AFA Alaska + Hawaiian

Representing the Flight Attendants of Alaska + Hawaiian

Click here to report an issue to AFA
You are here: Home / Latest News

Leave a Comment

In This Edition

  • Reserve Committee Meeting Recap – 2nd Quarter 2026
  • Shared on Social
  • Next Week’s Events

Reserve Committee Meeting Recap – 2nd Quarter 2026

Originally posted June 10, 2026 | Pre-Merger Alaska

From pay anomalies and new hire onboarding to improved flexibility and new resources, our latest pre-merger Alaska Reserve Committee meeting focused on real issues impacting Reserve life. Discover what steps the Committee is taking to advocate for accurate pay, scheduling, and support for Reserve Flight Attendants.

Read More >

Shared on Social

Check out this week’s highlights from our social media! Click on a graphic below to view the original post on Instagram. Be sure to follow us for the latest updates and news as we share it!

Originally posted June 8, 2026

Next Week’s Events

No events scheduled 

See the MEC Event Calendar >

Leave a Comment

This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants

On Thursday, June 4, representatives from our pre-merger Alaska AFA Reserve Committee met to discuss ongoing work advocating for Reserve Flight Attendants. Representing you at the meeting were Conner Gallager (SEA), Anthony Eskander (PDX), Kanako Yamada (LAX), Adrian Alcantara (SAN), and MEC Reserve Committee Vice Chairperson—New Hire & Probation Meghan Casey (SFO). MEC Reserve Committee Chairperson Julie Thornton facilitated the meeting.

The Committee met with the Manager of Inflight Crew Scheduling Goose Hlaingmyint, Managing Director of Inflight Performance & Crew Scheduling Sara Cook, and Director of Inflight Crew Scheduling Terrance Chariandy. 

The Committee is next scheduled to meet on Thursday, September 3.

Topics of Discussion

The Committee reviewed several items during internal AFA-only discussions and meetings with management. Topics discussed included:

  • Formalizing New Hire Onboarding
    • Desire for new hire onboarding improvements while in training. Discussion on ways to improve new hires’ first day, week, and month at base. All Committee Members expressed a desire for a base orientation to improve new hire transitions.Class 2-26 graduated last month and started online in ANC on June 1.
    • At this time, management is stating there are no other classes planned for this year.
  • Addressing Reserve Pay Anomalies
    • Noticing an increase in AM Reserves who are being assigned APSB shifts that end after 12:00 and are not being converted to ER prior to the assignment.Encouraging Reserves to check Rainmaker for any APSB shifts that ended after 12:00, and if the APSB also ended after the daily last flight, Reserves should be paid 3x for the APSB shift. If a Reserve believes pay is missing, reach out to your Local Reserve Committee Chairperson.
    • Procedure to guarantee daily last flight pay: Flight Attendants are encouraged to call and explicitly request a release from APSB after the daily last flight has departed to ensure they are denied, which guarantees 2x pay. If the last flight of the day is delayed, some Flight Attendants may not qualify at the end of the day.
  • Requesting More Flexibility for Reserves
    • Management agreed to review decreasing the ARC minimum and awarding more Personal Drops and Bulletin Board Drops.
  • Evaluating Contractual Interpretation Disagreements
    • Any disputes that are not resolved with Crew Scheduling Supervisors are then escalated to Scheduling Review Board (SRB) or Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR) for further discussion.
    • Discussion of recent Reserve issues regarding double out rest, day rooms, and removal of self-assignment prior to report.

What The Committee Is Working On

  1. Developing Additional Tools & Resources for Reserve Flight Attendants: Reserve Survival Guide and Reserve 101 are updated and will be uploaded to the Inflight Website and AFA Website. Working on developing videos for common questions & answers for Reserves. 
  2. Assisting Reserve Flight Attendants with Pay Concerns: Answering questions and providing clarification to Reserve Flight Attendants regarding Reserve Guarantee and premium pay contractual provisions.
  3. Addressing Reserve Contractual Concerns: Researching and investigating reports from Reserve Flight Attendants and actively ensuring that management complies with our contract. Reminder to Flight Attendants about the AFA Alaska Online Support Center to report issues, raise concerns, or ask questions.

We Want to Hear From You!

Do you have feedback for the Committee, concerns to share, or items you’d like brought up with management? Please let us know. Your Local Reserve Committee is your voice to management. Open a support ticket on the AFA Alaska Online Support Center or contact us directly using the information on the Reserve Committee page of the AFA Alaska + Hawaiian website.

In This Edition

  • Celebrating LGBTQ Pride Month
  • Joint Contract Negotiations Session 15 – June 2026
  • Next Week’s Events

Celebrating LGBTQ Pride Month

Originally posted June 1, 2026

Each June, LGBTQ Pride Month invites us to reflect on the courageous beginnings of a movement that demanded equality and sparked lasting change. This year, celebrate that ongoing legacy by wearing your AFA Pride Pin front and center, and join our Union family at AFA Pride events in Seattle, Portland, and across the country.

