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Scheduling Committee

  • Our AFA Scheduling Committee Chairpersons met on Tuesday, April 26 to discuss their ongoing program of work to represent Flight Attendants interests related to lineholder scheduling.
  • The Committee also met with management to receive updates and discuss issues and problems that Flight Attendants are experiencing with scheduling, pairings, and bidding.
  • Your Local Scheduling Committee is available to answer questions, provide clarification, or help to resolve any lineholder scheduling-related issues.  Please don’t hesitate to reach out!

On Tuesday, April 26, our AFA Scheduling Committee Chairpersons met to discuss their ongoing work to represent our Flight Attendants and push for improvements in our workplace. Representing you at the meeting were Heather Reier (ANC), Martin Vance (SEA), Melodie Anderes (PDX), Virginia Fritz (SFO), Brie Donoghue (LAX), and Kitty Cohen (SAN). Also present were MEC Scheduling Committee Chairperson Jake Jones, MEC Scheduling Committee Vice Chairperson—Pairing Construction Karen Ferrell, MEC Scheduling Committee Vice Chairperson—PBS Adam Clarey, MEC Grievance Committee Payroll Representative Kiara Jenkins, and MEC Reserve Chairperson Julie Thornton. The committee met with Managing Director of Inflight Operations Michaela Littman, Director of Inflight Crew Scheduling Denia Pisia, Manager of Crew Planning Mac Patterson, and other management representatives from Crew Scheduling and Crew Planning.

Topics of Discussion

The committee reviewed a number of items both during internal AFA-only conversation and when meeting with management. Some items discussed include:

  • Reassignments for line holders and reserves – avoiding cancellations
  • Long wait times for hotels/transportation.  API concerns, continue to file crew care reports and remain in contact with Crew Scheduling. 
  • Pre-cancellations, ability to email and waive pay
  • Redeyes contained in mixed pairings
  • Hawaii flying releasing after midnight.  Discussion about 2-day trips that cover 3 calendar days
  • Flight Schedule changes and cancellations (reduction in planned schedule) for May, June, July, August.
  • Spring Incentive Premium.  Positive and Negative feedback reviewed, assisting with questions.
  • Sick Leave in each domicile.  Some bases are over 20% daily sick calls.
  • Line averages and Reserve coverage.  Management is planning to lower averages to 75 TFP and increase reserve coverage to above 20% in all bases.  
  • New Crew Resource Department and the corresponding email from COO/EVP Constance von Muehlen.
  • Crew Access/NAVBLUE/T-Mobile/Block2Block – data, statistics, pending updates and requests to improve. 

What The Committee Is Working On

  1. PBS Base Sits.  Conducting virtual meetings, trainings, and in-person meetings in preparation for the sunsetting of NAVBLUE ClassBid PBS.  
  2. Reassignment Flow Chart.  Scheduling Committee Members reviewed a draft of the reassignment flow chart and it has been moved forward to the final stages of review and approval.  Refer to sections 10.R and 10.R.5 of our CBA.
  3. Scheduling Quality of Life Improvements.  Reviewing ways to improve Trip Length Distribution (TLD) and other quality of life options.  Working with management to develop a quality of life survey to determine Flight Attendant scheduling priorities. 
  4. Review of user guides and links of Flight Attendant website.  Ensuring information is still accurate in existing resource materials, links are still active and working, etc.
  5. Updating Crew Access videos.  Working with management and ITS to update the Crew Access instructional videos to reflect updates and changes to the user interface.

We Want to Hear From You!

Do you have feedback for the committee, concerns you’d like to share, or items that you’d like brought up with management?  Please let us know!  Your Local Scheduling Committee is your voice to management.  You can open a support request on the AFA Alaska Online Support Center or contact us directly using the information on the Scheduling Committee page of the AFA Alaska website.

In This Edition

Masks Are No Longer Required in Airports or Onboard

Originally posted April 18, 2022

The CDC and TSA report the federal mask mandate is no longer in effect after today’s court ruling. The Administration is still reviewing its legal options for addressing the issue of executive authority to issue public health initiatives.  Additionally, Alaska Airlines management just announced via multiple channels that the mask mandate is lifted effective immediately on all aircraft. This policy change has been picked by media outlets, so it is very likely that passengers will be reading this information possibly before crews hear about it.

