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In This Edition

Scheduling Committee Meeting Recap – October 2024

Originally posted October 31, 2024

On October 29, our AFA Scheduling Committee Chairpersons met to discuss their ongoing work representing Flight Attendants’ interests in lineholder scheduling. The Committee met with management to receive updates and discuss issues and problems Flight Attendants face with scheduling, pairings, and bidding. Your Local Scheduling Committee is available to assist with any lineholder scheduling-related issues. Don’t hesitate to reach out for help!

Read More >

Celebrating Native American Heritage Month

Originally posted November 1, 2024

November 1 marks the beginning of Native American Heritage Month in the United States. This tradition dates back to the early 20th century when various organizations and state governments began adopting proclamations to celebrate American Indian Day. If you’re curious to dive deeper into Native American Heritage Month, check out the links below to learn about the incredible achievements of Native Americans and find events happening this month. Show your support by wearing a Native American Heritage Month AFA Pin all month long! If you need a pin, reach out to your Local Council for the details.

Read More >

Next Week’s Events

Tuesday, November 5Scheduling Review Board (SRB)
Thursday, November 7Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR)

See the MEC Event Calendar >

Find Us on Social Media

You can find the most up-to-date official information on our AFA Alaska social media accounts.  Click below and follow so you can stay connected!

Scheduling Committee

  • On October 29, our AFA Scheduling Committee Chairpersons met to discuss their ongoing work representing Flight Attendants’ interests in lineholder scheduling.
  • The Committee met with management to receive updates and discuss issues and problems Flight Attendants face with scheduling, pairings, and bidding.
  • Your Local Scheduling Committee is available to assist with any lineholder scheduling-related issues. Don’t hesitate to reach out for help!

On Tuesday, October 29, our AFA Scheduling Committee Chairpersons/Representatives met 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), Jaqui Bellenie (SFO), Rita Tillou (SEA), Melodie Anderes (PDX), Kelese Richardson (LAX), and Kitty Cohen (SAN). Also present were MEC Scheduling Committee Vice Chairperson—Pairing Construction Karen Ferrell, and MEC Scheduling Committee Vice Chairperson—PBS Virginia Fritz. 

The committee met with Managing Director of Crew Staffing Nicholas Giles, Director of Crew Planning Trisha Bennett, Senior Manager of Product Management Rick Mitchell, Manager of Inflight Scheduling (Training/ Policy Procedures) Interim Matthew Trujillo, Manager of Crew Pay Debbie Bakke, and other management representatives from Crew Planning and Crew Scheduling.

The Committee is next scheduled to meet on Tuesday, November 19, 2024.

Topics of Discussion

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

  • Crew Frustrations with Cancellations. Crews faced challenges with cancelled flights, resulting in lost premium pay and communication timelines when cancellations occur. 
  • Bidding Carry Over Pairings. November bidding encountered issues with illegal carryovers and pay protection for flight attendants, requiring audits and process reviews for 10.S pairings 
  • Increased December Demand. A block hour increase is expected in December, affecting staffing and pairings, particularly in PDX.
  • Pairing Analytics Tool. A Pairing Analytics dashboard is nearing completion to improve efficiency and may expand understanding of pairing trends and historical data.
  • Staffing Adjustments. Management plans to reassess staffing and budgets in January based on ongoing operational data. 
  • Pairing Construction Feedback. Ongoing scrutiny of decrease of desired pairings, especially regarding the equity of short turns for flight attendants and desired pure 2-day pairings
  • NAVBLUE User Conference. AFA PBS Subcommittee represented AFA Alaska at the yearly NAVBLUE User conference bringing forward outstanding concerns, collaborating with other customers and advocating for improvements
  • Future Operation Impacts. Teaming is set up to help if operation affected by winter IROPS. Question of Unpredictable flight schedules due to factors like the Boeing strike and cancellations due to them.

