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787-9 Inflight Service Grievance: Protecting Our Contract and Standards

August 14, 2026 09:00 Leave a Comment

This message is for pre-merger Hawaiian Flight Attendants

For decades, Hawaiian Airlines Flight Attendants have defined the Spirit of Aloha. We take pride in delivering world-class service, but management’s current Boeing 787-9 service model is threatening that legacy. It isn’t just inefficient—it’s an unsustainable pace that undermines the quality our passengers expect and the professional standards our crews deserve.

The Issue: Management is Ignoring Our CBA

At the onset of Alaska-branded 787 international service in April, management offered a 30-day observation period with promises to gather Flight Attendant feedback and implement service flow improvements. That observation period concluded on May 28. Months later, management has offered no resolutions to ease the demands of an operation they refuse to resource properly, citing claims of needing more data. Yet, management has repeatedly shown they can react swiftly to passenger feedback—highlighting that changes can be made, but they simply choose not to. Instead, management’s response to Flight Attendants has consistently been: Make it work.

This refusal to collaborate is a direct violation of Section 29.I.4 of the Hawaiian Airlines Flight Attendant CBA, which requires mutual agreement on inflight service requirements. Management has disregarded our Inflight Service Committee’s repeated calls for realistic and fair solutions, leaving us no choice but to take formal action. As of Monday, we have filed grievance #46-99-2-8-26 to ensure our concerns are addressed.

The Reality: A Simple Principle

Current main cabin staffing levels currently make it impossible to deliver on management’s promises. We will not stand by while our professional standards are compromised due to their unwillingness to invest the necessary resources needed to make their service model work.

At its core, this grievance is about one simple principle: If management expects a certain level of service, it must provide the staffing necessary to deliver it. They face a clear choice: increase staffing to meet their service goals, or work with our Inflight Service Committee to establish realistic service standards that actually reflect the staffing provided. Until they choose one, we will not accept being set up for failure.

Take Action: Document the Struggle

We need every Flight Attendant to turn frustration into evidence. Your reports are the vital data we need to prove the daily realities we face on these 787-9 flights and hold management accountable. Keep documenting every challenge you face—your voice matters, and our solidarity is our greatest strength.

Speak up, support each other, and stay informed.

Pre-Merger Alaska Reserve Webinar Video and Q&A Recap – August 6, 2026

August 12, 2026 13:00 Leave a Comment

This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants

Thank you to everyone who joined our first pre-merger Alaska Reserve Webinar! We created this interactive session to share practical contract tips and help you feel more confident about reserve life. You can now watch the recording on our YouTube channel using the link below. Please note that the video is unlisted, so you’ll need this direct link to view it.

Click here to watch on YouTube ➔

Save the Date for Our Next Webinar

Be sure to save the date for our next pre-merger Alaska Reserve Webinar, titled “Is That Legal?” Plan now to join us on Wednesday, October 21, at 1 PM Pacific Time. More information about registration and how to submit questions in advance will be shared at the beginning of September.

Webinar Q&A

The following Q&A section from the webinar provides a streamlined overview of the questions asked and responses from our AFA Representative panel. Please refer to the recording for the full details. If you have additional questions or need clarification on anything discussed, please don’t hesitate to contact your Local Reserve Committee.

1. Is the 118.2 TFP maximum for reserves tied to the standard award of 18 reserve days? Does picking up extra reserve days increase the limit, or does giving away days decrease it?

Answer: No. The 118.2 TFP monthly maximum is independent of the number of reserve days you are assigned; it is a limit on what you are scheduled to fly. You should track this number via the Reserve Assignment List (RAL), rather than the “bubble” display in Crew Access, which is not an accurate tracker for this specific contract limit. If you are scheduled over the 118.2 limit, you may respectfully decline the trip. If you exceed the limit, you can request that scheduling remove your subsequent reserve days; you won’t be paid for them, but you may pick up lineholder trips.

2. Can I be tagged for airport standby upon my return to domicile after working an early report transcon, even if my report time was before 4:30 AM Pacific Time?

Answer: Yes, under specific conditions. Contractually, this refers to 4:29 AM local time of the originating flight. If your flight took off after 4:29 AM local time, you can be tagged for standby upon landing. However, if you are an AM reserve landing back in domicile, scheduling must convert you to ER before assigning airport standby that would end after 12:00 PM.

3. Is there a “choose-your-own-adventure” style flow sheet for reserve pay, similar to the commuter policy, to help us navigate these provisions?

Answer: A single flowchart covering every scenario is unfortunately not possible due to the highly situational nature of our pay structure. However, we are currently reviewing existing tools and resources with the Communications Committee. The goal is to produce updated guides or a video walkthrough to help Flight Attendants navigate Rainmaker and accurately correlate their activity with their paychecks.

