Scheduling Committee Meeting Recap – May 2023

Scheduling Committee

• Our AFA Scheduling Committee Chairpersons met on Tuesday, May 23 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, May 23, 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 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 next Scheduling Committee Meeting is scheduled on Tuesday, June 27, 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 May we saw utilization around 90%, we expect this to increase in the spring/summer. Management continues to mention an increase in sick leave usage and absence rates. Typically reserves are 60% AM and 40% PM, however in June for SEA/ANC it will be around 50/50. Premium is being offered some weekends to help cover the operation. 
• No Shows. We continue to receive reports of circumstances where flight attendants were issued no shows incorrectly based on 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. AFA and management are reviewing the processes in place for IROPS and Severe IROPS with the intent to improve wait times and bookings. 
• Leaves. There will be no leaves for June/July. Crew planning is working on August pairings.  The line averages are around 80.1 TFP.  
• 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 help files in the system to be more user friendly. If you need assistance in bidding, please email the committee. 
• 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. The 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. 
• 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 some Flight Attendants are surprised after combining 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.

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. We expect implementation in a 3rd quarter release. Look for additional communication from management. 
3. Handshake Trades. This change would allow Flight Attendants 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. A meeting with management is set for June 5, 2023.

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.