Read More >

Introducing Our AFA Staff Negotiator and Staff Attorney

Originally posted April 19, 2022

AFA is a union organized by Flight Attendants for Flight Attendants.  All AFA officers and committee members are Flight Attendants who have experience doing our job and understand the uniqueness of our profession.  To help complement the representation work done by our officers and committees, AFA also employs experts in a variety of fields to provide professional support and add to our strength.  Two AFA staff members assigned to AFA Alaska play key roles in the negotiation and administration of our contract: AFA Senior Staff Negotiator Paula Mastrangelo and AFA Staff Attorney Kimberley Chaput.

Read More >

Three Things That You Can Do to Keep Management From Getting the Upper Hand in Contract Negotiations

Originally posted April 21, 2022

Preparation work for contract negotiations is underway and many of us are starting to talk about improvements we’d like to see in our next contract.  We need to make sure that our Negotiating Committee has every possible advantage to give us the strongest position at the bargaining table.  Things that we say or do may have an impact on the strength of that position.  Being mindful of the conversations we have and what we post online will help to keep management from getting the upper hand over our Negotiating Committee.

Read More >

Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee Meeting Recap – 2nd Quarter 2022

Originally posted April 22, 2022

Our AFA Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC) Chairpersons met on Thursday, April 14 to discuss their ongoing program of work to represent Flight Attendants interests related to safety, health, and security in our workplace.  The Committee also met with management to receive updates and discuss issues and problems that Flight Attendants are facing onboard the aircraft.  Reporting safety concerns is more important than ever given the challenges we are currently facing as a work group.  Flight Attendant Irregularity Reports (FAIR), Aviation Safety Action Reports (ASAP), and fatigue reports can all be filed through Report It!  Please contact a member of your Local ASHSC if you need assistance.

Read More >

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REMINDER: Sign Up For a Listening Session

REMINDER: Negotiating Committee Listening Sessions are coming up next month and the time to sign up is now!  Listening Sessions are your opportunity to meet with our Negotiating Committee in a small group setting and share your thoughts, ideas, experiences, or anything else on your mind about negotiations.  Register for a session today and get involved in the process—your voice matters! 

https://contract2022.afaalaska.org/committee/listening/

Next Week’s Events

Tuesday, April 26Monthly Scheduling Committee Meeting
Tuesday, April 26 Council 39 (PDX) Local Council Meeting

See the MEC Event Calendar >

Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC)

  • Our AFA Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC) Chairpersons met on Thursday, April 14 to discuss their ongoing program of work to represent Flight Attendants interests related to safety, health, and security in our workplace.
  • The Committee also met with management to receive updates and discuss issues and problems that Flight Attendants are facing onboard the aircraft.
  • Reporting safety concerns is more important than ever given the challenges we are currently facing as a work group.  Flight Attendant Irregularity Reports (FAIR), Aviation Safety Action Reports (ASAP), and fatigue reports can all be filed through Report It!  Please contact a member of your Local ASHSC if you need assistance.

On Thursday, April 14, our AFA Local Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC) Chairpersons met to discuss their ongoing work to represent our Flight Attendants and push for improvements in our workplace.  Representing you at the meeting were Debi Wallstrom (ANC), David Lake (SEA), Bethany Gilbo (PDX), Brad Young (SFO), Felicia Porter (LAX), and Eva Gatus (SAN).  Also present were MEC ASHSC Chairperson Seth Heiple, MEC ASHSC Vice Chairperson—Air Quality Yvette Satterlee, and MEC Vice President Brian Palmer.  The committee met with Director of Inflight Operations Michaela Littman, Director of Inflight Strategy & Support Gloria Chow, Cabin Safety Manager Cari Smith-Allen, and Manager of Inflight Policy & Procedure Joevanni Camacho and other representatives from inflight management.

