Scheduling Committee Meeting Recap – March 2023

Scheduling Committee

• Our AFA Scheduling Committee Chairpersons met on Tuesday, March 28 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, March 28, 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), Rita Tillou (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 Director of Inflight Crew Scheduling Sara Cook, 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 April 25, 2023.

Topics of Discussion

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

• PDX departures. There was a rumor being circulated in PDX that departures were being reduced. Management was unaware of these changes but indicated they are always reviewing the needs of the customer and business model. 
• No Shows. There were some 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.
• Hotel wait time/assignment. AFA is aware there are issues with wait times and transportation. If you are required to share rooms, stay at a non approved hotel, or wait in the hotel lobby more than one (1) hour, please file a Crew Care Report, and contact your local Hotel Committee Chairperson and Scheduling Committee Chairperson. 
• Leaves. Leaves are being offered in May. Crew Planning will assess if there are any future needs in the summer months at a later date. 
• 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. 
• Winter Storms. All of the AFA tickets were reviewed and a debrief was conducted. We are looking at other technology such as the ability to text crew schedulers or have crew schedulers’ in a domicile. 
• Staffing. Crew Scheduling is utilizing reserves around 88%. They utilized personal drops instead of increasing the TSN. Sick leave is trending around 11% and the company has a goal of 8%. 
• Crew Schedulers/Supervisors. There are thirty-six (36) crew schedulers and the department has room for more growth. There are four (4) supervisors and an open position will be posted for Manager of Inflight Crew Scheduling. Crew Schedulers receive 3 weeks of classroom training and 12 weeks on the job training.

What The Committee Is Working On

1. NavBlue. The PBS Subcommittee asked management for base sits to assist Flight Attendants with bidding. We are waiting for further details.
2. Crew Access Filters. There is a meeting with Jeppessen scheduled in late April to discuss filters. We expect implementation in a 3rd quarter release. 
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. 
4. Pairings Survey. It’s been a few years since we submitted a survey on pairing construction. We are discussing survey questions and the possibility of a virtual session or town hall.

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.