AFA Alaska

Representing the Flight Attendants of Alaska + Hawaiian

Click here to report an issue to AFA
Menu
  • Local Councils
    • Anchorage (Council 30)
      • Officers
      • Committees
    • Honolulu (Council 43)
    • Los Angeles (Council 18/pmAS)
      • Officers
      • Committees
      • Los Angeles (Council 47/pmHA)
        • Officers
      • Portland (Council 39)
        • Officers
        • Committees
      • San Diego (Council 15)
        • Officers
        • Committees
        • Seattle (Council 19)
          • Officers
          • Committees
        • San Francisco (Council 35)
          • Officers
          • Committees

        • More About Local Councils >>
        Close
      • Master Executive Council
        • Officers
        • Close
      • Committees
          • Air Safety, Health, & Security (ASHSC)
            • Air Quality
          • Benefits
          • Communications
          • Employee Assistance Program & Professional Standards
          • Government Affairs
          • Grievance
          • Hotel
          • Human Rights & Equity
          • Inflight Service
          • Inflight Training
          • Membership
          • Membership Engagement
          • Reserve
          • Retirement
          • Scheduling
            • Pairing Construction
            • Preferential Bidding System (PBS)
          • Uniform

        • More About Committees >>
        Close
      • Contract
          • Contract Home
            • 2025 Alaska TA2 (Ratified)
            • 2018 Alaska JCBA
            • 2020 Hawaiian Contract
            • Ask Contract Questions
          • Contract Resources
          • Alaska Contract Negotiations (2022-2025)
        • Close
      • Resources
          • What To Do If You Encounter Contaminated Cabin Air
          • Issues & Campaigns
          • Newsroom
            • AFA News Now
          • Event Calendar
          • Membership Services
          • New Members
          • About
          • Links
          Close
        • Merger
          • Joint Negotiating Committee
          • Close
        • Contact Us
        You are here: Home / Latest News / AFA News Now / Pairing Construction 101

        Pairing Construction 101

        October 25, 2024 13:00

        Scheduling Committee

        • Pairing Construction Process: The AFA Pairing Analyst and Company Crew Planners use metrics like hotel costs, layover times, and duty limits to build pairings each month, but the optimizer often prioritizes crew utilization over pairing quality or Flight Attendant preferences.
        • Challenges and Evolution: Changes in flight schedules, new routes, and the optimizer’s focus on maximizing duty days have led to less desirable pairings, though efforts are being made to reduce four-day pairings and balance costs with quality.
        • Selection and Reporting: Both the AFA Analyst and crew planners submit pairing solutions for review, with management making the final selection. The chosen solution is analyzed, and a detailed report is shared with flight attendants.

        Introduction to the Pairing Process

        Pairing construction is a complex process that occurs every month to create the work schedules, or “pairings,” that Flight Attendants will operate. A team consisting of four individuals—three Company Crew Planners and one AFA Pairing Analyst—work together to build these pairings. Karen Ferrell, our AFA Pairing Analyst and the Scheduling Committee Vice Chairperson-Pairing Construction, is an Anchorage-based Flight Attendant who flies between 50 to 70 TFP per month, ensuring a deep understanding of the challenges and frustrations Flight Attendants face regarding pairing quality.

        Several factors impact the construction of pairings each month, some of which are outside the planners’ control. Factors such as red-eye flying, additional destinations, or changes to flight schedules contribute to variations in pairing structures. One of the most significant influences is the optimizer, a software program that builds pairings with the goal of maximizing Flight Attendant utilization. Unfortunately, this often results in multiple-leg days and minimal layover times, provided the pairings remain contractually legal.

        Role of the Optimizer

        The optimizer plays a key role in how pairings are constructed. Its primary function is to maximize efficiency, often with little regard for factors such as layover time, pairing value, or quality of life for Flight Attendants. For instance, if the optimizer can create a legal pairing that includes multiple long workdays with short layovers, it will do so to maximize crew utilization. While planners can implement certain “locks” and “penalties” to influence the optimizer’s output, these adjustments often come with increased costs. Moreover, the undesirable pairings still need to be assigned to someone.

        Evolution of Flying at Alaska Airlines

        Many Flight Attendants express concerns about losing the type of flying they were accustomed to holding. However, the flying at Alaska Airlines has changed significantly over the years and continues to evolve. Changes to flight schedules, new destinations, and route planning decisions can drastically alter pairing structures. Small shifts, such as a flight’s departure time being adjusted by a few minutes, can lead to new connections and different pairing configurations.

