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Scheduling Committee Meeting Recap – August 2023

Scheduling Committee

  • Our AFA Scheduling Committee Chairpersons met on Tuesday, August 22 to discuss their ongoing program of work to represent Flight Attendants interests related to lineholder scheduling.
  • The Committee also met with management to receive updates and discuss issues and problems that Flight Attendants are experiencing with scheduling, pairings, and bidding.
  • Your Local Scheduling Committee is available to answer questions, provide clarification, or help to resolve any lineholder scheduling-related issues.  Please don’t hesitate to reach out!

On Tuesday, August 25, our AFA Scheduling Committee Chairpersons met 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), Natalie Codd (LAX), and Kitty Cohen (SAN). Also present were MEC Scheduling Committee Vice Chairperson—Pairing Construction Karen Ferrell, MEC Scheduling Committee Vice Chairperson—PBS Virginia Fritz. The committee met with Managing Director of Operations Staffing and Resource Management Brittany Audette, Director of Inflight Crew Scheduling Sara Cook, Director of Crew Planning Mike Ostler, Manager of Crew Planning Trisha Bennett, and other management representatives from Crew Planning.

The Committee is next scheduled to meet on September 26, 2023.

Topics of Discussion

The committee reviewed a number of items both during internal AFA-only conversation and when meeting with management. Some items discussed include:

  • Block hours reduction. For the fall of 2023, we will see line averages reduced. You should notice a difference when bidding your September schedule. Line averages could be 75-78 depending on the amount of leaves offered by base. 
  • JCTE/Crew Access update. We are expecting a new update (7.4 MR13) for filters and “trade handshake” in September 2023. 
  • Leaves. Management has reviewed the anticipated block hours and decided to offer leaves. This is a change from last month’s update. If you are interested in a leave of absence please review the recent bulletin. Management is reviewing all options of staffing adjustment leaves (SAL) and Low Bid lines to determine the best business decision.  
  • Pilot Retiming Block In/Out. A bulletin bundle was issued from management providing a recent update on this issue and a plan for implementation in a future crew access update. Please continue to file the appropriate forms until we install a permanent resolution. As of today there were 873 inquiries and 163 approvals. 
  • Base Turns. Each month, Flight Attendants are surprised when they combine two sequences over 10 hours 30 minutes and discover some of their contractual legalities are waived. If you are adding sequences, together refer to Section 8.T. There are also issues with splitting base turns that require Crew Scheduling assistance. 
  • Vacation Bidding. Prepare for 2024 vacation bids. Find dates for 1st round bidding, 2nd round bidding, and Open Time the in bulletin bundle.   
  • Section 11.E.1.c. “ISA” marker. Unavailable for self-assignment. When Flight Attendants are trading into/out of trips with this label, the premium will disappear. Flight Attendants can contact Crew Scheduling if they notice a trip in Open Time that is labeled as “ISA” but doesn’t show premium and request removal of the ISA or require the premium be added back onto the trip. Crew Scheduling has the discretion to choose which action they choose. 
  • Hotel wait times. If you are waiting in excess of over one (1) hour for a hotel, please ensure you are keeping in contact with Crew Scheduling and opening a ticket with AFA through the AFA Alaska Online Support Center.  
  • Charter Retimes. LAX BRO Charters and retimes require pay protection and rebid. There were some tickets opened regarding compensation and contractual requirements. These are being reviewed and resolved. Reminder to know your contractual obligations and compensation. 

