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[AS] Paine Field (PAE) Operations

For release to pre-merger AS councils only

Alaska Air Group has announced the intent to operate Alaska Airlines mainline flights out of Paine Field (PAE) in Everett, WA sometime in late 2018. Management has informally expressed interest to AFA in discussing a co-terminal agreement out of Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA). Driving distance between SEA and PAE is approximately 40 miles. Paine Field may not be made into a SEA co-terminal pursuant to §28.F.7 [Domiciles: Co-terminals] without mutual agreement between the parties.

It is far too early to speculate on how operations out of Paine Field might affect Inflight operations. Be assured that AFA will keep you updated once formal discussions regarding PAE begin with management.

In Solidarity,

Your MEC – Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Linda Christou, Lisa Pinkston, Laura Masserant, Cathy Gwynn, Melissa Osborne, Tim Green and Brice McGee

[AS] Follow-Up on Jeppesen Crew Access Issues

Crew Scheduling management has advised AFA that the issues reported by Flight Attendants earlier today with Jeppesen Crew Access (JCA) appear to have been resolved.  If you encounter any issues with JCA going forward, please report them to your Local Scheduling Committee.

AFA realizes that JCA continues to create frustration for our Flight Attendants despite our ongoing efforts to resolve the numerous issues that have been previously identified and continue to develop.  We will keep holding management accountable for resolving these issues as expeditiously as possible through ongoing advocacy and by filing contractual grievances as warranted.

In Solidarity,

Your MEC – Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Linda Christou, Lisa Pinkston, Laura Masserant, Cathy Gwynn, Melissa Osborne, Tim Green, Brice McGee and MEC Scheduling Committee Chairperson Zac Weeks

 

[AS] Jeppesen Crew Access Issues

Crew Scheduling management has notified AFA that Jeppesen Crew Access (JCA) is currently experiencing various issues involving trading and other related functions.  Alaska Airlines IT has been advised of the issue and is working to correct the problem.  There is currently no ETA as to when normal system performance will be restored.

In Solidarity,

Your MEC – Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Linda Christou, Lisa Pinkston, Laura Masserant, Cathy Gwynn, Melissa Osborne, Tim Green, Brice McGee and MEC Scheduling Committee Chairperson Zac Weeks

[AS] Early Push Program

What is the MEC’s position regarding the Early Push Program?

The Master Executive Council (MEC) has several concerns with the Early Push program. The MEC is supportive of achieving operational performance metrics such as on-time arrival, but there are limits to what management can reasonably ask Flight Attendants to do in order to achieve those metrics—such as early boarding.

Boarding should begin no earlier than 45 minutes prior to scheduled departure

Contractually, you are under no obligation to arrive at the aircraft earlier than 45 minutes prior to scheduled departure. It is acceptable to begin boarding right at 45 minutes prior to departure—but only if all required safety checks and the Flight Attendant briefing have been completed and the entire Flight Attendant crew voluntarily agrees without feeling pressured. Allowing boarding to commence right at 45 minutes prior to scheduled departure adds a few extra minutes to help out the operation (as compared to regular boarding). However, AFA strongly recommends boarding no earlier than 45 minutes prior to scheduled departure.

AFA is concerned about the contractual pay and duty implications of the Early Push Program

AFA is very concerned about the contractual pay and duty implications of boarding earlier than 45 minutes prior to scheduled departure. AFA has also asked how the FAA would interpret early boarding for duty purposes, and we are currently awaiting clarification from management and the FAA on that point. Additionally, let’s not forget that in the current contract we agreed to shorten domicile release at the end of a sequence by 15 minutes—from 30 minutes after block-in to 15 minutes after block-in. The MEC is not supportive of further potential incursions into our duty day, especially “freebies” like boarding earlier than 45 minutes prior without adequate pay improvements and duty adjustments.

Contact AFA if you experience the following…

The MEC was recently assured that hotel transportation departure times would not be changed in order to achieve an early push. The MEC was also informed that although the projected departure time will change, the report time would not change. Finally, the MEC has received reports of Flight Attendants being pressured by various parties to board early. If you believe your van time has been adjusted in anticipation of an early push, your report time is changed or if you experience pressure to board earlier than 45 minutes prior to departure, contact one of your local AFA representatives as soon as possible.

In Solidarity,

Your MEC – Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Linda Christou, Lisa Pinkston, Laura Masserant, Cathy Gwynn, Melissa Osborne, Tim Green and Brice McGee

[AS] Out of Domicile Jet Bridge Trades Begin May 1st

AFA is pleased to announce that out of domicile jet bridge trades (§12.C.7) will be implemented on Monday, May 1, 2017. As a reminder, out of domicile jet bridge trades will count towards the out of domicile pick-up limitations of two per bid month per §12.H.

In Solidarity,

Your MEC – Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Linda Christou, Lisa Pinkston, Laura Masserant, Cathy Gwynn, Melissa Osborne, Tim Green, Brice McGee; and MEC Scheduling Committee Chairperson Zac Weeks

Hotel Committee Meeting Recap – April 2026

On Monday, April 13, our AFA Local Hotel Committee Chairpersons met virtually 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 pmAS), Kelly Hepworth (PDX), Barry Spitzer (SFO), Brian Sherill (LAX pmAS), and Kanani Vallot (SAN), […]

Single PSS Is Coming: What It Means For You

Tonight, the Alaska and Hawaiian merger will reach another major milestone—the integration of both airlines into a single passenger service computer system (PSS). While this change will affect Flight Attendants less than other groups—like Customer Service Agents and airport staff—there are still important updates you should know. Block2Block App and Onboard Service Pre-merger Hawaiian Flight […]

Navigating Acute & Delayed Stress As A Flight Attendant

Stress is an inherent aspect of the Flight Attendant profession, often stemming from the demanding nature of responsibilities and the unpredictable nature of air travel. It’s essential for Flight Attendants not only to understand the different types of stress they may encounter but also to recognize the warning signs of acute and delayed stress for […]

Protect Yourself From Potential Discipline on Social Media

Our Grievance Committee would like to provide background on social media, protected classes, and discipline. Federal protected classes include race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or transgender status), national origin, age, disability, or genetic information.  Alaska’s People Policy says: Personal Conduct22. Threatening, intimidating, or discourteous behavior, including abusive, profane, or obscene language, acts, […]

Human Rights & Equity Committee Meeting Recap – 1st Quarter 2026

On Wednesday, March 25, our AFA Human Rights & Equity Committee Chairpersons met to discuss their ongoing activism to raise awareness and create positive change within our workplace and community. Your representatives attending the meeting included Louise Borras (LAX-pmAS), Bruni Agosto-Pinal (LAX-pmHA), Aaron Miller (PDX), Nyachan Chuar (ANC), and Yan Yan Teague (SEA). MEC Human […]

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