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Section 15 Leaves of Absence: Seniority Accrual [JCBA]

Q:     Addendum to section 15 #5 crossed out personal leaves, parental leaves, maternity but left medical leaves. To me that reads: if a FA accepts a Company-offered personal leave they will not accrue seniority. Is my understanding of this correct?

A:     The short answer: No. A FA will continue to accrue seniority on any approved leave of absence regardless of type. The language you are referencing is a misprint in that particular document (2018-2021 JCBA TA).

The long answer: Excellent catch! The language in Addendum to Section 15 Leaves of Absence, #5 was corrected to clarify that a Flight Attendant will continue to accrue seniority for the duration of any leave of absence.

However, there is an error in the comprehensive document that the JNC will address and correct as soon as possible. Although the JNC has made every effort to ensure the comprehensive document matches the signed TAs, it is not surprising that we missed something. Here is the incorrect language in the 2018-2021 JCBA TA:

  1.  Do I accrue seniority while on a leave of absence?

Yes, you continue to accrue seniority during an approved medical leave. [Remainder in strikeout.]

The signed TAs match the language in the Addendum to Section 15, #5 found in the Changes to the 2014-2019 CBA LOA:

  1.    Do I accrue seniority while on a leave of absence?

Yes, you continue to accrue seniority during an approved leave of absence. [Remainder in strikeout.]

A small but significant difference!

In summary, a Flight Attendant will continue to accrue seniority while on any approved LOA. AFA will coordinate a correction to the 2018-2021 JCBA TA document as soon as possible this coming week. We sincerely apologize for the error and for the confusion!

Joint Contract Negotiations Session 17 – July 2026

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

  • Our JNC met with management this week on July 21 to July 23 in Seattle; our next negotiation session is scheduled for August 24 to August 26
  • Our JNC presented our response to the company’s initial proposal on Section 23 (Insurance Benefits), aiming to secure Flight Attendant specific provisions

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 July 21 to July 23 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 MemberRyan St. John, Vice President, Finance, Planning and Investor Relations, Alaska
Jeffrey Fuke, Joint Negotiating Committee MemberJoe Wonderly, Vice President, Labor Relations, Alaska
Virginia Fritz, Joint Negotiating Committee MemberCarmen Williams, Managing Director, Labor Relations, 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

This week the JNC started off by meeting with our pre-merger Alaska MEC Reserve Chairperson, Julie Thornton, to continue to review Alaska Reserve concerns. Julie also weighed in on formulating the Reserve survey to ensure all relevant pre-merger Alaska questions were addressed. The JNC will be meeting with the pre-merger Hawaiian MEC Reserve Chairperson, Kela Chong, prior to the next negotiating session.

The JNC passed our initial proposal on Section 23 (Insurance Benefits) this week, incorporating many of the protections found in the Hawaiian agreement and cementing those already in the Alaska agreement. One of our goals is to secure Flight Attendant specific insurance plan provisions in our JCBA, examples being Flexible Spending Accounts, coverage of dependent children up to age 26 and company provided life insurance.

We continued to discuss the remaining outstanding issues in Section 30 (Training) and have made much progress in this section. We have already secured Buddy Bidding for Recurrent Training and are working to secure other improvements in this section. This proposal is currently in the company’s court and we are hopeful to receive a response from management at the next session.

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:

  • Insurance Benefits (AS CBA Section 23 and HA CBA Section 32)
  • Training (AS CBA Section 30 and HA CBA Section 26)

Sections in ongoing discussion:

  • Vacations (AS CBA Section 14 and HA CBA Section 18)
  • Sick Leave (AS CBA Section 16 and HA CBA Section 19)
  • 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)
  • 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)

JCBA Negotiations

As a reminder, here’s how JCBA bargaining differs from regular negotiations:

  • Not Section 6 Negotiations: Because our contracts are not amendable, we fall outside the regular Section 6 process.
  • Creating One Contract from Two: Instead of improving a single contract, JCBA talks are about building an entirely new agreement from two existing contracts.
  • Different Survey Process: The Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) will send targeted “subject matter” surveys on specific contract sections.

