Hotel Committee

LEC Chair, Jodi Snow

For a year now the Hotel Committee has been working with management to address concerns with unscheduled layover hotels. Flight Attendant crews have been experiencing terrible issues associated with these alternate hotels. Due to the on-going issues, the committee has partnered with MEC Vice President, Brian Palmer, to bring these concerns forward to the company and have them addressed. The Hotel committee is now confident that the list of alternate hotels is updated and provides reasonable accommodations for the crews. However, situations may still arise where flight attendants experience a hotel not on this list due to high demand in any given city. If you experience a hotel that does not meet our negotiated language, please file a crew care form (see below.)

The Hotel Committee will document properties during upcoming site visits that would be a good fit for the alternate hotel list to keep the list updated.

Two members of the AFA Hotel Committee, SEA FA Olivia Borrows and SAN FA Kanani Vallot, are monitoring situations at hotels and documenting these issues for the committee to address with the company.

Remember, if you have problems with your hotel please document the issue via Crew Care:

CrewCare (Layover Hotel and Transportation Feedback)

 Visit the CrewCare website (AS login required)

If you have a layover hotel or transportation concern, first document the issue by writing it up in the CrewCare system.

1. Log-in to the inflight website (http://asainflight.alaskaair.com)
2. Open the menu
3. Click “Hotels”
4. Click “Hotel Links”
5. Click “My Crew Care”
6. Open the menu
7. Click “Feedback”
8. Click “Provide Feedback”

First Time Using Crew Care?

When you open the Crew Care site for the first time, you’ll need to register with your alaskaair.com email address.  After registering, the system will send you a confirmation email.  From the confirmation email, click the link to confirm your registration.  Once you complete this registration process, you won’t need to do it again.

API has written a user guide for the Crew Care system that you can access by clicking here.

Council 19, SEA, 1st Quarter 2017 Committee Reports

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Benefits and Maternity Committee

LEC Chair, Kathy O’Malley and Vice Chair, Terry Taylor

We have recently had questions and comments regarding Teledoc, a relatively new Premera Benefits option. This service is available to both PPO and Consumer’s Choice PPO plan participants.  The phone number is: 855-332-4059.  It can also be accessed through the Benefits Portal via AlaskasWorld, or at this link: https://member.teladoc.com/premera. There is no fee for the PPO plan, and a $40 fee for Consumer’s Choice PPO plan participants.

What is this service?  It provides 24-hour access to a physician who can provide prescriptions if appropriate, and send them to a local pharmacy for pick-up.  It offers a alternative to emergency rooms or urgent care facilities.  The 24-hour nurse hotline is also still available through Premera, either via the Premera website, or at this phone number: 877-AAG-3525 (877-224-3525).

Injured at work? 

 It is extremely important that you submit an I-21 form as quickly as possible, even if the injury seems minor.  The forms are available on the Inflight Webpage, under ‘Other Leaves.’  This is important for tracking safety concerns, and for documenting injury if medical treatment is required.  If you need to seek medical treatment, you will need a Worker’s Compensation packet for the State in which you are based.  If it is after-hours, you can call crew scheduling to be connected to a Duty Supervisor.  Otherwise, the packets are available in your Inflight Office. A Worker’s Compensation claim does not begin until you seek medical treatment.

Medical/Maternity/Worker’s Compensation Leave of Absence 

Planning and assistance is available through your Seattle Benefits Committee. To get you started, handbooks with a wealth of information, are available on the Inflight Webpage, under Administration. Forms that you may need during your leave are posted under ‘Other Leaves.’ If you have questions, or need assistance, please reach out to a Benefits Committee Member: https://afaalaska.org/sea/committees

Inflight Service Committee (ISC)

LEC Chair, Ross Dejong

 Reserve Committee Report

MEC Reserve Chair, Jarod McNeill and LEC Chair, Antoine Rouse

Please welcome Antoine Rouse as the new LEC Reserve Chair!

Antoine started his career with Alaska Airlines in May of 2016.  After successfully completing probation, he immediately began serving on the Seattle reserve committee. Antoine studied human services and counseling and criminal justice at Lindsey Wilson College in Columbia, KY. He has an associates degree in Social Sciences. Antoine is newly married as of April to Jeremiah. They have one biological child and are also foster parents. Antoine commutes from Owensboro, KY to Seattle. Antoine is excited about serving the Seattle based reserve flight attendants as the Seattle LEC Reserve Chair.

Reserve Reposition How To

One great aspect with the new Crew Access system is the ability for reserves to reposition(Shift) days instantly. This is a two-step process:

Step One is to pull the report to see what days are available for Shifting

To pull the report:

• Home screen of Crew Access
• Click on the Hamburger Menu (Menu option upper left corner)
• Click Reports
• Click Reports on Demand
• Click Cabin Reserve Coverage
• Enter dates and base (full month)
• Click Generate
• Click Download

Once the Cabin Reserve Coverage report populates you can now see what days are opened and closed for Shifting.

Step Two is to Shift the days

Once you find an open date you want to shift into to you will Shift that date as outlined below:

• Home Screen of Crew Access
• Click Roster
• Click the icon of the day you are wanting to Shift (the day you are currently working)
• The icon should turn into a check mark and you’ll notice that you have an item your “Cart” on the top right hand corner of the screen.
• Click on the Cart
• Enter Target date (date you currently have off, but are wanting to work)
• Select trade option Shift (it is the only option)
• Click Blue Shift Bar

If Crew Access goes back to your home screen (roaster view) the Shift trade was successful, or  “approved.” To verify, look at your Roster. The Target day you selected is now a reserve day and you are off on the day you were originally scheduled.

