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Management’s Planned Hawaiian Airlines Seattle Flight Attendant Domicile

Today, management announced plans to establish Hawaiian Airlines’ 787 Pilot and Flight Attendant bases in Seattle by early 2026. This move aims to enhance operational efficiencies for Alaska Airlines as it expands its international presence in the Seattle area. According to the terms of the Merger Transition Protocol Letter of Agreement, the Company is allowed to open Flight Attendant domiciles for either pre-merger carrier in the same city where the other pre-merger carrier has an existing domicile once it obtains a Single Operating Certificate (SOC), which is anticipated to be secured by the end of October.

It’s important to note that the Hawaiian Airlines Flight Attendant contract requires management to negotiate the terms for opening a new domicile in accordance with Section 6, Title I of the Railway Labor Act, as amended.

We recognize that this announcement may come as a surprise, and many of you may have questions about the implications going forward. Our Master Executive Council (MEC) is committed to keeping you informed throughout this process.

AFA News in Review – June 27, 2025

In This Edition

  • Reserve Committee Meeting Recap – 2nd Quarter 2025
  • When Screen Time Becomes Too Much
  • Take Action Now: Stop Cuts and Giveaway to Billionaires
  • Scheduling Committee Meeting Recap – June 2025
  • Next Week’s Events

Reserve Committee Meeting Recap – 2nd Quarter 2025

Originally posted June 23, 2025 | Pre-Merger Alaska

Our Reserve Committee is addressing no-show issues related to communication problems with cell phone providers and advocating for relief as Reserve Flight Attendants are currently utilized at 94.1%. Check out the recap from last week’s meeting with management to learn about the work the Committee is doing to tackle these and other issues affecting Reserve Flight Attendants.

Read More >

When Screen Time Becomes Too Much

Originally posted June 25, 2025

In our hyper-connected world, it’s easy to fall into the trap of excessive screen time, often without even realizing it. Discover the warning signs of screen addiction and learn how to regain control for a healthier balance in your life.

Read More >

Take Action Now: Stop Cuts and Giveaway to Billionaires

Originally posted June 26, 2025

The Senate’s federal budget proposal threatens vital programs like Medicaid and Social Security, risking healthcare for millions and attacking labor rights. Learn how these cuts could devastate working families and what you can do to help.

Read More >

Scheduling Committee Meeting Recap – June 2025

Originally posted June 26, 2025 | Pre-Merger Alaska

This month’s Scheduling Committee Meeting recap reveals updates on deadhead meal pre-orders, ongoing discussions about reassignment pay, and a significant increase in redeye routes across several bases. Dive into the full update for insights on pay inquiries and charter bidding challenges affecting Flight Attendants.

Read More >

Next Week’s Events

Thursday, July 3Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR) (pmAS)

See the MEC Event Calendar >

Scheduling Committee Meeting Recap – June 2025

This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants

On Tuesday, June 24, 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 Heather Reier (ANC), Rita Tillou (SEA), Melodie Anderes (PDX), Virginia Fritz (SFO), Kanako Yamado (LAX), and Kitty Cohen (SAN). Also present were MEC Hotel Committee Chairperson James Bozanich, MEC Scheduling Committee Vice Chairperson—Pairing Construction Karen Ferrell, MEC Scheduling Committee Vice Chairperson—PBS Virginia Fritz, and MEC Scheduling Committee Chairperson Jake Jones.

The committee met with Director of Crew Planning Trisha Bennett, Inflight Crew Scheduling Supervisor Matthew Trujillo, Manager of Crew Pay Debbie Bakke, Crew Hotels Specialist Nichole Turner, Manager of Flight Crew Systems Support Sue Rawlings and other management representatives from Crew Planning and Crew Scheduling.

The Committee is next scheduled to meet in person on Tuesday, July 22.