Read More >

Joint Contract Negotiations Session 15 – June 2026

Originally posted June 5, 2026

Our JNC has been actively negotiating key sections of the contract, focusing on vacation, sick leave, and temporary duty assignments. A tentative agreement was reached on Section 37 (Temporary Duty Assignments), ensuring financial protections and fair treatment for Flight Attendants during temporary assignments. These ongoing discussions demonstrate a commitment to integrating the best benefits from both Alaska and Hawaiian CBAs for all Members.

Read More >

Next Week’s Events

Monday, June 8MEC Town Hall (Register Here)
Monday, June 8Monthly Hotel Committee Meeting
Tuesday, June 9 – Thursday, June 11Regular MEC Meeting
Thursday, June 11Quarterly Inflight Service Committee Meeting
Thursday, June 11Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR) (pmAS)

See the MEC Event Calendar >

This message is for both pre-merger Alaska and Hawaiian Flight Attendants

  • Our JNC met with management this week on June 2 to June 4 in Seattle; our next negotiation session is scheduled for June 30 to July 3
  • A Tentative Agreement has been reached for Section 37 (Temporary Duty Assignments)
  • Our JNC made progress on vacation and staffing provisions, having discussions with both Alaska and Hawaiian stakeholders

Negotiations Update

Our AFA Alaska + Hawaiian Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) met this week for three days of collective bargaining with management. The JNC met with management from June 2 to June 4 in Seattle, WA. At the negotiating table for this session were:

Representing AFA and our Flight Attendants  Representing Management
Tim Green, Joint Negotiating Committee ChairpersonAllen Thieman, Vice President of Inflight, Alaska
Martin Gusman, Joint Negotiating Committee MemberJoe Wonderly, Vice President, Labor Relations, Alaska
Jeffrey Fuke, Joint Negotiating Committee MemberCarmen Williams, Managing Director, Labor Relations, Alaska
Virginia Fritz, Joint Negotiating Committee MemberBrittany Audette, Managing Director, Operations Staffing and Resource Management, Alaska
Heather Reier, Joint Negotiating Committee MemberKalani Sloat, Senior Director, Labor Relations, Hawaiian
Paula Mastrangelo, AFA Senior Staff NegotiatorMike Link, Labor Relations Program Manager, Alaska
 Karen Themelis, Senior Labor Relations Business Partner, Alaska

Prior to this week’s session, the JNC held a small group meeting with Alaska and Hawaiian crew-planning stakeholders to explore vacation and staffing options in preparation for our joint session.  This week, the JNC continued the conversation with management to review the Alaska and Hawaiian vacation systems. We discussed how the Alaska vacation provisions are currently applied and how the different Hawaiian vacation provisions are used. Brittany Audette, Managing Director of Operations Staffing and Resource Management, joined us for this discussion.

The JNC also continued to work through Section 14 (Vacations). Recognizing that Hawaiian Flight Attendants currently have more flexibility with their vacation benefits, we are exploring ways to incorporate those benefits into the JCBA for the combined workgroup.

The JNC reached a tentative agreement on the new Section 37 (Temporary Duty Assignment). This new section primarily incorporated language from the Hawaiian CBA and added protections from other airlines’ Flight Attendant contracts. TDY (Temporary Duty Assignment) allows the company to establish a temporary base at a non-domicile location or to supplement staffing at an existing base temporarily. This section ensures Flight Attendants financial protection, including around-the-clock per diem, hotel stays for the duration of the TDY period, space-positive travel, and improved expense reimbursement. The goal is to ensure assignments are fair and Flight Attendants are supported, while also meeting operational and staffing needs.

We exchanged proposals for Section 35 (Flight Attendant Jumpseat and Pass Privileges) and Letter of Agreement 9 (Flight Attendant Jumpseat Occupancy). We are working to codify our travel benefits, including priority access to Flight Attendant jumpseats.

We also continued to exchange proposals on Section 16 (Sick Leave), but there are still significant differences between the two parties.

Section by Section Progress

The Alaska CBA is being used as the basis of the joint contract for language purposes. Each section and provision from both contracts will be reviewed individually to incorporate and amend the strongest elements from each agreement.

Sections discussed in this session:

  • Vacations (AS CBA Section 14 and HA CBA Section 18)
  • Sick Leave (AS CBA Section 16 and HA CBA Section 19)
  • Flight Attendant Jumpseat and Pass Privileges (AS CBA Section 35 and HA CBA Section 30)
  • 🆕 Temporary Duty Assignments (AS CBA does not address these provisions and HA CBA Section 15)

Sections in ongoing discussion:

  • Leaves of Absence (AS CBA Section 15 and HA CBA Section 17)
  • General and Miscellaneous (AS CBA Section 24 and HA CBA Section 27)
  • Domiciles (AS CBA Section 28 and HA CBA Section 5, 14, and 27)
  • Training (AS CBA Section 30 and HA CBA Section 26)
  • Commuter Policy (AS CBA Section 36 and HA CBA Section 34-28)

Sections listed below are on hold until discussions regarding future sections, which affect specific provisions, take place.

