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AFA Alaska News in Review – March 3, 2023

In This Edition

Scheduling Committee Meeting Recap – February 2023

Originally posted March 2, 2023

Our AFA Scheduling Committee Chairpersons met on Tuesday, February 28 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!

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Negotiation Session 10

Originally posted March 2, 2023

Our Negotiating Committee began discussing Section 32: Attendance Policy and made progress on Section 8: Hours of Service and Section 16: Sick Leave/On the Job Injury. We have tentatively agreed to 28 sections. Ten sections are currently being discussed, while seven sections remain. The next contract negotiations session will take place March 21 through 23.

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Next Week’s Events

Monday, March 6 – Tuesday, March 7Regular MEC Meeting
Thursday, March 9Quarterly Reserve Committee Meeting
Thursday, March 9ANC Base Safety Meeting
Thursday, March 9Scheduling Review Board (SRB)
Friday, March 10Council 30 ANC Local Council 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 – February 2023

Scheduling Committee

  • Our AFA Scheduling Committee Chairpersons met on Tuesday, February 28 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, February 28, 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 (SEA), Melodie Anderes (PDX), Jaqui Bellenie (SFO), Natalie Codd (LAX), and Kitty Cohen (SAN). Also present were MEC Scheduling Committee Vice Chairperson—Pairing Construction Karen Ferrell, MEC Scheduling Committee Vice Chairperson—PBS Virginia Fritz, and MEC Reserve Committee Chairperson Julie Thornton. The committee met with Supervisor of Inflight Crew Scheduling, Matthew Trujillo, Director of Crew Planning Mike Ostler, Manager of ITS Product Management Rick Mitchell, Manager of Crew Planning Trisha Bennett, and other management representatives from Crew Planning.

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:

  • Compliance with Jury Duty language in contract section 24.A.5 is being reviewed to ensure that management is applying the contractual protections when Flight Attendants are obligated to Jury Duty.
  • Passport Renewals and International Flying (contract section 10.S.12). Flight Attendants are covered by the section 10.S.3.b language when they submit their passport more than 15 days before the passport expires and notify Crew Scheduling.
  • New NAVBLUE PBS update version 22.7.7 has new features and should address the slow log in issues that our Flight Attendants have been experiencing after bids are published.
  • Separating Crews on International Layovers is both a safety and contractual concern. Crew Scheduling and Crew Planning are working to correct when Flight Attendants are assigned separate hotels while on international layovers.
  • Flight Attendant Contactability Requirements and definition of positive contact. Many Flight Attendants may not know that sections 32.C.1.e and 8.Q outline define when Flight Attendants are contactable as well as what steps management must take to have met their contractual requirements of contactability.
  • Crew Access Issues and upcoming UI update. The incorrect time showing UTC for trips will be resolved with new user interface but will still exist in original user interface.
  • Recent Pacific Northwest and California Winter Storm events. Please file a ticket at the  AFA Alaska Online Support Center if you have any unresolved issues related to the recent snow storms. Management plans on reviewing their processes and hopes to create a standardized playbook to assist them during winter irregular operations.
  • Lineholder Option to Decline an Initial Deadhead (contract section 10.X.8) can be allowed with “Crew Scheduling’s approval” Discussions were had at the consistency of allowing Flight Attendants to drop their initial deadhead legs.

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 factors.  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.

AFA Alaska News in Review – February 24, 2023

In This Edition

The Present Is A Gift

Originally posted February 21, 2023

The hustle, bustle, and distractions of modern life can sometimes leave us with feelings of stress, anxiety, and worry. Mindfulness is a practice that can help us to stay present in the moment and feel calmer and more refreshed. AFA EAP is always available for support. Find our contact information at afaalaska.org/eap.

Read More >

Inflight Service Committee Meeting Recap – 1st Quarter 2023

Originally posted February 24, 2023

Our AFA Inflight Service Committee Chairpersons met on Wednesday, February 22 to discuss their ongoing program of work to represent Flight Attendants interests related to catering and onboard service/sales. The Committee also met with management to receive updates and discuss issues and problems that Flight Attendants are facing onboard the aircraft. The Inflight Service Committee continues to work with management to continuously improve onboard catering and engage in discussions leading to future improved processes. Please continue to report catering issues through Block2Block and safety-related issues through ReportIt!  

Read More >

Next Week’s Events

Monday, February 27 – Wednesday, March 1Contract Negotiations
Thursday, March 2Alternate 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!