What The Committee Is Working On

  1. NavBlue. The PBS subcommittee is preparing to have more base sits and presentations for Flight Attendants. We will provide dates/times/locations in a future update. Stay tuned. 
  2. Pairings Survey. It’s been a few years since we submitted a survey on pairing construction. We are discussing survey questions and the possibility of a virtual session or town hall. Meeting with management set for June 5, 2023  A follow up meeting needs to be scheduled. There is no update or ETA.
  3. Teaming. Crew Planning is reviewing pairing construction and the optimization of teaming.  Teaming attempts to keep costs low and crew together (Flight Attendants and pilots) for multiple segments within a sequence. The system currently teams around 10-15%. The new enhancements would increase this in the range of 20-35% for the winter operations. 
  4. In and Backs. These are flights that follow the crew and aircraft. Network Planning and Crew Planning are reviewing initiatives that would help us restart the operation when crews are stranded and flights are canceled. Management will start reviewing the 2023/2024 IROPs plan in September/October. 
  5. Chime Communications. Flight Attendants could chat with crew scheduling via app/Microsoft Teams to alleviate phone calls. It would be Flight Attendant-initiated contact. This is in the early stages of development and needs to be discussed with Alaska Airlines Labor Relations management and AFA MEC leadership.

We Want to Hear From You!

Do you have feedback for the committee, concerns you’d like to share, or items that you’d like brought up with management?  Please let us know!  Your Local Scheduling Committee is your voice to management.  You can open a support request on the AFA Alaska Online Support Center or contact us directly using the information on the Scheduling Committee page of the AFA Alaska website.

Join The Picket Line: Support American & United Flight Attendants

Master Executive Council (MEC)

  • It’s time to stand in solidarity with our Flight Attendant families at American and United Airlines as they head to the picket lines.
  • American Flight Attendants are conducting a strike authorization vote and will hold a systemwide informational picket on Wednesday, August 30.
  • United Flight Attendants are holding a systemwide Day of Action on Thursday, August 31, to address ongoing contractual violations.

The spirit of solidarity is alive and well this summer as Flight Attendants and workers everywhere unite to push back against corporate greed and mismanagement. Hundreds of fellow union members joined our picket lines during our Day of Solidarity events, and their support helped to amplify our message to management and make our voices even louder. Now, it’s time for us to stand with our Flight Attendant families at American and United as they ramp up their fights. Keep reading to learn how you can help!

American Airlines Flight Attendants

Flight Attendants at American Airlines, part of the Association of Professional Flight Attendants (APFA), have been negotiating a new contract since January 2019. However, American Airlines management is continuously trying to undermine the hard work and dedication of American Flight Attendants by offering concessionary proposals that seek to erode the decades of progress achieved through collective bargaining. To top it off, APFA submitted a comprehensive economic proposal to management on March 7, and management has yet to respond, let alone offer a counterproposal.

American Flight Attendants are in the process of taking a strike authorization vote set to end on August 29. On August 30, they’ll hold a systemwide informational picket to demonstrate their unwavering commitment to fight for the contract they have earned. Plan now to stand in solidarity with them! Let’s show management at American Airlines that Flight Attendants and workers everywhere are together in the fight and demanding our fair share of the pie.

APFA Systemwide Picketing Event Information

Date: Wednesday, August 30

BOS, CLT, DCA, LGA, MCO, MIA, PHL: 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM ET
DFW, ORD: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM CT
LAS, LAX, PHX: 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM PT

Click here to RSVP >

United Airlines Flight Attendants

United Airlines Flight Attendants are facing a chaotic, ill-equipped, and entirely unsustainable working environment, with staffing shortages in critical areas causing significant problems on the front line. Management is either unwilling or incapable of resolving the issues and running their own operation. During recent operational meltdowns, hold times for Crew Scheduling have regularly exceeded several hours and peaked with some Flight Attendants left waiting on hold for more than an entire day. Instead of hiring additional Crew Schedulers and implementing automated processes as recommended by the United Airlines Master Executive Council (MEC), Flight Attendants have been left to fend for themselves as management completely disregards the contract.

Enough is enough! United Flight Attendants are taking their fight public and inviting everyone to join them in a systemwide Day of Action on Thursday, August 31. Let’s stand in solidarity and send a message to United Airlines management that their incompetence and refusal to act will not be tolerated. Plan to join the picket line and show your support!

