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AFA Alaska Statement On Recent Severe Turbulence Incidents

Master Executive Council (MEC)

AFA Representatives have been informed that several flights experienced severe turbulence yesterday, resulting in injuries to some Flight Attendants. Since then, various AFA officers and committee members have been actively working with inflight management to ensure that all affected Flight Attendants receive the necessary care and that all contractual provisions are upheld.

We want to recognize the dedication and professionalism demonstrated by our outstanding crews in handling these challenging situations. These events highlight the role of Flight Attendants as safety professionals and first responders onboard the aircraft. AFA Representatives are providing support to all Flight Attendants affected by these incidents.

As a reminder, detailed information about turbulence and procedures for responding to different levels of turbulence can be found in Section 2.400 of the Flight Attendant Manual. Regularly reviewing this information is beneficial for ensuring your safety and that of your fellow crew members and passengers.

Additionally, our AFA Employee Assistance Program (EAP)/Professional Standards Committee is available to provide support whenever needed. Please feel free to reach out at (949) 470-0493 or find contact information at afaalaska.org/eap.

Reserve Committee Meeting Recap – 4th Quarter 2024

Reserve Committee

  • Our AFA Reserve Committee Chairpersons met on Thursday, December 12, to discuss their ongoing program of work to represent and advocate for our Reserve Flight Attendants.
  • The Committee also met with management to review specific concerns that Flight Attendants brought forward.
  • Your Local Reserve Committee is available to answer questions, clarify contractual language, or help resolve reserve-related issues. Please don’t hesitate to reach out!

On Thursday, December 12, representatives from our AFA Local Reserve Committees met to discuss their ongoing work to advocate for Reserve Flight Attendants. Representing you at the meeting were Brandi Urban (ANC), Conner Gallagher (SEA), Anthony Eskander (PDX), Meghan Casey (SFO), Kanako Yamada (LAX), and Rebecca Garcia (SAN). Also present was MEC Reserve Committee Chairperson Julie Thornton and MEC Reserve Committee Vice Chairperson—New Hire & Probation Jarod McNeill.

The committee met with the Interim Managing Director of Inflight Crew Scheduling & Inflight Operations (South) Sara Cook and Interim Manager of Inflight Crew Scheduling Matthew Trujilo.

The committee is next scheduled to meet on Thursday, March 13, 2025.

Topics of Discussion

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

  • Management Staffing in Crew Scheduling. Management has recently hired two new Crew Scheduling Supervisors who are currently undergoing onboarding. They are expected to be on the floor early next year. 
  • Initial Training Plans for 2025. The number of training classes and the specific number of students in each class will depend on the delivery schedule of new aircraft.
  • Social Media Issues. Social media is currently the primary cause of occurrences among probationary Flight Attendants.
  • Crew Access Issues. Crew Access issues and glitches are ongoing and affecting Reserve Flight Attendants. Reviewed where known issues are documented and any newly added or fixed issues.
  • Upcoming Crew Access Update. A review is scheduled for the upcoming updates to the Crew Access software. This will include associated fixes for current issues and the prioritization of programming improvements.
  • Reserve Utilization Statistics. Currently, reserve utilization stands at approximately 85.7% across all bases. For the first quarter, reserve coverage is expected to be around 18-20%.
  • Escalated Reserve-Related Issues. Reviewed the reserve-related issues that have been escalated to the Scheduling Review Board (SRB) and the Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR) processes.
  • Concerns with No-Shows and Connectivity. There are ongoing concerns regarding no-shows, the inability to contact Reserve Flight Attendants, and connectivity issues. Please report these matters through the AFA Alaska Online Support Center so that AFA Representatives can follow up with management.

What The Committee Is Working On

  1. Assisting Probationary Flight Attendants Through the Reserve Buddy Program.   Answering questions from and providing support to probationary Flight Attendants through an expanded AFA Reserve Buddy program.
  2. Addressing Reserve Contractual Concerns. Researching and investigating reports from Reserve Flight Attendants and actively ensuring that management is compliant with our contract. 
  3. Developing Additional Tools & Resources for New Flight Attendants. Working to create a plan to provide more user friendly, easy-to-access resources about the CBA and other job-related information for new Flight Attendants.