  • Seniority (AS CBA Section 6 and HA CBA Section 9)
  • Grievance Procedures (AS CBA Section 19 and HA CBA Section 23)
  • Charters (AS CBA Section 33 and HA CBA Section 12)

Crew Meal Survey

Thank you to everyone who took part in the Crew Meal Survey. We received 3,323 completed surveys from Flight Attendants, along with 509 partial responses. The JNC will review all feedback, including the partial surveys, as we evaluate the results. Your input helps us keep advocating for you.

What’s Upcoming

Our next session with management is scheduled for June 30 to July 3.

To get things started, the JNC met with our MEC Reserve Chairpersons to talk about current reserve rules and possible improvements for our combined workgroup. We are finalizing a Reserve survey that will go out to the Membership later this month. Thank you to pre-merger Alaska MEC Reserve Committee Chairperson, Julie Thornton and pre-merger Hawaiian MEC Reserve Committee Chairperson, Kela Chong for sharing their expertise.

With local elections wrapping up and SEA LEC Officers taking office on July 1st, one of the first order of business will be to conduct interviews for local committee chairpersons for the upcoming term. This process will take place over the next several months with the first set of committee interviews and appointments to be held next month. During the upcoming July LEC Meeting, interviews will be conducted for the following positions:

Please note: The SEA LEC will determine if a committee requires a Vice-Chairperson role and will appoint from the pool of candidates interviewed. We encourage all those interested to submit their resume and Expression of Interest (EOI) to be considered.

General Qualifications

Qualifications for all Local Chairperson positions include: 

  • Current Alaska AFA Member in good standing
  • Previous experience as a Committee Member is preferred.
  • Previous committee-specific training preferred.
  • Strong ability to lead and coordinate a diverse team in a collaborative environment.
  • Ability to attend meetings as required, both via videoconference and in person.
  • Strong computer skills, including a good working knowledge of Google Workspace (email, calendar, Drive, and other applications) and Microsoft 365.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to write membership communications, respond professionally to internal and external emails, prepare reports, plan meetings (including scheduling, logistics, and agenda preparation), and take minutes.
  • Ability to meet deadlines, delegate responsibilities, and follow up on assigned tasks.

Duties and Responsibilities

Details about each committee’s duties and responsibilities are available on the respective committee pages of the AFA Alaska + Hawaiian Volunteers page. Additional information regarding Local Committee Chairperson duties and responsibilities is available in the link below:

Duties and Responsibilities

Term of Service

Successful candidates will serve for the upcoming LEC Officer election cycle. Their official term will begin on September 1, 2026 and conclude June 30, 2029.

Expressing Interest and Interview Scheduling

The LEC will interview eligible candidates during the July regular LEC meeting on Friday, July 24. If you are interested in interviewing, please plan to bid around this date and adjust your schedule accordingly. All interviews will be virtual via Google Meet videoconferencing.

Please submit an expression of interest and your resume using the online form below. The submission deadline is 5pm PT on Friday, July 10. After the submission deadline, an LEC representative will contact eligible candidates for next steps.

>> Click here to submit an expression of interest form <<

Please note that a Google account is required to submit the expression of interest form. If you don’t have a Google account, you can create one for free at https://accounts.google.com/signup.

Every June, we come together to honor LGBTQ Pride Month in the United States—a time to celebrate the remarkable resilience, diversity, and achievements of the LGBTQ community. Pride Month began as a tribute to the Stonewall Uprising in Manhattan in 1969, a pivotal moment that ignited the modern LGBTQ rights movement. The inaugural Pride March, held on June 28, 1970, marked the first anniversary of Stonewall and set a powerful precedent for advocacy and visibility. Today, Pride Month is recognized globally, with communities, organizations, and allies hosting vibrant parades, educational events, and meaningful conversations that foster inclusion, understanding, and progress.

Discover the History and Significance of Pride Month

If you’d like to learn more about the rich history of LGBTQ Pride Month and the ongoing pursuit of equality, consider exploring these resources:

Get Involved: Pride Month Events in 2026

Celebrate with an LGBTQ Pride Month AFA Pin

In 2018, the AFA Board of Directors adopted a resolution to officially recognize June as LGBTQ Pride Month. The resolution included the introduction of a special commemorative pin created for AFA Members to proudly wear throughout June. Each year since, AFA Members have worn the commemorative AFA Pride Pin as a visible sign of solidarity, inclusion, and our ongoing commitment to equality for all.

If you’d like to learn more about the AFA Pride Pin and its significance, please reach out to your Local Human Rights & Equity Committee. If you need a pin, keep an eye out for updates from your Local Council or connect directly with your LEC Officers for information on how to get one. Your participation matters, and together we create a more inclusive and supportive community. 