Topics of Discussion

The committee reviewed a number of items both during internal AFA-only conversation and when meeting with management.  Some items discussed include:

  • Lack of onboard experience being provided to our newest Flight Attendants during Initial Training. The ASHSC believes that more onboard experience during Initial Training is better.
  • Timeline for retiring legacy Virgin America carts and discussion about general cart maintenance.
  • Lack of availability of replacement luggage for Flight Attendants.
  • New IMD device and timeline for replacement of current IMD and electronic FAM (GoodReader).  Also discussed the desire/need to have a bigger screen on the next IMD.
  • Update on request to establish a dedicated time prior to boarding to perform emergency equipment checks and Flight Attendant briefings.
  • The risk of irregular operations, such as reopening the boarding door after departure to enplane passengers.
  • Wild fire season preparedness; there will be an accommodation process for those with health conditions increasing their risk of being exposed to poor air quality.
  • Preparation for the eventual ending of the mask mandate. Note: unfortunately, many of the needed discussions and preparations did not take place prior to the abrupt ending of the mandate and associated company policy on April 18.
  • Airbus L1 & R1 assist handle is not usable by all due to the placement of the divider. We have been working with the company for three years to address the issue. Although not ideal, an extension strap will be installed to the bottom of the current assist handle for Flight Attendants to hold in an emergency while pulling the manual inflation handle.
  • Some of the mockups in training facilities have platforms which require Flight Attendants to step down and back up to get into their protected position during drills. This is a safety hazard. The platforms will be expanded to provide more space.
  • LEOs have been using body cameras to record interviews with/take statements from Flight Attendants involved in significant events. These interviews can be obtained by the public via Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request. The ASHSC asked management to update company post event protocols and training to account for this.
  • Update on transition to T-Mobile. Company reports that service had been upgraded at most stations which had inadequate service at the start of the rollout.
  • The need for brighter lighting during compliance checks.
  • The adoption of the ASHSC’s recommendation to have the D-position Flight Attendant in a dedicated boarding position at L1 as part of the boarding position changes.
  • Inflight management and AFA representatives not being notified of disruptive passenger and other significant events so appropriate response and support can be provided to crew.
  • Report It! app to receive update to turbulence reporting section and the ability to submit EIRs (Employee Injury Reports)
  • Inflight has agreed to take the ASHSC’s recommendation to add “in an emergency leave everything” to the safety demo in a future FAM revision.
  • ASHSC is still advocating for updates to EMK/EEMK to include a pulse oximeter and glucometer among other improvements and standardization across kits.
  • High quality hands on training of safest body mechanics to use when performing Flight Attendant duties.

What The Committee Is Working On

  1. Improved Restraint Devices.  Advocating for replacement of current restraint devices with an improved product.
  2. Conducting Prior to Landing Compliance Checks Earlier.  Advocating for a change to the timing of the prior to landing compliance check announcement. The ASHSC believes it is safer to make the announcement at 18,000 feet so we can be seated for landing closer to 10,000 feet.
  3. Reducing Carry-On Bag and Overhead Bin Injuries.  Working with management to identify and implement mitigations for injuries caused by carry on bags and closing overhead bins. 

We Want to Hear From You!

If you’ve experienced a safety-related issue, please help the committee to advocate for improvement and change by filing a report.  Flight Attendant Irregularity Reports (FAIR), Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP) reports, and fatigue reports can all be submitted using ReportIt!  If you’re not sure what type of report to file for a particular situation or need help, please don’t hesitate to contact a member of your Local ASHSC.

Do you have other feedback for the committee or items that you’d like brought up with management?  Please let us know!  Your Local ASHSC is your voice to management.  You can find our contact information on the ASHSC page of the AFA Alaska website. 

This is a reminder for our Joint Local Council Meeting on April 21st at 1PM and we hope you can attend. This meeting will be primarily to review the agenda for the Board of Directors meeting taking place in May. 

Joint Local Council Meeting

WhenThu Apr 21, 2022 1pm – 3pmPacific Time – Los Angeles
Wherehttps://us06web.zoom.us/j/84188031648?pwd=Q0hsSkFFSGVBOWgwbjRmK0NHUHZ1UT09(map)
Who•Terry Taylor- organizer

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Meeting ID: 841 8803 1648
Passcode: 810942
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The CDC and TSA report the federal mask mandate is no longer in effect after today’s court ruling. The Administration is still reviewing its legal options for addressing the issue of executive authority to issue public health initiatives. 