What The Committee Is Working On

  1. NAVBLUE. The PBS Subcommittee is seeking feedback on how they can improve their assistance to flight crews regarding bid awards and understanding results. They provided both in-person and virtual meetings for this purpose. The PBS Subcommittee is working with management on PBS base sit budgets.  Management has the committee keep track of how money is being spent to assist flight crews with their bidding. We appreciate your participation in virtual and in person base sits. 
  2. Pairings Survey. There is a discussion of reviewing bidding data from NAVBLUE to see what kind of pairings Flight Attendants are interested in flying instead of sending out a survey. We will continue to review options. 
  3. Chime Communications. To reduce phone call volumes, Flight Attendants may soon be able to chat with Crew Scheduling via app/Microsoft Teams. The chat will be for Flight Attendant-initiated contact only. The function is currently in the early stages of development and still needs to be discussed with Labor Relations management and our MEC. Testing and implementation are continuing over the next few weeks. We are working on a letter of agreement for implementation, which is still pending review. 
  4. Crew Scheduling. A monthly review of PowerPoint presentations covered various aspects such as reserve utilization, detailed breakdowns, sick leave (week by week and year over year), premium, personal drops, and other relevant agenda items.
  5. Crew Planning. Like Crew Scheduling, there was a monthly review of PowerPoint presentations that covered subsequent month staffing, trip length distribution, Flight Attendant block hours, special initiatives (e.g., IROPs), commutability, and other relevant agenda items. Statistics around teaming continue to be reviewed. Crew Planning continues to maximize pairing construction and optimizing teaming strategies to minimize costs and ensure that crews (Flight Attendants) can stay together for multiple segments.
  6. ITS. Representatives from ITS joined the scheduling meeting to provide updates on NAVBLUE, Crew Access, internal systems, and Block2Block. These updates include performance reviews, data analysis, and information about future releases. 

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 website.

In This Edition

TA2 Proposal Approved

Originally posted October 24, 2024

Our Negotiating Committee presented the finalized TA2 Proposal to the Master Executive Council (MEC) on Tuesday, October 22. The MEC unanimously voted to approve the proposal. The Negotiating Committee will prepare the proposal for presentation to management at the first mediation session, November 19 to 21. The second scheduled mediation session is December 17 to 19.

Read More >

Pairing Construction 101

Originally posted October 25, 2024

The AFA Pairing Analyst and Company Crew Planners use metrics like hotel costs, layover times, and duty limits to build pairings each month, but the optimizer often prioritizes crew utilization over pairing quality or Flight Attendant preferences. Changes in flight schedules, new routes, and the optimizer’s focus on maximizing duty days have led to less desirable pairings, though efforts are being made to reduce four-day pairings and balance costs with quality. Both the AFA Analyst and crew planners submit pairing solutions for review, with management making the final selection. The chosen solution is analyzed, and a detailed report is shared with Flight Attendants.

Read More >

Next Week’s Events

Tuesday, October 29Monthly Scheduling Committee Meeting

See the MEC Event Calendar >

Find Us on Social Media

You can find the most up-to-date official information on our AFA Alaska social media accounts.  Click below and follow so you can stay connected!

Scheduling Committee

  • Pairing Construction Process: The AFA Pairing Analyst and Company Crew Planners use metrics like hotel costs, layover times, and duty limits to build pairings each month, but the optimizer often prioritizes crew utilization over pairing quality or Flight Attendant preferences.
  • Challenges and Evolution: Changes in flight schedules, new routes, and the optimizer’s focus on maximizing duty days have led to less desirable pairings, though efforts are being made to reduce four-day pairings and balance costs with quality.
  • Selection and Reporting: Both the AFA Analyst and crew planners submit pairing solutions for review, with management making the final selection. The chosen solution is analyzed, and a detailed report is shared with flight attendants.

Introduction to the Pairing Process

Pairing construction is a complex process that occurs every month to create the work schedules, or “pairings,” that Flight Attendants will operate. A team consisting of four individuals—three Company Crew Planners and one AFA Pairing Analyst—work together to build these pairings. Karen Ferrell, our AFA Pairing Analyst and the Scheduling Committee Vice Chairperson-Pairing Construction, is an Anchorage-based Flight Attendant who flies between 50 to 70 TFP per month, ensuring a deep understanding of the challenges and frustrations Flight Attendants face regarding pairing quality.

Several factors impact the construction of pairings each month, some of which are outside the planners’ control. Factors such as red-eye flying, additional destinations, or changes to flight schedules contribute to variations in pairing structures. One of the most significant influences is the optimizer, a software program that builds pairings with the goal of maximizing Flight Attendant utilization. Unfortunately, this often results in multiple-leg days and minimal layover times, provided the pairings remain contractually legal.