Topics of Discussion

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

Local Committee Chairperson Reports

PDX

  • Flight Attendants can pre-reserve their meals on deadhead flights, a handy option. However, it’s important to note that they only get monetary compensation when flying on flights operated by Horizon or SkyWest.
  • There was some confusion regarding reassignments. If a Flight Attendant is reassigned more than four hours after their original schedule, they should be paid at 1.5 times their rate. However, according to the MEC Scheduling Committee Chairperson and Grievance Committee Payroll Representative, this doesn’t pyramid for additional 1.5x pay, which is a point of contention.
  • There’s excitement about the inaugural flights to Rome, which Hawaiian will operate.
  • PDX crews will be flying redeyes from PDX to SEA, a shift in the usual routing.

SAN

  • We had quite a notable month in July with a record-breaking 15 redeye routes, six of which were from SEA. This is a significant change in our flight operations, reflecting how the industry is evolving.
  • The discussion also touched on pyramid pay and reassignment policies, especially under section 9.E.7, where additional flying above the scheduled time should earn that premium pay. It was emphasized that under section 15.G, no one should suffer a loss in pay; premium pay is not currently recognized under this provision. 

ANC

  • We faced a unique situation in which a Flight Attendant was awarded a charter but ran into issues with the minimum block time between trips. This highlighted the strict adherence to the 1:30 block-to-block minimum, which is crucial for base turns.
  • We also had some positive discussions about initial contact processes, particularly with Crew Scheduling making calls, but we agreed that further discussions are needed on contact provisions.
  • There’s also an update on the stranded pay inquiry form. While it still appears in dropdown lists, the Crew Pay team is working on system updates to streamline this. There’s discussion about it being removed.

LAX

  • A significant question arose regarding pay when a Flight Attendant goes under domicile rest. The Flight Attendants who did not waive their rest were reassigned, and it was clarified that their pay is protected based on the greater value of either the trip or the reassignment pay.
  • There was also some confusion around the charter bidding.
  • Flight Attendants expressed a desire for a reference from section 10.R to sections 9.E.6 and 9.E.7, indicating a need for clarity in these areas.

SFO

  • Had its fair share of issues, primarily revolving around pay inquiries. Many Flight Attendants found it challenging to quote TFP and compensation accurately.
  • There was an interesting conversation about whether we’ll be hiring more pay analysts after the merger. The plan is to bring in two analysts for Flight Attendants and two for pilots, which should help alleviate some of the workload.

SEA

  • Discussions centered around various pay questions related to reassignment, pre-cancellations, and diversions. Crew Scheduling built a 4k turn with over 80 minutes of sit time, which was paid under section 10.W.
  • Some Flight Attendants also tried to pick up PO-coded trips, which were similarly compensated under section 10.W. One key point was that charters should have their TFP values input before posting to avoid confusion later on.
  • The timing for block-ins was clarified, noting that the next day starts at 0000 hours.

PBS Subcommittee

  • In the PBS Subcommittee update, we talked about the bidding process. For July, bidding assistance requests were steady, with a trend of multiple bid groups being used in certain instances where single bid groups would be sufficient. July bid awards resulted in high coverage and secondary line generation (SLG), much to the subcommittee’s disappointment. 
  • The subcommittee completed testing on two NAVBLUE releases; however, we encountered defects that hindered the transition to these newer releases.
  • We held several meetings with NAVBLUE to discuss updates on testing and enhancements, including plans for future releases that will introduce new features to improve the user experience.

Pairing Construction

  • The Pairing Construction Subcommittee reported that August pairing solutions were chosen based on soft locks and distribution. To refine the process, a focus on in-person pairing building for July 2025 has been established.
  • There was a mention of looking into SAN and PDX due to the high volume of redeyes, and they sent out raw pairings for review, asking for feedback on any lingering issues.

Hotel Committee

  • We discussed changes to hotel assignments stemming from the bidding process. Crew Planning builds the hotel list and sends it to API, who then populates it, and NAVBLUE gets involved. This means hotel assignments might not be known until after awards, which can lead to uncertainty. When a hotel assignment is not confirmed for a particular pairing, it will show as TBD during bidding.
  • We had an incident regarding the BOS hotel, where renovations were unexpectedly extended, impacting crew accommodations.

