This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants
On Tuesday, August 26, our AFA Scheduling Committee Chairpersons/Representatives met 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), Jaqui Bellenie (SFO), Kanako Yamado (LAX), and Kitty Cohen (SAN). Also present were Council 35 (SFO) Hotel Committee Chairperson Hilary Streem, MEC Scheduling Committee Vice Chairperson—Pairing Construction Karen Ferrell, MEC Scheduling Committee Vice Chairperson—PBS Virginia Fritz, and MEC Scheduling Committee Chairperson Jake Jones.
The committee met with Managing Director of Inflight Operations & Crew Scheduling Sara Cook, Senior Crew Planning Analyst Christopher Potts, Inflight Crew Scheduling Supervisor Matthew Trujillo, Manager of Crew Pay Debbie Bakke, Crew Hotels Specialist Nichole Turner, Manager of Flight Crew Systems Support Sue Rawlings and other management representatives from Crew Planning, Crew Hotels and Crew Scheduling
The Committee is next scheduled to meet in person on Tuesday, September 23.
Topics of Discussion
The Committee reviewed several topics during internal AFA-only conversations and when meeting with management. Some items discussed include:
Crew Backlog Review: The Committee thoroughly analyzed the crew backlog as of August 7, 2025. They identified critical areas where contractual changes are needed, bugs must be fixed, JIRAs updated, and priorities renumbered in our system operations to enhance functionality, automation, and contractual compliance. The Committee stressed the urgency of addressing these issues to prevent further disruptions and ensure crew members’ systems are correctly programmed.
Crew Bi-Monthly Review with ALPA: The outcomes of the bi-monthly review with ALPA on July 23, 2025, were discussed in detail. Key topics included collaborative strategies to address ITS system conflicts, improving communication between management and crew members, and aligning system needs with the crew member experience. The Committee highlighted the significance of these discussions in fostering a cooperative environment that prioritizes both parties’ contractual and programming needs.
Fatigue Review Board Meetings: The Committee outlined the agenda for the upcoming Fatigue Review Board meetings scheduled through December 2025. These meetings will focus on addressing the increasing concerns regarding crew fatigue reported by members. The Committee plans to collect data on fatigue incidents, discuss mitigation strategies, and evaluate current policies to enhance crew well-being. The importance of these discussions lies in their potential to lead to actionable changes that prioritize safety and crew health.
Local Chairperson Reports:
PDX (Portland)
- Day Room Issues: Flight Attendants have reported difficulties securing day rooms after long international flights, often facing delays and inadequate communication regarding accommodations. The Committee will investigate these incidents to enhance support systems for crew members during layovers and ensure that hotel arrangements are handled efficiently.
- Banking Challenges: Increased passenger volumes at the airport have led to operational strain, particularly during peak hours. The Committee is aware of the challenges crew members face in navigating airport facilities and is exploring logistical improvements to ease congestion and enhance the flying experience at PDX.
SAN (San Diego)
- Double Out Rest Clarification: The Committee discussed the nuances of contractual provisions regarding double-out rest for flight attendants.
- Jumpseat Assignment Policy: A review of the jump seat assignment process highlighted the need for more straightforward guidelines regarding seniority-based assignments. The Committee will work with management on developing a transparent policy that ensures fairness in the allocation of jump seats, addressing concerns raised by Flight Attendants.
ANC (Anchorage)
- Open Time Reporting: The Committee reviewed Open Time reporting metrics and operational challenges faced by crew members. Addressing this system outage is crucial for maintaining crew flexibility. The Committee is working on resolutions with Alaska ITS and Jeppesen, the vendor.
LAX (Los Angeles)
- IT Concerns: Ongoing IT issues were addressed, including delays in release times and hotel accommodations. The Committee is working closely with IT support teams to resolve these issues, aiming to improve the overall experience for crew members during layovers and operational changes.
SFO (San Francisco)
- Communication Protocols: The need for clearer communication regarding crew transitions from working to deadheading was emphasized. The Committee plans to establish protocols that ensure timely notifications to crew members, reducing confusion and improving operational efficiency.
SEA (Seattle)
- Reassignment Clarification: A significant number of reassignments and pre-cancellations have raised questions about pay and provisions. The Committee seeks more straightforward guidelines and support mechanisms to assist crew members in navigating these changes effectively.