United AFA Day Of Action Picketing Event Information

Date: Thursday, August 31

Locations: BOS, CLE, DEN, EWR, FLL, GUM, HNL, IAD, IAH, LAS, LAX, LHR, MCO, ORD, PHX, SAN, SFO, TPA

Click here for event details and to RSVP >

Wildfire Smoke Safety

Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC)

  • Wildfire smoke can harm you in multiple ways. Smoke can hurt your eyes, irritate your respiratory system, and worsen chronic heart and lung diseases.
  • Our Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC) has coordinated with management to establish a Wildfire Smoke Protocol to keep us safe during wildfire season.
  • Key protections include the availability of N95 masks, layover hotel safety, and accommodations for sensitive groups.

As we enter peak wildfire season in many parts of the country, it’s important to be mindful of the risks that come with it. Not only are wildfires dangerous in and of themselves, but the smoke they produce can also be hazardous to our health. Wildfire smoke contains a variety of harmful particles and gases, including carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds, and fine particulate matter that can penetrate deep into our lungs. Therefore, taking precautions to protect ourselves from the dangers of wildfire smoke is crucial.

Our Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC) has worked with management to develop and implement a Wildfire Smoke Protocol to keep Flight Attendants safe during wildfire season. When the Air Quality Index (AQI) reaches or is expected to exceed 200 at a given airport, inflight management will post an alert on the inflight website, and the protocol will go into effect for that location. When the protocol is triggered, the following will apply:

Availability of N95 Masks

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a properly worn N95 mask will offer some protection from wildfire smoke. Management will make N95 masks available at impacted stations and all Flight Attendant bases.

Layover Hotels

Management will evaluate air quality in hotel rooms located in affected areas. Alternative lodging options will be identified in case relocation becomes necessary. Hotels in evacuation zones will not be used. Flight Attendants will be notified of any hotel changes by Crew Scheduling.

Accommodations for Sensitive Groups

Individuals especially vulnerable to poor air quality due to pre-existing conditions such as heart disease or lung disease (including asthma, emphysema, bronchitis, or diabetes), making them sensitive to poor air quality as defined by the AQI, are part of the Sensitive Group. Flight Attendants who are part of the Sensitive Group will not be required to layover at stations that are experiencing or are forecast to experience an Air Quality Index (AQI) over 200.

Process for requesting an accommodation:

  • Flight Attendants in the Sensitive Group must self-identify to Inflight Base management to receive an accommodation.
  • To request a wildfire smoke accommodation, Flight Attendants must call Inflight Base management after an alert is posted.
  • Flight Attendants in the Sensitive Group will be removed or SIP’d from trips that layover in impacted stations with an AQI 200 or greater with a management drop, no points. 
  • For lineholders, Crew Scheduling management will SIP the sequence prior to the affected RON either at a SIP if there is one or by ending the trip early and deadheading the Flight Attendant back to base.
  • If on reserve, Flight Attendant may be assigned additional flying or returned to the LTFA as applicable.

Note: Flight Attendants must send eligible documentation for pre-existing conditions to Absence Management’s secured email within seven business days. If documents are not received within seven business days or are denied, the management drop will accrue points.

Additional Information

The complete Inflight Wildfire Smoke Protocol can be found on the Flight Attendant website under the safety tab or in GoodReader on the IMD in the FAM Supplemental Folder. Both locations also contain information about mask usage.

Questions?

If you have any questions, please contact your Local ASHSC.

AFA Disaster Relief Fund – Hawaii Wildfires

AFA International

The devastation caused by the recent wildfires in Hawaii is truly heartbreaking. The loss and damage inflicted on the community are immense, and our thoughts are with those affected by this disaster. For impacted Flight Attendants whose primary residence is in Maui County, Hawaii, we want to remind you that the AFA Disaster Relief Fund can assist during this difficult time. We hope this support can provide some relief as you navigate through the aftermath of this crisis.

