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Setting the Record Straight on KCM Rumors

AFA International

  • Though the name of the KCM program is changing, it is not going away and will continue to offer the same risk based alternate screening for crewmembers.
  • The program will transition to full oversight by the TSA which had been planned for some time.
  • Crewmembers can help ensure the continued success of the program by fully complying with all program rules and regulations.  Do not carry prohibited items or another person’s property through KCM access points and do not use KCM when any portion of your travel itinerary contains personal international travel.

Unfounded rumors and blogs have been swirling this week about the future Known Crew Member. Let’s set the record straight.

KCM is NOT going away, even if there is a name change to the program. The same risk based alternate screening for crew will remain in place.

TSA will continue the planned transition of the agency’s full oversight of the program – previously it has been administered by A4A and ALPA.

Official statement from TSA:

TSA is continuously working with our aviation partners to ensure Known Crewmember® Program (KCM) compliance. KCM is a risk-based security program that provides eligible crewmembers with an alternative entry point into the airport sterile area, which may be separate from the passenger security-screening lanes. TSA has been exploring options to continue to modernize operations of the program as it transitions to assume complete oversight of the program capabilities and operations. This transition will continue over the next few years. TSA will continue to work with our industry partners to seek ways to minimize compliance violations and ensure eligible crewmembers are utilizing the program as it was intended.

That said, random screenings will continue. Crew should expect that this will especially increase as there are violations of the program. KCM is a privilege – not a right. It is critical that we continue to encourage crew to follow the rules of the program.

TSA continues to see a steady rate of KCM compliance violations in three main categories.

  • Prohibited Items: The items that you can or cannot bring through the secured area may be found in the Prohibited Items List on the TSA website. The only exemption allowed for Flight Attendants while in uniform is from the 3-1-1 Liquids, Aerosols and Gels rule. Every Flight Attendant should check to ensure that they have not inadvertently left a prohibited item in their belongings before they bring them to the KCM entry point.  If you have questions about whether an item is prohibited, refer to the TSA website.
  • Other Person’s Property: KCM may be used for the crewmember and their personal property only.
  • Personal International Travel: KCM regulations explicitly prohibit use for personal international travel.

Every Flight Attendant should check to ensure that they have not inadvertently left a prohibited item in their belongings before they bring them to the KCM entry point. Your cooperation will strengthen the crew screening program for the benefit of all.

AFA Alaska News in Review – November 25, 2022

In This Edition

Human Rights Committee Meeting Recap – 4th Quarter 2022 

Originally posted November 22, 2022

Our AFA Human Rights Committee Chairpersons met on Monday, November 21, to discuss their ongoing program of work to advance human rights within our workplace and community. The Committee also met with management to receive updates on what progress has been made on concerns that had been previously brought forward and address new concerns that have come to light. If you have ideas, thoughts, or feedback for the committee, your Local Human Rights Committee Chairperson would love to hear from you!

Read More >

Scheduling Committee Meeting Recap – November 2022

Originally posted November 23, 2022

Our AFA Scheduling Committee Chairpersons met on Tuesday, November 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!

Read More >

Next Week’s Events

Tuesday, November 29 – Thursday, December 1Contract Negotiations
Tuesday, November 29 – Thursday, December 1Special MEC Meeting (MEC Committee Position Interviews and Elections)
Wednesday, November 30Quarterly Inflight Service Committee Meeting
Thursday, December 1Quarterly Reserve Committee Meeting

See the MEC Event Calendar >

Find Us on Social Media

You can find the most up-to-date official information on our AFA Alaska social media accounts.  Click below and follow so you can stay connected!

 

Scheduling Committee Meeting Recap – November 2022

Scheduling Committee

  • Our AFA Scheduling Committee Chairpersons met on Tuesday, November 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, November 22, 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), Martin Vance Tillou (SEA), Melodie Anderes (PDX), Jaqui Bellenie (SFO), Natalie Codd (LAX), and Kitty Cohen (SAN). Also present were MEC Scheduling Committee Chairperson Jake Jones, MEC Scheduling Committee Vice Chairperson—Pairing Construction Karen Ferrell, MEC Scheduling Committee Vice Chairperson—PBS Adam Clarey, and MEC Reserve Committee Chairperson Julie Thornton. The committee met with Inflight Crew Scheduling Duty Manager Sara Cook, Director of Crew Planning Mike Ostler, and other management representatives from Crew Planning and Crew Scheduling.