For more information about the process please see Understanding JCBA Negotiations

What’s Upcoming

Our next session with management is scheduled for August 24 to August 26.

Boeing 787 Seattle International Service Observation Period Update – May 2026

05/16/2026: This post has been corrected to reflect the correct crew-to-load of 85% that was negotiated with the opening of the SEA base. The previous version incorrectly listed it at 80%. The service comparison document linked below has also been updated to reflect the correct number.

This message is for pre-merger Hawaiian Flight Attendants

Over the past few weeks, Alaska-branded 787 International Service launched with flights on April 25 (SEA-ICN), April 28 (SEA-FCO), and, coming soon, May 21 (SEA-LHR). As many of you know, the Seattle international service has not yet been formally agreed upon. Per the Hawaiian Contract [Section 29.I.4.], AFA agreement is required for any service implemented on the 787-9. AFA negotiated a 30-day observation period, using SEA-FCO as the basis. At the end of this period, we expect to present a final proposal for the Seattle international service. Our next steps will depend on management’s willingness to collaborate.

Service Feedback

Our Inflight Service Committee is continually monitoring your feedback. Thank you to everyone who has submitted input through Block2Block (B2B), filed Intelex reports, or emailed us directly. The insights you share are invaluable and play a key role in our conversations with management.

Use B2B to document catering and service feedback using the Catering & Service Feedback Tab under your respective flight in B2B.

Please note: this feature is only available for 24 hours after your flight concludes. We are actively working with management to extend this window. While the submission text box has a character limit, you can submit multiple reports for the same flight if needed. Simply split your feedback across several entries.

Service Communications

Because this is an evolving service, management is regularly updating available resources.

The latest update, effective May 13, can be found in the Content App: All Files > In-Flight > 5. Onboard Service > 0. Latest Updates > 26-045 787 Alaska-Branded Service Updates #2.

Train Service vs Zone Service

Why are we doing a train service in the main cabin for 787 Seattle international?

There really is no short answer to this question. In September of 2025, when SEA-ICN first launched on the 787 with the Hawaiian Brand, the train service was introduced. Numerous test flights were operated by the Hawaiian Service Team and Inflight Service Committee. As the service flow began to develop, staffing proved to be the biggest challenge. With the Business Class cabin suites now requiring four Flight Attendants, the main cabin was left with five to six Flight Attendants, depending on crew-to-load at 90% (with the opening of the SEA base, AFA negotiated this crew-to-load to 85%). Variable staffing in the main cabin led to many catering and loading complexities, an uneven workload, and inconsistent flow with zone service. Moving to the train service helped alleviate concerns about streamlining service flow, evenly distributing the Flight Attendant workload, and simplifying catering. 

Development of the Alaska-branded 787 International Service was based on the Hawaiian-branded 787 SEA-ICN model. The Hawaiian Service Team and Inflight Service Committee conducted Business Class-focused test flights, with the understanding that no additional elements would be added to the Main Cabin. However, after the test period, management introduced several new products and services in the Main Cabin—such as premium-class offerings, status recognition, expanded beverage options, alcohol for purchase, and both ice cream and warm cookies—without the opportunity for further testing. These last-minute additions reinforced AFA’s decision not to endorse the Alaska-branded Seattle international service at this time, resulting in the current 30-day observation period.

Our Inflight Service Committee remains committed to advocating for a service model that matches current staffing levels. Discussions about increasing 787 staffing prior to the JCBA have reached an impasse. Our Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) fully understands the challenges associated with our current staffing and will continue to address these concerns with management during negotiations. Meanwhile, the Committee will maintain its focus on ensuring a fair and workable service for everyone.

787 International Main Cabin Service Survey

We’d like to gather your preferences on Main Cabin service delivery. Information will be used to guide the Committee to best advocate for our Flight Attendants. 

To help provide additional context, we’ve created an example comparing train and zone service scenarios. This is not an official service proposal or service resource. This example is intended to provide you with the potential pros and cons of each delivery style.

Click here to see the AFA service comparison ➔

Click here to take the survey ➔

The survey will be available until Thursday, May 28, at 8 PM PT.