Additionally, Alaska Airlines management just announced via multiple channels that the mask mandate is lifted effective immediately on all aircraft. This policy change has been picked by media outlets, so it is very likely that passengers will be reading this information possibly before crews hear about it.

We have asked management to push an ACARS message to all aircraft, which we are told should be happening soon–if it hasn’t already.

In This Edition

Delayed Publication of May 2022 Bid Awards

Originally posted April 13, 2022

Management violated section 10.J.8 of our collective bargaining agreement when they failed to publish bid awards by 9 AM Pacific time on the 13th of the month.  They owe all of us a explanation as to why they failed to honor their obligation and what they plan to do to hold themselves accountable.  Our MEC has also let management know that we expect them to engage with AFA about an appropriate and mutually acceptable remedy for the contractual violation.

Read More >

April 2022 MEC Meeting Recap

Originally posted April 14, 2022

Our AFA Alaska Master Executive Council (MEC) met this week on Tuesday, April 12 and Wednesday, April 13 to conduct their ongoing work to represent our Flight Attendants.  As part of the meeting, the MEC met with members of inflight, labor relations, and executive management to discuss issues and concerns that are facing our work group and need to be addressed.  The next Regular MEC Meeting is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, May 24.  Please don’t hesitate to reach out to your LEC President if you have any questions.

Read More >

Introducing our MEC Mobilization Committee Chairperson

Originally posted April 15, 2022

Our Master Executive Council (MEC) conducted interviews this week for the MEC Mobilization Committee Chairperson position who will be responsible for coordinating mobilization activities across all six bases during our upcoming contract negotiations. Our MEC would like to thank the candidates who demonstrated willingness to represent our Flight Attendants.  After thorough deliberation, the voting members of your MEC, consisting of the six directly-elected LEC Presidents, have appointed a candidate to the position. 

Read More >

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Management’s Violation of CBA Section 10.J.8

Our MEC is extremely frustrated by management’s violation of section 10.J.8 of our collective bargaining agreement through their failure to post bid awards by the 13th of the month at 9 AM Pacific time. The issue is being discussed by the MEC and we are preparing to file a contractual grievance on behalf of all Flight Attendants. Please note that there is no need to file a ticket through the AFA Alaska Support Center as any action taken under the contractual grievance process will be on behalf of our entire workgroup. We will be publishing a more in-depth communication on the issue later today.

Next Week’s Events

Monday, April 18AFA Presentation to Initial Training Class 2022-06
Tuesday, April 19SEA Base Safety Meeting
Tuesday, April 19 – Wednesday, April 20 Negotiating Committee Training
Thursday, April 21Council 19 (SEA) Local Council Meeting
Thursday, April 21Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR)

See the MEC Event Calendar >

Master Executive Council (MEC)

  • Our AFA Alaska Master Executive Council (MEC) met this week on Tuesday, April 12 and Wednesday, April 13 to conduct their ongoing work to represent our Flight Attendants.
  • As part of the meeting, the MEC met with members of inflight, labor relations, and executive management to discuss issues and concerns that are facing our work group and need to be addressed.
  • The next Regular MEC Meeting is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, May 24.  Please don’t hesitate to reach out to your LEC President if you have any questions.

The April 2022 Regular MEC Meeting was held this week on Tuesday, April 12 and Wednesday, April 13.  The meeting consisted of updates provided by our MEC Officers, LEC Presidents, Grievance Committee, and Scheduling Committee.  Our MEC also reviewed written reports submitted by other AFA MEC Committee Chairpersons about their current programs of work. 

MEC Mobilization Committee Chairperson Interviews

Part of Tuesday was spent interviewing candidates for the MEC Mobilization Committee Chairperson position who will be responsible for coordinating mobilization activities across all six bases during upcoming contract negotiations.  Our MEC would like to thank all of the candidates who expressed a willingness to serve and interviewed for the positions.  We’ll have more information tomorrow morning about the outcome of the interviews.

