Our local Council 30 Scheduling Chairperson, Justin Wetherell, attended the monthly Scheduling Committee Meeting in Seattle and compiled these notes for our base. Please direct any questions or feedback to anc.scheduling@afaalaska.org.

AFA:

NavTech PBS:

The plan for the new bidding system is to start in July for the month of August bid.

• The system needs to change because NavTech will stop supporting the old system (it will shut down). The transition to the new system should be smoother as it is already used by Delta pilots, so it is not a prototype.

Flight Attendants will be able to “parallel bid” using both systems for three months.
Base Sits will be scheduled so you may come in for tutoring and assistance.
The difference in bidding systems is less drastic than that from eMaestro to JCA.
AFA began preliminary testing and asked to test bid prior to July.

Pairings:

You may have noticed a lot of changes to “premium flying” (i.e. 4K, high time turns) in the last bid. This is due to network/schedule changes and all bases were affected.
The Pairings team is working to keep the 1 and 3 pos crews together more often.
4 pos pairings after the 400s retired were considered; this is on hold with the merger.

Scheduling:

The MEC appointed a new MEC Scheduling Chairperson, Zac Weeks. His term is through Dec 17, 2019.
If you receive incorrect or contradictory information from Crew Scheduling, please send an email with as much information as possible so we may follow up.
Programming an easy print of pairings directly from your roster is almost completed.
The Scheduling Chairpersons were all trained on a new system AFA will use to submit and track scheduling issues. This system will help track data, trend issues, and ensure you receive timely responses.

Management:

Pay:

Please email any questions you have regarding pay during the JCA changeover
Quarterly Productivity Premium.

• At this time, the only way to check is by adding the TFP from your trips.
• The calculator is being updated so “estimated” for the month will be real time.
• AFA requested three numbers: Awarded, Projected, and Current (real time).

AFA requested the original Pairing Number remain with sipped/adjusted trips so TFP and pay can be compared.

Scheduling:

Contractual fixes in JCA have priority, but AFA has a list of all requested fixes.
Find recent JCA fixes and FAQs at Scheduling & Bidding>Crew Access Help.
Cross training for Airbus is planned to start January 2018; no specifics at this time.
Van changes will be notified when: TransCon/Hawaii 60+ min, other 30+ min.
The last few forms from First Class are being updated for the FA Website.
Attendance Scorecard is being developed for the FA Website.
AFA requested an update on Out of Domicile Jetway Trades.
AFA requested an update to the Ground Delay form.
AFA requested an update for Flight Loads on the FA Website.

Hotel:

JCA should be updated with the correct hotel info, but no van times.
An update in June will notify API when hotel or transportation changes are needed.
In the meantime, AFA requested the Hotel Lookup be returned to the FA Website.
A link from the Roster with a hotel/van page similar to eMastro is being developed.
For any hotel-related issues, contact Council 30 Hotel Chairperson Dori Marron.

Thank you for continuing to send all scheduling and JCA issues/feedback to anc.scheduling@afaalaska.org.

In Solidarity,

Justin Wetherell, Council 30 Scheduling Chairperson

With our Committee Chairperson positions filled, our goal is to send out at least quarterly updates from each committee. This update includes information about several committee changes we have made, as well as updates directly from your Committee Chairpersons. Please send any questions or concerns you may have to the respective Chairperson.

Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC)

Ruth Ann Bledsoe, 907-854-3393

Several years ago I started the “Shoulder To Lean On” support group for those of us who have had shoulder injuries and surgery. I will be at the Starbucks at Tudor Road and A Street on Saturday, February 25th from 1pm-3pm. Please stop by for literature on shoulder injuries as well as a sympathetic and confidential discussion of your shoulder, back, or neck concerns.  Looking forward to seeing you!

Benefits

Maternity: Kendall Brophy, 907-223-5653
Medical/FMLA: Lisa Pinkston, 512-850-7348
Worker’s Compensation: Ruth Ann Bledsoe, 907-854-3393

Due to the overwhelming abundance of work that falls under the Benefits Committee, we have decided to split the Chairperson position into three categories. Kendall has graciously stepped up to assist with Maternity questions/issues, Lisa will continue to assist with any Medical/FMLA questions/issues, and Ruth Ann will assist with any Worker’s Compensation related issues. We could really use additional committee members in all three areas under the Benefits umbrella so if you have a passion for assisting fellow FAs who have maternity, medical/FMLA, and/or work comp questions, or hear of anyone willing to assist in the Benefits arena, please email the respective Chairperson!

