Scheduling Committee Meeting Recap – December 2023

Scheduling Committee

• Our AFA Scheduling Committee Chairpersons met on Tuesday, December 26 to discuss their ongoing program of work to represent Flight Attendants interests related to lineholder scheduling.
• The Committee also met with management to receive updates and discuss issues and problems that Flight Attendants are experiencing with scheduling, pairings, and bidding.
• Your Local Scheduling Committee is available to answer questions, provide clarification, or help to resolve any lineholder scheduling-related issues. Please don’t hesitate to reach out!

On Tuesday, December 26, our AFA Scheduling Committee 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 Heather Reier (ANC), Jaqui Bellenie (SFO), Rita Tillou (SEA), Melodie Anderes (PDX), Kamako Yamado (LAX), and Kitty Cohen (SAN). Also present were MEC Scheduling Committee Vice Chairperson—Pairing Construction Karen Ferrell, MEC Scheduling Committee Vice Chairperson—PBS Virginia Fritz.

The committee met with Managing Director Inflight Operations & Crew Scheduling Allen Thieman, Manager of Crew Planning Trisha Bennett, and other management representatives from Crew Planning.

The Committee is next scheduled to meet on January 23, 2024.

Topics of Discussion

The committee reviewed a number of items both during internal AFA-only conversation and when meeting with management. Some items discussed include:

• There was one OT issue reported that resulted in the withholding of a trip for more than 15 minutes during a shift change. CS needs to follow up with schedulers regarding accountability. Flight Attendants may call regarding trips withheld under Section 12.E.1.d.
• SWGCO LOA implementation has improved with proactive steps to provide ride shares and hotels during severe weather. This is specific to recent events affecting the Anchorage base.
• There is a known issue with the co-terminals filter not receiving text alerts.
• It was reported earlier in the month that the personal calendar is not syncing with crew access. This appears to be resolved. 
• Reassignment issues for holiday pay. When Flight Attendants are reassigned or pay protected, provisions in Section 21.H can assist with understanding compensation. 
• Concerns with last minute hotel changes in CUN and other destinations. Crew members are picking up trips to layover at specific hotel locations. 
• Increase in reassignments and pre-cancellations. Flow Charts are available on the Scheduling Committee page of the AFA website. 
• Issues with base turns and crew pay reconciliation. If Flight Attendants combine or split trips, payroll will reconcile the base turn prior to the next pay cycle.
• The December PPP bonus, if applicable, pays $350. Review Section 21.R.
• Positive feedback received for the extended bidding period due to the PBS adjustment and contractual violation for January 2024 bid period. 
• PBS Bidding: The process was smooth until the 8th of December with a one (1) hour fifteen (15) minute outage. We received feedback that FAs would have appreciated a quicker response via email regarding the delay. Bid awards were difficult for reserves due to overstaffing. No confirmed evidence of the outage affecting bids.
• PBS Meetings: Various meetings held with our representatives regarding Adhoc and Navblue. Testing and installation of new releases ongoing.
• Payroll Updates: End of year concerns with FAs attempting to meet 480/960 TFP thresholds. Reassignments and questions regarding pay protection, flying above scheduled, and stranded pay.
• CBTs are due at the end of the month.
• ITS Update: PBS testing in progress with automation completed. JCTE testing for release in January with anticipated improvements in trading and performance.
• Vacation bidding under review for improvement for 2025 bidding.
• Work ongoing for B2B features.
• Demo of crew access while using a new function called buddy roster feature. More information to be provided when installed. Feature would allow you to opt in and share your roster with approved crew members (Flight Attendant or pilot).
• November 2023 was a good month with increased TSN and drop availability. In December we experienced more mechanical issues than usual and increased sick calls.
• Management has concerns about staffing and sick calls.
• Crew planning is beginning to work on March 2024 schedule planning and wants feedback on teaming.
• Working with API to try improving layover crews remain at the same hotels. 
• Line average for February 2024 around 77 TFP, while Reserve is around 19%.
• Staffing Adjustment Leave information provided and updated.

What The Committee Is Working On

1. NavBlue. The PBS Committee is seeking feedback on how they can improve their assistance to flight crews regarding bid awards and understanding results. They provided both in-person and virtual meetings for this purpose. They are looking at dates and times in February 2024 for in person and virtual meetings to assist with bidding. 
2. Pairings Survey: There is a discussion about conducting a survey on pairing construction, and there is a possibility of organizing a virtual session or town hall. A meeting with management occured June 5, 2023, with a follow-up meeting to be arranged. However, there is no update or estimated time of arrival (ETA) at the moment.
3. Teaming: Crew Planning is currently reviewing pairing construction and optimizing teaming strategies to minimize costs and ensure that crews (pilots and Flight Attendants) can stay together for multiple segments. Currently, the system teams around 10-15% of crews, but enhancements were made to increase this to 20-35% for winter operations. The changes were reflected in December pairings. Management provided communication regarding teaming. In December 2023, approximately 23% of sequences were teamed together, while 52% of duty periods were teamed. We didn’t receive any teaming information for January during the meeting today. 
4. In and Backs. Network/Crew Planning is reviewing initiatives to restart operations when crews are stranded and flights are canceled. The 2023/2024 IROPs plan was reviewed by Alaska management in September/October, creating opportunities to adjust flight schedules on the day of operations.
5. Chime Communications. Flight Attendants may chat with crew scheduling via app/Microsoft Teams to reduce phone calls. Flight Attendant-initiated contact. Early stages of development, to be discussed with AS Labor Relations and AFA. Testing and implementation to occur in the next few weeks. We are working on a letter of agreement for implementation. This is still pending review. 
6. Crew Scheduling. There was a monthly review of PowerPoint presentations that covered various aspects such as reserve utilization, detailed breakdowns, sick leave (week by week and year over year), premium, personal drops, and other relevant agenda items.
7. Crew Planning. Similar to Crew Scheduling, there was a monthly review of PowerPoint presentations that cover subsequent month staffing, trip length distribution, Flight Attendant block hours, special initiatives (e.g., IROPs), commutability, and other relevant agenda items.
8. ITS. Representatives from ITS joined the scheduling meeting to provide updates on NavBlue, Crew Access, internal systems, and Block 2 Block. These updates include performance reviews, data analysis, and information about future releases.

We Want to Hear From You!

Do you have feedback for the committee, concerns you’d like to share, or items that you’d like brought up with management? Please let us know! Your Local Scheduling Committee is your voice to management. You can open a support request on the AFA Alaska Online Support Center or contact us directly using the information on the Scheduling Committee page of the AFA Alaska website.