Role of the Optimizer

The optimizer plays a key role in how pairings are constructed. Its primary function is to maximize efficiency, often with little regard for factors such as layover time, pairing value, or quality of life for Flight Attendants. For instance, if the optimizer can create a legal pairing that includes multiple long workdays with short layovers, it will do so to maximize crew utilization. While planners can implement certain “locks” and “penalties” to influence the optimizer’s output, these adjustments often come with increased costs. Moreover, the undesirable pairings still need to be assigned to someone.

Evolution of Flying at Alaska Airlines

Many Flight Attendants express concerns about losing the type of flying they were accustomed to holding. However, the flying at Alaska Airlines has changed significantly over the years and continues to evolve. Changes to flight schedules, new destinations, and route planning decisions can drastically alter pairing structures. Small shifts, such as a flight’s departure time being adjusted by a few minutes, can lead to new connections and different pairing configurations.

The optimizer frequently utilizes these changes to build multi-day, multi-leg pairings, maximizing duty days for Flight Attendants without considering the quality or desirability of the pairings. Additionally, while total hotel costs are included in cost analysis, the optimizer doesn’t focus on creating high-value pairings or accommodating Flight Attendants who prefer “high time, more efficient” pairings. The focus remains on maximizing crew usage, even if it leads to more undesirable pairings.

Balancing Costs and Desirability

To address the issue of undesirable pairings, planners have started placing penalties on four-day pairings to minimize their occurrence. This shift represents a small victory in improving pairing quality. While cost savings are important, the company has recognized that pairing configurations designed to maximize utilization can result in greater long-term costs when undesirable pairings remain open, requiring additional resources to cover them.

In July 2024 alone, there were 47,120 individual flights, resulting in approximately 8,900 pairings across the system. With over 6,900 Flight Attendants spread across six bases, each with unique preferences for “desirable pairings,” it’s impossible to eliminate all undesirable pairings or cater to every individual’s preference. Desirability varies significantly, with some Flight Attendants preferring turns, while others prioritize long layovers, single-leg days, or commutability.

Role of the AFA Pairing Analyst

The AFA Pairing Analyst works closely with the Master Executive Council (MEC) to guide the pairing-building process. Each month, the analyst collects input from Local Executive Council Presidents (LECPs) and Scheduling Chairs on what constitutes “desirable pairings” for their bases. This input, often based on seasonal flying, helps to ensure that the greatest number of Flight Attendants benefit from the pairings. While this information is shared with company crew planners, only the top three requests from each base are typically considered.

When building solutions, the AFA Pairing Analyst analyzes whether the optimizer has naturally built any of these requested pairings. If not, the analyst may manually adjust the solutions, keeping cost constraints in mind. However, if the analyst’s solution is significantly more expensive than the company’s, it is unlikely to be selected.

Metrics Used in Pairing Construction

Both the crew planners and the AFA Pairing Analyst input various metrics into the optimizer to build pairing solutions. These metrics include:

  • Hotel costs and per diem
  • Aircraft swaps
  • Minimum and maximum layover times
  • Maximum duty day
  • Sit Pay
  • Soft time (e.g., minimum pay rules like Multi-day Sequence Minimum, Duty Period Minimum, etc.)
  • Penalties for trip length
  • Red-eye flights with End of Duty (no additional flying after all-nighter flights until after legal rest.)
  • Hard and soft locks for specific pairing configurations
  • Deadheads and other contractual or Federal Aviation Regulation (FAR) requirements

These metrics are essential in shaping the final pairing solutions, with each party adjusting parameters to influence the results.

How Is a Pairing Solution Chosen?

Each month, the AFA Pairing Analyst and Crew Planners submit their pairing solutions for consideration. The Crew Planning department creates a cost comparison document that outlines the financial implications of each solution. While the AFA Pairing Analyst has input in the selection process, management has final authority over which solution is chosen.

For transparency, the cost comparison document is also shared with MEC officers, although it is confidential and requires the AFA Pairing Analyst to sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) to view it.

Post-Solution Review and Reporting

Once management confirms the selected solution, the AFA Pairing Analyst reviews the pairings for each domicile and writes a monthly pairing report. This detailed review typically takes two to three hours and includes a thorough examination of the final pairing configurations. After completing the report, the analyst forwards it to Crew Planning, which adds statistical information such as average TFP per duty period, average sit time, and other key metrics.