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:

  • Review of D position pairings, distribution by domicile, and hotel/transportation within the United States.
  • Holiday Premium as outlined in CBA Section 21.H.
  • Minimum Days as outlined in CBA Section 10.E.1.a./b.
  • Reassignment pay under 10.R.5.
  • Reminder that filing for Stranded pay under 21.N is not automated.
  • Identified TFP discrepancies and auditing mileage.
  • Care Retreat.  The last chance to bid is January for March.  Management will assign training if not bid.
  • Line holders picking up reserve days may be assigned to Care Retreat. See Care Retreat 2022-2023 LOA.
  • Changes coming to PBS web hosting.  The PBS website will have a new URL.  The current website will be set up to direct Flight Attendants to the new location.  Refer to PBS Info page.
  • Accessing sick leave balances in Rainmaker.  The balances show total accrued and estimated accrual. Refer to Rainmaker guide on the Flight Attendant website.
  • Flight Attendant contactability requirements per the FAA and collective bargaining agreement.
  • Review of Crew Scheduling phone systems and how irregular operations are handled.
  • Staffing changes and management job postings within Crew Scheduling.
  • Crew Access Known Issues and JCTE Errors.  Upcoming expected release in December 2022. 
  • Future planning, scheduling, and aircraft delivery/retirement in 2023.

What The Committee Is Working On

  1. Scheduling a meeting with Network Planning.  The Committee would like to meet with Network Planning in 2023 to discuss our contract, legalities and suggestions. We want to provide management with the Flight Attendant perspective and in an effort to improve our quality of life. 
  2. Review of JCTE/Crew Access transaction performance.  Each month, ITS provides the Committee with data on performance and transactions within JCTE/Crew Access.  The Committee reviews these reports to ensure our service levels are maintained at the appropriate thresholds.
  3. Scheduling Quality of Life Improvements.  Reviewing ways to improve Trip Length Distribution (TLD) and other quality of life options.  Working with management to develop a quality of life survey to determine Flight Attendant scheduling priorities. 
  4. Review of user guides and links of Flight Attendant website.  Ensuring information is still accurate in existing resource materials, links are still active and working, etc.
  5. Updating Crew Access videos.  Working with management and ITS to update the Crew Access instructional videos to reflect updates and changes to the user interface.

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.

Human Rights Committee Meeting Recap – 4th Quarter 2022

  • Our AFA Human Rights Committee Chairpersons met on Monday, November 21, to discuss their ongoing program of work to advance human rights within our workplace and community.
  • The Committee also met with management to receive updates on what progress has been made on concerns that had been previously brought forward and address new concerns that have come to light. 
  • If you have ideas, thoughts, or feedback for the committee, your Local Human Rights Committee Chairperson would love to hear from you!

On Monday, November 21, our AFA Local Human Rights Committee Chairpersons met to discuss their ongoing activism to build awareness and effect change within our workplace and community. Representing you at the meeting were Matt Cook (ANC), Yan Yan Teague (SEA), Sylvia Newbill (PDX), Melissa Osborne (SFO), and Louise Borras (LAX). Also present were MEC Human Rights Committee Chairperson Chip Hestle and MEC Vice President Brian Palmer. The committee met with Vice President of Inflight Matt Prainito, Managing Director of Inflight Operations Michaela Littman, Seattle Director of Inflight Base Operations Jenny Bookert, San Francisco Base Manager Cierra Lewis, Diversity and Inclusion Specialist Sarah Keimig, and Managing Director of Labor Relations Carmen Williams from management. 

Topics of Discussion

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

  • Members of management’s diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) team have started visiting stations, beginning with a visit to PDX last week. The Committee did not receive direct notice from management that visits were going to be taking place and requested that management coordinate with the Committee going forward. The next visit will be to ANC on December 9.
  • Representatives from the Committee will participate in the 2023 AFL-CIO Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Civil and Human Rights Conference in January in Washington, DC.
  • Conversation about how management’s DE&I team can better connect with Flight Attendants. The Committee recommended that DE&I make improvements by working more collaboratively with the Committee, as it is made up of Flight Attendants who represent our work group. Additionally, the Committee requested that management actively include them when communicating about upcoming events and activities sponsored by DE&I or the Company’s Business Resources Groups (BRGs).
  • AFA International has started holding monthly conference calls of Human Rights Committee members from across our Union to share information and coordinate activities.
  • Concerns about availability of emergency healthcare for pregnant employees in locations where regulations may impose limitations on healthcare providers. Management assured that, if necessary, they will facilitate the relocation of an employee to another state to facilitate treatment based on the recommendation of Global Lifeline.
  • Reports of some passengers traveling between certain city pairs seeming to be in need and lacking a clear plan or assistance upon arrival at their destination. Discussion was had about what resources might be available to assist these passengers that Flight Attendants could offer. Both the Committee and management will review available community resources that might be available.
  • Upcoming plans by management to introduce gender neutral uniform pieces. Although management has started work on the process, there is no interim solution, and Flight Attendants are still required to select from specific pieces labeled masculine or feminine. The Committee requested once again that management allow Flight Attendants to wear the pieces that fit them best without regard to program labels. In conjunction with the AFA Uniform Committee, the Committee has offered to engage in further conversation with management to develop a plan for implementation.

The committee is next scheduled to meet with management on Tuesday, February 21, 2023.  

