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

Master Executive Council (MEC)

Photo Credit: Alaska Airlines

On this day, we pause to remember and honor the 25th 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.

Resources For Those Affected By The Southern California Wildfires

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)/Professional Standards Committee

  • The devastating wildfires that have swept through Los Angeles County have had a profound impact on local communities, including our own Flight Attendant community.
  • Below is a list of resources and offers compiled to aid those displaced or affected by ongoing fires. 
  • AFA EAP is also available at any time for confidential support by calling (949) 470-0493 or visiting afaalaska.org/eap for more ways to connect.

More than 2,000 homes, businesses and other buildings have been destroyed or damaged in wildfires ravaging communities across Los Angeles County, displacing at least 150,000 people, including restaurant workers and ROC United members, who have had to evacuate or have lost their homes. 

The Restaurant Opportunities Center (ROC) of Los Angeles, along with restaurant communities, local businesses, community groups and individuals, are coming together to provide free resources, supplies and services. ROC LA is also handing out free N95 respirator masks to protect workers from harmful smoke.

Here’s a list of offerings to support those displaced or affected by ongoing fires. 

Free Meals

Calamigos Ranch, in Malibu, is offering free breakfast burritos every day from 8 AM to 5 PM at the Calamigos Beach Club restaurant.

Highland Park Brewery is offering free combo specials for first responders, evacuees or anyone affected by the fires. The specials include the HPB Burger, vegan chipotle burger, fried chicken sandwich, hot dog and grilled chicken club.

Magic Castle Hollywood is distributing deli sandwiches, chips and cookies on Tuesday to individuals and families facing challenges brought on by the fires.

McDonald’s Southern California locations are offering a free Happy Meal online and through its app, no purchase necessary. 

Jewish Family Service LA’s SOVA Community Food and Resource Program is open to anyone needing access to fresh groceries, personal care items and additional resources for individuals and families. Details available online or by calling (323) 937-5843.

U.S. Department of Agriculture approved a temporary waiver that will allow participants in the USDA’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program/CalFresh in Kern, Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino and Ventura counties to buy hot foods using their benefits through Feb. 8. CalFresh recipients can contact the Los Angeles Department of Public Social Services at (866) 613-3777, Monday through Friday from 7:30 AM to 6:30 PM, to request replacement benefits.

Giving Kitchen is helping food service workers in crisis. The best way to get assistance from Giving Kitchen is to complete this “ask for help” form to determine eligibility for support. 

Financial Resources

Federal Emergency Management Agency announced federal sister assistance is available to the state of California to supplement recovery efforts. Individuals and business owners who sustained losses in the designated areas can begin applying for assistance by registering online, calling 1 (800) 621-3362 or by using the FEMA app.

Inclusive Action has launched a new emergency fund to help outdoor workers, including street vendors, landscapers and recyclers, affected by the fires. Affected workers can apply for one-time cash assistance of $500 on a first-come, first-served basis, as funding allows. The application can be found online in English and in Spanish. For more information call (213) 435-1151 or email info@inclusiveaction.org.

California Restaurant Foundation’s Restaurant Care will open applications for its Los Angeles Fires 2025 Relief Grants starting Tuesday. The grants are for food and beverage workers who have lost their homes and/or workplaces. Grants will range between $350 and $1,500. Grants will be awarded based on need and available funding. For more information, visit the foundation’s website.

RentSpree is offering to waive or refund application fees for individuals who need to rent property as a result of displacement and/or property damage caused by the fires. For information, email support@rentspree.com after submitting an application through RentSpree. Offer valid through April 8. Only fees paid directly to RentSpree are eligible for reimbursement.