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 Reserve 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 Reserve Committee page of the AFA Alaska website.

AFA Alaska News in Review – December 20, 2024

In This Edition

Reintroducing Our Mobilization Committee

Originally posted December 16, 2024

As our Negotiating Committee returns to the bargaining table this week, our Mobilization Chairs are getting ready to answer your questions if an agreement is reached with management. Continue reading to get reacquainted with your base Mobilization Chair. If you see them out on the line, be sure to say hello! In addition to your LEC President and the Negotiating Committee, your Mobilization Chairs are a great resource for answers to questions about the negotiations process.

Read More >

TA2 Mediation Session 2

Originally posted December 20, 2024

This week was our second TA2 Mediation Session with management and the mediator assigned by the National Mediation Board. Additional progress was made on several provisions this week. As the deadline of our condensed timeline approaches, the Committee recognizes the urgency of achieving an agreement. The next scheduled mediation session is January 7-9 – no further sessions were scheduled after January.ext

Read More >

Shard on Social

Mobilization Chairperson Video Introductions

Watch introduction videos of our Mobilization Committee Chairpersons and put a face to the name! They are here to help answer your questions about negotiations:

Next Week’s Events

No events scheduled

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!

AFA Alaska News in Review – December 13, 2024

In This Edition

Notice of Election for Officers of Joint Alaska-Hawaiian MEC

Originally posted December 9, 2024

Elections for the merged Master Executive Council (MEC) will be held on January 29, 2025, with the elected candidates taking office on March 1, 2025. LEC Presidents and MEC Officers from Alaska and Hawaii will meet in San Francisco for this election, where they will also discuss the merging of MEC policies, procedures, and Committee functions. Interested candidates should submit their Willingness to Serve forms and resumes by January 15, 2025.

Read More >

Introduction to the Minimum Pay Rules Flow Chart

Originally posted December 9, 2024

We’re introducing a valuable new resource from our Scheduling Committee! We’ve developed a visually engaging flow chart that breaks down the Minimum Pay Rules (MPRs) outlined in Section 21.D of our Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). This chart is your go-to tool for understanding the essential elements of your pay provisions, ensuring that every Flight Attendant knows exactly what they are entitled to under the contract.

Read More >

Grievance Committee Update – 4th Quarter 2024

Originally posted December 10, 2024

Our Grievance Committee protects all Flight Attendants from arbitrary and unjust disciplinary action and upholds our collective bargaining agreement. This update briefly summarizes the committee’s work over the past few quarters. Management has issued discipline lately for a variety of reasons. Read on for more information about why management is disciplining and terminating Flight Attendants. If you’ve faced a situation that you believe might be a contractual violation, please report the issue through the AFA Alaska Online Support Center. AFA Representatives review each report submitted and will follow up to help you determine options and a course of action.

Read More >

The Importance of Reporting Hotel and Transportation Issues

Originally posted December 12, 2024

Reporting hotel issues is one of the most important tools Flight Attendants have to ensure continued quality and address concerns effectively. When feedback is provided via the MyCrewCare app, the report is sent directly to those that can actually help, including the AFA Hotel Committee. By using the appropriate reporting channels, you’re helping resolve current issues and contributing to the long-term quality of accommodations. We also want to hear about positive experiences, so don’t forget to give a compliment when one is due.

Read More >

Next Week’s Events

Tuesday, December 17 – Thursday, December 19Contract Negotiations
Tuesday, December 17 – Wednesday, December 18AFA Executive Board Meeting
Tuesday, December 17Monthly 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!