The finalized “Pairing Report and Statistics” is then distributed to Flight Attendants via Outlook, ensuring transparency and communication regarding the monthly pairing process.

In This Edition

TA2 Proposal Update 2

Originally posted October 17, 2024

Our Negotiating Committee presented the TA2 Proposal to the Master Executive Council (MEC) on Wednesday, October 16. After discussion and collaboration with the MEC, the Negotiating Committee is working on a few minor adjustments/amendments. The finalized proposal will be presented to the MEC next week during their regularly scheduled meeting, and the MEC will vote on the proposal.

Read More >

Next Week’s Events

Tuesday, October 22Special MEC Meeting
Tuesday, October 22SAN Base Safety Meeting
Wednesday, October 23SEA Base Safety Meeting
Thursday, October 24Council 30 (ANC) Local Council Meeting
Thursday, October 24Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR)

See the MEC Event Calendar >

Find Us on Social Media

You can find the most up-to-date official information on our AFA Alaska social media accounts.  Click below and follow so you can stay connected!

In This Edition

TA2 Proposal Update

Originally posted October 10, 2024

Our Negotiating Committee has spent the last several weeks analyzing the results of the TA2 Survey and developing a TA2 Proposal to present to the Master Executive Council (MEC). A Special MEC Meeting is scheduled next week for the Negotiating Committee to present the TA2 Proposal to the MEC for approval and/or amendment.

Read More >

Shared on Social

Donate to the AFA Disaster Relief Fund

Disasters like Hurricane Milton and Helene can be devastating, but as a Union, we can make a real difference by supporting each other.

Consider donating to the AFA Disaster Relief Fund to assist Flight Attendants in need. Every contribution, no matter how small, can truly help. Donate now at https://www.afacwa.org/disaster_relief_fund.

And don’t forget, AFA EAP is always here for you at (800) 424-2406. If you need assistance, don’t hesitate to apply to the AFA Disaster Relief Fund or visit disasterassistance.gov to find out about eligibility and apply for FEMA’s Individual and Household Program.

Next Week’s Events

Wednesday, October 16Special MEC Meeting
Thursday, October 17Council 39 (PDX) Local Council Meeting
Thursday, October 17LAX Base Safety Meeting

See the MEC Event Calendar >

Find Us on Social Media

You can find the most up-to-date official information on our AFA Alaska social media accounts.  Click below and follow so you can stay connected!

Important dates

October 14th – 16th – NGP Supplemental Benefits counselor onsite at PDX crew room; 8am – 4pm PT on 10/14; 5:30am – 1:30pm PT on 10/15 and 10/16

October 15th – Vacation bidding Round 2 closes at 11:59pm PT

October 16th – Management crew pay reps available – Laurelhurst Room 8am – 11am PT

October 17th – Local Council Meeting in Laurelhurst Room 10am – 12 noon PT

October 28th – Vacation trading opens at 10am PT

Hawaiian merger committee interviews

Originally published via MEC update on September 19th, 2024. MEC Update 9/19/24

Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) and Seniority Merger Integration Committee (SMIC) Interviews

Expressing Interest & Interview Scheduling

The MEC will hold interviews of eligible candidates during the November Regular MEC Meeting on Tuesday, November 12 and Wednesday, November 13. If you’re interested in interviewing, plan to bid around this date or adjust your schedule accordingly to accommodate. All interviews will be conducted in person in SeaTac, WA.

Interested candidates should submit an expression of interest and resume using the online expression of interest form. The deadline for submissions is 5 PM Pacific time on Tuesday, November 5, 2024. After the submission deadline, an MEC representative will contact eligible candidates to arrange a specific interview time.

Please note that to submit an expression of interest, you must have a Google account.  If you do not have a Google account, you can create one for free at https://accounts.google.com/signup.

Disaster Relief Fund

AFA International

There have been recent changes to the AFA Disaster Relief Fund program.