In This Edition:

  • Elections Update
  • MEC Town Hall
  • Portland Pride 2026
  • Toxic Air In The Cabin: A Union Issue

Elections Update

Polls closed at 11 AM Pacific on May 19 for the election of Council 39 LEC Officers, representing Alaska Airlines Flight Attendants based in Portland. The following AFA Flight Attendants have been elected to Local Council Officer positions:

  • LEC President: Krystle Berry
  • LEC Vice President: Melodie Anderes
  • LEC Secretary: Kevin Sharp

These newly elected officers will begin their terms on July 1, 2026 and will serve until June 30, 2029.

View The Certified Election Results Here

MEC Town Hall

Mark your calendars for AFA Alaska + Hawaiian’s next MEC Town Hall! This is your opportunity to connect, share and be heard. Get the latest AFA news and connect directly with our MEC Officers and bring your questions – this is your chance to get answers directly from AFA Representatives.

  • What: AFA Alaska + Hawaiian MEC Town Hall
  • When: June 8 2-3:30 PM Pacific
  • Where: Zoom

This Town Hall will take place on Zoom so you can join from home or while on a layover. Advance registration is required and ensures you get a Zoom link to join the meeting. As with all AFA meetings and activities, the AFA Mutual Respect Policy applies during the Town Hall.

MEC Town Hall Registration

When you register, use your personal email address. If you use a company email address, your registration will be canceled. Only Members in good standing may attend and membership status will be verified before the event. Log in to the AFA Membership Hub to check your standing.

Use the form below to submit any questions you have for the MEC Officers. This helps focus the Town Hall on your concerns: negotiations, contract issues or anything else you want to hear about.

Submit A Question

Portland Pride 2026

Greetings from your Council 39 Human Rights & Equity Committee! Summer is here, and that means Pride Season is upon us! Portland’s Pride Parade is Sunday, July 19, so remember to bid it off if you plan on attending. Also, don’t forget: June 19th is Juneteenth!

This year, we have the privilege of marching as part of the Oregon Labor Federation, AFL-CIO contingent in a clear stance from labor to get corporate greed out of Pride! Sign up to march using the button below. There will also be a sign making social on July 17, as well as a labor booth running all weekend at the festival. 

March With AFA: Portland Pride 2026

There are more Pride events going on across the country and the HRE Committee is helping lead the way to provide access for Alaska + Hawaiian Flight Attendants. If you are interested in going to another Pride event or happen to be on a layover in a major city over a weekend in June and July, there are events you can be a part of with other AFA-represented Flight Attendants. Reach out to us and we would be happy to put you in contact!

Pride is especially important this year in an increasingly hostile socio-political landscape, one that continues to oppress and disenfranchise minorities and vulnerable populations in a multitude of ways. Many LGBTQ+ people experience multiple intersections of oppression and very much deserve to have a place of celebration, happiness, and support. Please consider bidding the time off, marching with us and enjoying the festivities. We would love to see you!

Aaron Miller, (they/them) Council 39 Human Rights & Equity Committee Chairperson

Toxic Air In The Cabin: A Union Issue

Join experts, union leaders and Flight Attendants as they lead a discussion on fume events and their impacts, and learn how we can ensure cabin air is safer for crew and passengers. Register for the event by scanning the QR code on the graphic or clicking the link below.

  • What: “Toxic Air In The Cabin: A Union Issue” Webinar
  • When: June 1 (08:00-09:30 Pacific) & June 1 (18:00-20:30 Pacific)
  • Where: Zoom
Register Here

In Solidarity,

Steve, Krystle and Bethany

In This Edition

  • Crew Meal Survey Closing Soon
  • Struggling With A Coworker? Consider AFA Professional Standards.
  • Scheduling Committee Meeting Recap – May 2026
  • Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee Meeting Recap – May 2026
  • Next Week’s Events

Crew Meal Survey Closing Soon

Originally posted May 25, 2026

There’s just 1 DAY LEFT to complete the Crew Meal Survey that will help shape future provisions. Our JNC is eager to hear your thoughts on which elements of crew meals are most meaningful to you, as we strive to improve our support for your needs. The survey is currently open and will remain available until Tuesday, May 26 at Noon PT.

Read More >

Struggling With A Coworker? Consider AFA Professional Standards.

Originally posted May 27, 2026

When workplace tensions rise, there are confidential and supportive alternatives to going to management. Discover how AFA Professional Standards empowers Flight Attendants to resolve issues respectfully—before they escalate.

Read More >

Scheduling Committee Meeting Recap – May 2026

Originally posted May 29, 2026 | Pre-Merger Alaska

Crew Scheduling and operational topics took center stage at this month’s pre-merger Alaska Scheduling Committee meeting with management. Discussions included bid protests, fatigue concerns, and strategies to improve our work environment.