Crew Systems/JCTE

  • The Crew Systems team is busy testing new PBS releases, specifically version 25.3. They’re addressing ad-hoc issues with the analyzer and working on updating point reduction forms and TFP calculators. The JCTE release scheduled for July 2, 2025, aims to clean up premium text messages and filters, with an emphasis on ensuring that when a 4k trip is assigned, it will automatically show up in the system.

Flight Attendant Crew Pay

  • The Flight Attendant Crew Pay update was quite revealing. A PowerPoint presentation showed 2,662 total queries in April, with Flight Attendants accounting for 1,514 of those. Despite hopes that the published bulletin would reduce inquiries, there’s been little progress.
  • The stranded pay category is still visible in drop-down lists, and there are concerns about removing it due to the potential loss of historical data.

Crew Planning Management

  • Crew Planning Management discussed a reduction in block hours from July, with a focus on trip mix and reducing the number of single-position pairings. Reserve staffing levels are around 20.8%, with an average line of 77 TFP.
  • They also analyzed commuting patterns, finding that SEA/ANC/LAX are best for three-day trips, while SEA/PDX/SAN work well for four-day trips.

Crew Scheduling Management

  • Crew Scheduling Management reported a 3% increase in sick leave, currently at 12.6%, slightly better than last year’s figures. They’ve been auditing state sick leave and reviewing absence counts.
  • Premium trips in May were expensive, nearly hitting 1,600 trips, while June saw a significant decrease in trips, which raised concerns about taxi times in Seattle extending beyond the scheduled duration.

New CBA Stats

  • New CBA statistics were shared, indicating trends in call-out rates and reassignments.
  • The audit for contactability showed a high accuracy rate at 93.8%, but it highlighted the need for more in-depth testing, particularly regarding B2B processes.

What The Committee Is Working On

  1. NAVBLUE. The PBS Subcommittee is working with NAVBLUE to understand the new contractual waive rules adopted in the recently ratified contract. The Committee also continues to provide in person and virtual base sits so that all Flight Attendants may attend and get answers to all PBS bidding related questions.
  2. 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.
  3. Crew Planning. Crew Planning shared a monthly presentation about Pairing Statistics. Crew Planning is focused on anticipating increased block hours as the summer season approaches, with specific strategies to optimize trip lengths and identify commutability for flight crews. The team is also collaborating with operational analytics to develop dashboards that facilitate better decision-making and scheduling efficiency.
  4. Crew Pay. Crew Pay is working on additional communications to improve clarity and address the high volume of queries surrounding pay discrepancies. The payroll team is committed to resolving ongoing issues quickly to ensure crew members receive their compensation accurately and on time.
  5. AFA Payroll Representative. The Committee has been advocating for a streamlined process to resolve outstanding pay issues for crew members efficiently. The focus is on ensuring timely compensation and improved communication.
  6. Open Time – ADR. We appreciate your patience regarding the crew access challenges you’ve faced. A recent system issue requiring a server restart caused delays in trip information, and some users were logged out. We are working with ITS to address and resolve the problem. Please continue to report any issues by contacting crew scheduling by phone, reaching ITS at 1-877-238-1077, or emailing its.service.desk@alaskaair.com. This issue has been added to ADR (agenda item #026-25A) for discussion.
  7. Chimes/Teams LOA Update. Management has drafted a labor and work requirements proposal regarding the Chimes/Teams LOA, with a response expected soon after review and finalization. There have been ongoing discussions about implementing this LOA, with management confirming progress with ITS and coordinating necessary details. The Committee has been actively following up on the status and emphasizing the urgency for implementation, particularly before the winter storms.
  8. JCTE/Crew Access Update. On Wednesday, July 2, 2025, we will implement a maintenance update to JCTE/Crew Access, which includes enhancements, high-priority bug fixes, and other items to support our back-office teams. This update will impact Flight Attendants with several key changes: text messages will once again be sent for subscriptions that include the premium-only button; after logging into Crew Access and navigating to the trip pool, only trips fitting the saved default filter will be displayed; boarding pay will now be included in the pay TFP value of a trip; 4K reserve assignments assigned by scheduling will automatically pay 1.5 premium; Crew Access will display 5 TFP for reserve duty without an assignment that falls on contractual holidays, though TFP will not show until the day after the holiday, with TFP for holiday RON being displayed in the next release; LIMOs will show a calculated value of 0.75 TFP per hour, with a minimum of 1 TFP; trips on your original award reporting in the current bid period but departing in the next bid period will no longer be dropped when the next period’s schedule is loaded; 00:00 will now appear on unacknowledged roster changes when a schedule change includes those start or end times; the report date of trip splits in Crew Access will consistently show the actual report date of each new trip in transaction reports, though the wrong report date may still appear when trips are created or revised by scheduling; and the footer in the historical changes report in Crew Access will no longer overlap with the change messages. We appreciate your ongoing support and collaboration as we implement these updates, and our Scheduling and Reserve Committees have been actively working with ITS to ensure these improvements are in place.

