Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee Meeting Recap – October 2026

On Thursday, October 22, members of our Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC) 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 Debi Wallstrom (ANC), Baron Lee (HNL), Bryce Sarmiento (pmAS LAX), Kahea Alvarez (pmHA LAX/SEA), Kalin Lackey (PDX), David Lake (pmAS SEA), Eva Gatus (SAN), Brad Young (SFO), MEC ASHSC Vice Chairperson Kerri Ruiz, MEC ASHSC Vice Chairperson Brad Young, and MEC ASHSC Chairperson Seth Heiple.

The Committee met with several members of management including Managing Director of Inflight Safety, Standards, and Training Randy Katz; Director of Inflight Safety, Standards, & Compliance Rhonda Jordan; Senior Inflight Experience Program Manager Matthew Coder; Inflight Duty Program Manager Ken Hawkins; Manager of Inflight Safety Programs Johanna Giese; Director of Inflight Training, Development, and Delivery Jesse Sexton; and Manager of Inflight ANC Base Operations Elias Barrera Lomeli.

The next scheduled Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee meeting will take place January 28, 2027.

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):

• Inflight Duty Managers (IFDM): The ASHSC heard from Ken Hawkins on the IFDM program. Six IFDMs, all previous Flight Attendants, now staff the company’s Network Operations Center (NOC) around the clock, building cases, coordinating with Crew Scheduling and EAP, and proactively reaching out to Flight Attendants after significant events. IFDMs are not Crew Scheduling and won’t extend your duty day. The ASHSC asked that information on how and when to reach out to IFDMs go out in a bulletin.
• Aisle Armrest Position for Taxi, Takeoff and Landing: The lowered-armrest requirement for taxi, takeoff, and landing currently applies only to the 737 fleet in the FAM. The Committee believes lowered aisle armrests during taxi, takeoff, and landing is the safest practice across all fleets and is asking the company to expand the requirement and confirm it will be required on all aircraft in the next FAM revision. It’s likely the requirement on pmHA aircraft was removed from the FAM in error.
• Automated Fasten Seatbelt Sign PRAM Announcement: The ASHSC is requesting an automated passenger announcement tied to Fasten Seat Belt sign illumination across all fleets, including the 787 and 737, to reduce task saturation for Flight Attendants and ensure passengers hear the announcement when the fasten seatbelt sign is turned on.
• 787 OFAR Crew Rest Linen Storage: Used linen bags tied to the wall handle in the center well/stair area are blocking the pass-through and compromising egress. Management is forming a working group to find a better storage solution, including possibly using an overhead bin for linens.
• Pulse Oximeter in EE Kits: A finger pulse oximeter is included in the 2027 budget as part of a broader emergency equipment assessment. It’s not yet confirmed whether a glucometer, digital cuff, or enhanced stethoscope will also be added.
• B2B Messaging Misuse: The ASHSC raised concerns that Customer Service Agents are using B2B as a documentation tool rather than for real-time communication, causing time-sensitive messages from Flight Attendants to be lost. Management agrees this isn’t appropriate use and will follow up with Airport Operations & Customer Service (AOCS) about the issue.
• Portable Oxygen Bottle (POB) Policy: The ASHSC is asking management to consider changing the policy to require us to place used POBs in garbage bags, since they may still contain usable oxygen for a decompression event. Instead, we could put a new mask on a used bottle with remaining oxygen.
• Exit Row Criteria for Braces/Boots: FAM and safety card language is no longer clear on whether a passenger wearing a brace or boot can sit in an exit row. The ASHSC is asking that the clarification be restored.
• Uniform Cold Weather Needs: The ASHSC asked Inflight Safety and Compliance management to help us ensure functional hoods, water-resistant outerwear, and adequate cold-weather warmth is maintained in our uniform program.
• Tight Connection Times: The ASHSC raised concerns that connection times as short as 30 minutes are creating anxiety and rushing. Connection scheduling should better reflect realistic deplane-to-boarding-gate transit time.
• ZEP Air Freshener (Formaldehyde): The newer onboard ZEP air freshener carries a formaldehyde warning label. The Committee is asking management to identify an alternative product.
• WHCR Battery Thermal Runaway: The ASHSC asked whether current fire-containment bags are adequate for the larger lithium-ion batteries used in wheelchair/mobility devices, and whether the FAM provides sufficient procedural guidance. A company working group is looking into containment and training.
• WHCR Battery Stowage: The ASHSC noted that current policy requires these large batteries to be stowed in the overhead bin, which appears inconsistent with guidance for other lithium-ion devices. Management is reviewing regulatory guidance on the safest stowage location.
• Personal Air Fresheners Onboard: The ASHSC asked for a reminder that the use of personal air fresheners, including in lavatories, is not permitted per the FAM.
• Cabin Class Divider Head-Strike Hazard: A significant number of head-strike injuries have been documented on the Row 6 class divider on the 737 fleet. The ASHSC is asking management to move the divider forward and to review how new cabin components are assessed for interaction with passengers and crew.
• Evacuation Command Alignment with CEP/QRG: The ASHSC flagged that the new evacuation commands launching in January don’t align with the existing printed CEP and digital QRG. Both will be updated to reflect the new commands.
• Manual Release Tool (MRT): Paperclips, the current workaround for releasing the secondary barrier in a decompression, have proven difficult to use in practice. The ASHSC continues to push for a dedicated tool at every jumpseat.
• Broken Glassware Disposal: New glassware has resulted in increased breakage. A small whisk broom and dustpan will be added to the 737 fleet starting January 2027.
• Inflight Phone Calls Over Wi-Fi: With the Starlink rollout, the ASHSC is requesting a clear policy and a possible passenger announcement stating that voice calls (Teams, Zoom, etc.) are not permitted from the closure of the boarding door until the aircraft leaves the runway after landing.
• Boarding Without Full Cabin Power: The Committee continues to push for clear FAM guidance defining “full power” for boarding and advocates that the definition include power to the PA, interphone, and lavatories.

Things The Committee Is Working On

1. Scout Reporting App Rollout: Management launched Scout, its new AI-based safety reporting system, earlier than planned and describes it as a minimum viable product (MVP). We don’t believe it meets even that standard. Our CBA requires AFA to have access to all Flight Attendant safety reports, yet Scout launched without providing AFA with that access. Scout also lacks a basic feature: Flight Attendants cannot view their own reports after submitting them. We are pressing the company to fix both gaps, and we are collecting feedback on other issues with the system. If you’ve run into problems with Scout, please let your Local ASHSC know. The company is still accepting reports through ReportIt! (pmAS) and INTELEX (pmHA).

2. Transition Training and Cross-Fleet Certification: The Committee is reviewing transition training to make sure it is adequate and effective as procedures are harmonized and new aircraft types are introduced. The goal is to certify pmHA Flight Attendants on the 737 and pmAS Flight Attendants on the 787, A321, and A330, which will allow cross-fleeting post-JCBA. Transition training will first be delivered to a proving group of pmAS Flight Attendants, who will perform the mini-evacuations and dry ditchings needed to certify the 787, A321, and A330 in February 2027. Per our CBA, the MEC ASHSC Chairperson will be present for the certification, supporting the Flight Attendants participating and observing the demonstrations.

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.