        The optimizer frequently utilizes these changes to build multi-day, multi-leg pairings, maximizing duty days for Flight Attendants without considering the quality or desirability of the pairings. Additionally, while total hotel costs are included in cost analysis, the optimizer doesn’t focus on creating high-value pairings or accommodating Flight Attendants who prefer “high time, more efficient” pairings. The focus remains on maximizing crew usage, even if it leads to more undesirable pairings.

        Balancing Costs and Desirability

        To address the issue of undesirable pairings, planners have started placing penalties on four-day pairings to minimize their occurrence. This shift represents a small victory in improving pairing quality. While cost savings are important, the company has recognized that pairing configurations designed to maximize utilization can result in greater long-term costs when undesirable pairings remain open, requiring additional resources to cover them.

        In July 2024 alone, there were 47,120 individual flights, resulting in approximately 8,900 pairings across the system. With over 6,900 Flight Attendants spread across six bases, each with unique preferences for “desirable pairings,” it’s impossible to eliminate all undesirable pairings or cater to every individual’s preference. Desirability varies significantly, with some Flight Attendants preferring turns, while others prioritize long layovers, single-leg days, or commutability.

        Role of the AFA Pairing Analyst

        The AFA Pairing Analyst works closely with the Master Executive Council (MEC) to guide the pairing-building process. Each month, the analyst collects input from Local Executive Council Presidents (LECPs) and Scheduling Chairs on what constitutes “desirable pairings” for their bases. This input, often based on seasonal flying, helps to ensure that the greatest number of Flight Attendants benefit from the pairings. While this information is shared with company crew planners, only the top three requests from each base are typically considered.

        When building solutions, the AFA Pairing Analyst analyzes whether the optimizer has naturally built any of these requested pairings. If not, the analyst may manually adjust the solutions, keeping cost constraints in mind. However, if the analyst’s solution is significantly more expensive than the company’s, it is unlikely to be selected.

        Metrics Used in Pairing Construction

        Both the crew planners and the AFA Pairing Analyst input various metrics into the optimizer to build pairing solutions. These metrics include:

        • Hotel costs and per diem
        • Aircraft swaps
        • Minimum and maximum layover times
        • Maximum duty day
        • Sit Pay
        • Soft time (e.g., minimum pay rules like Multi-day Sequence Minimum, Duty Period Minimum, etc.)
        • Penalties for trip length
        • Red-eye flights with End of Duty (no additional flying after all-nighter flights until after legal rest.)
        • Hard and soft locks for specific pairing configurations
        • Deadheads and other contractual or Federal Aviation Regulation (FAR) requirements

        These metrics are essential in shaping the final pairing solutions, with each party adjusting parameters to influence the results.

        How Is a Pairing Solution Chosen?

        Each month, the AFA Pairing Analyst and Crew Planners submit their pairing solutions for consideration. The Crew Planning department creates a cost comparison document that outlines the financial implications of each solution. While the AFA Pairing Analyst has input in the selection process, management has final authority over which solution is chosen.

        For transparency, the cost comparison document is also shared with MEC officers, although it is confidential and requires the AFA Pairing Analyst to sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) to view it.

        Post-Solution Review and Reporting

        Once management confirms the selected solution, the AFA Pairing Analyst reviews the pairings for each domicile and writes a monthly pairing report. This detailed review typically takes two to three hours and includes a thorough examination of the final pairing configurations. After completing the report, the analyst forwards it to Crew Planning, which adds statistical information such as average TFP per duty period, average sit time, and other key metrics.

        The finalized “Pairing Report and Statistics” is then distributed to Flight Attendants via Outlook, ensuring transparency and communication regarding the monthly pairing process.

        Print Friendly, PDF & Email

        Filed Under: AFA News Now, Pairing Construction Tagged With: pairing construction, pairings

        Need Help?

        Have an issue or concern to report to AFA?  Click here to access the AFA Alaska online support center.

        Latest News

        • AFA News in Review – October 10, 2025
        • SEA Domicile Negotiations – October 2025
        • Protecting Yourself From Drug-Facilitated Sexual Assault
        • Government Affairs Committee Update – 4th Quarter 2025
        • Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee Meeting Recap – 4th Quarter 2025
        • AFA News in Review – October 3, 2025
        • Joint Contract Negotiations Session 7 – September 2025
        • Refreshed Inflight Mobile Device (IMD) Distribution
        • AFA News in Review – September 26, 2025
        • Scheduling Committee Meeting Recap – September 2025

        SEA Domicile Negotiations – October 2025

        October 9, 2025

        The recent meetings of the SEA Domicile Negotiating Committee in Seattle and Honolulu highlighted both progress and persistent challenges in negotiations with management. While there has been advancement on some issues, significant concerns remain. Key topics under discussion include the transfer processes, return options to HNL or LAX, staffing, moving expenses, and safeguarding existing bases. Our committee prepares for the next round of negotiations in Seattle during the week of October 20.