The Importance of Reporting Hotel and Transportation Issues

Hotel Committee

  • Reporting hotel issues is one of the most important tools Flight Attendants have to ensure continued quality and address concerns effectively.
  • When feedback is provided via the MyCrewCare app, the report is sent directly to those that can actually help, including the AFA Hotel Committee.
  • By using the appropriate reporting channels, you’re helping resolve current issues and contributing to the long-term quality of accommodations.
  • We also want to hear about positive experiences, so don’t forget to give a compliment when one is due.

Over the next couple of months, your AFA Hotel Committee will publish a series of communications to increase awareness of available resources. This month’s topic is how to best provide layover feedback.

The Importance of Reporting Hotel and Transportation Issues

One of the perks of flying is the opportunity to experience layovers in diverse cities, often with time to unwind and explore. The Hotel Committee plays a critical role in ensuring crew accommodations meet the highest standards for rest, relaxation, safety, and enjoyment of the local area. Each contracted hotel undergoes careful inspection to ensure it meets these requirements, providing the comfort and security we need during layovers.

However, maintaining these standards requires teamwork. Reporting hotel issues is one of the most important tools Flight Attendants have to ensure continued quality and address concerns effectively. Without these reports, the Hotel Committee cannot follow up on or resolve challenges encountered during layovers or with transportation providers.

We understand that platforms like Facebook are great for sharing travel tips, discussing industry topics, or even enjoying lighthearted conversations. However, social media isn’t the right avenue for addressing hotel or transportation concerns. To ensure feedback reaches the right people and is actionable, it’s essential to use the official channels available.

MyCrewCare App

When feedback is provided via the MyCrewCare app, the report is sent directly to those that can actually help: your AFA Hotel Committee, Crew Hotels, and API. ALPA is looped in as well, as pilots use the same feedback process. Additionally, the hotel or transportation provider is provided a copy of the feedback. With the MyCrewCare app available on our IMD, reporting feedback is easier than ever. The MyCrewCare app saves time by prepopulating the majority of the necessary fields (such as dates, city, flight number, room number, base, etc.) that are needed to research the issue.

MyCrewCare can also be accessed from the Inflight Website: Hotel & Station > MyCrewCare > MyTravel > Adjust dates if necessary and select the hotel/transportation company to provide feedback on.

Additional Support

If you need to escalate an issue or need further support, your local AFA Hotel Committee Chairperson is always available:

Dori Marron (ANC): anc.hotel.chair@afaalaska.org

Jarod McNeill (SEA): sea.hotel.chair@afaalaska.org

Kelly Hepworth (PDX): pdx.hotel.chair@afaalaska.org

Hilary Streem (SFO): sfo.hotel.chair@afaalaska.org

Chris Cardenas (LAX): lax.hotel.chair@afaalaska.org

Kanani Vallot (SAN): san.hotel.chair@afaalaska.org

James Bozanich (MEC): hotel@afaalaska.org

Your insights and reports are invaluable to maintaining and improving the layover experience for all crew members. By using the appropriate reporting channels, you’re helping resolve current issues and contributing to the long-term quality of accommodations. Next time you encounter a challenge, skip the social media post and let your Hotel Committee know with MyCrewCare. We also want to hear about positive experiences, so don’t forget to give a compliment when one is due. Together, we can ensure layovers continue to be one of the best parts of flying!

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 […]

Pre-Merger Hawaiian Inflight Service Committee Update – March 2026

Editor’s Note: Our MEC Inflight Service Committee now represents both pre-merger airlines, but management still makes service decisions that affect each group of Flight Attendants differently. This update covers changes for both Hawaiian- and Alaska-branded flying, but is specific to aircraft flown by pre-merger Hawaiian Airlines crews. As the work of the merger progresses, we […]

Joint Contract Negotiations Session 13 – March 2026

Our JNC met this week for three days of collective bargaining with management. The JNC focused on clarifying questions about moving expenses and presented a proposal for Sick Leave, using feedback from Flight Attendants to guide improvements. The Committee is working to incorporate the strongest elements from both contracts to ensure better support for all members.

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