Meeting with Management

As part of most Regular MEC Meetings, our MEC meets with management to review current issues and challenges that Flight Attendants are facing.  Attendees from management this month included EVP & COO Constance von Muehlen, Managing Director of Inflight Operations Michaela Littman, Director of Inflight Crew Scheduling Denia Pisia, Vice President of Labor Relations Jenny Wetzel, and Director of Payroll Leah Ables.

Some of the topics that were discussed include:

  • Leave and absence management issues.  The approval process has been slow and employees have not been receiving timely responses to inquiries and requests.
  • PBS bid award delays and frustration surrounding management errors (note: the discussion with management took place before the bid award publishing deadline and a contractual violation had not occurred yet).
  • April OPR goals and management’s claim that inflight did not meet the safety goal due to a partial slide event.  Based on information published on Alaska’s World, inflight did meet the goal as there is no stipulation that a slide event causes the goal to be missed.  Our MEC has requested that management pay out according to the goals that they published.
  • Pilot staffing and associated flight cancellations.  Management has indicated they plan to make schedule adjustments in May based on the amount of flying remaining in open time after pilot bidding is complete.
  • Excessive use of reassignments by Crew Scheduling and frustration that Flight Attendants have an expectation to work the trips they bid/picked up when they come to work.
  • Spring incentive premium and feedback received from Flight Attendants about how the incentive was constructed.  There is significant dissatisfaction about vacation pay being excluded from Worked TFP and the high threshold necessary to receive the incentive payout.  
  • Pairing construction and cost analysis.  AFA has a long-standing request that management analyze pairings after the bid period is complete to determine what pairings actually end up costing the company.  This data could potentially be used to support changes in pairing construction to reduce undesirable trips that end up costing the company more money in the long run.
  • Company marketing activities on social media, particularly on TikTok.  Looking for answers from management as to what the intent of the content is and who it is being marketed toward. 

Questions?

If you have any questions about this month’s Regular MEC Meeting, please reach out to your LEC President.

Master Executive Council (MEC)

Like all of you, the MEC is extremely frustrated by management’s unacceptable violation of Section 10.J.8 of our collective bargaining agreement through their failure to post May 2022 bid awards on time. We will file a contractual grievance on behalf of all Flight Attendants for this violation, so please note there is no need to file a ticket through the AFA Alaska Support Center. We hear you loud and clear: You want transparency and accountability from management, and you expect AFA leadership to do everything in our power to make that happen on your behalf.

Management has already acknowledged “administrative error,” but this does not go far enough. Consequently, we have communicated your expectations that management transparently communicates additional details and management’s actions in response, including how responsible parties will be held accountable and what is being done to prevent a recurrence. The MEC has also requested Labor Relations to engage with us at the earliest possible opportunity regarding an appropriate and mutually acceptable remedy for the contractual violation.

What is a potential remedy? There is no identifiable loss of pay because of the contract violation, so there is no contractual basis to seek compensation or any other alternative remedy via arbitration. The best outcome we could achieve via a favorable arbitration ruling would be for management to cease and desist (i.e., not violate the contract provision going forward). However, management has already agreed there was a contract violation and signaled to AFA there is no intent for future violations.

Although management is neither obligated to pay anything for the inconvenience, nor would an arbitrator compel management to do so, nothing prevents the parties from mutually agreeing to compensation or some other compensatory-like remedy. AFA has expressed our desire to management to settle this dispute by negotiating such a remedy, so it’s their move next.

In This Edition

  • Negotiating Committee Listening Sessions – Sign Up Now!
  • Next Week’s Events

Negotiating Committee Listening Sessions – Sign Up Now!

Originally posted April 4, 2022

Our Negotiating Committee will be hosting a series of virtual meetings to hear what thoughts, ideas, and concerns are important to you and our Flight Attendants.  Space in each session is limited and advance registration is required.  Sign up now using the registration links below to secure your spot!  If you’re not able to attend one of the scheduling Listening Sessions, you’ll still have the opportunity to share your thoughts during the upcoming Negotiations Survey.  You can also provide direct feedback to the Negotiating Committee at any time by email or online feedback form.

