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Inflight Service Committee Meeting Recap – 4th Quarter 2024

Inflight Service Committee

  • Our AFA Inflight Service Committee Chairpersons met on November 12 to represent Flight Attendants’ interests related to catering and onboard service/sales.
  • The Committee met with management to discuss and receive updates on issues and problems faced by Flight Attendants onboard.
  • The Committee continues to work with management to address catering concerns and improve processes in the future. Please report catering issues through Block2Block and safety-related issues through ReportIt!

On Tuesday, November 12, our AFA Inflight Service 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 Naomi Parcell (ANC), Ross DeJong (SEA), Todd Horn (PDX), Raymond Ramirez (SFO), Johanna Thomas (LAX), and Chase Vandergrift (SAN). MEC Inflight Service Committee Chairperson Stephanie Garnett was also present.

The committee met with Inflight Experience Program Manager Matthew Coder, Principal Cabin Product and Experience Manager Chris Dela Rosa, Director of Food and Beverage Mita Padhi, Manager of Food and Beverage Planning and Programs David Rodriguez, Senior Food and Beverage Product Manager Jessica Johnston, Food and Beverage Planning Manager Gayatri Watwe, Director of Catering Operations Andrew Moyer, Senior Product Manager of Guest Products Megan Low, and Vice President of Guest Products & Experience Todd Traynor-Corey.

The next committee meeting is scheduled to take place in the first quarter of 2025, with the specific date yet to be determined.

Topics of Discussion

The Committee discussed several topics during internal AFA-only conversations and when meeting with management. Some of the items included:

  • Management shared new amenities with the Committee, including Salt & Stone, a natural body care products company based in Los Angeles, and First Class blankets by Filson, a Seattle-based company.
  • New beverages will soon be introduced, featuring an updated selection of wines and Hoppy Refresher, a non-alcoholic carbonated beverage made with hops and other flavorings from Lagunitas Brewery in California.
  • Management is continuing to search for the ideal coffee carafe for serving.
  • Management continues to actively seek out an improved coffee carafe for service.
  • Reports indicate that passengers appreciate the specially designed First Class menu items created by San Francisco Chef Jew for the SFO-JFK-SFO route.
  • The menu cycle has recently changed, and passengers are now being served new meal options.
  • With the holidays approaching, we can expect to see holiday-themed cups and napkins on our flights soon.

What The Committee Is Working On

  1. Onboard Service Handbook (OSH) Revisions. Necessary revisions to our Onboard Service Handbook in particular appendices A and B  for clarity of information.
  2. Morning Beverage Snack For First Class. The committee formulated a request for an improved First Class service opportunity of a morning beverage snack. 
  3. Testing New Coffee Maker Brew Basket. Inflight Service Committee Chairpersons will be testing a newly designed brew basket for our coffee makers on their regularly scheduled flights.
  4. Working On Galley Loading Improvements. The Inflight Service Committee and management will jointly work on galley loading to accommodate new service initiatives.
  5. Addressing Flight Attendant Comments and Concerns. The Inflight Service Committee Members continue to bring concerns from their peers to management. IT concerns are particularly important. 
  6. Discussing Service Needs On Long Stage Length Flights. As we continue to add longer flights, discussions are taking place to make sure we will meet passenger needs

We Want to Hear from You!

Please continue to report any catering issues or problems with onboard service using the catering feedback function in Block2Block. If you’ve experienced a safety-related issue, please submit a report through ReportIt! Your reports provide the Committee with the data needed to continue pushing management for meaningful improvements in our workplace.

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

AFA Alaska News in Review – November 1, 2024

In This Edition

Scheduling Committee Meeting Recap – October 2024

Originally posted October 31, 2024

On October 29, our AFA Scheduling Committee Chairpersons met to discuss their ongoing work representing Flight Attendants’ interests in lineholder scheduling. The Committee met with management to receive updates and discuss issues and problems Flight Attendants face with scheduling, pairings, and bidding. Your Local Scheduling Committee is available to assist with any lineholder scheduling-related issues. Don’t hesitate to reach out for help!

Read More >

Celebrating Native American Heritage Month

Originally posted November 1, 2024

November 1 marks the beginning of Native American Heritage Month in the United States. This tradition dates back to the early 20th century when various organizations and state governments began adopting proclamations to celebrate American Indian Day. If you’re curious to dive deeper into Native American Heritage Month, check out the links below to learn about the incredible achievements of Native Americans and find events happening this month. Show your support by wearing a Native American Heritage Month AFA Pin all month long! If you need a pin, reach out to your Local Council for the details.

Read More >

Next Week’s Events

Tuesday, November 5Scheduling Review Board (SRB)
Thursday, November 7Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR)

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!