Emergency Shelter (No ID requirement)

Emergency public shelters must be accessible. No one running an evacuation shelter can ask you for your ID. There are other shelters run by non-profits organizations such as the Red Cross which do not ask for any identifying information regarding immigration status. Please see the MALAN Fire & Wind Storm Resources: Available Resources 

Unemployment Insurance

Governor Newsom issued an executive order waiving the one-week waiting period for workers who qualify for regular unemployment benefits and are affected by the Los Angeles County fires, including the Palisades, Eaton, Hurst, Woodley, and Lidia fires. In addition, employers may request up to a 60-day extension to file their state payroll reports or deposit payroll taxes

Free Clothing

Brooklyn Projects, a skateboard and clothing shop in the Fairfax district is providing free clothing, shoes and socks for victims who left their homes without a change of clothes. 7427 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles 90046.

Aerie, a loungewear and active-wear brand is offering fire victims free clothing, including tops, bottoms, pajamas, bras and underwear. Fire victims can fill out an online Google form and Aerie will ship out a package.

The National Council of Jewish Women is offering 1,000 $100 vouchers to be used at the Council Shop secondhand stores to help address immediate clothing needs. To access this resource please contact Selene Lopez and Maria Preciado at info@ncjwla.org.

The Suay Sew Shop is offering free clothing, water and food for fire victims until further notice. 

Quirk is open all week from noon to 8 p.m. offering affected victims at least 10 items per person, visitors must show their ID. 

Vuori is donating clothing to fire victims in these locations.

Health & Mental Health Resources

GoodRx is offering free online healthcare provider visits through GoodRx Care to Los Angeles-area residents affected by the wildfires. The service can be accessed online and Los Angeles residents can use the code LA-GOODRX-CARE.

Santa Barbara Midwifery and Birth Center is offering displaced Los Angeles-area fire victims free belly checks, postpartum care and other services for families who evacuated to the Santa Barbara area. For more information, email sbmidwifery@gmail.com.

Integrative Psychotherapy Group is offering free short-term therapy services to some fire victims and referral assistance for others needing longer-term or more acute treatment in the upcoming weeks. For information, contact (310) 461-4393 or info@ipgtherapy.com or visit their online website.

AltaMed has a mobile health unit at the Pasadena Convention Center providing health services to anyone who needs it. The unit is providing pediatrics, primary care, senior care, behavioral health, vision exams and free eyeglasses and medications, located at 300 E. Green St., Pasadena 91101.

Ahava Pharmacy in the Pico-Robertson neighborhood is helping evacuees override insurance holdups so they can get the medications they need. Call or text the pharmacy at (310) 299-8079 for help.

BetterHelp, an online mental health company, is providing three months of therapy free for fire victims and first responders. To connect with a therapist, email contact@betterhelp.com.

Remedy Place is offering a complimentary tech-remedy service to all first responders, medical providers and rescue workers through Feb. 1 at their West Hollywood location. For information, email Weho@remedyplace.com. 8305 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood 90069

Baby Supplies & Child Care

Babyletto is providing free cribs to families who have lost their homes or otherwise are affected by the fires. For more information contact the company at info@babyletto.com

Bobbie is providing any parent affected by the fires — Bobbie customer or not — with free baby formula. Fire victims can apply for the free formula online.

Los Angeles-area YMCA locations are offering free childcare for children of first responders, essential workers and families who have been displaced, evacuated or who have otherwise experienced loss. Space is limited. For more information or to sign up, contact afterschool@ymcaLA.org. Check the full list online.

Upwards is supporting daycare providers and families affected by the fires. The network is also assisting families in locating available childcare options. Email relief@upwards.com.

LA Family Support is offering up to three free days of child care or camp to families affected by the fires. Care can be booked through Jan. 31, though a form. 

Pet Support

Best Friends Animal Society has activated two pet pantry locations that can provide supplies including pet food, cat litter, pet beds and other items as well as human sanitary products for those who have lost everything.

Vetster is offering California residents free online appointments with vets for owners whose pets are ill or are in need of medication that was left behind during an evacuation or lost to the fires. Visit the Vetster online help and support resource to set up an appointment.

In Defense of Animals is offering support to fire victims needing assistance with free, temporary housing for wild or domestic animals. For more information call Sammy Zablen at (310) 869-2383.

Petco is offering a free locator service to families whose pets are missing as a result of the fires. If you have lost or found a pet, sign up online for Petco Love Lost.

