Your Air Matters!

Do you know how to identify if you’ve breathed ventilation air contaminated with either oil or hydraulic fluid fumes? Are you aware of how important it is to seek immediate treatment if you’re showing symptoms of exposure? This month your Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC) presents Your Air Matters, a campaign designed to ensure that everyone knows how to identify possible signs of breathing these fumes onboard and the importance of seeking immediate treatment if you develop symptoms.

How Can I Identify Contaminated Cabin Air?

Is the unusual smell coming from the vents, or is it sourced to something in the cabin like galley equipment or a carryon? Though smoke or haze might be present, most incidents involving oil or hydraulic fumes only involve the presence of fumes (odor) in the cabin supply air without any visible smoke or haze. Characteristic odors include dirty socks, mold, old cheese, heated garbage, chemicals, or an electrical-like scent. Quickly try to identify where the fumes are coming from and what they smell like, and notify the pilots.

If You’re Showing Symptoms, Seek Treatment Immediately!

Time is of the essence if you’ve breathed those kinds of fumes. It is crucial to see a physician as soon as possible after a potential exposure. If you have symptoms of exposure to carbon monoxide (which can be present in the fumes) then you need to get your blood tested, ideally within a few hours.

Seeking immediate care also allows you to establish a medical history and begin treatment for your symptoms. A physician will be able to evaluate and create a timely record of your symptoms. By having an understanding of your health soon after exposure, this could assist with treatment options if your symptoms persist or worsen over time.

Know Where to Get Help

In the event that you need to use this information, you’ll want to know how to access it quickly.

Keep It with You

Pick up an air quality quick reference card from your base. Keep the card with your badge or in your purse or wallet in case you need it. You can also print your own card.

Find It On Your IMD or Mobile Phone

Open Safari
Type afaalaska.org in the menu bar
Click “air quality exposure info” from the menu on the front page

Keep an eye on the AFA Alaska Facebook page and Twitter feed for more information about aircraft air quality throughout the month. If you have any questions, your Local Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee Members can help. Find their contact information on the ASHSC page of the AFA Alaska website.

In Solidarity,

Your MEC – Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Yvette Satterlee, Lisa Pinkston, Laura Masserant, Cathy Gwynn, Sandra Morrow, Stephen Couckuyt; LEC Presidents-Elect Timothy Green and Brice McGee; and MEC ASHSC Chairperson Seth Heiple

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 […]

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.

This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants On Tuesday, March 24, our pre-merger Alaska AFA Scheduling Committee Chairpersons and Representatives met virtually to discuss their ongoing work to represent our Flight Attendants and push for improvements in our workplace. Representing you at the meeting were Rebekah Olds (ANC), Rita Tillou (SEA), Melodie Anderes (PDX), […]

On Thursday, March 19, our AFA Local Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC) 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 Bradley Young (SFO), Carin Merritt (LAX pmAS), David Lake (SEA pmAS), Deb Wallstrom (ANC), Eva Gatus […]

The Negotiating Committee continues to advocate for clear and consistent guidelines regarding moving expenses and reimbursement for Flight Attendants. Despite management’s refusal to participate in recent meetings, the committee remains committed to addressing members’ concerns and ensuring contractual compliance. As the grievance process moves forward, Flight Attendants are encouraged to document their interactions and stay engaged in upcoming opportunities to seek clarification from management.

Your Air Matters!

How Can I Identify Contaminated Cabin Air?