We are aware of members whose lives and households have been affected by Hurricane Helene. The AFA Disaster Relief Fund is actively monitoring messages for applications. Any AFA member and RAFA member in good standing who is involuntarily displaced from their primary residence for seven or more days because of a natural disaster is eligible for a one-time per calendar year gift of $500. If a member would like to apply for AFA Disaster Relief Funds, they can go to www.afacwa.org/drf and download the Disaster Relief Fund Application. Submission instructions are included on the site.

Additionally, members can apply for FEMA financial relief at https://www.disasterassistance.gov/ or 800-621-3362. 

FEMA disaster assistance may help with a range of needs including:  

Serious Needs Assistance. Money to help one pay for essential items such as food, water, baby formula, breastfeeding supplies, medication and other emergency supplies.

Displacement Assistance. Money to help with housing needs. If one cannot return to their home because of the disaster, this money can be used to stay in a hotel, with family and friends, or other options while one looks for a rental unit.

Other eligible expenses. This includes expenses from things like rental assistance, basic home repairs and property losses.

For more information and/or to contribute to AFA’s Disaster Relief Fund to help fellow members, please visit Disaster Relief Fund – Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (afacwa.org)

Grievance report

Recent performance meetings include sick leave abuse, personal conduct and attendance warnings. There has been a notable increase in attendance written and final warnings for points. If you are not familiar with attendance policies, please review Section 32 – Attendance Policy in our contract at AFA-ALA-eJCBA-2018-2021-v.2019.06.12.3.pdf (afaalaska.org)

Please make sure you are aware of your attendance points status and check your attendance points regularly (Crew Access>Reports>Attendance points.) If you find an error, please contact your attendance supervisor directly to resolve.

Multiple members have received no-shows lately for not returning calls to crew scheduling. In the absence of a documented network outage at a cellular carrier level, there is little that can be done to mitigate the points from a no-show when a claim is made that a call wasn’t received and/or a voicemail wasn’t delivered. Management can document the outbound call to your phone number on file through call logs and the voice messages that are left are on a recorded line. Management’s position is that it is your responsibility to be contactable. This applies to both Reserve and Lineholder Flight Attendants.

Google Voice number recommendation

If you only have one phone number on file, it is recommended that you establish a free Google Voice number and provide that as a secondary number for scheduling to call should they not reach you on your primary number. From Anthony Eskander, local Reserve Committee Chairperson and Inflight Instructor:

Due to the recent nationwide issues with cell phone carriers, my advice is to get a free Google Voice number to use as your secondary number. The Google Voice App offers a free service that assigns you a free phone number that lets you forward calls and voicemails to your cell phone and email using data/W-Fi. If you would like to use this as your secondary number, it needs to be listed as mobile, home, or work in PeopleSoft.

Visit Voice (google.com) for more information and to establish an account. 

New committee members

Megan Getske – Government Affairs Committee

Megan began flying in 2008 with Virgin America. While there, she was elected to the Work Rules committee and was later involved in getting a Union to represent the Virgin America Flight Attendants. 

Megan transferred to the Portland base in 2019 and now lives in Vancouver, WA with the two best kitties a cat lady could ask for!

Jessica Rodriguez-Aguinaga – Scheduling Committee

Jessica has been a Flight Attendant since 2016. A proud graduate of Washington State University (WSU), she earned a bachelor’s degree and has an educational background encompassing business administration, human resources, accounting, and social sciences.

Beyond her professional achievements, she enjoys spending quality time with her family and their beloved four-legged companions; three charming Chihuahuas and an adorable Frenchie! Jessica describes her journey as a harmonious balance between professional success and personal fulfillment, reflecting her dedication to both career and cherished loved ones. She looks forward to working with all of us in the Portland base.


Please join us in welcoming Megan and Jessica!

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month

AFA International 

In 2024 an estimated 310,720 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in women in the U.S., as well as 56,500 new cases of non-invasive (in situ) breast cancer, according to the National Breast Cancer Foundation. There are currently over 4 million breast cancer survivors in the U.S. – many who fly with us every day. A study from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that Flight Attendants have a higher prevalence of every cancer they studied, especially breast cancer, melanoma, and non-melanoma skin cancer.

Early detection of the disease remains the cornerstone of breast cancer control. When breast cancer is detected early with adequate diagnosis and treatment, there is a good chance that breast cancer can be cured. 

This is something that affects all of us within our Flight Attendant community and the world. Use this month to encourage your mothers, spouses, sisters, and flying partners to get an exam or perform a self-exam.