MEC Town Hall Video and Q&A Recap – March 3, 2026

The recording of our March 3 MEC Town Hall is now available! Watch the video on the AFA Alaska + Hawaiian YouTube channel using the private link below. Please note that the video is accessible only through the link here and is not publicly posted on our channel.

We’ve also put together a summary of the questions Flight Attendants asked during the Town Hall, along with the answers from our MEC Officers and AFA panelists. You can find the Q&A below.

We’re excited to announce that planning for our next MEC Town Hall is already underway for June. We’ll share the exact date and time as soon as it’s set, closer to the beginning of May and prior to the start of June bidding. Thank you for your ongoing engagement and for staying informed!

MEC Town Hall Q&A

Q: Alaska and Hawaiian Flight Attendant Solidarity

What is our MEC’s plan to build solidarity between Hawaiian and Alaska Flight Attendants, especially once we approach a vote on a Tentative Agreement (TA) for our Joint Collective Bargaining Agreement (JCBA)?

A: Timothy Green, MEC President

Our MEC is currently allowing solidarity to develop organically while the dust settles from the merger. Interactions are increasing as Hawaiian and Alaska Flight Attendants begin sharing facilities in Los Angeles and the upcoming Seattle domicile. Solidarity is built at the personal, one-on-one level, which fosters trust and understanding. When the time is right, AFA will develop and implement activities, such as airport walks, to build solidarity and ensure Members are unified for the upcoming vote.

Q: Transition Training Schedule

When can we expect transition training to begin, and what schedule will it follow?

A: Brice McGee, MEC Vice President

The exact schedule for transition training is still being determined by management, as it will be a massive logistical lift. Our MEC’s absolute priority is ensuring contractual language is followed when the schedule is released. Management will provide the hard dates to our MEC as soon as they are finalized.

Q: Cost-of-Living/Domicile Wages

Given rising costs and the fact that all bases are located in expensive areas, could we consider a cost-of-living bonus or domicile wages for Flight Attendants who live closer to their bases?

A: Paul Ikioka, MEC Secretary-Treasurer

The commuter protections that were negotiated did not incur an incremental cost. While our MEC will continue to fight for additional improvements in compensation under the Joint Collective Bargaining Agreement (JCBA), special cost-of-living compensation is not currently under consideration.

Q: MEC Election Governance

Do any LEC Presidents who participated in the last two MEC elections intend to bring forward an agenda item to the Board of Directors (BOD) to address the structural issue of candidates voting for themselves? Also, how will our MEC ensure that voting power remains proportionate, as Local Council distribution may differ during the merger environment?

A: Timothy Green, MEC President

Elections: The previous MEC Officer elections were held in accordance with AFA policy and constitutional language. I am unaware of any Local Presidents bringing forward an agenda item to address the specific concern. However, there is a BOD agenda item that would allow direct member elections at the MEC and international levels, making this issue moot if it passes. (Editor’s note: The 2026 AFA Board of Directors Convention agenda items proposing direct membership election of MEC and International Officers were not adopted.)
Voting Power: Under the current process, each Local Council President generally receives one vote when deciding an issue. In cases where voting is based on membership numbers, each Member in good standing within the Council counts as one vote, ensuring fair representation.

Q: Portland Widebody Hangar

Is the hangar for widebodies being built in Portland?

A: Brice McGee, MEC Vice President

The development of the widebody hangar in Portland has moved past the rumor stage and is in the company’s plans. Construction is slated to begin in 2028.

Q: Return to Original Base (pmHA Seattle Transfer)

If I choose to go to the Seattle base during the second wave of transfers, am I guaranteed a spot back in Honolulu should I decide to transfer back?

A: Paul Ikioka, MEC Secretary-Treasurer

A return to the original base is not guaranteed. However, there are negotiated provisions. The first 500 Flight Attendants who transfer to the Seattle base will be eligible to bid for a return, but only 300 slots will be awarded. You must be part of the first 500 transfers to be eligible for the return bid.

Q: Horizon Transfer Travel Seniority

Why is Alaska not honoring Horizon transfer travel seniority?