Kismet is offering dog food to pet owners affected by the fires and are extending the aid to organizations that are providing relief. Email support@kismetpets.com with your request.

Hotel Committee Meeting Recap – January 2025

Hotel Committee

  • On January 13, our AFA Hotel Committee Chairpersons met to discuss their ongoing work to protect and improve the quality of hotel accommodations and ground transportation providers for Flight Attendants.
  • The Committee met with management to discuss current trends and concerns regarding layover hotels and transportation.
  • If you encounter problems or have positive feedback about hotels or transportation, please report it through the feedback function in the MyCrewCare app. Your feedback is crucial as it provides the Committee with essential data to support keeping high-quality hotels and push for change when conditions are unacceptable.

On Monday, January 13, our AFA Local Hotel Committee Chairpersons met for our first meeting of the year 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), Ila Christy (PDX), Hilary Streem (SFO), and Kanani Vallot (SAN), with MEC Hotel Committee Chairperson James Bozanich also present.

The committee met with Crew Hotels & Administration Manager Nichole Turner and Crew Hotels Support Specialist LaFay Williams from management.   

The next scheduled Hotel Committee meeting is Monday, February 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:

  • Final Hotel Decisions: A number of site visits were conducted in the second half of 2024. We are still awaiting a final decision on HNL, SMF, TPA, and SJD. Final decisions have been made in BWI and DEN. Please check the MyCrewCare app (“City and Hotel Information” menu) or the Hotel Hotline on the Inflight Website for specific hotel details and decisions.  
  • LIR Travel Time: We know that the van time in LIR has been a significant pain point for our Flight Attendants. The Committee has been engaged with Crew Hotels to find an alternative property. We are actively searching for a property that provides the same level of quality and service, with the intent to significantly shorten the time in transit. In the meantime, the morning van departure has returned to the original, non-padded departure time due to early arrivals to the gate.    
  • Other Markets Updates: We are having a challenge in LAS when it comes to crew accommodations, a challenge shared by other carriers. As you may have seen, we have moved properties a few times due to crew member feedback. We greatly appreciate this, as your feedback drives change. We continue to monitor for any opportunities in LAS suitable for crew members. We are also looking at alternative options in FAT. 
  • Ground Transportation Issues
    • Safety Reporting: We have seen several instances where our ground transportation providers have contracted an Uber instead of their company van. This has, at times, resulted in an UberX that is not large enough to accommodate a crew of four plus luggage. At no time should a crew’s luggage be forced to be placed on laps or block egress, no matter what transportation you are in. If this happens, inform Crew Scheduling immediately and follow up with a CrewCare complaint, as this is a safety hazard. Furthermore, you may contact your Local Hotel Committee to escalate the issue.      
    • Ground Transportation Wait Times: We would like to remind Flight Attendants of a provision in our CBA that allows for self-help regarding transportation wait times. CBA section 34.B allows a Flight Attendant to submit for reimbursement for the actual expenses incurred if transportation is not provided within 35 minutes from block-in or within 10 minutes from hotel departure time. If you prefer not to pay for and expense the cost of transportation yourself, you can request that Crew Scheduling arrange alternate transportation for you.   

What The Committee Is Working On

  1. Ad Hoc List Review. Our crew hotels have been inspected and endorsed and are contracted properties. Occasionally, crews need to be relocated for various reasons, such as known hotel blackout dates, planned property maintenance, fire alarm testing, irregular operations, etc. When our contracted properties cannot take the usage, Crew Hotels and API reference the ad hoc list for alternate accommodations. The Hotel Committee is reviewing this list to ensure the listed properties still meet our standards.
  2. Conducting Hotel Site Visits. The Hotel Committee visits hotels that are under consideration by management, and we advocate for management to select hotels that will provide the safest and most comfortable layover experience for Flight Attendants. So far, we have site visits scheduled in AUS, SAT, MCO, and STL for the first quarter of 2025.  Contract expirations, crew complaints, and cost-saving opportunities are the primary drivers that trigger a market review. Depending on the outcome of the market review, a site visit may be scheduled in that city.
  3. Investigating MyCrewCare Reports. Reviewing crewmember feedback and working to hold hotel and transportation providers accountable through management and API. Your direct feedback fixes problems, and it’s the documentation we need to support the decisions to remain where we are or to advocate for a hotel change or ground transpiration change.