Read More >

Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee Meeting Recap – May 2026

Originally posted May 29, 2026

Concerns about extreme cabin heat, onboard use of Meta smart glasses, and cold-weather evacuations were among the topics addressed at the May 2026 Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee meeting. The Committee also weighed in on adding Narcan to emergency kits and improving hotel van safety—read on to find out more about upcoming policies and ongoing projects that affect our safety on the job.

Read More >

Next Week’s Events

Tuesday, June 2 – Thursday, June 4Joint Contract Negotiations
Thursday, June 4Quarterly Reserve Committee Meeting (pmAS)

See the MEC Event Calendar >

On Wednesday, May 20, our Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC) representatives met virtually to discuss ongoing safety concerns, operational challenges, policy updates, and workplace improvements impacting Flight Attendants across the operation. Representing you at the meeting were Deb Wallstrom (ANC), David Lake (SEA), Kalin Lackey (PDX), Bradley Young (SFO), Bryce Sarmiento (LAX pmAS), Kahea Alvarez (LAX pmHA), Eva Gatus (SAN), Randy Rivera (HNL), and Kerri Ruiz (MEC ASHSC Vice Chairperson).

The Committee met with several members of Inflight leadership and Safety management, including Heidi Stiley (Cabin Safety & Compliance Manager), Nicky Sagum (Manager of Safety Compliance), Randy Katz (Managing Director of Inflight Safety Standards & Training), Benito Pasia-Garcia (Director of Inflight Base Operations), Lavesh Bhatia (Inflight Policy & Procedure Specialist), Shari Hinshaw (Manager of Inflight Policy & Procedures), and base management representatives Anu Lippert and Laurel Padure.

The next scheduled Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee meeting will take place in virtually on Wednesday, July 15.

Topics of Discussion

The Committee reviewed several items when meeting with management. Some items discussed include (items which are Security Sensitive Information are not included):

  • Cabin Heat Events and APU Operations: The Committee discussed recent incidents of prolonged aircraft ground delays due to inoperative APUs during extreme heat. Concerns were raised regarding unsafe cabin temperatures, passenger comfort, and operational delays in returning to the gate. Management confirmed that APUs are expected to be running by D-10, and Flight Attendants were encouraged to use operational pauses and to submit FAIR/SHR reports whenever cabin temperatures become unsafe.
  • Meta Smart Glasses and Privacy Concerns: The Committee discussed concerns about the use of Meta smart glasses while on duty, including passenger privacy, recording capabilities, and operational distractions. Management advised that Revision 75 will prohibit Flight Attendant use of Meta glasses while working.
  • Emergency Equipment Accessibility: Several concerns were raised regarding retrofitted overhead emergency equipment locations on the 737-800 fleet. Flight Attendants reported difficulty accessing halon and water extinguishers, challenges viewing gauges during preflight checks, and improper bracket positioning impacting accessibility. Additional concerns included demo kits and carry-on baggage obstructing emergency equipment. Management requested continued FAIR reporting to establish trend data.
  • Extreme Cold Weather Evacuation Concerns: ANC representatives raised concerns regarding insufficient cold-weather uniform options during potential evacuations in extreme winter conditions. Discussion included FAA limitations on wearing bulky outerwear in jumpseats, lack of galley stowage space, and the need for additional guidance or training regarding cold-weather evacuation scenarios.
  • Hotel Van Safety Procedures: The Committee discussed safety concerns involving hotel transportation vendors requesting crew members to provide flight information before identifying themselves. Particular concern was raised for individual Flight Attendants arriving late at night. Management will coordinate follow-up discussions with hotel transportation providers regarding security expectations and procedures.
  • MAX 9 Trash Bin Design and Galley Trash Procedures: Representatives continued discussions regarding the MAX9 trash bin design, which allows trash and liquids to fall behind bins and creates sanitation concerns. Maintenance & Engineering advised that a retrofit project is planned for later this year. Additional discussion focused on current galley trash-handling procedures, including the operational practice of hanging trash bags in galleys, as well as concerns related to fire suppression and monitoring requirements.
  • Inoperative Seatbelt Sign MEL Events: The Committee reviewed recent events involving inoperative seatbelt sign switches and discussed alternate procedures when signs cannot be activated. Management reiterated that announcements currently serve as the approved mitigation procedure under MEL guidance.
  • Inaudible Flight Deck Announcements: Representatives discussed ongoing concerns about inaudible pilot PA announcements and difficulties hearing critical information while in the cabin. Management noted that this may primarily be a CRM issue, but agreed that additional review may be appropriate.
  • Safety Card Type Placards: Discussion continued regarding inconsistencies and missing safety card type placards onboard aircraft. Management reminded Flight Attendants to report missing placards through standard reporting channels so corrective action can be tracked.
  • Narcan and Overdose Response Discussions: The Committee discussed modernization of EMK/EEMK kits to potentially include nasal Narcan. Management acknowledged that many carriers are moving in this direction and confirmed the topic remains under review with MedAire and Safety leadership. Discussion also included training considerations, accessibility, storage, and maintenance requirements.
  • A330 Lavatory Flush Noise Concerns: Representatives raised concerns regarding excessive lavatory flush noise levels onboard the A330 fleet. Discussion included OSHA exposure thresholds, custom hearing protection programs, and possible reimbursement or support options for hearing protection devices.
  • PPE Use During Fume Events: The Committee discussed Flight Attendant concerns regarding the use of PPE, including carbon-layered masks, during fume events. Management stated there should be no issue with Flight Attendants utilizing appropriate PPE during qualifying exposure events and agreed additional follow-up may be necessary regarding onboard PPE availability and policy clarification.