A: Timothy Green, MEC President

The issue is due to company policy. The contractual language only requires Flight Attendants to have the same benefits as all other employees in accordance with company policy, which management dictates. Our MEC has limited avenues to challenge the policy. The last Alaska section 6 Negotiating Committee (JNC) negotiated language into the Alaska contract that would honor travel seniority if the company changes its policy from company seniority to Alaska Air Group (AAG) seniority. Until the company adopts AAG seniority, the policy will remain unchanged.

Q: Critical Incident Protections and Civil Unrest

Is our MEC planning to expand contractual critical incident protections to include civil unrest and similar safety-related events (to receive 7-day pay and point protection)? Will management also consider giving Flight Attendants more individual Lyra sessions when they experience a critical incident?

A: Brice McGee, MEC Vice President

Expanding the definition of a critical incident to include civil unrest is being noted by the JNC. Regarding Lyra sessions, our Employee Assistance Program (EAP)/Professional Standards Committee is constantly working to expand mental health access, and real-world examples like civil unrest help make the case to management.

Q: Low Hiring on the Alaska Side

Why is hiring down so low and leaves up so high on the Alaska side?

A: Paul Ikioka, MEC Secretary-Treasurer

The hiring needs are based on projected flying. For Alaska, the delays in the 737 deliveries are currently slowing down the hiring process. In contrast, Hawaiian recently received additional 787s and has increased staffing to support those routes. Hawaiian also started using the optimizer after joining the Alaska network, which increased aircraft utilization, leading to a staffing shortage on that side.

Q: Jump Seats and Weight/Balance

Is our MEC looking into a system that includes Flight Attendant jump seats in weight and balance, allowing self-assignment on a first-come, first-served basis within a specified window?

A: Timothy Green, MEC President

Our JNC has proposed language to protect jump seats from weight-and-balance restrictions, but management continues to push back, despite the JNC’s belief that helping Flight Attendants get to work benefits both the employee and the company. Neither Alaska nor Hawaiian policies currently allow reserving jump seats in advance, and our JNC is focused on keeping that policy unchanged to balance the demand from commuters and non-commuters.

Q: San Diego Base Transfers for Pre-Merger Alaska

With the growth of the San Diego base and a new pilot base opening, will there be base transfers for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants this year? If so, when and how many?

A: Brice McGee, MEC Vice President

Management is expected to need to open transfers due to increased flying in San Diego. The exact number of slots or dates is not available due to the fluid nature of the situation. Our SAN LEC Officers are actively pushing management for the headcount.

Q: Co-terminal Parking for Out-of-Base Trips

As LAX and SFO see a decrease in flying, many Flight Attendants will look to pick up trips out of domicile. Can management be required to allow parking at co-terminals?

A: Paul Ikioka, MEC Secretary-Treasurer

A change is unlikely. Both the Hawaiian and Alaska contracts only require parking to be provided at the Flight Attendant’s domicile. Management would likely not agree to provide additional parking at other domiciles. To clarify, a Flight Attendant can generally park at a co-terminal when picking up a trip that originates there, but they must use their assigned LAX parking when commuting.

Q: Low-Bid/Line Job Sharing in JCBA

Is the Hawaiian contract’s provision for lower-built lines (e.g., stopping at 40 hours) something our JNC is looking at incorporating into the JCBA to address the desire for low-bid/line job sharing?

A: Timothy Green, MEC President

Our JNC recognizes the value of scheduling flexibility and is exploring a low-bid option in joint contract negotiations. The Hawaiian contract includes a dedicated number of low-time lines, ranging from roughly 37.5 to 55 hours per month. This is on the radar and is a priority for our JNC as they look to include the most beneficial language from each contract.

Q: San Francisco Base Future

With the flight schedule reduction in San Francisco, what are the plans for the base as a whole? Has management made any reassurances about the base?

A: Brice McGee, MEC Vice President

Management has explicitly assured our MEC that they are not looking at closing San Francisco or any other base. The flight schedule changes are an effort to compete in different markets. Our MEC agrees that a strong presence in San Francisco is necessary to be competitive and is advocating to ensure the base remains viable.

Q: Hawaiian Medical Stop-Loss Benefit

Is a medical stop-loss benefit with Hawaiian on the table for discussion?