Celebrating Native American Heritage Month

Human Rights Committee

  • November 1 marks the beginning of Native American Heritage Month in the United States. This tradition dates back to the early 20th century when various organizations and state governments began adopting proclamations to celebrate American Indian Day.
  • If you’re curious to dive deeper into Native American Heritage Month, check out the links below to learn about the incredible achievements of Native Americans and find events happening this month. 
  • Show your support by wearing a Native American Heritage Month AFA Pin all month long! If you need a pin, reach out to your Local Council for the details.

November 1 marks the beginning of Native American Heritage Month in the United States. Also known as National Native American Heritage Month, this celebration originated from efforts to recognize an American Indian Day in the early 20th century. In 1916, New York became the first state to officially proclaim American Indian Day following a declaration from its governor.

The first national recognition of this heritage month occurred in 1976 when President Gerald Ford signed a proclamation designating Native American Awareness Week. Then, in 1990, President George H.W. Bush approved a resolution recognizing the first National American Indian Heritage Month. Since 1994, this recognition has continued with similar proclamations issued each year, often under different names, including Native American Heritage Month and National American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month.

Learn More About Native American History

You can learn more about the accomplishments of Native Americans through some of the dedicated websites and resources below.

Celebrate with a Native American Heritage Month AFA Pin

In 2021, the AFA Executive Board unanimously approved a resolution recognizing Native American Heritage Month. As part of this initiative, a unique commemorative pin was created for AFA members to wear throughout the month.

For more information about the pin itself, don’t hesitate to get in touch with your Local Human Rights Committee. If you need a pin, please reach out to your LEC Officers to find out how to get one.

Questions?

If you have any questions, please contact your Local Human Rights Committee.

Scheduling Committee Meeting Recap – October 2024

Scheduling Committee

  • On October 29, our AFA Scheduling Committee Chairpersons met to discuss their ongoing work representing Flight Attendants’ interests in lineholder scheduling.
  • The Committee met with management to receive updates and discuss issues and problems Flight Attendants face with scheduling, pairings, and bidding.
  • Your Local Scheduling Committee is available to assist with any lineholder scheduling-related issues. Don’t hesitate to reach out for help!

On Tuesday, October 29, our AFA Scheduling Committee Chairpersons/Representatives met to discuss their ongoing work to represent our Flight Attendants and push for improvements in our workplace. Representing you at the meeting were Rebekah Olds (ANC), Jaqui Bellenie (SFO), Rita Tillou (SEA), Melodie Anderes (PDX), Kelese Richardson (LAX), and Kitty Cohen (SAN). Also present were MEC Scheduling Committee Vice Chairperson—Pairing Construction Karen Ferrell, and MEC Scheduling Committee Vice Chairperson—PBS Virginia Fritz. 

The committee met with Managing Director of Crew Staffing Nicholas Giles, Director of Crew Planning Trisha Bennett, Senior Manager of Product Management Rick Mitchell, Manager of Inflight Scheduling (Training/ Policy Procedures) Interim Matthew Trujillo, Manager of Crew Pay Debbie Bakke, and other management representatives from Crew Planning and Crew Scheduling.

The Committee is next scheduled to meet on Tuesday, November 19, 2024.

Topics of Discussion

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

  • Crew Frustrations with Cancellations. Crews faced challenges with cancelled flights, resulting in lost premium pay and communication timelines when cancellations occur. 
  • Bidding Carry Over Pairings. November bidding encountered issues with illegal carryovers and pay protection for flight attendants, requiring audits and process reviews for 10.S pairings 
  • Increased December Demand. A block hour increase is expected in December, affecting staffing and pairings, particularly in PDX.
  • Pairing Analytics Tool. A Pairing Analytics dashboard is nearing completion to improve efficiency and may expand understanding of pairing trends and historical data.
  • Staffing Adjustments. Management plans to reassess staffing and budgets in January based on ongoing operational data. 
  • Pairing Construction Feedback. Ongoing scrutiny of decrease of desired pairings, especially regarding the equity of short turns for flight attendants and desired pure 2-day pairings
  • NAVBLUE User Conference. AFA PBS Subcommittee represented AFA Alaska at the yearly NAVBLUE User conference bringing forward outstanding concerns, collaborating with other customers and advocating for improvements
  • Future Operation Impacts. Teaming is set up to help if operation affected by winter IROPS. Question of Unpredictable flight schedules due to factors like the Boeing strike and cancellations due to them.