About the AFA Disaster Relief Fund

We know that disasters can change lives forever. While we can’t stop destructive events from happening, we can, as a Union, assist our members with their recovery. AFA established the Disaster Relief Fund after September 11th to assist our members whose lives were placed in harm’s way. AFA members and retirees, whose primary residences are in the counties listed on the FEMA website are eligible for $200.00 from the AFA-CWA Disaster Relief Fund. It is a gift made possible by the generosity of your fellow Union siblings with AFA.  (See the AFA website for links to the FEMA site: www.afacwa.org/drf.)

If you would like to apply for AFA-CWA Disaster Relief Funds, visit www.afacwa.org/drf and download the Disaster Relief Fund Application.  You can email the application information to lfoster@afanet.org or fax the completed application to (301) 253-2790 (no cover sheet necessary).

If you wish to contribute to the fund either by check or electronic payment, please visit www.afacwa.org/drf for more information on donating.

August 2023 MEC Meeting Recap

Master Executive Council (MEC)

  • Our AFA Alaska Master Executive Council (MEC) met this week on Tuesday, August 8 and Wednesday, August 9, to conduct their ongoing work to represent our Flight Attendants.
  • The MEC was scheduled to meet with management to discuss issues affecting our work group, but the meeting was canceled by our MEC due to a lack of availability by many key management participants.
  • The next Regular MEC Meeting is scheduled for Monday, September 18 and Tuesday, September 19.

The August 2023 Regular MEC Meeting was held this week on Tuesday, August 8 and Wednesday, August 9.  The meeting consisted of updates from our MEC Officers, LEC Presidents, Grievance Committee, and Scheduling Committee.  Our MEC also reviewed written reports submitted by other AFA MEC Committee Chairpersons about their current programs of work. 

Mobilization and Solidarity Activities

A large part of the meeting focused on discussing mobilization efforts for the upcoming Day of Solidarity informational picketing on August 15. Progress updates were given on logistics and planning for the events.

Meeting with Management Canceled

During most regular MEC meetings, we meet with management to review the challenges faced by Flight Attendants. Unfortunately, many key management participants were unavailable or did not respond to the meeting invitation from AFA this month. As a result, our MEC canceled the meeting as it would not have been productive without key decision-makers present to discuss concerns and work toward solutions.

Questions?

If you have any questions about this month’s Regular MEC Meeting, please get in touch with your LEC President.

Joint Contract Negotiations Session 7 – September 2025

Our JNC made significant progress in shaping our JCBA, successfully reaching a Tentative Agreement on Section 13 – Uniforms. Key provisions include enhancements to uniform standards, ensuring protective measures such as no surnames on name tags, and valuable items from the Hawaiian CBA, like a lunch tote and a 22-inch rollerboard. While we continue discussions on various sections, including Air Safety Health and Security, Training, and Commuter Policy. We appreciate feedback from the 2,207 Flight Attendants who participated in our recent Vacation Survey.

Refreshed Inflight Mobile Device (IMD) Distribution

This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants Management has recently informed our Master Executive Council (MEC) that they are distributing new Inflight Mobile Devices (IMDs) to Flight Attendants with devices nearing the end of their lifecycle. The specific schedule for this distribution will be communicated by management separately. Flight Attendants with the oldest devices […]

Scheduling Committee Meeting Recap – September 2025

This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants On Tuesday, September 23, our pre-merger Alaska AFA Scheduling Committee Chairpersons and Representatives met in person at Alaska Airlines Corporate Headquarters 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), […]

Meet Our Pre-Merger Alaska Committee Chairperson & Representatives

This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants We’re excited to introduce the first group of pre-merger Alaska MEC Committee Chairpersons and Representatives for the upcoming MEC Officer term. They’ll begin transitioning into their roles over the next few months and officially start their terms on January 1, 2026. Below, you’ll find brief biographies that […]

Inflight Service Committee Meeting Recap – 3rd Quarter 2025

On Thursday, September 18, our AFA Inflight Service Committee Chairpersons met to discuss their ongoing efforts to represent our Flight Attendants and advocate for improvements in our workplace. Although our Inflight Service Committee has now merged, meetings with management continue to focus primarily on the Alaska or Hawaiian brands individually. This particular meeting was centered […]

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