Communications

Media: Justin Wetherell, 541-980-3339
Technology: Maila Bischoff, 415-680-5460

Justin has agreed to take the role of Media Chairperson, focusing on newsletters, emails, Facebook, and text. He has already begun monthly newsletters (Arctic Ascent), and will continue to innovate new ways to keep our Base connected and informed.  We will print the monthly newsletter and post a copy on the AFA bulletin board in the crew room and/or leave a few copies there as well as another avenue to make sure members receive information.

Maila will be spearheading the newly developed position of Technology Chairperson (think of this as an advocate for IT and technical issues we encounter). She has already been providing excellent feedback for several of the recent changes we have seen (IMD, FA website, JCA, etc.), and has agreed to serve as Chairperson of this newly created position.  She will be a great asset and advocate for our members (especially in light of all the technological changes that have been coming and will continue to come our way).

Employee Assistance Program (EAP) & Professional Standards

Bonnie Walters, 907-230-7208

Several of our members have been dealing with the loss of loved ones, their own serious injuries/illness and/or those of family members, as well as the tragic passing of our friend and coworker, Alaska CSA Brandy Sullivan.  Please know our Local EAP Committee is ready to assist anyone who would like help. You can find the telephone number of a Local EAP Committee member at www.afanet.org or by calling 800-424-2406. For information on Brandy’s Celebration of Life and how to assist her young daughters, please check your work email.

EAP also started a bake sale/fundraiser on Thursday, February 23, in the ANC Crew Room to assist with everyday expenses of FA’s who are in need.  If you love to bake and would like to donate, great!  Also, gift cards for Fred Meyer or Target are welcome donations.

Government Affairs

Matt Cook, 907-854-0607

Matt is excited to step into the role as Government Affairs Chairperson and has already begun work on several important topics, including prohibiting phone calls on planes and denying NAI. He will attend a conference in D.C. next month for training and will spend time lobbying on Capitol Hill. If you are interested in joining the Government Affairs Committee, please email Matt.

Hotel

Dori Marron, 907-854-8091

Many SLC pairings had shuffled hotel assignments this month, but pairings are being updated. Please double check your hotel assignment in Crew Access and pay attention to any Notifications. As always, make sure you submit a Crew Care Report for any Hotel or Transportation issues. Data is incredibly valuable to our Hotel Committee as they advocate on our behalf for hotel and/or transportation issues.

Inflight Service

Betsy DeMay, 907-854-8091

A few product and service updates will occur in the coming weeks. New spatulas are being boarded in First Class, as well as ramekins for serving Trans-Con salad dressing. New cold cups are approved and will show up soon; the cups are slightly larger and separate more easily. In mid-March, Dasani water bottles will begin loading. Currently, we are testing new cart drawers that slide more easily, new hot towels for FC, and new coffee lids. Liquor counts are being discussed and we hope modifications will be made soon to more accurately reflect the quantities needed for our flights. As always, and feedback/suggestions should be sent to catering.feedback@alaskaair.com and CC’d to Betsy.

Reserve

Matt Cook, 907-854-0607

A few Reserve fixes are planned for JCA, with some taking effect February 22nd. The interim Reserve Trading Board is up and running on the FA Website, but all trades must still be submitted through CrewSked.ReserveDesk@alaskaair.com. Crew Scheduling is currently working on an easier way to submit trades directly from the FA website, but this will not be available until February 24th at the earliest. Unfortunately, programming for Reserve trading and posting on JCA is still in progress. If you are interested in joining the Reserve Committee, or have any Reserve specific questions, please email Matt.

Scheduling

Justin Wetherell, 541-980-3339

Improvements are continuing to be made to the JCA system.  An easy way to view and print the entire trip, with less clicks, is coming soon! Thank you for all the feedback and suggestions you have been providing!  Please continue to submit any feedback/improvements to the system to CSS_SC@alaskaair.com, technical issues to help.desk@alaskaair.com, please be sure to continue to CC anc.scheduling@afaalaska.org. We will be sending out a pairings survey to our base soon. The data from that survey will be presented during our Pairings Discussion with Andy, Chad, Crew Planning and Karen (AFA Pairings Analyst) on March 30th at the Alaska Airlines Regional Headquarters.