Read More >

Next Week’s Events

Tuesday, April 11 AFA Presentation to Initial Training Class 2022-05
Tuesday, April 12 – Wednesday, April 13Regular MEC Meeting
Wednesday, April 13Scheduling Review Board (SRB)
Thursday, April 14Quarterly Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC) Meeting

See the MEC Event Calendar >

Important Dates

. March 31: KCM Barcode Requirement Begins-Today!
. April 1: Q1 CBT Due Tomorrow!
. April 10: AFA Scholarship Application Due
. April 27: Council 35 Officer Elections Polls Open
. April 30: CWA Scholarship Application Due
. May 10: CA Membership Meeting

CA Membership Meeting

Hosted by Councils 35, 18 and 15

The next membership meeting for Council 35 members will be Tuesday, May 10, 2022 at 1100 via Zoom. The purpose will be to discuss the upcoming AFA-CWA Annual Board of Directors Meeting.  This meeting will be a combined council meeting and open to all Council 35 (SFO), 18 (LAX) and 15 (SAN) members in good standing (up-to-date on dues).  Deadline to submit agenda items is 5/6/22.  To attend, please register here.

Officer Election Coming Soon!

It’s election time for SFO and members will have the opportunity to exercise their right to vote for Council 35 officers.  All Council 35 voting instructions and guidelines can be found on the AFA Elections Page. The AFA-CWA Membership Services Department handles all voter questions and issues new activation codes if ballots are misplaced or never received.  The Ballot Help Line is staffed Monday through Friday from 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM Eastern time.  If you have a question or need a new 16-digit activation code, you may contact the Ballot Help Line at 800-424-2401, then press 1 and dial extension 706.

Council 35 Election Dates

. Ballots Mailed:  4/27/22
. Polls Open:  5/5/22
. Polls Close/Results:  5/26/22, 1200 PST
. Term Date Start:  7/1/22
. Term Date End:  6/30/25

Trending Discipline

Information provided by the Grievance Committee

The SFO Grievance Committee has experienced a busy first quarter!  We’ve seen a record number of terminations and suspensions in such a short period of time. Here’s a brief summary of our most recent cases:

Sick Leave Abuse

Sick leave abuse meetings are still trending high on our list.   During a recent meeting with management the investigation process was discussed.  Your Council 35 Grievance committee would like members to be aware of the steps management takes whenever an F/A calls in sick.  Every sick leave call that is recorded in a day will be investigated by base supervisors and managers the following day.  How deep the “look” goes is dependent on the Flight Attendant’s history, or information that may be discovered through social media or conversation between management and the F/A.  Every absence is reported in a log that management keeps to track trends.  Depending on how many entries an F/A has in the log, or if the supervisor is aware of any other information will determine whether the log entry is enough or if more needs to be discovered.  Some of the Flight Attendants history may be viewed at this point:

  • Leave status
  • Employee travel with a special focus on the following:
  • Social media accounts
  • Line management: attempted drops with comments and/or money on trade requests
  • Previous years absences on same days

This is by no means an exhaustive list, but a sample of F/A activity that can be seen by management.  In the event that this search indicates abuse, the Flight Attendant will be asked to attend a performance meeting to answer to the pattern discovered.  If the performance supervisor confirms the suspected abuse, the F/A is discharged on first offense.  As a reminder, our contract provides Flight Attendants with the benefit of paid sick leave to care for ourselves and loved ones when ill.  It is a conditional benefit and is only to be used for the purpose of treating an illness.  Flight Attendants that use the benefit in any other way are considered to have committed timecard fraud.  In the event abuse is suspected, the burden of proof is on the F/A who needs to prove to the company that they used the benefit appropriately.


Job Abandonment/Points

Sadly we are witnessing a large amount of Job Abandonment cases.  Many of these cases are Flight Attendants that run out of leave options and stop contacting the company about the status of their leaves.  Additionally a record number of terminations have been occurring due to points at high levels.

Personal Conduct

Personal Conduct can include a variety of violations.  Recent ones have included violation of company directed quarantine, crewmember disputes, and layover incidents.

Commuter Violations

This continues to be the number one violation.  The most common reason for a commuter violation is dropping a deadhead and commuting to/from another base.  Also we’ve seen many accidental listings, where the F/A lists as D8Y rather than E1Y for travel.