A: Paul Ikioka, MEC Secretary-Treasurer

Hawaiian Flight Attendants currently have a medical stop loss provision in the contract (on page 32-5). It covers anything out of pocket over $1,500. The submission deadline is April 1.

Q: Position Bidding Process

Will Flight Attendants be bidding for their positions on domestic or international trips upon checking in during the crew briefing?

A: Brice McGee, MEC Vice President

Pre-merger Alaska and pre-merger Hawaiian have different processes, and the status quo remains until a JCBA is reached. How positions are bid will be negotiated by the JNC based on Member feedback and polling.

Q: Purser Program

Will management be offering a purser program to be competitive in the industry, where Flight Attendants would apply and go through a purser training program?

A: Paul Ikioka, MEC Secretary-Treasurer

There is no official word, only rumors, about launching a purser program. Management’s current focus is on defining the new international service. Because the Hawaiian contract requires AFA to sign off on the proposed service, negotiating that hurdle must likely happen before management considers a purser program.

Q: Co-terminal/Satellite Bases in the Bay Area

Is there any discussion of co-terminal trips in the Bay Area (specifically satellite bases or a full new base) or opening satellite bases off the West Coast to alleviate operational stress?

A: Timothy Green, MEC President

This topic has not been brought up or touched on in any way by management during negotiations.

Q: Prescription Costs and Eliminations

Who negotiates the prescription costs and prescription eliminations? Some prescriptions (e.g., GLPs) are no longer covered.

A: Brice McGee, MEC Vice President

Our MEC does not negotiate prescription benefits because the company is self-insured, and responsibility for prescription coverage lies with management and the insurance provider.

Q: Hotel Gain Share Agreement

When can we expect to see movement on the hotel gain share agreement from the Alaska CBA?

A: Brice McGee, MEC Vice President & Timothy Green, MEC President

Negotiations are currently at a standstill due to tax implications raised by the company. AFA International’s legal department has consulted external tax attorneys, and our MEC is working through their initial response. Our MEC remains hopeful we can move the program forward once the tax issues are resolved.

Q: Seattle Employee Parking

I’m relocating from Honolulu to Seattle and am 1,200 on the waitlist for employee parking. Has this been discussed with management, and will there be enough room in an alternate lot?

A: Brian Palmer, MEC Communications Committee Chairperson

The main North Employee Parking Lot (NEPL), operated by the Port of Seattle, is full, and new cards are not being issued. Management is temporarily relocating those on the waitlist to a contracted secondary lot farther away. There is plenty of parking available in the alternate lots, and new transfers are asked to submit for the NEPL waitlist so they can be moved there when space becomes available.

Q: Meeting Attendance

How many people attended today’s meeting?

A: Brian Palmer, MEC Communications Committee Chairperson

About 100 participants were viewing live on average during most of the meeting.

Scheduling Committee Meeting Recap – February 2026

This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants

On Tuesday, February 24, 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), Russel Rivinius (PDX), Jaqui Bellenie (SFO), Kanako Yamado (LAX), and Kitty Cohen (SAN). MEC Scheduling Committee Vice Chairperson—Pairing Construction Karen Ferrell, MEC Scheduling Committee—PBS Subcommittee Member Adam Clarey, and MEC Scheduling Committee Chairperson Jake Jones were also present.

The Committee met with Managing Director of Inflight Performance & Crew Scheduling Sara Cook, Director of Crew Planning Trisha Bennett, Manager of Flight Crew System Support Sue Rawlings, Manager of Crew Pay Debbie Bakke, and other management representatives from Crew Planning, Crew Scheduling, information technology (ITS), payroll, and inflight performance.

The Committee is next scheduled to meet on Tuesday, March 24.