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.

Take Action Now: Stop Cuts and Giveaway to Billionaires

It’s time to take action! The Senate is currently reviewing its version of the federal budget already passed in the House. There are seriously harmful cuts to benefits and rights we count on as workers. Below is a brief summary of their plans to cut from programs we count on to fund and supercharge a massive giveaway to billionaires. 

Runaway inequality is already at a crisis level. This federal budget will make it far worse and much harder for workers to fight back against corporations or make our government work for us.

Call your Senators NOW! It only takes 3-4 minutes, but makes a huge difference!

Below are a few of the most harmful details and how they affect Flight Attendants — and then what you can do to help stop it.   

  • Medicaid: Experts say more than 10 million people will lose healthcare if this bill passes — including millions of working people. 
  • Social Security and Medicare: Republicans in Congress are already suggesting huge cuts to Medicare to help pay for their billionaire tax breaks, and the strain this bill puts on our entire budget sets the stage for Congress to consider significant Social Security cuts in the coming years.
  • Hospitals will close: Cuts to Medicaid will put extreme strain on hospitals and everyone’s care regardless of insurance type. Experts say one in three rural hospitals will be forced to close. Wait times will increase in urban and suburban hospitals as more people without coverage are forced to use the ER for basic services.
  • Food assistance: Experts say 7 million people could lose some or all of their SNAP benefits (food stamps). Many of the people who support our work will suffer, and so will thousands of Flight Attendants.
  • Attacks on labor rights: Our jobs rely on skilled federal workers, from TSOs to ATCs and federal safety inspectors. This bill adds a new 5% tax for all federal workers who want labor rights, and a 10% tax on their union dues and charitable contributions paid by direct withdrawal. The only purpose of this is to punish federal workers who want due process and a fair contract at work — making it that much easier for corporations to follow suit.
  • Killing good jobs: This bill cuts off investments in renewable technology. That kills good jobs in construction and manufacturing today, and makes pollution worse. Extreme weather and Clear Air Turbulence from climate pollution are already disrupting our jobs, and this bill will supercharge that danger.
  • A giveaway to billionaires: Who benefits? The ultra-wealthy. Families earning $4.3 million or more per year would get a tax break of at least $390,070 in 2026, and billionaires could see staggering tax breaks they simply don’t need.
  • Violent and illegal immigration action: This bill includes tens of billions to build vast detention centers and pay for even more out-of-control ICE raids that are already terrorizing communities, separating children and parents, and even sweeping up legal residents and citizens. All without fixing the broken immigration system.
  • More debt for everyday people: All these severe cuts are coupled with enormous tax cuts for billionaires and corporations, adding to the deficit $4.5 trillion over the next ten years. This will likely increase interest rates and working families’ personal debt.
  • Undermining the Constitution: The House version of the bill would make it nearly impossible for the courts to enforce legal orders. That gives those elected by the billionaires a blank check to do whatever they want — on aviation safety, on Medicare or Social Security, on labor laws, on anything — regardless of whether the courts say those actions are unconstitutional.
  • AI Moratorium: Buried is a dangerous provision that prevents states and local governments from regulating AI. AI can be a powerful tool to boost productivity and innovation but only if properly regulated. Banning states and localities from acting means the workers and consumers will be left unprotected from the negative effects of AI.
  • Investments in air transportation system: The bill would increase funding for FAA investments in air traffic control technology and to hire controllers, technicians and other vital aviation workers. That is good and we support this one part of the bill. But this won’t undo the enormous damage already done by Musk and DOGE in attacking federal workers. Already new “investments” are being funneled to this administration’s allies like Musk and Bezos for questionable technologies.

