Scheduling Committee Meeting Recap – June 2023

Scheduling Committee

• Our AFA Scheduling Committee Chairpersons met on Tuesday, June 27 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!

Tuesday, June 27, 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), Martin Vance (SEA), Melodie Anderes (PDX), Jaqui Bellenie (SFO), Natalie Codd (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, and MEC Reserve Committee Chairperson Julie Thornton.

The committee met with Managing Director Ops Staffing and Resource Management, Brittany Audette, Managing Director Inflight Ops & Crew Scheduling Allen Thieman, Managing Director Inflight Operations Michaella Littman, Director of Crew Planning Mike Ostler, Manager of Crew Planning Trisha Bennett, and other management representatives from Crew Planning.

The Committee is next scheduled to meet on July 25, 2023.

Topics of Discussion

The committee reviewed several items during internal AFA-only conversations and when meeting with management. Some items discussed include:

• Reserve Utilization. In June we saw utilization around 80-90%, we expect this to increase in the spring/summer. Management continues to mention there is an increase in sick leave usage and absence rates up to 12.9%. We see a high percentage on weekends. We’ve asked to increase TSN and personal drops for flexibility but were told that is doubtful unless sick leave is reduced. Premium is being offered some weekends to help cover the operation and you are able to filter for premium trips using filters.
• No Shows. We continue to receive reports of circumstances where flight attendants were issued no shows incorrectly based on the contactability requirements of the contract. If you believe you are assessed points incorrectly, please follow up with your local AFA representatives.
• Leaves. There were no leaves for July. Crew planning is working on August pairings. The line averages are around 80.1 TFP. We will see a reduction in the schedule for the fall and hope there will be leave opportunities during that time.
• Van Times. Pilots and Flight Attendants sharing transportation should have the same van times. There were reports of crews waiting in the van for pilots. Pilot Scheduling/Crew Scheduling should coordinate any transportation changes on behalf of the crews.
• NavBlue Pattern Bidding. In July we are anticipating adding a new feature that will allow pattern bidding. Look for more information on how to utilize this new option. The PBS Committee is updating the help files in the system to be more user friendly. If you need assistance in bidding please email them.
• Per Diem. In some circumstances you will see taxed layover per diem based on state/federal requirements. Rainmaker is programmed to process the taxes automatically based on the limits. You can review taxation on CONUS Rates. Company is required by law to process the taxation.
• Pilot Retiming Block In/Out. AFA sent a request to Labor Relations and Inflight management asking for communication on when/how pilots are able to adjust block in/out times. Crew members are seeing changes to their rosters and want clarification on the process. Management is reviewing our request and will send out a communication.
• Retimes. There are several flights that will require being retimed/rescheduled. This could cause several pre-cancellations. Scheduling will be working on these as they receive updated information.
• Sick Child/Sick Family (LOA 5 in CBA). California passed a new law that allows crew members to designate one primary person per year. This person will be designated and the FA will receive the full protections under the law. Labor Relations and AFA are working on the implementation of this improvement. Look for more information in a future AFA communication.
• Base Turns. Each month FAs are surprised they combine two sequences over 10 hours 30 minutes and that some of their contractual legalities are waived. If you are adding sequences together refer to Section 8.T.
• Business Model. Company is saying they are focused on leisure travel and they haven’t seen an increase in the business consumer. Announcement of new routes and frequencies. Our network is getting longer, not shorter in relation to route structure.
• MyTravelApp. This is active and a great tool for flight attendants.
• Personal Drops. AFA is aware of situations where personal drops are not being assigned in order. If you believe a drop was awarded out of order please file a claim with AFA and provide documentation so we are able to research these potential violations.

What The Committee Is Working On

1. NavBlue. The PBS Subcommittee asked management for base sits to assist Flight Attendants with bidding. Base sits took place in July.
2. Crew Access Filters. Filters were implemented but due to processing errors retracted. We are working on testing the filters and a new update expected around September 2023.
3. Handshake Trades. This change would allow users to post trips for trade on Crew Access and accept/decline offers submitted. We expect implementation in a 3rd quarter release. The Committee participated in a presentation and testing of the new feature.
4. Pairings Survey. It’s been a few years since we completed a survey on pairing construction. We are discussing survey questions and the possibility of a virtual session or town hall. Meeting with management occurred July 5, 2023. A follow up meeting needs to be scheduled.

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.