Uniform

Tallee Wellman-Ulom, 907-351-4881

Preliminary designs are being produced and we are looking forward to wear-testing phase when that begins. We are committed to sharing more details as they are allowed to be shared; “West Coast Modern” is the description being given at this time.  The tentative timeline scheduled to have final uniforms ready for distribution is by Q2 of 2018.

Your Local Officers would like to thank all the Committee Chairs and Committee members for all the work they do on behalf of our members.  We would also like to thank each of you for allowing us the opportunity to assist each of you! If you have any questions or concerns you would like to discuss with us, please email your Local LEC Officers.

In Solidarity,

Your Anchorage Council 30 LEC Officers and Committee Chairpersons

We are hosting a Local Council Meeting and are asking you to join us for a review of our local committees. We are looking at the needs of each committee and seeking those with a commitment to serve our fellow co-workers as our new term in office begins January 1, 2017.

Interested in Joining a Local Committee?

Please join us for this meeting!  We look forward to connecting with each of you as we review our committee structure, committee chair and committee member roles and responsibilities.  We are doing this in anticipation of opening up all committee chair and committee member positions to new and interested members.  In the first quarter of the new year, we will be conducting interviews for all committee chair positions and committee member positions.  All current members will be welcome to apply along with anyone who is interested in stepping up and being involved.

Brian Palmer, MEC VP, will be our guest speaker.  He will be discussing the over all structure of our AFA committees, the duties, responsibilities and expectations of both committee chairs and committee members.

RSVP by 12/7/16 to anc@afaalaska.org.  RSVP is not required, but is appreciated for planning purposes as we will be providing lunch!

According to David Boyce, our Alaska Airlines head of maintenance for the state of Alaska, this is what happened:  This aircraft worked SEA-DCA-PDX-ANC yesterday on 11/30. The jumpseat was inop out of PDX to ANC with a MEL in the log book and DO NOT OCCUPY sign on the jumpseat. The plan was to fix it in ANC last night‎ but the parts were not available. Today, December 1st, this aircraft flew to PHX and is coming back to be fixed tonight in ANC as the parts should be here.

This is a Catagory B MEL which has to be fixed within three days. This is a high priority MEL as the F/As are not in their jumpseats, the loss of revenue from the two First Class  seats, and it looks bad to our customers. Please contact Ruth Ann, your local AFA officers, or your local Base Management Team if you have any further questions relating to this or any other safety related topic.

Thank you Ruth Ann for such quick action in finding out what was going on in this situation so we could share the information with our members.

A note from our ASHSC Chair, Ruth Ann Bledsoe

From the F/A’s Perspective:

• loud booming noise
• bright flash of light
• the aircraft may jerk or momentarily shake

In extremely rare occasions one might see St Elmo’s fire which is a large glowing ball of plasma energy float down the aisle. Lightning strikes typically hit forward of the wings 90% of the time, and 96% of strikes happen in clouds.

From the Pilot’s Perspective:

From the Maintenance Perspective:

From the Weather Perspective:

The Association of Flight Attendants has joined the American Football Coaches Association to help protect our children.  Why should we fingerprint our children?

• 450,000 children run away each year
• 300,000 children are abducted each year by family members
• More than 58,000 children are abducted every year by non-family members

That’s more than 800,000 children in America missing each year, one child every 40 seconds. Yet, when the National Child Identification Program began; less than two percent of parents had a copy of their child’s fingerprints to use in case of an emergency.

The National Child Identification Program is a community service initiative dedicated to changing these statistics by providing parents and guardians with a tool they can use to help protect their children. The ID Kit allows parents to collect specific information by easily recording the physical characteristics and fingerprints of their children on identification cards that are then kept at home by the parent or guardian. If ever needed, this ID Kit will give authorities vital information to assist their efforts to locate a missing child.

A gift of safety, from our AFA family to yours will be placed in your mail file.  We have ordered one kit per member for our base.