Whether you’re pushing a fully loaded cart down the aisle, organizing a packed galley, or delivering an overly complicated service on an extra-busy flight, every Flight Attendant has had that moment: glancing at the published service in the OSH and wondering, “Did anyone actually test this?”
To shed light on what really happens behind the scenes, MEC Communications Committee Chairperson Brian Palmer sat down for a candid, in-depth conversation with our two MEC Inflight Service Committee Chairpersons: Chase Vandergrift (representing the Alaska brand) and Bianca McKee (representing the Hawaiian brand).
Together, they offer an insider’s perspective on advocacy, break down the real-world challenges of service feasibility, explain why official Block2Block (B2B) data is our Committee’s greatest leverage, and deliver key updates on major topics—like the pre-merger Alaska switch back to 12-ounce soda cans and the pre-merger Hawaiian Boeing 787 service grievance.
What You’ll Discover in This Interview
Our Inflight Service Committee serves as the bridge between our frontline realities on the aircraft and management’s marketing and operational planning. In this interview, Chase and Bianca share how our Committee safeguards our daily work environment:
- Real-World Feasibility vs. Management Concepts: How our Committee evaluates galley packing, cart weights, stage lengths, and works to ensure every published service procedure is safe, realistic, and doable with the resources provided to us.
- The Power of Verifiable Data: Why company channels like Yammer and informal social media venting leave our Committee empty-handed, and how filing official Block2Block reports on your IMD equips our Representatives with documented evidence to compel management to resolve persistent catering errors.
- Alaska Brand Inflight Service Updates: How our Committee is working to make sure management’s service band proposals don’t end up with unrealistic expectations of our crews, and how the Committee is standing firm on our position on passing out unopened beverage cans with ice when can size switches back to 12 ounces.
- Hawaiian Boeing 787 Service Grievance: Why holding management legally accountable to contractual requirements for mutual agreement before implementing service changes is essential to protecting negotiated rights across our combined airlines.
Watch Now
Pull up a chair and join Chase, Bianca, and Brian for an open conversation about how our Inflight Service Committee works to protect working conditions for every Flight Attendant at Alaska and Hawaiian.
Get Involved & Be Part Of Our Advocacy
Our Union’s advocacy is only as strong as the data and participation we receive from you. Every Block2Block report you submit on your IMD empowers our Committee to hold management accountable and push for real, practical improvements onboard.
Connect with our Committee to stay informed and involved:
- File Block2Block Reports: Document catering errors, missing items, galley packing issues, and service pain points directly on your IMD after every flight.
- Connect With Your Local Committee: Reach out to your Local Inflight Service Committee to share service feedback or ask questions about service standards.
- Stay Updated: Visit afaalaska.org/inflightservice for regular committee updates and resources.
- Volunteer With Our Union: Learn how you can lend a hand and support fellow Flight Attendants by visiting afaalaska.org/volunteer.
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