We encourage all Flight Attendants to make our voices heard! Call on our Senators to stop this disastrous, union-busting, giveaway to the filthy rich at our expense.

Mahalo for speaking up and taking care of one another, ensuring our voices are heard in Congress. 

When Screen Time Becomes Too Much

In today’s digital world, screens are everywhere—our phones, tablets, laptops, and TVs. While technology offers connection, convenience, and entertainment, too much screen time can quietly develop into an unhealthy habit. Screen addiction isn’t always obvious at first, but over time, it can affect your physical health, mental well-being, relationships, and productivity. Here are key warning signs to watch for:

  1. You Reach for Your Phone First and Last: If checking your device is the first thing you do in the morning and the last thing before bed—often without any real purpose—it may signal dependency.
  2. You Lose Track of Time Online: Spending hours scrolling, binge-watching, or gaming without realizing how much time has passed can be a sign of compulsive use.
  3. You Feel Anxious or Irritable Without Your Device: Feeling restless, bored, or even panicked when your phone isn’t nearby (or when the battery is low) can indicate emotional reliance.
  4. Screen Time Interferes with Sleep: Exposure to screens before bed disrupts melatonin production, making it harder to fall and stay asleep. If you feel tired even after a full night in bed, late-night screen use may be to blame.
  5. Physical Symptoms Appear: Headaches, dry eyes, neck pain (“tech neck”), and carpal tunnel-like symptoms may result from prolonged screen exposure and poor posture.
  6. You Avoid Social Interactions: Choosing screen time over time with family, friends, or coworkers—especially when you’re physically present—can damage real-life relationships and signal avoidance behavior.
  7. You Struggle to Focus Without Stimulation: Constant screen use can shorten your attention span, making it harder to concentrate on offline tasks like reading, conversations, or work responsibilities.

Awareness Is the first step. Recognizing these signs is the first move toward balance. Screen time isn’t inherently bad—it’s about how, when, and why you use it. Setting boundaries, taking digital breaks, and being intentional about your usage can help restore control and reconnect you with the world beyond the screen. If you find yourself wanting to change or modify your relationship with screens, contact your Local AFA EAP Committee. You can reach a Committee Member by calling (949) 470-0493. Your calls are confidential. 

Crew Meal Survey Closing Soon

This message is for both pre-merger Alaska and Hawaiian Flight Attendants Our Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) is committed to prioritizing your nutrition during the work day through our crew meal provisions. We are eager to hear your thoughts on which elements of crew meals are most meaningful to you, as we continue to advocate for […]

Council 43 (HNL) LEC Officer Election Results

Polls closed at 12 PM PT today for the election of Council 43 LEC Officers, representing Hawaiian Airlines Flight Attendants based in Honolulu. The following AFA Flight Attendants have been elected to Local Council Officer positions: LEC President: Kela Chong IVLEC Vice President: Martin GusmanLEC Secretary: Soon Kim View the certified election results here >> These newly elected […]

Council 39 (PDX) LEC Officer Election Results

Polls closed at 11 AM PT today for the election of Council 39 LEC Officers, representing Alaska Airlines Flight Attendants based in Portland. The following AFA Flight Attendants have been elected to Local Council Officer positions: LEC President: Krystle Shae BerryLEC Vice President: Melodie AnderesLEC Secretary: Kevin Sharp View the certified election results here >> These newly elected […]

Hotel Committee Meeting Recap – May 2026

On Monday, May 11, 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), Kelly Hepworth (PDX), Hilary Streem (SFO), Brian Sherill (LAX pmAS), and Kanani Vallot (SAN), with MEC Hotel Committee […]

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