Things The Committee Is Working On

  1. New Power Bank Procedures: There were several instances last year of power banks going into thermal runaway on Asian carriers. Additionally, UL (Underwriter’s Laboratory), which tracks thermal runaway events on commercial aircraft, has documented an increase in events attributable to power banks. As a result, there are updates to regulatory guidance on how they should be limited, stowed, and used onboard the aircraft. The Committee has been gathering information and working with the company to develop new procedures, which will be rolled out soon at AAG.
  2. MAX 10 Galleys: In coordination with the Inflight Service Committee, we have been working with management and the galley manufacturer on the MAX 10 galley designs. Our focus has been on safety, optimizing workflow, crew stowage location, which can be accessed without being visible to passengers, and easily accessible emergency equipment
  3. Demo Kit Stowage: We are gathering pictures of demo kits that are in overhead bins without dividers, along with tail numbers, and are making a case to have dividers for all demo kit stowage in first class on the 737.

We Want to Hear From You!

If you’ve encountered any safety-related issues at work, you can help the Committee advocate for improvement and change by submitting a report:

  • pmHA: Use INTELEX to submit In-Flight Incident Reports (including fatigue and injury) and Hawaiian Safety Action Program (HSAP) reports.
  • pmAS: Use ReportIt! to submit FAIRs (including Fatigue reports), ASAP reports, and Employee Injury Reports (EIR).

If you need clarification or assistance on what type of report to file, please get in touch with a member of your Local ASHSC.

Your Local ASHSC is always ready to represent your voice to management. Please don’t hesitate to let us know about any issues or concerns you want us to bring forward. We would also love to hear any other feedback you may have for the Committee. You can find our contact information on the ASHSC page of the AFA Alaska + Hawaiian website.

This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants

On Tuesday, May 26, our pre-merger Alaska AFA Scheduling Committee Chairpersons and Representatives met virtually 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). MEC Scheduling Committee Vice Chairperson—Pairing Construction Karen Ferrell, MEC Scheduling Committee Vice Chairperson—PBS Virginia Fritz, and MEC Scheduling Committee Chairperson Jake Jones were also present.

The Committee met with Managing Director of Inflight Performance & Crew Scheduling Sara Cook, Manager of Inflight Crew Scheduling Goose Hlaingmyint, Director of Crew Planning Trisha Bennett, Manager of Crew Planning Colin Beard, ITS Technical Product Owner Nathan McFerren and other management representatives from Crew Planning, Crew Scheduling, information technology (ITS), payroll.

The Committee is next scheduled to meet on Tuesday, June 23.

Topics of Discussion

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

Local Committee Chairperson Discussions

  • Pairings Concern: Ongoing issues with pairings. 
  • Block2Block (B2B)- suggested implementing an audible alarm system for check-in to assist Flight Attendants.
  • Charter Operations: Charter timing issues are causing passenger frustration. Recommendations include timely scheduling and rebidding, with a commitment to improve pre-boarding processes. Communication with charter coordinators is planned.
  • Redeye Flights: Mention of numerous redeye flights affecting flight schedules.
  • D Position Flying: Noted aircraft downgrades affecting pairing operations, leading to reassignments rather than pre-cancellations. The contract had an incorrect citation, and our MEC and management are reviewing examples to determine a path forward.  
  • Crew Rest Areas: Concerns about long sits at PAE field; questioning the availability of adequate rest areas for crews.
  • Reassignment Pay Denial: Issues with reassignment pay being denied for specific city pairings. The Committee continues to discuss these issues with payroll. 
  • NAVBLUE Issues: Password reset issues were reported, and the PBS Subcommittee has been designated to assist Flight Attendants.
  • Pairing Preferences: Desire for more turns, specifically one-day trips with only two legs.

PBS Subcommittee Update

  • Bidding Overview June Bidding: High activity was noted even before the bidding period opened. Concerns over high line averages and reserve percentages.
  • Bid Awards: Smooth process despite needing to adjust minimums for reserve coverage. Technical issues with the inflight website caused accessibility problems for Flight Attendants, requiring workarounds.
  • Bid Protests: Record high of over 200 protests regarding bid awards, primarily due to perceived errors linked to website issues and high line averages.
  • Meetings: Multiple meetings held throughout April and May, including low bid research and PBS focus groups.
  • Other Updates: Testing of software updates (26.1-MX-UAT) commenced with plans for implementation in July or August.

