expanded it to Black History Month, calling on all Americans to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.”

Carter G. Woodson

For Flight Attendants, Black History Month is an opportunity to recognize trailblazers in aviation, such as Bessie Coleman, the first Black woman to earn a pilot’s license, and Ruth Carol Taylor, the first Black Flight Attendant in the United States. Their pioneering spirits paved the way for greater diversity and inclusion in our profession. As we fly across the country and around the world, we celebrate the profound impact of Black Americans not only on society at large but also within the aviation industry and our own crews.

Learn More About Black History

Expand your knowledge about the accomplishments of Black Americans—including those who have shaped the skies we fly—by exploring these dedicated resources:

Celebrate with a Black History Month AFA Pin

In 2019, the AFA Executive Board unanimously passed a resolution recognizing February as Black History Month. The resolution established a unique commemorative pin for AFA Members to wear throughout February.

For more information about the pin, contact your Local Human Rights Committee. If you need a pin, check with your Local Council or contact your LEC Officers to find out how to get one.

Never Forget: Honoring Alaska Airlines Flight 261—January 31, 2000 

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Photo Credit: Alaska Airlines

On this day, we pause to remember and honor the anniversary of the tragic loss of Alaska Airlines Flight 261, which occurred on January 31, 2000. This heartbreaking event claimed the lives of all 88 passengers and crew on board, leaving an enduring impact on all of us.

As we reflect on this tragic day, we acknowledge the grief that continues to resonate in our hearts. We stand in solidarity with the families who lost loved ones, remembering the joy and light they brought into this world. Each life lost was a story, a connection, and a cherished presence that left an indelible mark on all who knew them.

Today, let us take time to reflect on the lives lost and the loved ones they left behind. We will always remember and honor the memory of Flight Attendants Kristin Mills, Craig Pulanco, and Allison Shanks; Captain Ted Thompson; First Officer William Tansky; Sheri Christensen, Rachel Janosik, Ileana Ost, Sarah Pearson, Anjesh Prasad, James Ryan, and Stacy Schuyler. We will forever hold the memories of those aboard Flight 261 close in our hearts.

Joint Contract Negotiations Session 11 – January 2026

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This message is for both pre-merger Alaska and Hawaiian Flight Attendants

  • Our JNC met with management this week on January 27 to January 29 in Seattle; our next negotiation session is scheduled for February 24 to February 26
  • Our MEC Air Safety Health and Security Chairperson and Air Quality Representative, along with the AFA-CWA Industrial Hygienist joined the JNC to speak to management about impacts of air quality on Flight Attendants

Negotiations Update

Our AFA Alaska + Hawaiian Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) met this week for three days of collective bargaining with management. The JNC met with management on January 27 to January 29 in Seattle, WA. At the negotiating table for this session were:

Representing AFA and our Flight Attendants[1]   Representing Management
Tim Green, Joint Negotiating Committee ChairpersonAllen Thieman, Vice President of Inflight, Alaska
Martin Gusman, Joint Negotiating Committee MemberJoe Wonderly, Vice President, Labor Relations, Alaska
Jeffrey Fuke, Joint Negotiating Committee MemberCarmen Williams, Managing Director, Labor Relations, Alaska
Virginia Fritz, Joint Negotiating Committee MemberKalani Sloat, Senior Director, Labor Relations, Hawaiian
Heather Reier, Joint Negotiating Committee MemberMike Link, Labor Relations Program Manager, Alaska
Paula Mastrangelo, AFA Senior Staff NegotiatorKaren Themelis, Senior Labor Relations Business Partner, Alaska
Seth Heiple, MEC Air Safety, Health, and Security Committee Chairperson
Deb Wallstrom, MEC Air Safety, Health, and Security Committee Air Quality Representative
Judith Anderson, AFA-CWA Industrial Hygienist; Air Safety, Health and Security

During this negotiating session we were joined by the MEC Air Safety, Health, and Security Committee (ASHSC) Chairperson, Seth Heiple; MEC ASHSC Air Quality Representative, Deb Wallstrom; and AFA-CWA Industrial Hygienist, Judith Anderson. After an in-depth presentation to the JNC, our subject matter experts educated management on air quality from the Flight Attendant perspective and identified areas of improvement and concrete action-items to address the on-the-job injury process.