We Want to Hear From You!

Don’t let any unacceptable experience with a layover hotel or ground transportation provider go unnoticed! Please report the issue via CrewCare so that it can be addressed. CrewCare is the only official way to report issues, as the Hotel Committee does not monitor social media channels.

Each CrewCare submission is forwarded to your AFA Hotel Committee, Crew Hotels (Alaska management), API and the hotel or ground transportation provider. This ensures quick action can be taken to correct the issue or fix it for the next crewmember. It also allows us to monitor hotel and transportation trends. You 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! The 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.

Building Resilience: A New Year’s Guide for Flight Attendants

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)/Professional Standards Committee

As a Flight Attendant, resilience is one of your greatest tools. The nature of the profession —long hours, irregular schedules, and dealing with diverse passenger needs—can be taxing. Building resilience ensures you can handle challenges effectively while maintaining your well-being. In addition to prioritizing your physical health, below are some often overlooked strategies to strengthen your resilience as we roll into the new year.

1. Cultivate a Positive Mindset

  • Focus on Growth: View challenges as opportunities to learn and grow. This shift in perspective can make difficulties feel more manageable.
  • Practice Gratitude: Reflect daily on things you’re thankful for. This simple habit can improve your outlook and emotional well-being.

2. Develop Healthy Coping Mechanisms

  • Embrace Mindfulness: Engage in practices like meditation or deep breathing to stay present and reduce stress.
  • Channel Stress Productively: Turn to hobbies or physical activities that help you unwind and recharge.

3. Strengthen Support Networks

  • Lean on Colleagues: Share your experiences and seek advice from fellow Flight Attendants who understand the unique challenges of the role.
  • Nurture Relationships: Make time for loved ones and build a network of support you can rely on during tough times.

4. Learn from Setbacks

  • Reflect and Adjust: Treat setbacks as learning experiences. Reflect on what went wrong and how you can approach similar situations differently in the future.
  • Stay Persistent: Resilience isn’t about avoiding failure—it’s about bouncing back stronger each time.

Final Thoughts

Resilience is a skill that can be cultivated over time through intentional actions and habits. By focusing on your mindset, building strong support systems, and maintaining your physical and emotional health, you can navigate the demands of your job with greater confidence and ease. As you step into the new year, commit to these strategies and watch your resilience grow, empowering you to thrive both on and off the job.

AFA EAP is Here for You

AFA EAP is a support service provided by Flight Attendants for Flight Attendants, their families, and partners.  Our EAP peer representatives are trained to offer three distinct yet interconnected services: assessment, support, and referral services; professional standards; and critical incident response. You can reach out to us at any time for confidential support by calling (949) 470-0493 or visiting afaalaska.org/eap for more ways to connect.

SEA Domicile Negotiations Update – January 2026

The Hawaiian Seattle Domicile Negotiating Committee has reached an agreement with management, confirming the “Rescinding the Award” provision and extending the bid timeline by one week to Monday, January 19 at 2359 HT. As of January 7, a total of 189 Hawaiian Flight Attendants have submitted bids for the new SEA Domicile, primarily from HNL and LAX. Discussions about the moving day process are ongoing, with further updates expected before the revised bid deadline.

Using Apps to Support New Year Wellness Goals

The start of a new year often brings renewed goals around improved physical and mental well-being. Many people use apps to help with these goals. Here are some popular free wellness apps to try this year that can support your health, sleep, and daily routines. Most have strong free features, and some offer additional options […]

Scheduling Committee Meeting Recap – December 2025

This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants On Tuesday, December 16, 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), Melinda Jorge (SEA), Melodie Anderes (PDX), […]

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