Topics of Discussion

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

Local Scheduling Committee Chairperson Reports

  • Downtrade Errors: Flight Attendants reported that attempts to downtrade are resulting in errors related to open time calculations. An investigation by the IT department is essential to identify the root cause of these errors and implement a fix.
  • Scrolling Issues: Crew members have reported difficulties scrolling on Crew Access interfaces when using iPhones. This issue is hindering their ability to access schedules and make necessary adjustments. A follow-up with IT is required to find a solution. They suggest trying a different browser at this time. 
  • Low Bid Options: Feedback from Flight Attendants indicates a strong preference for low bid options rather than the current Staffing Adjustment Leaves (SAL). This shift could improve crew satisfaction and operational flexibility, so further discussions with Crew Planning are necessary to explore viable options.
  • DHD Bookings: DHD (Deadhead) bookings are currently made well in advance when pairings are loaded.  However, crew scheduling only gets visibility to the deadheads in their systems seven (7) days in advance, which limits crew flexibility and may lead to operational challenges. A review of this process is needed to enhance scheduling flexibility.
  • Stranded Crews: Crews at BOS, JFK, PVR, and EWR have been stranded, raising significant concerns about pay discrepancies. They are expecting issues related to compensation due to the extended delays. A thorough audit is requested to ensure fair compensation for affected crew members. Payroll is aware of the strandings and will audit. 
  • Concerns About Communication: The response from the pay department raised concerns about the thoroughness of their review process. A follow-up with the team is needed to ensure responses are comprehensive and take into account all relevant communications when Flight Attendants submit inquiries. 
  • Hotel Compensation Request: A request for compensation for hotel wait time was denied for a Flight Attendant. However, it is believed that compensation is justified due to the circumstances of having to self-arrange accommodations after a flight. The issue will be escalated for further review.
  • Hotel Conditions: A serious issue arose when crew members were moved to a hotel without heating during a winter storm. This situation poses both safety and comfort concerns. A follow-up is needed to obtain a resolution.
  • Travel Adjustments: Due to a lack of hotel availability on the island of Kona, crews were moved to an alternate city (OGG) for their layover. Confirmation from payroll regarding these adjustments is awaited, as it impacts crew compensation.
  • Reimbursements for Stranded Flight Attendants: A discussion on whether reimbursements for flight attendants stranded on the East Coast can be processed is needed. Historically, a standard reimbursement of $25 has been provided, but current discussions will determine if this amount remains consistent across all bases.
  • Premium OT Review: A reassignment involving premium Open Time pickup was discussed, and the Committee conducted a review of the Premium OT and reassignment pay policies. If you are on a premium Open Time trip and reassigned, you are only paid reassignment for the flying above scheduled, not the entire sequence. 
  • Schedule Accessibility Issues: A Flight Attendant reported that her schedule had disappeared from the Crew Access system. This issue is preventing her from trading or picking up shifts, and it has been escalated to IT for urgent resolution. Discussions regarding potential compensation for the inconvenience, especially considering her status as a high-time flyer, are ongoing.

PBS Subcommittee Updates

  • Bidding Assistance: For the March bidding cycle, there has been a high volume of requests for individual assistance, indicating that many Flight Attendants are struggling with the bidding process. However, engagement in virtual assistance sessions has been low, suggesting a need for better outreach. Common issues include cache clearing and password resets, which are causing significant barriers to accessing the bidding system.
  • Bid Awards: The results of the March bid awards show that higher averages led to better alignment with reserve numbers. Most bases exceeded their reserve requests, prompting adjustments to templates to ensure feasible solutions could be implemented. This balance is crucial for maintaining operational stability.
  • Bid Protests: An increase in SLG (Secondary Line Generation) emails this month has been noted due to a high SLG rate. Despite this, the overall number of protests has not been overwhelming, suggesting that concerns are being addressed efficiently.
  • Scheduled Meetings : Several meetings have been scheduled, including:
    • Monthly NAVBLUE call on February 5, 2026.
    • In-person bid awards on February 10, 2026.
    • Conversations with Crew Staffing to better understand the differences between SAL and low bid offers on February 10, 2026.
    • Focus group discussions related to NAVBLUE on February 19, 2026.
  • Upcoming Changes: The shift to Single Sign-On (SSO) is anticipated after March bid awards, pending additional testing to ensure functionality. The 25.7 Maintenance Release is currently being tested, with a note that it will not be implemented until the new 26/7 rule is rectified.
  • Collaborations with Other Airlines: The Subcommittee has met with representatives from Jazz, Air Canada, Breeze, and JetBlue to share best practices and explore features to advocate for in JCBA negotiations.
  • Low Bid Testing: The Subcommittee is currently conducting tests to demonstrate the positive impacts of low-bid awards in the bidding process. The objective is to encourage management to consider these options more broadly in future bidding cycles.