After the presentation, we passed our prepared proposal on Section 15 (Leaves of Absence) to  management.  We continue to advocate for improvements and protections in this Section.  The JNC also made our initial proposal on Section 22 (Expenses).  On Day 2, management passed their response on Section 15 (Leaves).  We are significantly apart in this area as we work to incorporate improvements from the Hawaiian Contract.

Section by Section Progress

The Alaska CBA will be used as the basis of the joint contract for language purposes. Each section and provision from both contracts will be reviewed individually to incorporate and amend the strongest elements from each agreement.

Sections discussed in this session:

  • Leaves of Absence (AS CBA Section 15 and HA CBA Section 17)
  • Expenses (AS CBA Section 22 and HA CBA Section 4)

Sections in ongoing discussion:

  • General and Miscellaneous (AS CBA Section 24 and HA CBA Section 27)
  • Commuter Policy (AS CBA Section 26 and HA CBA Section 34-28)
  • Training (AS CBA Section 30 and HA CBA Section 26)

Sections listed below are on hold until discussions regarding future sections, which affect specific provisions, take place.

  • Seniority (AS CBA Section 6 and HA CBA Section 9)
  • Grievance Procedures (AS CBA Section 19 and HA CBA Section 23)
  • Charters (AS CBA Section 33 and HA CBA Section 12)

Local Council Meetings

Our Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) attended the Master Executive Council (MEC) Meeting in Honolulu earlier this month. During the meeting the JNC provided the MEC with a negotiations update and collaborated on some of the more difficult decisions coming up as we work to combine two very different contracts. On January 15, the JNC met with Honolulu-based Members in a meet and greet event hosted by the Council 43 Leadership.  The JNC fielded questions, updated Members on the negotiations process, and addressed their concerns.

What’s Upcoming

Our next session with management is scheduled for February 24 to February 26.

Hotel Committee Meeting Recap – January 2026

On Monday, January 12, 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), Brian Sherill (LAX-pmAS), Kanani Vallot (SAN), and Matt Mitchell (HNL) with MEC Hotel Committee Chairperson James Bozanich facilitating the meeting.

The Committee met with Director of Crew Planning Trisha Bennett, Senior Crew Hotels Support Specialist Nichole Turner and Crew Hotels Support Specialist LaFay Williams. 

Our next monthly meeting with management is scheduled for Monday, February 9, 2026. API, the company’s hotel accommodations vendor, will also host their first quarterly business review (QBR) meeting of 2026 in January, with the pre-merger Alaska meeting on January 21 and the pre-merger Hawaiian meeting on January 22.

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:

Hotel and Ground Transportation Issues (pmAS):

Most of our meeting time was devoted to a few high-profile events that occurred over the holiday period.  

  • FAI: Crews have reported a number of issues with our Fairbanks hotel, including unresponsive front desk staff, HVAC issues (heating/cooling), and water temperature and drainage issues. These have gone on for far too long, and we made it clear that we need a safe and dependable property in FAI. We have asked that API conduct an emergency market sourcing for an alternative option. Given the smaller size of cities in Alaska, options are unfortunately limited. 
  • CUN: Cancun experienced significant compression the first weekend of January due to the Caribbean airspace being shut down. In hotel terms, compression refers to a situation where the demand for hotel rooms is extremely high, leaving few or no available rooms in the area. This often leads to higher room rates and limited options for securing accommodations. As a result of this compression event, there was a sellout, with API struggling for hours to secure rooms for a cancelled Alaska flight. When rooms were finally secured, the hotel still refused to accept payment, despite being sent via three different avenues. This significantly delayed crews from getting into their rooms. Ultimately, a pilot paid out of pocket. This topic has been added to the QBR agenda for further discussion and future contingencies.
  • LIR: A crew arrived at our long-stay property after a redeye flight to find they did not have a hotel reservation. This was the result of an API mistake during the hotel reassignment period. As a reminder, during the planning process, if hotels cannot accommodate hotel rooms over the contracted maximum cap, pairings are entered as “TBD”, which is what we, as a Hotel Committee, have asked for. This adds greater transparency to the bid as you are bidding for a pairing without a known hotel. API has a process that flags all TBDs to ensure rooms are booked for these pairings. Unfortunately, due to human error, this particular overnight was missed. To prevent this from happening again, API will rerun the reassignment report on the last day of the month to ensure all TBDs have been processed and rooms assigned for the upcoming month.