4. I am returning to reserve after a few years away and need a refresher on how things work. Where should I start?

Answer: First, review Section 11 of the contract, which contains all reserve provisions and includes changes from the current contract. For practical, day-to-day guidance, refer to the Reserve Survival Guide on the inflight website (under Admin/AFA) or your IMD. For bidding-specific questions, consult the Bidding Guide (inflight website under Scheduling > Monthly Bidding). If you still have questions, reach out directly to your Local Reserve Committee Chairperson via the Local Council menu on the AFA Alaska + Hawaiian website.

5. What are the specific rules regarding Crew Scheduling holding trips in Open Time? Can they hold trips indefinitely to meet operational needs?

Answer: No. After the self-assignment period (10 AM–2 PM), scheduling can pull trips from Open Time to assign to reserves between 2 PM and 6 PM the day before the trip. If not assigned by 6 PM, the trip must be returned to Open Time. For new vacancies, the trip must be visible for at least 15 minutes; scheduling may then withhold it for an additional 15 minutes to determine if it is needed for reassignment or coverage. If you believe a trip has been held beyond these parameters, call scheduling to request it; per contract, you may be entitled to the trip on a first-come, first-served basis plus an extra TFP if you fly it.

6. Regarding Section 11.E.1.e, scheduling often claims they can reassign to “meet the needs of the operation” without citing a specific reason. What are the only four valid reasons for reassignment prior to reporting, and can we decline non-compliant reassignments?

Answer: Section 11.E.1.e applies to trips prior to reporting. The only four valid reasons for reassignment are: (1) Cancellation, (2) Operational necessity (where no other legal reserves are available), (3) Aircraft downgrade, and (4) A lineholder calling in “well.” These reassignments must be done in inverse seniority order. Once a reserve reports for duty, they can be reassigned at any point, subject to contractual limitations.

7. If I am an AM reserve called out on a trip, can scheduling tag me for airport standby upon my return to domicile if that standby period extends into the PM hours?

Answer: AM reserves cannot be assigned airport standby ending after 12 PM. PM reserves cannot be assigned standby ending after 11:59 PM. If scheduling needs you to sit standby past these cut-offs, they must first convert you to ER. This conversion counts as one of your ER days for the month.

8. What are the current trends in contract violations regarding reserve operations, and have there been any notable improvements?

Answer:

Trends: We are seeing issues with ISA codes preventing self-assignment (manual workaround: call scheduling; they can either remove the code or re-apply the premium); disputes over 3-hour call-out reimbursement; and a grievance filed regarding the company’s refusal to pyramid pay provisions for airport standby and over-duty pay.
Improvements: We identified an increase in AM reserves required to sit standby past the last daily flight without being converted to ER. We secured a full audit back to the start of the contract to ensure proper pay. Scheduling is now adding annotations for these situations, and crew pay is conducting weekly audits to prevent misses.

9. I’m new to reserve and confused about using Rainmaker. How can we implement a process to help new hires know exactly when and what information needs to be entered for pay purposes?

Answer: Refer to the “Pay and Benefits” section on the inflight website. Generally, you should only submit a pay query for out-of-order assignment or being contacted outside your contactability period. All other provisions should ideally be automated in Crew Access or caught by weekly crew pay audits. The Committee is actively advocating for increased accuracy and accountability in these automated systems.

10. Can Crew Scheduling deny a request to be released from a deadhead (DHD) on the last leg of a sequence?

Answer: There is a distinction between the two contract provisions. Section 10.X.6 allows reserve Flight Attendants to deadhead home early if the duty period contains no other flying, but the Flight Attendant remains contactable and assignable during their reserve availability period (RAP) upon arrival. Section 10.X.3 allows Flight Attendants to be released from the deadhead entirely with pay, provided no other scheduling obligation exists. If you are specifically asking about being fully released as a reserve, this is a complex issue currently being reviewed by the Negotiating Committee to clarify intent.

11. What are the duty day limitations before I can refuse an assignment?

Answer: Rules differ by where you are. At a domicile/co-terminal, you cannot be required to depart on a flight scheduled to land more than 14 hours from the start of your duty period. At an outstation, you may be required to exceed 14 hours only to complete scheduled flying. If you feel you cannot safely operate, the Fatigue Risk Management Plan (FRMP)—found in Letter of Agreement #6 at the end of the contract—provides the procedure for calling out fatigue.

12. What are the best tips for bidding while on reserve?

Answer: The PBS Subcommittee has published comprehensive documentation on the Inflight website under Scheduling & Bidding > Monthly Bidding > PBS Help. For specific, individual situations (such as commuting needs), email the PBS Subcommittee directly at pbs.qa@alaskaair.com. They are highly knowledgeable and responsive to specific bidding inquiries.