        Protecting Yourself From Drug-Facilitated Sexual Assault

        October 8, 2025

        Understanding Drug-Facilitated Sexual Assault (DFSA) Drug-facilitated sexual assault (DFSA) involves the use of substances to incapacitate someone, making them vulnerable to sexual assault. These substances are often undetectable, having no color, taste, or smell, and can be easily added to drinks. Common Drugs Used in DFSA Important Note: Alcohol significantly enhances the effects of these drugs, […]

        Government Affairs Committee Update – 4th Quarter 2025

        October 7, 2025

        An update on what our Government Affairs Committee has been working on this quarter. Thank you to all our Members who remain engaged and to all our volunteers and Committee Members for dedicating their time representing our Members, advocating for the safety and advancement of our careers while strengthening our labor movement every single day […]

        Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee Meeting Recap – 4th Quarter 2025

        October 6, 2025

        This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants On Thursday, October 2, 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 Deb Wallstrom (ANC), David Lake (SEA), Kalin Lackey […]

        Joint Contract Negotiations Session 7 – September 2025

        October 3, 2025

        Our JNC made significant progress in shaping our JCBA, successfully reaching a Tentative Agreement on Section 13 – Uniforms. Key provisions include enhancements to uniform standards, ensuring protective measures such as no surnames on name tags from the Hawaiian CBA. While we continue discussions on various sections, including Air Safety Health and Security, Training, and Commuter Policy. We appreciate feedback from the 2207 Flight Attendants who participated in our recent Vacation Survey.

        Recent Posts

        • AFA News in Review – October 10, 2025
        • SEA Domicile Negotiations – October 2025
        • Protecting Yourself From Drug-Facilitated Sexual Assault
        • Government Affairs Committee Update – 4th Quarter 2025
        • Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee Meeting Recap – 4th Quarter 2025
        • AFA News in Review – October 3, 2025
        • Joint Contract Negotiations Session 7 – September 2025
        • Refreshed Inflight Mobile Device (IMD) Distribution
        • AFA News in Review – September 26, 2025
        • Scheduling Committee Meeting Recap – September 2025
        • Meet Our Pre-Merger Alaska Committee Chairperson & Representatives
        • Inflight Service Committee Meeting Recap – 3rd Quarter 2025
        • Vacation Survey Closing Soon
        • Meet Our Merged MEC Committee Chairpersons
        • Human Rights & Equity Committee Meeting Recap – 3rd Quarter 2025

        Local Councils

        • Anchorage
        • Honolulu
        • Los Angeles (pre-merger Alaska)
        • Los Angeles (pre-merger Hawaiian)
        • Portland
        • San Diego
        • San Francisco
        • Seattle

        Master Executive Council

        • MEC

        Negotiations

        • Contract 2022 Home
        • Negotiations News
        • TA2 Information

        Contract

        • Contract Home

        Committees

        • Air Safety, Health, & Security
        • Benefits
        • Communications
        • EAP/Professional Standards
        • Government Affairs
        • Grievance
        • Hotel
        • Human Rights
        • Inflight Service
        • Mobilization
        • Reserve
        • Retirement
        • Scheduling
        • Uniform

        News By Month

        News By Category

        AFA News Now Air Quality Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC) Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) AS/HA Merger AS/VX Merger Benefits Committee Committees Communications Committee Contract Contract 2014 Negotiations Blog Council 15 SAN Council 18 LAX Council 19 SEA Council 30 ANC Council 35 SFO Council 39 PDX EAP/Professional Standards Committee Extension 2021 Blog Featured Government Affairs Committee Grievance Committee Hotel Committee Human Rights & Equity Committee Industry News Inflight Service Committee Inflight Training Committee JNC Blog Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) Latest News Local Councils Master Executive Council (MEC) Membership Committee Membership Engagement Committee Message from the MEC President Mobilization Committee Negotiations Pairing Construction Preferential Bidding System (PBS) Press Releases Reserve Committee Retirement Committee Scheduling Committee Uniform Committee
        • Email
        • Facebook
        • Instagram
        • YouTube

        Want To Stay In The Loop?

        Stay up-to-date on AFA Alaska news and information by signing up for our email and text message updates. Click a button below to get started or update your preferences if you're already a subscriber.
        Sign Up for Emails
        Sign Up for Text Updates

        Connect With AFA

        • Contact Us
        • Online Support Center
        • AFA International
        • CWA
        • AFA Alaska Social Media Guidelines
        • AFA-CWA Mutual Respect Policy

        Copyright © 2013-2025 Alaska Airlines Master Executive Council, Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, AFL-CIO