Pairing Construction and Crew Planning

  • July Pairing Selection: Discussions around payroll, hotel, and transportation costs. Flexibility in trip distribution and lengths noted, with management using the optimizer for pairing construction.
  • Crew Planning Analysis: July block hours are up to 365K from 347K in June. 20% reserve ratio, 81.1 average line value. Offering no staffing adjustments for July. Pairings are red-eye: ANC 36%, SEA 30%, SAN 27%; lowest is SFO at 12%, LAX/PDX at 20%. The July trip distribution was reviewed for actual and percentages. Commuting SEA/SAN/ANC for 3 days is best; SEA/ANC/PDX for 4 days. PDX/SFO/LAX are the most challenging. 
  • RAVE Language: Discussion on improving four-day trips and TFP in the optimizer through computer data programming. 

IRROPS (Irregular Operations)

  • Updates on various duty starts and operational requests due to construction delays and ATC issues, affecting multiple airports.
  • Crew connections increased due to delays, with specific minimum rest requirements for certain routes.
  • Current IRROPS:
    • SAN start of duty for JFK/BOS/IAD/MCO/DCA – construction delays
    • EWR is still at 12 hours for ATC delays
    • End of duty AM departures for EWR to LAX/PDX/SEA/SFO
    • Increased crew connections due to delays
    • Required duty start for LAS-ANC – Operational request.
    • PHX star flights have 11:30 minimum rest
    • 0500 departure GEG-PDX when operating increased to 12 hours rest
    • End of duty for DLG-ANC and AKN-ANC for summer TSA mitigation.
    • Flight Attendant teaming is still in effect.

Crew Scheduling Report

  • Absence Rates: Sick leave at 12.1%, trending down, with lineholders slightly higher than reserves.
  • Reserve Utilization: System-wide utilization at 92.4%, with SEA highest at 98%.
  • Fatigue Reports: Noted fatigue incidents for both AS and HA, with overall trends of concern.
  • Reassignments and Deadhead Conversions: System-wide reassignments noted, with significant numbers in specific bases.
  • Specific Data:
    • Sick Leave – Absent rate for May is trending about 12.1%. Trending down in the overall count. Lineholder are 12.5%, and reserves are 10.5%.
    • Sick online 80 Flight Attendants and canceled 20 flights
    • Reserve Utilization – System is 92.4%, SEA is highest for May at 98%.
    • Premium Pay – Awarded: 85%; contractual: 15%. Significant days were Mother’s Day, Cinco de Mayo, and Memorial Day. For June, we have 24% reserve coverage. Management moved people to reserves instead of offering SALs. They are looking at cost-saving tips for contractual premiums, conversions, premiums, daily last flights, adding more personal drops, increasing TSN, and providing flexibility. They need to perform well in sick leave to help staff the operation. Launching initiatives to reduce over-duty premium. The high cost of fuel and the need for greater efficiency are driving these cost initiatives across all departments.
    • Personal Drops/TSN/Flexibility – Creating goals and incentives to produce flexibility.
    • Reassignments 10.R.4 – System-wide in May was 478, SEA was 191 compared to the other bases.
    • Deadhead conversions 10.X.7 – system-wide at 219
    • Fatigue – Total is 18 for the month. 12 reserves and 6 lineholders. We ended with 21 in April 2026.
    • Crew Schedulers – 2 in July, 1 in August, 3 in late August. 6 awarded positions are on hold due to a 120-day hiring freeze.

Information Technology (ITS) Updates

  • Friendly reminder: Please ask Flight Attendants and AFA Representatives to create Cherwell tickets for all ITS-related issues so we can track them. Use the ITS help desk to file the concerns.
  • NAVBLUE/PBS:
    • Release 26.1.883 UAT Testing – In Progress.
    • Automation Updates:
      • 261 Test cases automated out of 269 [97% completed] – Web automation.
      • 234 Test Cases automated out of 269 [86% completed] – iOS automation.
  • Open Time Trade Analysis: 
    • 93,696 total trades, both legal and illegal
    • 91,940 (98.1%) of the total trades (illegal + legal) had a response time less than 10 seconds
    • 1756 (1.9%) completed in a response time greater than 10 seconds
    • May’s trade volume was higher than April’s.
    • Transaction times remained steady.
  • JCTE Releases:
    • Upcoming Releases
    • JCTE 10.0 MR24 – 6/2
      • FER bug fixes
      • Bid Period Drop Down Menu Selection Replaces Calendar Date Selection for Published Roster.
      • Published Roster for another crew member pulling the current bid period + 2 bid periods in the past.
      • Alert for schedulers to add when a Flight Attendant is contacted more than once during their rest period, and did not receive 10 hours rest prior to the second call, and has not received 10 hours rest since the second call
      • Fix for min/max TFP text messages and min/max duty period text messages.