What The Committee Is Working On

  1. NAVBLUE. The PBS Subcommittee is seeking feedback on how they can improve their assistance to flight crews regarding bid awards and understanding results. They provided both in-person and virtual meetings for this purpose. The PBS Subcommittee is working with management on PBS base sit budgets.  Management has the committee keep track of how money is being spent to assist flight crews with their bidding. We appreciate your participation in virtual and in person base sits. 
  2. Pairings Survey. There is a discussion of reviewing bidding data from NAVBLUE to see what kind of pairings Flight Attendants are interested in flying instead of sending out a survey. We will continue to review options. 
  3. Chime Communications. To reduce phone call volumes, Flight Attendants may soon be able to chat with Crew Scheduling via app/Microsoft Teams. The chat will be for Flight Attendant-initiated contact only. The function is currently in the early stages of development and still needs to be discussed with Labor Relations management and our MEC. Testing and implementation are continuing over the next few weeks. We are working on a letter of agreement for implementation, which is still pending review. 
  4. Crew Scheduling. A monthly review of PowerPoint presentations covered various aspects such as reserve utilization, detailed breakdowns, sick leave (week by week and year over year), premium, personal drops, and other relevant agenda items.
  5. Crew Planning. Like Crew Scheduling, there was a monthly review of PowerPoint presentations that covered subsequent month staffing, trip length distribution, Flight Attendant block hours, special initiatives (e.g., IROPs), commutability, and other relevant agenda items. Statistics around teaming continue to be reviewed. Crew Planning continues to maximize pairing construction and optimizing teaming strategies to minimize costs and ensure that crews (Flight Attendants) can stay together for multiple segments.
  6. ITS. Representatives from ITS joined the scheduling meeting to provide updates on NAVBLUE, Crew Access, internal systems, and Block2Block. These updates include performance reviews, data analysis, and information about future releases. 

We Want to Hear From You!

Whether you have feedback for the Committee, concerns to share, or items you’d like brought up with management – don’t hesitate to let us know. Your Local Scheduling Committee is here to be your voice to management. You can easily open a support ticket on the AFA Alaska Online Support Center or directly contact us using the information provided on the Scheduling Committee page of the AFA Alaska website.

AFA Alaska News in Review – October 25, 2024

In This Edition

TA2 Proposal Approved

Originally posted October 24, 2024

Our Negotiating Committee presented the finalized TA2 Proposal to the Master Executive Council (MEC) on Tuesday, October 22. The MEC unanimously voted to approve the proposal. The Negotiating Committee will prepare the proposal for presentation to management at the first mediation session, November 19 to 21. The second scheduled mediation session is December 17 to 19.

Read More >

Pairing Construction 101

Originally posted October 25, 2024

The AFA Pairing Analyst and Company Crew Planners use metrics like hotel costs, layover times, and duty limits to build pairings each month, but the optimizer often prioritizes crew utilization over pairing quality or Flight Attendant preferences. Changes in flight schedules, new routes, and the optimizer’s focus on maximizing duty days have led to less desirable pairings, though efforts are being made to reduce four-day pairings and balance costs with quality. Both the AFA Analyst and crew planners submit pairing solutions for review, with management making the final selection. The chosen solution is analyzed, and a detailed report is shared with Flight Attendants.

Read More >

Next Week’s Events

Tuesday, October 29Monthly Scheduling 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!

Sick Leave Survey Now Open

Your Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) prioritizes your health and well-being and seeks to understand which aspects of our paid sick leave policy matter most to you. We encourage you to participate in the survey, which is open until Tuesday, November 11 at Noon PT, to ensure your voice is heard in shaping our support for your healthcare needs.

SEA Domicile Negotiations – October 2025 Update #2

This session was marked by the Negotiating Committee’s strong advocacy for protections and enhancements that would support the Seattle base as a viable option for transferring Flight Attendants. With insights from Ryan St. John, the Vice President of Finance, Planning, and Investor Relations for Alaska Airlines, the Negotiating Committee highlighted the necessity of combining data-driven strategies with hands-on experience and sufficient resources for long-term success.

Joint Contract Negotiations Session 8 – October 2025

During our recent negotiations, the Joint Negotiation Committee focused on key sections, particularly reaching a Tentative Agreement on Lodging and Transportation, which improves food availability and transportation safety. We also engaged with Council 19 to clarify negotiation processes and differences between contracts. Stay tuned for our upcoming session with management from November 18 to 20.

Meet Our Pre-Merger Alaska Committee Chairperson & Representatives

This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants We’re excited to introduce the next 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 […]

Meet Our Merged MEC Committee Chairpersons & Representatives

We’re excited to introduce our next group of newly elected merged MEC Committee Chairpersons, who will begin their roles on November 1. These leaders are dedicated to representing the interests of our Flight Attendants as they coordinate activities across the merged committees of both airlines. They’ll work closely with the Local Committee Chairpersons from all […]

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