PBS Subcommittee
- Bidding Process: The Subcommittee reported on the current bidding trends for August and September, noting minor fluctuations in awards. Adjustments were made to ensure compliance with labor agreements, and efforts are ongoing to address any discrepancies.
- NAVBLUE Issues: Ongoing meetings with NAVBLUE have focused on addressing technical failures and functional requests. The Subcommittee is committed to resolving these issues to enhance the bidding and scheduling process for crew members.
- Releases Timeline: Upcoming software releases are planned for September and November, emphasizing incorporating Member feedback into system improvements. These updates aim to enhance the overall user experience and address existing pain points.
ITS Update
- Testing and Automation: The automation initiative is progressing, with the introduction of new test cases aimed at enhancing the efficiency of the PBS system. The Committee is prioritizing robust testing to ensure reliability before implementation.
- Crew Calendar Development: The crew calendar and personal drop form are undergoing user acceptance training, with a targeted rollout by early October. Ensuring a smooth transition to the new system is a priority for the Committee.
- JCTE Issues: The committee continues to collaborate with vendors to address recurring issues with the JCTE system, focusing on improving reliability and minimizing disruptions for crew members.
Flight Attendant Crew Pay Update
- Inquiry Management: The committee is actively addressing the increase in crew pay inquiries, emphasizing the importance of submitting queries judiciously to avoid system overload. Educational resources will be provided to help crew members navigate the pay inquiry process effectively.
- Trend Analysis: An upward trend in pay inquiries has been observed, prompting a comprehensive review of existing processes to improve efficiency. The Committee aims to streamline communication regarding pay issues to serve crew members better.
Flight Attendant Crew Planning Update
- Staffing Metrics: The Committee is analyzing planned reserve staffing levels and block hours to ensure alignment with operational demands. Adjustments will be made as necessary to optimize crew utilization.
- Irregular Operations Mitigation Strategies: The Committee is focusing on enhancing connection times and scheduling practices to minimize delays and improve operational reliability. Specific strategies include analyzing connection times and addressing known issues at key airports.
Flight Attendant Crew Scheduling Update
- Sick Leave Monitoring: The Committee is closely monitoring sick leave trends, focusing on improving reserve utilization rates and addressing fatigue-related concerns. Strategies will be developed to ensure adequate staffing while prioritizing crew members’ health.
- Policy Review: Ongoing reviews of policies regarding deadheading and hotel accommodations aim to provide more straightforward guidelines and enhance crew support. The Committee is committed to ensuring crew members have access to the resources they need while on duty.
What The Committee Is Working On
- Crew Access Issues: Crew Access challenges significantly affect how well operations run, influencing how Flight Attendants feel about their work. It’s crucial to tackle these problems to create a better working environment. The committee will set up a review process to pinpoint the specific access difficulties faced by Flight Attendants, including technology problems and policy gaps. Flight Attendants will have the chance to provide their feedback through direct communication. A preliminary report outlining the findings and suggestions is expected by early September 2025, and actions to address these issues will begin soon after.
- Resolving Pyramiding Pay Disputes: Finding a solution to the pay dispute related to pyramiding is vital for maintaining fairness in how Flight Attendants are compensated. Disagreements about over-duty pay and day-off violations can seriously affect crew morale and operational integrity. The committee will keep discussing the matter through the Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR) process to clarify payment rules and ensure they are followed. They will gather information from Flight Attendants affected by these issues to guide their discussions. An update on the progress and any resolutions will be shared with Members by the end of September 2025, aiming for a settlement soon after. Management and AFA will explore other options, like mediation or arbitration, if an agreement cannot be reached.
- ISA for Reserves Implementation: The ineligibility for self-assignment (ISA) for Reserve Flight Attendants is an important step toward fairer and more transparent scheduling practices. This change is crucial for boosting crew satisfaction and efficiency. The Committee will work quickly to finalize this new system by working with the IT department and other relevant management to implement the necessary changes to the scheduling system. They will also develop ways to keep Flight Attendants informed about the updates. The next Crew Access release, which will include ISA implementation allowing Reserve Flight Attendant to Reserve Flight Attendant trading, is expected to be available in early October 2025, after all testing has been completed.
We Want to Hear From You!
Whether you have feedback for the Committee, concerns to share, or items you’d like brought up with management – don’t hesitate to let us know. Your Local Scheduling Committee is here to be your voice to management. You can easily open a support ticket on the AFA Alaska Online Support Center or directly contact us using the information provided on the Scheduling Committee page of the AFA Alaska website.