What The Committee Is Working On

  1. Resolving Pyramiding Pay Disputes: Discussions are ongoing through the Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR) process to clarify payment rules for over-duty pay and day-off violations. Our Grievance Committee is filing grievances regarding several concerns with pyramid pay. These discussions are still ongoing with Labor Relations management. 
  2. Vacation Bidding: Representatives from the Committee met with management to discuss the new vendor, AI Crew Solutions. It was determined that when a Flight Attendant either doesn’t hold a bid or forgets to bid, they will be allowed to bid in the 2nd round of vacation. The current process assigns slot 1 and slot 2. We will provide educational material and information when bidding begins next year on the new platforms. We have additional meetings to discuss implementation and buddy bidding. We are currently testing and reviewing the User Acceptance Testing (UAT) environment. 
  3. Flow Charts: These are posted on the AFA website to help guide you through contractual understanding and irregular ops here: 2025-2028 AFA Alaska CBA Reference Documents 01.26.2026
  4. Block2Block (B2B) Contactability: Implemented on February 1, 2026. Please familiarize yourself with the contractual language and bulletin bundle. Every Flight Attendant must check B2B at the end of every duty period (not trip) and make positive contact if a message is sent prior to block-in of the last flight of the duty period per §8.Q.2.e.
  5. Chime (Microsoft Teams): Implemented on February 9, 2026. This will allow Flight Attendants to contact Crew Scheduling for additional resources. Please refer to the letter of agreement and the bulletin bundle.
  6. Compensation: Follow up on crew pay issues and reassignment policies.
  7. Pairings: Continue to address pairing and scheduling concerns with management.
  8. Software: Monitor upcoming software implementations and their impacts on operations.

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 + Hawaiian website.

Reserve Committee Meeting Recap – 2nd Quarter 2026

This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants On Thursday, June 4, representatives from our pre-merger Alaska AFA Reserve Committee met to discuss ongoing work advocating for Reserve Flight Attendants. Representing you at the meeting were Conner Gallager (SEA), Anthony Eskander (PDX), Kanako Yamada (LAX), Adrian Alcantara (SAN), and MEC Reserve Committee Vice Chairperson—New Hire […]

Joint Contract Negotiations Session 15 – June 2026

The JNC has been actively negotiating key sections of the contract, focusing on vacation, sick leave, and temporary duty assignments. A tentative agreement was reached on Section 37 (Temporary Duty Assignments), ensuring financial protections and fair treatment for Flight Attendants during temporary assignments. These ongoing discussions demonstrate a commitment to integrating the best benefits from both Alaska and Hawaiian CBAs for all members.

Celebrating LGBTQ Pride Month

Every June, we come together to honor LGBTQ Pride Month in the United States—a time to celebrate the remarkable resilience, diversity, and achievements of the LGBTQ community. Pride Month began as a tribute to the Stonewall Uprising in Manhattan in 1969, a pivotal moment that ignited the modern LGBTQ rights movement. The inaugural Pride March, […]

Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee Meeting Recap – May 2026

On Wednesday, May 20, our Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC) representatives met virtually to discuss ongoing safety concerns, operational challenges, policy updates, and workplace improvements impacting Flight Attendants across the operation. Representing you at the meeting were Deb Wallstrom (ANC), David Lake (SEA), Kalin Lackey (PDX), Bradley Young (SFO), Bryce Sarmiento (LAX pmAS), […]

Scheduling Committee Meeting Recap – May 2026

This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants On Tuesday, May 26, our pre-merger Alaska AFA Scheduling Committee Chairpersons and Representatives met virtually 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), […]

Recent Posts

News By Month

News By Category

AFA News Now Air Quality Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC) Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) AS/HA Merger AS/VX Merger Benefits Committee Committees Communications Committee Contract Contract 2014 Negotiations Blog Council 15 SAN Council 18 LAX (pmAS) Council 19 SEA (pmAS) Council 30 ANC Council 35 SFO Council 39 PDX Council 43 HNL Council 47 LAX/SEA (pmHA) EAP/Professional Standards Committee Extension 2021 Blog Featured Government Affairs Committee Grievance Committee Hotel Committee Human Rights & Equity Committee Industry News Inflight Service Committee Inflight Training Committee JNC Blog Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) Latest News Local Councils Master Executive Council (MEC) Membership Engagement Committee Message from the MEC President Mobilization Committee Negotiations Pairing Construction Preferential Bidding System (PBS) Press Releases Reserve Committee Retirement Committee Scheduling Committee Uniform Committee

Want To Stay In The Loop?

Stay up-to-date on AFA Alaska + Hawaiian news and information by signing up for our email and text message updates. Click a button below to get started or update your preferences if you're already a subscriber.
Sign Up for Emails
Sign Up for Text Updates