Remember, your AFA EAP is available to confidentially assist you with any health-related issues. You can find a listing of your local EAP committee members at Council 39 Committees (afaalaska.org)

Have a safe and Happy Halloween!

Steve, Krystle and Bethany

In This Edition

Scheduling Committee Meeting Recap – September 2024

Originally posted October 4, 2024

On September 24, our AFA Scheduling Committee Chairpersons met to discuss their ongoing program of work to represent Flight Attendants’ interests related to lineholder scheduling. The Committee met with management to receive updates and discuss issues and problems Flight Attendants face with scheduling, pairings, and bidding. Your Local Scheduling Committee is available to assist with any lineholder scheduling-related issues. Don’t hesitate to reach out for help!

Read More >

Next Week’s Events

Monday, October 7Council 19 (SEA) Local Council Meeting
Tuesday, October 8 – Wednesday, October 9Master Executive Council (MEC) Meeting
Thursday, October 10Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR)

See the MEC Event Calendar >

Find Us on Social Media

You can find the most up-to-date official information on our AFA Alaska social media accounts.  Click below and follow so you can stay connected!

Scheduling Committee

  • On September 24, our AFA Scheduling Committee Chairpersons met to discuss their ongoing work representing Flight Attendants’ interests in lineholder scheduling.
  • The Committee met with management to receive updates and discuss issues and problems Flight Attendants face with scheduling, pairings, and bidding.
  • Your Local Scheduling Committee is available to assist with any lineholder scheduling-related issues. Don’t hesitate to reach out for help!

On Tuesday, September 24, our AFA Scheduling Committee Chairpersons/Representatives 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), Jaqui Bellenie (SFO), Rita Tillou (SEA), Melodie Anderes & Russel Rivinius (PDX), Kanako Yamado (LAX), and Kitty Cohen (SAN). Also present were MEC Scheduling Committee Chairperson Jake Jones, MEC Scheduling Committee Vice Chairperson—Pairing Construction Karen Ferrell, and MEC Scheduling Committee Vice Chairperson—PBS Virginia Fritz. 

The committee met with Managing Director Inflight Operations & Crew Scheduling Allen Thieman, Director Inflight Crew Scheduling Sara Cook, Director Crew Staffing Nicholas Giles, Manager of Crew Planning Jeffery Hunt, Senior Manager Product Management Rick Mitchell, Manager Inflight Crew Scheduling Goose Hlaingmyint, Inflight Crew Scheduling Supervisor Matthew Trujillo, Manager of Crew Pay Debbie Bakke, and other management representatives from Crew Planning and Crew Scheduling.

The Committee is next scheduled to meet on Tuesday, October 29, 2024.