Inflight Service Committee Meeting Recap – 1st Quarter 2023

Inflight Service Committee

  • Our AFA Inflight Service Committee Chairpersons met on Wednesday, February 22 to discuss their ongoing program of work to represent Flight Attendants interests related to catering and onboard service/sales.
  • The Committee also met with management to receive updates and discuss issues and problems that Flight Attendants are facing onboard the aircraft.
  • The Inflight Service Committee continues to work with management to continuously improve onboard catering and engage in discussions leading to future improved processes. Please continue to report catering issues through Block2Block and safety-related issues through ReportIt!

On Wednesday, February 22, our AFA Local 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), Kelly Kochanek (PDX), Raymond Ramirez (SFO), Johanna Thomas (LAX), and Chase Vandergrift (SAN). Also present was MEC Inflight Committee Chairperson Stephanie Garnett. The committee met with Inflight Experience Program Manager Matthew Coder, Inflight Product and Experience Director David Scotland, Senior Catering Operations Specialist Raena Alonzo, Principal ITS Apps Product Manager Ranjita Prasad, Senior Food & Beverage Product Manager Jessica Johnston, and other management representatives from the food & beverage and catering operations. 

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 consistent FC Beverage service recommendations, Food and Beverage Changes, and updates on ice for 2023.

Food and Beverage Discussions

In response to both passenger and crew feedback, more variety and choices will be introduced into the food and beverage beginning mid-May.  In First Class, a vegan option will always be available for pre-order only.  On medium haul, long haul, and premium long haul, the Fruit & Cheese Plate will no longer be a standard boarded entrée choice but will continue to be available for pre-order.  For premium long haul and Hawaii routes, printed menus are returning. Changes to the First Class service on premium long haul (Hawaii & transcon) morning flights will include addition of mixed nuts (with the first beverage service) and a heated dessert (to be served after the main meal service).  In Main Cabin, meals will be different eastbound vs westbound and will remain available via pre-order only, up to 20-hours prior to a flight’s departure. 

Hawaii specific changes include the discontinuation of the First Class mid-flight snack test out of Seattle on AM departures.  Testing is underway to resume heated pre-reserved retail meals (one option) on flights to/from Hawaii in Main Cabin.

Early April catering and product changes include the re-introduction of apple juice, a swap out of the current Pilsner, and new First Class wine selections.  On all Boeing premium long haul routes, the First Class empty cart will be moving to the aft galley and the supply cart will move to the forward galley.  This will help ensure that there are extra supplies for First Class.  All empty carts for trash will be in located in the aft galley on the Boeing fleet.  The Airbus 321 currently has trash carts in the forward and aft galleys.  

Catering Operations Discussions

Our Inflight Service Committee is very pleased with the ice solutions provided by the Catering Operations team for 2023 ice support for our flights.   Beginning in March 2023, catering is working with Fleet Service to increase uplift of ice at 10 of our stations and they will be provisioning ice on additional flights, with a focus on medium haul and long haul turns.  As discussions with vendors continue, more contracts will be finalized and additional ice supply locations will be added to the list. The Catering Operations team is also working to find solutions for issues the Committee brought to their attention at our last meeting.  Several ideas were presented and discussed for safe catering of blue service trays and provisioning of trash bags.

Inflight Mobile Device (IMD) News

The IT products team is currently working on improvements to our IMD user interface to make payments easier to process.  The IT team is also working on an inflight mobile refresh program and an update for Block2Block (B2B).  The Committee brought forward comments from Flight Attendants that the types of service designated for each flight (such as premium long haul, short haul, etc.) be included on B2B.  This information would be very helpful in offering the correct service.  

Boeing Updates

The Boeing 737-800 refresh with the removal of the third aft lavatory is on hold.  The installation of 2KU for the 737-800 aircraft type is in progress and about 90% complete; fleetwide it is 97% complete.  The new delivery Boeing 737 MAX 9 aircraft will be 2KU equipped going forward.  

Service

The participation by Flight Attendants in the survey included in the recent Inflight News newsletter was excellent and very much appreciated.  The Premium Class Tray Service early results show improved scores given by Premium Class passengers.  The Flight Attendant feedback received will be useful in addressing key areas.  Other discussion topics between the Committee and management included possible service flow and service responsibilities testing.   

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 that 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. 