If the Shift is “not approved” crew access will stay on the same Shift screen and will display a red error message:

 Shift denied due to an illegality or Shift denied due to day is closed.

The red error text will give you details of the denied Shift.

• If a day is closed, check back often as days can close and open at any time
• Please remember there is no warning page asking if you are sure you want to complete the Shift
• Be sure you have the correct dates selected once you hit shift the system WILL process it if it is an allowable Shift.

HOT TOPICS

It seems that summer flying started early this year. Seattle based reserves are being tagged more times than not. Please remember your health is important, stay well rested, and hydrated. Also remember that they offer emergen-c for free in the Seattle Base Office!

Reserve Repositioning (Shifting) Starts on the 15^th of EVERY month at 2pm (pst)

Flight Attendants do NOT have the ability to call out fatigued without receiving points. If you are fatigued, you can call in sick online, but please know that you will receive contractual points in accordance with §32. If you feel as if you are flying fatigued (for any reason including being tagged) please submit an ASAP to protect yourself.

REMEMBER if you are not used for a trip or APSB once assigned ER you are entitled to 1 TFP above guarantee. Submit an Activity Claim Form (ACF).

Layovers are considered non-contactable times! You are NOT required to answer your phone when Crew Scheduling calls if you are on a layover. Crew scheduling may use the hotel phone to contact you as well. Again, you are NOT required to answer and this is the same contractual application if you are on probation.

Remember to refresh your browser, often, to see “live” information in Crew Access

Frequently Asked Questions

I was converted to ER when there is someone who has less TFP then I do is this legal? 

Yes, ER conversions are at Crew Scheduling’s discretion and may not appear to follow LTFA.

I reported for a flight at 5am Chicago Time (3am Seattle Time) and I was tagged when I returned to base is this legal?

Yes, even though you are on duty at 4:29am Seattle time you must be on duty at 4:29am Local departure time (in this case Chicago) for the night rule to apply.

My release time was 5am and I am a PM reserve still good for 2 days. When is my earliest report? 

Your earliest report time is 4:30pm (11.5 hours of rest) however you may be contacted at 2pm (9 hours of rest) to be notified of your 4:30pm report time. (Note: There is no contractual language to provide SILENT rest. Crew Scheduling can still contact you, but you are not required to answer the call.)

What does the time designation next to my name on LTFA report mean? Is that report time or contactable time? 

The time showed on LTFA is your earliest report time (11.5 hours after release.) Keep in mind, that you only have 9 hours of silent rest, so crew scheduling may call you 2.5 hours prior to that time.

Thank you MEC Reserve Chair, Jarod McNeill, for your assistance with the Seattle Reserve Committee over the past two months!

Council 19, SEA, 1st Quarter 2017 Committee Reports

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Government Affairs

LEC Chair, Kris Mason

This past quarter the Government Affairs Committee has grown! Welcome Jay Styger to the committee. We are very excited to have him on board. Government Affairs Committee member, Tiffany Roget, flew to D.C. in March to represent AFA Alaska Council 19 on Capitol Hill, with other AFA members, in the Fight for Equal Rest and Fair Skies. She visited Senator Cantwell’s (D-WA) office and, along with other AFA flight attendants, met with other Congressmen, Congresswomen, and Representatives to lobby for the 10-hour rest for flight attendants, a Fatigue Risk Management Plan, and to enforce our Open Skies Agreement. Thank you, Tiffany!

Support Sky Chefs Friday, April 14^th

Join the Rally with workers from Unite Here! Local 8, the Union that represents the workers for Sky Chefs, at 3:30pm on Friday April 14th, 2017, in front of Alaska Airlines Headquarters. Remember, no uniforms or non-rev travel allowed to attend this event. AFA shirts are encouraged!

SEA Air Safety, Security and Health Committee

LEC Chair, Susan Lee and LEC Vice Chair, Steven Vincent

There have been reports regarding ground loading at N12ABC and N16 (temporary).  Instructions on how to access the elevator and to be aware of surroundings on the ramp are posted.  Wait and use your cell phone or IMD once safely off the ramp.

We have reports of injuries resulting from the Port of SEA (POS) Employee bus not using the kneeling function.  Airport Operations is working with the POS on bus issues, including overcrowded buses.  Reporting directly to the Port of SEA Safety Hotline is available and needed to bring awareness to bus and parking lot issues.  The POS Safety Hotline number is (206) 787-SAFE. This number is posted on the Inflight Web Page under the BASE Tab.

The Bi-Annual SEA Base Meeting was held on April 3rd.  In attendance were four local Council 19 members, members of the local safety committee, Inflight Management, and the Safety Division.  This is always a lively meeting where safety concerns are brought forward by our members.

Issues discussed were:  Crew briefings, new overhead bins, and unsuitable exit row occupants due to the seats being purchased as “extra legroom.” Also, the new crew systems allows Inflight Management to track crews much better in irregular ops events such as weather.  During these events, a supervisor will be dedicated to the task of tracking crews.

Uniform Committee

LEC Chair, Dena Silva-Heath

Dena is currently working with MEC Uniform Chair, Bob Moore, and new hire flight attendants during Style and Service night. Bob and Dena manage the Uniform Standards table and spend time educating new hires on uniform standards, and packing tips.

Dena teaches an hour-long Uniform lecture (for women) on day 4 of initial training class and participates in fitting sessions to ensure proper sizing for the new hires.

Dena is responsible for the Uniform Fit room at Flt Ops and created branded signs; ensuring sizes are available and properly organized.

Next up for Dena, and select members of the committee, is wear testing of the new uniform this fall!