Topics of Discussion

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

  • Local Chairperson Reports
    • 3-hour sits at SNA with limited options for crew to break rooms.
    • Questions regarding Flight Attendant crew pay base sits and scheduling. Flight Attendant crew pay is visiting LAX and will attend other domiciles in the future.
    • Positive feedback on Uber codes for hotel accommodations linked to sits in excess of 4 hours.
  • Flight Operations
    • Ongoing issues with redeye flights to Texas, EWR, and Hawaii; numbers are decreasing. There is a lot of late night flying provided in the network.
    • Post-summer evaluation of 2-day HA flights.
  • Charter Operations
    • Issues with pre-cancelled charters and lack of operation.
    • Concerns about lack of transparency regarding ferry flights in bid postings. Flight Attendants should open up the bid to see the actual pairings. Only the live charter legs are listed in the charter bid header.
  • PBS and Bidding
    • October bidding observed as challenging for Reserves; protests noted.
    • Upcoming Navblue conference and software updates discussed.
  • Payroll and Compensation
    • Technical issues noted in payroll processing; specific concerns about Flight Attendants waiving pay under rest regulations.
    • Ongoing requests for clarity on reassignment policies and compensation structures.
  • Crew Planning Report
    • November Staffing Plan. Line averages projected at 76.5, similar to October but fewer Reserves.
    • Pairing Analysis. Review of pairing positions and trip distribution, with a focus on commuting challenges. SEA/ANC/LAX are the easiest commuting bases while SFO/PDX are the most challenging. 
    • Upcoming Changes. Potential schedule cuts due to the Boeing strike and a reassessment of leaves for January and February. There are no leaves planned for November or December.
    • Teaming Strategy. Flight Attendant/pilot teaming reintroduced for winter months, with ongoing analysis of historical metrics and trends.
  • Crew Scheduling Report
    • Absence Trends. Notable improvement in absence rates for lineholders; however, sick calls are increasing among lineholders. Lineholder absent rates over 14% on average.
    • Reserve Utilization. Reserve utilization at approximately 92.5% for August/September. Reserve absent rates are over 10% on average.
    • Scheduling Challenges. Issues with legal start times for early morning flights and the need for aircraft resting (RON). High Reserve utilization affects operational optimization.
    • Contractual Premium and Scheduling Flexibility. Discussion on the need for flexibility in pairing construction and scheduling, particularly regarding commutable trips and the impacts of sickness. There is a new slide where we review contractual premium and posted premium. This carves out a better picture of the operation and cost structure.
    • Fatigue Monitoring. Increased fatigue risk observed for Reserves converted to ER trips; discussions on better communication regarding fitness to fly.
    • Scheduler Updates. 14 new schedulers onboard, with several in training and others passing probation.
  • Hotel and Grievance Updates
    • Changes in JFK layovers discussed; Alaska covering redeye hotel costs that require payment twice for the rooms. There will be a possible hotel change and relocation in the near future. 
    • Arbitration for 8.M scheduled for the end of October.
  • Additional Reports
    • Crew Pay report highlighted a high volume of queries, with calls for better categorization and communication about pay issues. There are several inquiries that are submitted and not required. This backlogs the system. Please only file inquiries for the items listed in the drop down boxes or if your pay has not been appropriately reconciled by the 10th of the subsequent month.
    • Suggestions for a FAQ document and potential use of AI for payroll inquiries. 

What The Committee Is Working On

  1. NAVBLUE. The PBS Subcommittee is seeking feedback on how they can improve their assistance to flight crews regarding bid awards and understanding results. They provided both in-person and virtual meetings for this purpose. The PBS Subcommittee is working with management on PBS base sit budgets.  Management has the committee keep track of how money is being spent to assist flight crews with their bidding. We appreciate your participation in virtual and in person base sits. 
  2. Pairings Survey. There is a discussion of reviewing bidding data from NAVBLUE to see what kind of pairings Flight Attendants are interested in flying instead of sending out a survey. We will continue to review options. 
  3. Chime Communications. To reduce phone call volumes, Flight Attendants may soon be able to chat with Crew Scheduling via app/Microsoft Teams. The chat will be for Flight Attendant-initiated contact only. The function is currently in the early stages of development and still needs to be discussed with Labor Relations management and our MEC. Testing and implementation are continuing over the next few weeks. We are working on a letter of agreement for implementation, which is still pending review. 
  4. Crew Scheduling. A monthly review of PowerPoint presentations covered various aspects such as reserve utilization, detailed breakdowns, sick leave (week by week and year over year), premium, personal drops, and other relevant agenda items.
  5. Crew Planning. Like Crew Scheduling, there was a monthly review of PowerPoint presentations that covered subsequent month staffing, trip length distribution, Flight Attendant block hours, special initiatives (e.g., IROPs), commutability, and other relevant agenda items. Statistics around teaming continue to be reviewed. Crew Planning continues to maximize pairing construction and optimizing teaming strategies to minimize costs and ensure that crews (Flight Attendants) can stay together for multiple segments.
  6. ITS. Representatives from ITS joined the scheduling meeting to provide updates on NAVBLUE, Crew Access, internal systems, and Block2Block. These updates include performance reviews, data analysis, and information about future releases.

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 website.

In This Edition

Hotel Committee Meeting Recap – 3rd Quarter 2024

Originally posted September 23, 2024

On September 12, our AFA Hotel Committee Chairpersons met to discuss their ongoing work to protect and improve the quality of hotel accommodations and ground transportation providers for Flight Attendants. The Committee met with management and representatives from the company’s crew accommodations vendor to discuss current trends and concerns regarding layover hotels and transportation. If you encounter problems or have positive feedback about hotels or transportation, please report it through the feedback function in the MyCrewCare app. Your feedback is crucial as it provides the Committee with essential data to support keeping high-quality hotels and push for change when conditions are unacceptable.