The Present Is A Gift

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)/Professional Standards Committee

  • The hustle, bustle, and distractions of modern life can sometimes leave us with feelings of stress, anxiety, and worry.
  • Mindfulness is a practice that can help us to stay present in the moment and feel calmer and more refreshed.
  • AFA EAP is always available for support. Find our contact information at afaalaska.org/eap.

Do you find it hard to stay focused on one task at a time? Do you find yourself daydreaming? In our interconnected world, it is hard to live in the moment. Our technology and busy schedules keep us moving from one thing to the next. Learning how to gently pull your attention towards the present is a unique skill that can help improve both physical and mental health.

Stress and anxiety can be constant distractions from the present, which can include worries about both the past and the future. While these concerns may be valid, it is important to regularly take a few minutes to notice your environment, your breath, and even your posture. Below are two ways to help you stay present through mindfulness and other sensory exercises.

What is mindfulness?

In 1979, mindfulness was developed in a hospital setting for patients with chronic pain. But all of us possess the ability to practice mindfulness in our natural environment and obtain benefits from it. People generally report feeling calmer or more refreshed through mindfulness. It focuses less on control and more on awareness – of our thoughts, sensations, and our breath. Remember, mindfulness is a skill and does take practice. As a result, it might take a few times to get the hang of it. Consider this exercise below:

  1. Find your favorite guided meditation website or app. Widely used apps include Calm and Headspace. YouTube also has great videos such as this one to get started. Here is another good choice.
  2. Sit comfortably in a chair with your hands, palm-side down, and your back and bottom gently supported.
  3. Listen to the prompts in the video. The goal is to become more aware of each breath, the pattern of breathing, and the sensations of your body. Simply notice what is happening around you and inside your mind, without judgement.

How can I use my senses to stay present?

Humans have a very powerful sensory system. It helps keep us alert when we’re anxious, but it can also help us relax. Here are a few sensory exercises for each of your senses, to help you stay present.

  • Smell. Notice and take time to absorb your favorite smells around you. It could be the smell of flowers, fresh-baked cookies, or your oil diffuser.
  • Taste. Find and savor samples of your favorite foods. They could be spicy, sweet and sour, or warm and comforting.
  • Sight. Adjust lighting in your space to warm and soothing tones. Focus your eyes on an object or image that brings joy or calm.
  • Sound. New research is emerging about brown noise. Consider the wonderful genre of Lo-Fi music. 
  • Touch. Clothe or surround yourself with tactile comforting objects, like a favorite sweater or blanket.

AFA EAP is always available for support!

Our AFA EAP Committee is here for you when you need us!  Reach out any time at (949) 470-0493 or find our contact information at afaalaska.org/eap.

AFA News in Review – September 19, 2025

In This Edition Celebrating Hispanic-Latinx Heritage Month Originally posted September 15, 2025 Join us in celebrating Hispanic-Latinx Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15, a time dedicated to honoring the vibrant cultures and significant contributions of Hispanic-Latinx Americans. Discover the history, participate in special events, and grab your commemorative Hispanic-Latinx Heritage Month AFA Pin […]

Pre-Merger Alaska MEC Committee Election Results

This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants During this week’s MEC Meeting, our MEC held interviews for the first group of pre-merger Alaska MEC Committee positions to be elected for the upcoming MEC Officer term. We want to thank everyone who expressed interest in the available positions and their willingness to serve. After careful […]

Merged MEC Committee Chairperson Election Results

This message is for both pre-merger Alaska and Hawaiian Flight Attendants During this week’s MEC Meeting, our MEC held interviews for the next group of merged MEC Committee Chairpersons. We want to thank everyone who expressed interest in the available positions and their willingness to serve. After careful consideration and deliberation, the following candidates have […]

Election Notice: Alaska + Hawaiian MEC Officer Elections

The term of office for our current Alaska + Hawaiian Master Executive Council (MEC) Officers will conclude on December 31, 2025. The voting members of the MEC (LEC Presidents) will elect new MEC Officers at the November Regular MEC meeting. This communication serves as notice of the election in accordance with the MEC Policy and Procedure Manual. […]

SEA Domicile Negotiations – September 2025 Update #2

This message is for pre-merger Hawaiian Flight Attendants Negotiations Update Our SEA Domicile Negotiating Committee met with the company on September 11 to review their response to our September 5 proposal.  We feel that it is important to acknowledge the challenges within our company as Alaska management is struggling to understand our Collective Bargaining Agreement […]

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