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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.

Scheduling Committee Meeting Recap – July 2023

Scheduling Committee

  • Our AFA Scheduling Committee Chairpersons met on Tuesday, July 25 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, July 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 Ops Staffing and Resource Management Brittany Audette, Director 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 August 22, 2023.

Topics of Discussion

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

  • Block hours reduction. Line averages will be lower during the fall of 2023, starting with the September bid month.
  • JCTE/Crew Access update. We are expecting a new update (7.4 MR13) for filters and a “trade handshake” in September 2023. 
  • Leaves. At this time there are no leaves expected through the remainder 2023. We expect to see leaves offered in January 2024.
  • Pilot Retiming Block In/Out. Management recently issued a bulletin bundle providing an update on this issue and a plan for implementation in a future Crew Access update. 
  • Base Turns. Each month Flight Attendants are surprised when they combine two sequences over 10 hours 30 minutes and that some contractual legalities are waived. When adding sequences together, refer to Section 8.T.
  • Vacation Bidding. In preparation for 2024 vacation bidding we are completing user testing with payroll. 
  • Section 34.A.5. It was discovered after bid awards that Flight Attendants were flying and transporting within Mexico alone. AFA remedies included 1.5x premium for the entire trip and/or pay protection for affected Flight Attendants. 
  • Section 11.E.1.c. “ISA” marker. Unavailable for self assignment. When Flight Attendants trade into/out of trips with this label, the premium will disappear. If you notice a trip in Open Time labeled as “ISA” without premium, you can contact CS and request removal of the ISA label or for the premium to be added back onto the trip. Crew Scheduling has the discretion to determine which action they choose. 
  • Hotel wait times. If you wait in excess of over one (1) hour for a hotel please ensure you keep in contact with Crew Scheduling and open a ticket with AFA. 

What The Committee Is Working On

  1. NavBlue. We’ve reviewed the base sits and would like more feedback and participation from Flight Attendants. Please let us know your thoughts and ideas on involvement in reviewing bids. 
  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. A follow up meeting needs to be scheduled.

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.

Air Safety, Health, & Security Meeting Recap – 3rd Quarter 2023

Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC)

  • Our AFA Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC) Chairpersons met on Thursday, July 13 to discuss their ongoing program of work to represent Flight Attendants interests related to safety, health, and security in our workplace.
  • The Committee also met with management to receive updates and discuss issues and problems that Flight Attendants are facing onboard the aircraft.
  • Reporting safety concerns is more important than ever given the challenges we are currently facing as a workgroup.  Flight Attendant Irregularity Reports (FAIR), Aviation Safety Action Reports (ASAP), and fatigue reports can all be filed through Report It!  Please contact a member of your Local ASHSC if you need assistance.

On Thursday, July 13, our AFA Local Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC) 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 Debi Wallstrom (ANC), Blair Kimbal (PDX), Brad Young (SFO), Carin Meritt (LAX), and Eva Gatus (SAN). Also present was MEC ASHSC Chairperson Seth Heiple.

The committee met with Managing Director of Inflight Operations & Crew Scheduling Allen Thieman, Manager Inflight Training Delivery Ken Hawkins, Infight Policy & Procedure Specialist Kevin Weatherbie, Manager of Inflight Safety & Compliance Johanna Giese, Manager of Inflight Policy & Procedure Kaliko Howell, Inflight Regulatory Compliance Safety Analyst Danette Thomas, Manager Inflight Base Operations Olinga Asress, and Inflight Experience Program Manager Matthew Coder.

The next scheduled Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee meeting is Thursday, October 5, 2023.

Topics of Discussion

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

  • Checking luggage for Unaccompanied Minors and passengers needing assistance. The ASHSC is advocating for checking UM roller bags as part of the program, and a complimentary gate-check (orange tag) offered to passengers needing assistance. This would reduce bin and bag injuries and speed up boarding and deplaning.
  • 3-point briefing Clarification. The 3-point briefing policy needs clarity on the meaning of “expeditiously”. Inflight is working to provide updated FAM language on this topic.
  • Cabin Gadgets. Clear guidance is needed about which devices are permitted for use at different phases of flight in the cabin. Inflight is actively working on updating the FAM language on this topic.
  • Employee shuttles & parking. The ASHSC is advocating for the development of minimum requirements regarding employee parking lot environments and shuttle services. This would include maximum passenger loads, minimum wait times, lot surveillance, etc., and would be used to hold ports and shuttle vendors accountable.
  • AED MEL on ETOPs flights. The Company is looking at maintaining a stock of AEDs in the islands to avoid flying transpacific without an operative AED (the MEL allows the AC to fly one leg without an AED).
  •  “On-ing” passengers prior to asking boarding questions. We have reports of CSAs “on-ing” passengers prior to boarding safety questions being asked, resulting in them lining up in the jetbridge waiting for permission to board. This is not a documented procedure and Inflight is following up with AOCS on the topic.
  • Hand and surface wipes. Passengers are still requesting wipes, and Flight Attendants prefer alcohol-based hand wipes. A surface wipe is preferable to Sanicide spray.
  • Fanny packs/small purses. Due to increased popularity, compliance conversations about these items are occurring more frequently. It would be helpful if CSAs also monitored for these and asked passengers to place them inside carry-ons before boarding to comply with the one-plus rule.

What The Committee Is Working On

  1. Equipment preflights and Flight Attendant briefings.  We conducted time testing to determine how much additional time is needed to complete equipment preflights and Flight Attendant briefings prior to passenger boarding and continue advocating for dedicated time to do so.
  2. Continuous Line Operations Safety Audit (LOSA). The LOSA program is evolving into a continuous program that will include approximately forty monthly observations. Observations will continue to record only de-identified information which will be used to better understand threats to the cabin environment and to improve policy and training within Inflight and other divisions.
  3. Second round of AFA ASHSC SBMs (Semiannual Base Meetings). The ASHSC is working with Inflight and the Safety Department to continue the practice of holding safety meetings at all bases twice a year. Please consider signing up to attend or submitting a safety concern for discussion when you see the invite from Base Leadership and your Local ASHSC.
  4. Improved ReportIt App. The ASHSC has been involved in the process of improving our reporting system. As part of that process, we are advocating for a more approachable and dependable interface.

We Want to Hear From You!

If you’ve experienced a safety-related issue, please help the committee to advocate for improvement and change by filing a report.  Flight Attendant Irregularity Reports (FAIR), Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP) reports, and fatigue reports can all be submitted using ReportIt!  If you’re not sure what type of report to file for a particular situation or need help, please don’t hesitate to contact a member of your Local ASHSC.

Do you have other feedback for the committee or items that you’d like brought up with management?  Please let us know!  Your Local ASHSC is your voice to management.  You can find our contact information on the ASHSC page of the AFA Alaska website.

Staying Balanced During The Holidays

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Meet Our Pre-Merger Alaska Committee Chairpersons

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

Meet Our Merged MEC Committee Chairpersons & Representatives

We’re excited to introduce our next group of newly elected merged MEC Committee Chairpersons and Representatives, who will begin their roles on January 1. These leaders are dedicated to representing the interests of our Flight Attendants as they coordinate activities across the merged Inflight Training Committee for both airlines. They’ll ensure that the voices of […]

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