13. Is it legal for AM reserves to be tagged for a redeye after already working a trip?

Answer: Yes, it can be legal, even if it is exhausting. You can be assigned a trip late in your AM reserve availability period and subsequently tagged for additional flying, such as a redeye. If you reach your limit and can no longer operate safely, you may elect to utilize the Fatigue Risk Management Plan (FRMP).

14. When am I required to be at base if I’ve been released from contactability?

Answer: If you’ve been released from contactability, you are not required to be at your base until the report time of your actual assignment. However, if you are a registered air commuter and wish to be protected under the air commuter policy, your second flight must be scheduled to land at least 30 minutes prior to your report time. Refer to Section 36 for details on commuter policies and recovery options.

15. Can I preemptively call out sick for a single reserve day during a block to attend an appointment?

Answer: Yes. You should call scheduling the day before your block starts to inform them that you will be unavailable for a specific date due to an appointment. They will adjust your schedule accordingly.

16. Am I required to answer Crew Scheduling calls while on a layover?

Answer: No. While on a layover, you are not contractually required to answer calls from Crew Scheduling. However, if you do answer, you are required to accept any reassignment they provide. You are back on duty 45 minutes prior to departure (D -45), at which point you must acknowledge and return any calls.

17. Why do some days show as “closed” in the ARC even before Open Time?

Answer: The ARC is a live document affected by many variables, including late medical leaves, resignations, terminations, or incorrect initial calculations by management. Additionally, Flight Attendant-to-Flight Attendant trading can inadvertently lower availability if the trade results in a Flight Attendant being left with only a single reserve day, which does not count toward the ARC minimums. This is an area where the Committee is pushing for more transparency and flexibility.

18. Why are “Release from Contactability” forms often not approved?

Answer: The Committee has noticed that approval rates for these requests are lower than expected. We have requested data from management to understand the rationale behind these denials. Once the data is analyzed, the Committee intends to discuss potential improvements to ensure this contractual provision is being utilized as intended.

19. How do I know if I was tagged after my debrief?

Answer: Per Section 11.D.6, reserves must make positive contact with scheduling within 15 minutes following the conclusion of the 15-minute debrief period (a total of 30 minutes after block-in). Note that Block2Block messaging alone is not considered “positive contact”—if you receive a message, you must call scheduling to confirm.

20. Do I get extra pay if I am reassigned after self-assigning a trip?

Answer: Generally, no. Being reassigned is a standard aspect of reserve life. Unless other specific provisions are triggered, standard reassignments after check-in are legal and do not automatically result in extra pay. If you believe your specific situation warrants extra pay, contact your Local Reserve Committee Chairperson for a review.

Wrapping Up Membership Engagement Focus Month: Stronger Together

August 4, 2026 18:00

July was a remarkable month for our Membership Engagement Committee. We set out with a clear purpose: to bring our Flight Attendant community closer together, share valuable resources, and build authentic connections throughout our system.

Over the past four weeks, we explored what it means to be engaged in our AFA family. We kicked things off with the campaign launch and a look back at our Committee’s history, then offered behind-the-scenes insights from our MEC Town Halls. We interviewed our MEC Committee Chairperson to deepen our understanding of the Committee’s mission. We spotlighted how your feedback shapes our work, pointed you to resources like the AFA Membership Hub, and showed how to get the most out of the AFA Online Learning Academy. We wrapped up by outlining practical ways you can take that next step and become an AFA volunteer.

Key Takeaways from Our Focus Month

Engagement is Peer-to-Peer: Our Committee Members are fellow Flight Attendants here to support you. Together, we’re committed to creating a strong, Member-driven community where we lift each other up and grow together.
Your Voice Drives Our Union: Your input shapes our direction. Whether you participate in Town Halls or connect with us directly, your perspectives are the driving force behind meaningful change.
Keep The Momentum Going: The campaign ends, but the work doesn’t. Whether you visit afaalaska.org to stay up to date on the latest news or get involved with volunteer opportunities, there are countless ways to stay engaged and help shape our Union’s future.

Watch: A Special Closing Message

To celebrate the conclusion of our Membership Engagement Committee Focus Month, we’ve created a special video featuring MEC Membership Engagement Committee Chairperson Mischelle Fielsch and our Local Membership Engagement Committee Chairpersons. We invite you to take a few moments to watch and hear firsthand how the connections we’re building are shaping the future of our Flight Attendant community.

Click here to watch on YouTube ➔

Thank you to everyone who watched our videos, checked out our posts, engaged on social media, and shared your feedback. Your participation is what makes our Union strong.

If you missed any content or want to revisit a resource, please visit the Membership Engagement Committee page of the AFA Alaska + Hawaiian website, check out our AFA Alaska + Hawaiian social media channels, or reach out to your Local Membership Engagement Committee. Let’s keep this momentum going!