Pairing Construction Update

  • April Pairings: The April pairings have been finalized, with the “B” run selected. There is a significant focus on minimizing the number of hotel stays for crews, which has led to an increase in deadheads. This approach is intended to reduce overall costs associated with hotels and transportation.
  • Challenges Faced: The planning of April runs has been complicated by incomplete launches; discussions with Jeppesen regarding the analysis are needed to ensure future runs are optimized.
  • Line Average: The current line average is 78 TFP (Trips For Pay), reflecting the crew’s workload and scheduling efficiency. Ongoing efforts to analyze and update pairing programs are essential for maintaining optimal operations.

Payroll Subcommittee Update

  • Training Completion: Recent training sessions with key personnel have provided insights into the coding system and how JCTE imports function. Understanding when analysts override or change inputs is crucial for minimizing errors in pay processing.
  • Error Reduction Focus: There is a concerted effort to reduce errors and enhance clarity in the responses of payroll analysts. Feedback indicates that many analysts could benefit from additional guidance and training to improve their response accuracy.

ITS Update

  • NAVBLUE Testing: There have been no new updates from NAVBLUE, which is awaiting test cases and validation under the UTA (User Testing Agreement).
  • TFP Calculators: Deployment has been postponed until March. This tool is expected to improve the accuracy of pay calculations for Flight Attendants.
  • Performance Metrics: OT trading has increased significantly by 20% compared to last month. Transaction times for system interactions are notably efficient, with 98.6% occurring in less than 10 seconds.
  • User Experience Improvements: Ongoing issues with scrolling on iPhones have been reported, suggesting that switching to alternative browsers may alleviate some of the problems. Recognizing this issue is critical for improving user satisfaction.

Payroll Updates

  • Query Management: A significant reduction in total queries has been observed, from 2,593 in January, indicating improved efficiency in handling inquiries. 
  • Dispute Protocols: It is essential for Local Scheduling Committee Chairpersons to promptly communicate with payroll analysts about any disputes to ensure timely resolution and prevent further complications.

Crew Planning Updates

  • April Block Hours: Block hours for April are slightly elevated compared to previous months, with line averages around 78 TFP and 18% of crews designated as reserves. This adjustment reflects an ongoing effort to optimize staffing levels.
  • Trip Distribution Review: A comprehensive review of trip distributions indicates that the best commutability is found for certain routes, such as SEA/SAN/ANC for three-day trips. In contrast, PDX/SFO is identified as more challenging.
  • IRROP Mitigation Strategies: Several strategies have been implemented to mitigate delays and improve layover rest times across various routes. Adjustments to connection times and layover durations are being made to enhance crew scheduling and reduce fatigue.

Crew Scheduling Updates

  • Absence Rates: The sick leave absence rate has improved, with a notable decrease in overall figures. The absence rate was approximately 10.8% in January and 10.6% in February, with pmHA-specific metrics reflecting lower rates due to differing scheduling practices and contractual provisions. 
  • Reserve Utilization: System-wide reserve utilization is over 90%, with SEA at 95% and ANC at 83%. These figures highlight the need for strategic adjustments to effectively manage reserve levels.
  • Tracking Reassignments: The total number of reassignments for the current month remains low, reflecting operational stability and effective scheduling strategies.
  • Fatigue Management: Ongoing monitoring of fatigue levels shows a decline in reported fatigue incidents. This is crucial for ensuring crew wellness and operational efficiency.

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. 
  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. Our next meeting is scheduled for March 12, 2026. 
  3. Ground Commuting: The Committee wants to remind Flight Attendants that contractual provisions are available for review under Section 37.B.  
  4. Flow Charts: The Committee is internally reviewing flow charts with management and will update once the parties agree. Stay tuned for an update soon. 
  5. Block2Block (B2B) Contactability – Implemented on February 1, 2026. Please familiarize yourself with the contractual language and bulletin bundle.
  6. 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 bulletin bundle.

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.

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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