Reminders About Self-Help (pmAS)

  • Hotel Rooms: If you have not received a hotel room key within ninety (90) minutes after arriving at your hotel, you may be able to arrange your own room and be reimbursed up to $400 per Flight Attendant, per night. Before making your own arrangements, you must obtain approval from Crew Scheduling by phone (or from Base Management if Crew Scheduling is unavailable). To request reimbursement, keep your receipt and submit it according to the steps in section 34.D.2 of the contract.  
  • Late Transportation: Section 34.B.7 of the contract allows you to arrange and submit for reimbursement the actual cost of alternative transportation to/from the airport if transportation is not provided within thirty-five (35) minutes of block-in or within ten (10) minutes of the scheduled departure from the hotel. To be reimbursed, keep your receipt and submit it as outlined in the contract. Alternatively, you may ask Crew Scheduling to arrange transportation at the thirty-five-minute mark if you do not want to pay out of pocket and submit for reimbursement.   
  • Wait Times: If you decide to wait for a hotel room or late transportation, you will be paid if the wait time requirements are met and you follow the reporting steps in section 34.D of the contract.

What The Committee Is Working On

  1. Conducting Hotel Site Visits: The Hotel Committee conducts site visits on hotels under consideration by management to ensure that the selected options provide the safest and most comfortable layover experience for Flight Attendants.  Market reviews are triggered by factors such as contract expirations, crew complaints, and cost-saving opportunities.  
  • Pre-Merger Alaska: We have been provided the site visit schedule for 2026, and it’s quite extensive. Additional site visits may be added due to the conditions listed above. The scheduled site visits through June 2026 are:
    • January: LAX
    • February: CVG, PHL, KEF
    • March: PSP, MKE, CLE, MIA
    • April: LIR, DFW, KOA, JFK
    • May: BOS, PHX, ATL
    • June: OGG, RNO
  • Pre-Merger Hawaiian: The following site visits are confirmed for 2026 so far:
    • January: SFO
    • February:  FCO, SMF
    • March: LHR, SJC
  1. Hotel Gainshare Update: There is no new update at this time. We are still awaiting further information from our AFA International legal department regarding the tax implications raised by management. We will provide additional details as soon as they are available.

We Want to Hear From You!

Our Hotel Committee relies on your feedback, whether positive or negative. Please report via CrewCare (pmAS) or the FA Crew Accommodations Feedback 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 + Hawaiian website.

Scheduling Committee Meeting Recap – January 2026

This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants On Tuesday, January 27, our pre-merger Alaska AFA Scheduling Committee Chairpersons and Representatives met virtually 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), […]

Celebrating Black History Month

February 1 marks the start of Black History Month in the United States—a vibrant celebration with roots dating back to 1925, when acclaimed historian Carter G. Woodson first introduced “Negro History Week” to highlight the remarkable achievements of Black individuals. In 1976, President Gerald R. Ford expanded it to Black History Month, calling on all […]

Never Forget: Honoring Alaska Airlines Flight 261—January 31, 2000 

On this day, we pause to remember and honor the anniversary of the tragic loss of Alaska Airlines Flight 261, which occurred on January 31, 2000. This heartbreaking event claimed the lives of all 88 passengers and crew on board, leaving an enduring impact on all of us. As we reflect on this tragic day, […]

Joint Contract Negotiations Session 11 – January 2026

The Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) continues to make steady progress in collective bargaining sessions with management. Recent meetings have focused on refining contract Section 15 (Leaves of Absence). The JNC continues to incorporate the strongest language from both Alaska and Hawaiian agreements.

Hotel Committee Meeting Recap – January 2026

On Monday, January 12, 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), Brian Sherill (LAX-pmAS), Kanani Vallot (SAN), […]

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