What The Committee Is Working On

  1. Developing a Framework for Diversity & Inclusion Listening Sessions. Discussing proposed plans with management to have our AFA Human Rights Committee facilitate sessions in each base that would allow Flight Attendants to discuss diversity and inclusion topics and concerns with management. Conversations are ongoing, and a preliminary version of the plan is currently under review.
  2. Building Relationships with the Company’s Business Resources Groups (BRGs). Continuing to work to establish relationships with leaders of the Company’s BRGs to find areas where we can join together to advance human rights within the scope of each group.
  3. Advocating for Expanded Access to Uniform Pieces for All. Continuing to work with the AFA Uniform Committee to remove gender-based limitations on uniform items and allow all Flight Attendants to wear the pieces that best fit them as an individual.

We Want to Hear From You!

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

AFA Alaska News in Review – November 18, 2022

In This Edition

Be Aware of Sexual Assault

Originally posted November 14, 2022

Sexual assault is when someone is sexually touched, coerced, or abused without their consent. Statistics show that every 68 seconds, an American is sexually assaulted. It can happen to anyone. Perpetrators can be people you know, but also can be people you don’t know as well. In America, 16% of women and 3% of men are sexually assaulted. Signs to look out for include: denial, guilt, self-blame, numbness, fear, anxiety, and nightmares. These are also symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), which also occurs as a result of sexual assault.

Read More >

Response to the November 18th Inflight Town Hall Webcast 

Originally posted November 18, 2022

Management’s continued scare tactics and speculative “what-if’s” as put forward during the Inflight Town Hall webcast today regarding California meal & rest breaks are unnecessary and extremely disappointing. Although it is true there are some challenging aspects of compliance with California meal & rest break laws for commercial aviation, AFA International continues to partner with Alaska Airlines management, other labor groups and the wider aviation industry to achieve a legislative fix. Alaska Airlines management, if you want AFA’s continued partnership on this issue, then maybe you can lay off the specific gloom and doom scenarios for now?

Read More >

Uniform Committee Meeting Recap – 4th Quarter 2022

Originally posted November 18, 2022

Our AFA Uniform Committee Chairpersons met on Tuesday, November 15 to discuss their ongoing program of work to represent Flight Attendants interests related to uniforms. The Committee also met with management to receive updates and discuss issues and problems that Flight Attendants are reporting related to uniform quality, wearability, and availability. If you are experiencing any issues with uniform quality or construction, please report the issues to Unisync as soon as possible. Please include your Local Uniform Committee Chairperson on the email so they can help track any issues or trends that might be developing.   

Read More >

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Negotiating Committee Blog Update

Additional responses are now published on the Negotiating Committee Blog! Read this week’s answers for clarification on insurance premiums, tentative agreements, negotiation priorities, and lawyers at the table.

https://contract2022.afaalaska.org/committee/blog/

Next Week’s Events

Monday, November 21Quarterly Human Rights Committee Meeting
Tuesday, November 22Monthly Scheduling Committee Meeting
Tuesday, November 22SFO Base Safety Meeting

See the MEC Event Calendar >

Find Us on Social Media

You can find the most up-to-date official information on our AFA Alaska social media accounts.  Click below and follow so you can stay connected!

 

2026 AFA Board of Directors Convention: What You Need To Know

Next week, our Master Executive Council (MEC) Officers, Local Executive Council (LEC) Presidents, and several other LEC Officers, Committee Chairpersons, and Committee Members will attend the 53rd Annual AFA Board of Directors (BOD) Convention in Portland, Oregon. They will join representatives from other AFA airlines to address our Union’s business at the international level. Watch […]

Hawaiian Flight Attendant Seattle Domicile Negotiations – March 2026 Update

Management currently requires Flight Attendants to provide proof of relocation to receive the flat-rate moving expense, a policy that the AFA is formally challenging through the grievance process. While this dispute is ongoing, Flight Attendants able to submit proof of relocation must submit two forms of documentation, such as a lease or updated driver’s license, within 60 days of transfer if they wish to be paid under management’s terms. The union continues to advocate for a fairer process and encourages members to keep records of all related interactions.

Joint Contract Negotiations Session 12 – February 2026

During this negotiation session, we made progress on Sections 15 (Leaves of Absence) and 22 (Expenses). The JNC advocated for positive developments from the Hawaiian CBA to strengthen our proposals. We also introduced our initial proposal for Section 28 (Domiciles) and remain committed to meaningful improvements in all areas of discussion.

Reminder: Don’t Miss Next Week’s MEC Town Hall!

Mark your calendar—Tuesday, March 3, is almost here! There’s still time to register for our Alaska + Hawaiian Town Hall and hear directly from your MEC Officers: MEC President Tim Green, MEC Vice President Brice McGee, and MEC Secretary-Treasurer Paul Ikioka. Join us for the latest updates and get answers to your questions. The Details What […]

Uniform Committee Meeting Recap – 1st Quarter 2026

This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants On Thursday, February 19, our AFA Local Uniform Committee Chairpersons met to discuss their ongoing work to represent Flight Attendants and push for improvements in the workplace. Representing you at the meeting were Kim Mazzolini (ANC), Dena Heath (SEA), Bob Moore (PDX), Lisa Mueller (SFO), Heather Holmes […]

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