Read More >

Uniform Committee Meeting Recap – 3rd Quarter 2024

Originally posted September 24, 2024

Our AFA Uniform Committee Chairpersons met on Wednesday, August 7th to discuss their ongoing program of work to represent Flight Attendants interests related to uniforms. The Committee also met with management to receive updates and discuss issues and problems that Flight Attendants are reporting related to uniform quality, wearability, and availability. If you are experiencing any issues with uniform quality or construction, please report the issues to Unisync as soon as possible. Please include your Local Uniform Committee Chairperson on the email so they can help track any issues or trends that might be developing.

Read More >

Reserve Committee Meeting Recap – 3rd Quarter 2024

Originally posted September 25, 2024

Our AFA Reserve Committee Chairpersons met on Thursday, September 12, to discuss their ongoing program of work to represent and advocate for our Reserve Flight Attendants. The Committee also met with management to review specific concerns that Flight Attendants brought forward. Your Local Reserve Committee is available to answer questions, clarify contractual language, or help resolve reserve-related issues. Please don’t hesitate to reach out!

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Inflight Service Committee Meeting Recap – 3rd Quarter 2024

Originally posted September 26, 2024

Our AFA Inflight Service Committee Chairpersons met on September 17 to represent Flight Attendants’ interests related to catering and onboard service/sales. The Committee met with management to discuss and receive updates on issues and problems faced by Flight Attendants onboard. The Committee continues to work with management to address catering concerns and improve processes in the future. Please report catering issues through Block2Block and safety-related issues through ReportIt!

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Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee Meeting Recap – 4th Quarter 2024

Originally posted September 27, 2024

On September 10, our AFA Air Safety, Health, and Security Committee (ASHSC) Chairpersons met to discuss their ongoing work representing Flight Attendants’ interests in safety, health, and security. The committee met with management to receive updates and discuss issues faced by Flight Attendants onboard the aircraft. Reporting safety concerns is crucial in these challenging times. Use ReportIt! to file FAIR, ASAP, and fatigue reports. Contact your Local ASHSC if you need assistance.

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Next Week’s Events

Thursday, October 3Scheduling Review Board (SRB)

See the MEC Event Calendar >

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You can find the most up-to-date official information on our AFA Alaska social media accounts.  Click below and follow so you can stay connected!

Uniform Committee Meeting Recap – 3rd Quarter 2026

This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants On Thursday, August 13, our pre-merger Alaska AFA Uniform Committee Chairpersons met to discuss their ongoing work to represent Flight Attendants and push for improvements in the workplace. Representing you at the meeting were Kim Mazzolini (ANC), Dena Heath (SEA), Diana Berni (PDX),  Lisa Mueller (SFO), Heather […]

Hotel Committee Meeting Recap – August 2026

On Monday, August 10, our AFA Hotel Committee Chairpersons met remotely to receive an update about current layover hotels and transportation providers and discuss concerns with management. Representing you at the meeting were Dori Marron (ANC), Jarod McNeill (SEA pmAS), Kelly Hepworth (PDX), Hilary Streem (SFO), Brian Sherill (LAX pmAS), Kanani Vallot (SAN), and Matt […]

787-9 Inflight Service Grievance: Protecting Our Contract and Standards

This message is for pre-merger Hawaiian Flight Attendants For decades, Hawaiian Airlines Flight Attendants have defined the Spirit of Aloha. We take pride in delivering world-class service, but management’s current Boeing 787-9 service model is threatening that legacy. It isn’t just inefficient—it’s an unsustainable pace that undermines the quality our passengers expect and the professional […]

Pre-Merger Alaska Reserve Webinar Video and Q&A Recap – August 6, 2026

This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants Thank you to everyone who joined our first pre-merger Alaska Reserve Webinar! We created this interactive session to share practical contract tips and help you feel more confident about reserve life. You can now watch the recording on our YouTube channel using the link below. Please note that […]

Wrapping Up Membership Engagement Focus Month: Stronger Together

July was a remarkable month for our Membership Engagement Committee. We set out with a clear purpose: to bring our Flight Attendant community closer together, share valuable resources, and build authentic connections throughout our system. Over the past four weeks, we explored what it means to be engaged in our AFA family. We kicked things […]

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