Benefits Committee Meeting Recap – July 2026

August 3, 2026 17:00

This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants

On Wednesday, July 22, our pre-merger Alaska Benefits Committee Chairpersons met for their regular monthly meeting. This meeting was an internal AFA-only meeting and did not involve management.

Representing you at the meeting were Ava McWilliams Ellington (LAX), Linda Gunselman (PDX), Sonia Quackenbush (SAN), Kathy O’Malley (SEA), and Julie Pearson (SFO). MEC Benefits Committee Chairperson Dianna Ripley also attended and facilitated the discussion.

The next Benefits Committee Meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, August 19.

Discussion Topics

The Committee reviewed challenges in leave processing and discussed administrative protocols to improve Member communication, documentation, and consistency. These included:

Google Workspace Training: The Committee was joined by MEC Communications Committee Chairperson Brian Palmer, who conducted a training session on best practices for use of Google Workspace. Information was shared to improve the Committee’s use of Gmail, Drive, Calendar, and Chat to better coordinate work and more effectively represent Members.
June Committee Metrics: The Committee addressed a high volume of cases, particularly those related to medical and on-the-job injuries. The group raised concerns about systemic issues such as Kaiser benefit terminations for employees returning from leave and payroll deduction errors. We encourage all members to verify their benefit enrollment status promptly upon returning from leave.
Policy Advocacy: The Committee discussed the challenges caused by management’s practice of running Workers’ Compensation and FMLA leave concurrently, which forces Flight Attendants to use personal sick leave for appointments. Advocacy to change this policy is currently being pursued through the Joint Negotiating Committee.

What The Committee Is Working On

Committee Resource Development: We are building a central resource hub for Benefits Committee Members on the internal AFA representative website. By organizing tools and resources in one location, we will be able to assist Flight Attendants more efficiently and effectively.
Maternity Benefits Gap: The Committee is actively pursuing solutions to the potential gap in maternity benefits that can arise when a Flight Attendant begins leave at 29 weeks, especially when coordinating Short-Term Disability and state-paid leave benefits in Washington.
ILOA Handbook Update: The Committee has submitted recommendations for the ILOA Handbook and is awaiting management’s final review.

We Want To Hear From You!

We’re focused on ensuring every Flight Attendant receives accurate information, timely support, and clear guidance when navigating complex benefit and leave situations. If you have questions about the leave process, please connect with your Local Benefits Committee as early as possible. Reaching out before issues arise helps us provide timely guidance and ensures you can make informed, confident decisions about your benefits.

Every question, concern, or suggestion you share helps us advocate more effectively with management and ensures that we focus on what matters most to you. If you have questions or ideas, we encourage you to contact your Local Benefits Committee. Our contact information is always available on the Benefits Committee page of the AFA Alaska + Hawaiian website.

Discover The AFA Online Learning Academy

July 29, 2026 21:00

As part of Membership Engagement Committee Focus Month, we’re excited to spotlight one of our core missions: empowering you with knowledge and confidence to participate more fully in our Union. When we understand how our Union works, we strengthen our collective voice and create a more engaged community.

To help you on this journey, we’re excited to introduce a powerful resource: the AFA Online Learning Academy at afalearning.org. This platform is built to open doors for every Member by offering accessible education that lets you get involved on your own terms—wherever you are, whenever you’re ready.

What’s Available On The Academy

The AFA Online Learning Academy features a diverse course catalog where you can choose the topics that interest you most. You can explore subjects such as:

Union structure and history
Committee work and leadership
Labor history
Communications, safety, and much more

Real empowerment comes from making education truly accessible to everyone. The academy lays a strong foundation for you to build your knowledge and become a more active, confident participant in our Union. Some of the key benefits include:

No Experience Needed: Whether you’re curious about how our Union works or considering getting involved, this is the perfect place to start. You don’t need to be a committee volunteer or AFA officer—everyone is welcome.
Zero-Pressure Learning: Every course is self-paced, so you can learn at your own speed—no deadlines, no pressure.
Fits Your Schedule: Life on the line is unpredictable. Whether you have 15 minutes between flights or a little extra time at home, you can log in and learn whenever it’s convenient for you.

How To Access The Site

Getting started is simple and takes just a few clicks:

Head over to afalearning.org.
Create your account if you are a first-time user.
Start exploring the course catalog and dive into the topics that interest you.

Watch Now: Discover The AFA Online Learning Academy

Curious to see the academy in action? Watch this short video with Nona Diaz and Meredith Havens, your Membership Engagement Chairpersons for Council 30 in Anchorage. They’ll walk you through how they found this resource, how easy it is to use, and why it’s such a valuable tool for all our Members. Take a few minutes, watch the video, and see what’s possible!

Click here to watch on YouTube ➔

787-9 Inflight Service Grievance: Protecting Our Contract and Standards