Scholarship Opportunities

Provided by AFA International

AFA Scholarship

For eligibility guidelines, information and application, please visit the AFA-CWA website.
Applications must be postmarked by April 10, and sent to the following address:

AFA Scholarship Fund

P.O. Box 56

Hartwood, VA 22471-0056

CWA Joe Beirne Scholarship

The Joe Beirne Scholarship offered by CWA is available to AFA Members and dependents. The deadline for applications is April 30.   For more information please visit the CWA website.

Barcode Required for KCM Checkpoints

Provided by AFA International

Effective today March 31, 2022, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will require the Known Crewmember (KCM) Program eligible crewmembers to scan a KCM-issued barcode card when utilizing a KCM access point. Crewmembers will no longer be permitted to manually enter their KCM data.

Crewmembers who do not have a KCM barcode card, have a worn/unreadable barcode card, or have not completed the registration process will be referred to the passenger screening checkpoint for entry into the airport sterile area. If a crewmember does not present an active KCM barcode card and is referred for screening, then they must follow the TSO’s instructions and complete the screening process at the passenger screening checkpoint. Failure to submit to screening at the passenger screening checkpoint (e.g., using a SIDA badge to avoid screening), is considered circumvention of screening and TSA may take enforcement action in accordance with the KCM Disqualification Protocols (KCMDP). Crewmembers may request a new or replacement KCM barcode card from their airline management. For more information, please refer to the article on the AFA-CWA website.

SFO Employee COVID Vaccines

Information provided by FlySFO

Flight Attendants looking for a vaccine location, SFO Airport has convenient options. Please visit the SFO website for more information:
Vaccinations at SFO | San Francisco International Airport

AFA Membership Links for Payment or Personal Contact Updates 

by James Ikehara, Secretary and Membership Committee Chair

If you are coming back from an LOA and need to catch up on dues payments, this link will take you directly to AFA’s Membership Services website to schedule an on-line payment. Should you need to update your personal contact information (e.g., address, phone number, email, etc.), use this link

Got a question?

Contact information for Council 35 committee members can be found on our website.  You can also open an online support ticket and the appropriate rep will respond.

In solidarity,

Melissa, James and Brad

Melissa Osborne, LEC President •  Melissa.osborne@afaalaska.org • 415-275-1322
James Ikehara, LEC Secretary •  James.ikehara@afaalaska.org  • 415-289-9011
Bradley Young, Council Representative • Bradley.young@afaalaska.org • 916-508-3503

Scheduling Committee Meeting Recap – September 2026

This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants On Tuesday, September 29, 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), […]

That’s a Wrap on Government Affairs Focus Month!

As Government Affairs Committee Focus Month comes to a close, we want to sincerely thank everyone who tuned in, asked insightful questions, and shared resources throughout September. Whether you watched a quick video on the van or started a conversation about voting in the crew lounge, your engagement made a difference. We started this month […]

Human Rights & Equity Committee Meeting Recap – 3rd Quarter 2026

On Wednesday, September 23, 2026, our AFA Human Rights & Equity Committee Chairpersons met for their regular quarterly meeting to advance ongoing activism, promote workplace equity, and champion meaningful policy improvements across our workplace. Your representatives attending the meeting were Nyachan Chuar (ANC), Soon Kim (HNL), Bruni Agosto-Pinal (pmHA LAX/SEA), Aaron Miller (PDX), Erika Daniel […]

MEC Town Hall Video and Q&A Recap – September 23, 2026

Whether you joined us live or are ready to watch on your own schedule, the full recording of our September 23 MEC Town Hall is now available! Catch up on the discussions and hear directly from our MEC Officers and AFA panelists. Watch the video anytime on our AFA Alaska + Hawaiian YouTube channel using the link below. (Note: […]

Hotel Committee Meeting Recap – September 2026

In September, our Hotel Committee participated in two meetings: the standing monthly meeting with Crew Hotels on September 14, and a Quarterly Business Review (QBR) with the company’s hotel procurement vendor, API, on September 23 (pmAS) and September 24 (pmHA) in Seattle.  Representing you at these meetings were Dori Marron (ANC), Jarod McNeill (SEA pmAS), […]

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