On Wednesday, July 15, our Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC) representatives met virtually to discuss ongoing safety concerns, operational challenges, policy updates, and workplace improvements impacting Flight Attendants across the operation. Representing you at the meeting were Deb Wallstrom (ANC), David Lake (SEA), Kalin Lackey (PDX), Bradley Young (SFO and MEC ASHSC Vice Chairperson), Kahea Alvarez (LAX pmHA), Carin Merritt (LAX pmAS), Bryce Sarmiento (LAX pmAS), Bri Shaw (LAX pmAS), Eva Gatus (SAN), Barron Lee (HNL), MEC ASHSC Vice Chairperson Kerri Ruiz, and MEC ASHSC Chairperson Seth Heiple.
The Committee met with several members of Inflight leadership and Safety management, including Heidi Stiley (Cabin Safety & Compliance Manager), Matthew Coder (Senior Inflight Experience Program Manager), Wendy Kong (Senior Inflight Experience Program Manager), Ken Hawkins (Inflight Duty Program Manager), Nicky Sagum (Manager of Safety Compliance), Lavesh Bhatia (Inflight Policy & Procedure Specialist), Shari Hinshaw (Manager of Inflight Policy & Procedures) and base management representatives Aron Kahn (LAX Manager of Base Operations) and Benito Pasia-Garcia (Director of Inflight Base Operations).
The next scheduled Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee meeting will take place hosted by the SEA ASHSC on August 27
Topics of Discussion
The Committee reviewed several items when meeting with management. Some items discussed include (items which are Security Sensitive Information are not included):
- Onboard Wheelchair Stowage: The Committee raised concerns that storing auxiliary supplies (gloves, soap, hand sanitizer) in the wheelchair compartment obstructs the space when the chair is removed, making re-storage difficult. Management is replacing the current wheelchair with a new design and will look at the stowage of other items in the 737 celling bins as part of this process.
- Catering Consistency – Ice in G1: The Committee noted that ice stowed in the drawer in the G1 is leaking into the forward galley and flight deck during descent when no liner is used in the drawer. Management responded that this is a catering error and asked for Flight Attendant write-ups when liners are missing to support the case; a newsletter reminder was also issued recommending that ice be used first, as it causes issues when melted.
- Broken Glass Disposal: With new glassware leading to increased breakage, the Committee discussed the need for a consistent, harmonized policy for safe disposal. Hawaiian carries a dustpan and whisk broom onboard; Alaska’s policy is less defined, though FAM language directs broken glass to be placed in a puncture-resistant bag. Management is working towards adding a dustpan and a whisk broom to the 737 fleet.
- Required Briefings Communication: The Committee discussed instances of required briefings (CRS, UMs, 3-point) being missed prior to door closure. Management agreed to address cleaner cabin-ready communication and area-of-responsibility training through the cabin door closing working group.
- Fumes in the LDMCR: A crew reported chemical fumes both during takeoff and later in flight in the lower crew rest area, with one crew member experiencing chest tightness and headache. Management is following up with Maintenance and Cargo to identify the source; Management emphasized that we can contact MedAire for assessment when we have symptoms.
- Hot Beverage Temperature Safety: The Committee raised ongoing burn-risk concerns related to hot water and coffee temperatures. Management confirmed water temperature is regulated by a thermostatic switch, checked during scheduled overhaul inspections, and cannot be manually lowered without affecting brew quality. A new cup design compatible with tablet/cup holders is being launched; adding lids to cups was discussed, but will not be adopted at this time.
- A321 Pneumatic Lav Door Closer: Reports indicate the pneumatic lav door closer, connected to the lav wall and folding door on the A321, may be being detached by cleaning crews and not reattached, causing the door to swing freely and creating a pinch/cut risk during reattachment. The fleet manager confirmed that cleaning staff should not be handling this mechanism and will send a reminder communication.
- Fish Odor/Cargo Contamination Incident: There has been an uptick in the smell of rotting fish in aircraft cabins this summer, leading to air quality issues. The Committee asked for a standardized process for handling spills of this nature, better tools at all cargo-handling stations (not just HNL/SEA), and improved acceptance criteria for seafood when shipped.
- Intelex Reporting System Issues: Multiple Flight Attendants reported login issues, lockouts, and app glitches, discouraging incident reporting. Management suggested utilizing the desktop version or emailing the crew can email inflightreports@alaskaair.com if the app doesn’t work.
- Jumpseating Guidance (Boeing 737-700 Series Aircraft): The Committee identified unclear FAM language regarding jumpseater seat assignments on 737-700-series aircraft. Management agreed that clarification is needed and will work to update the manual with specific seating guidance.
Things The Committee Is Working On
- Cabin Secure Procedures: After the addition of the cabin-ready concept for boarding door closure and adding a cabin secure compliance check after door arming, there hasn’t been a clear indicator for the FFA / A Flight Attendant to know that the cabin is secure. We’ve been working with Inflight Policy and Procedure to develop a better system to ensure the cabin is ready for surface movement and to eliminate the current confusion around the process.
- Bulletins and Alerts Timing: Effective June 24, management changed when Flight Attendants must review bulletins and alerts. Per the manual, Flight Attendants must now ensure that all alerts, bulletins, and FAM revisions/EIBs are updated and read, and that required training is completed, after check-in but prior to boarding the aircraft. We are advocating that management restore the previous policy, requiring bulletins to be checked 24 hours prior to reporting for duty, which gave Flight Attendants adequate time to read and understand this information.
We Want to Hear From You!
If you’ve encountered any safety-related issues at work, you can help the Committee advocate for improvement and change by submitting a report:
- pmHA: Use INTELEX to submit In-Flight Incident Reports (including fatigue and injury) and Hawaiian Safety Action Program (HSAP) reports.
- pmAS: Use ReportIt! to submit FAIRs (including Fatigue reports), ASAP reports, and Employee Injury Reports (EIR).
If you need clarification or assistance on what type of report to file, please get in touch with a member of your Local ASHSC.
Your Local ASHSC is always ready to represent your voice to management. Please don’t hesitate to let us know about any issues or concerns you want us to bring forward. We would also love to hear any other feedback you may have for the Committee. You can find our contact information on the ASHSC page of the AFA Alaska + Hawaiian website.
