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

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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 (SAN), Andrew Stinson (pmAS SEA), Trista Vanta (SFO), and MEC Human Rights & Equity Committee Chairperson Chip Hestle II. 

Our Committee met directly with management representatives from inflight operations and corporate security, including Managing Director of Inflight Operations Michaela Littman, Seattle Director of Inflight Base Operations Jenny Bookert, California Director of Inflight Base Operations Benito Pasia-Garcia, Director of Culture & Belonging Steve Nelson, Manager of Security Operations David Stewart, and Director of Security Fermin Navarrette.

The Committee’s next meeting with management is scheduled for Wednesday, December 9.

Topics of Discussion

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

  • Upcoming Management Bulletin on ICE Interactions: At the direct recommendation of our Human Rights & Equity Committee, inflight management will issue an official must read bulletin providing operational guidance and defining procedures for interactions between Flight Attendants and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers.
  • ICE Incident Reporting Form: To track law enforcement interactions and protect Flight Attendant safety and rights on duty, please report any ICE-related incidents or concerns using our confidential AFA ICE Incident/Concern Reporting Form.
  • Enhanced Employee Recognition & Heritage Celebrations: Management’s Culture & Belonging Department is updating its employee recognition program while continuing to recognize and celebrate heritage months through Team AAG. The Committee is advocating to ensure these recognition efforts broadly reflect and celebrate the diverse backgrounds of our workgroup.

What The Committee Is Working On

  1. Optional Pronouns on Uniform Wings: The Committee is tracking efforts to allow Flight Attendants to choose to display their personal pronouns (such as she/her, he/him, or they/them) on their uniform wings. Progress is being tracked alongside ongoing merger integration, as final rollout may align with a new standardized wing design across both airlines.
  2. Land Acknowledgment Signage in Workplace Locations: To acknowledge and honor the Indigenous communities on whose traditional territories we live and work, our Committee is working to establish permanent land acknowledgment signage in Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines workplace locations. Land acknowledgments formally recognize the enduring relationship between Indigenous peoples and their traditional territories.
  3. Uniform Policy Allowance for Traditional Batok Tattoos: The Committee is tracking a proposal that would permit Flight Attendants to display visible traditional Batok tattoos while in uniform. Batok is an ancient form of tattooing practiced by Indigenous communities in the Philippines and holds deep cultural significance. Management has not made a final decision on the policy, and our Committee continues to advocate for approval.
  4. Transition to Joint Drug & Alcohol Support BRG/ERG: The Alaska Airlines Drug and Alcohol Infinity Group is transitioning into a combined Business Resource Group (BRG) and Employee Resource Group (ERG). The group offers resources, peer support, and educational programs for Flight Attendants and fellow employees navigating substance use issues, focusing on prevention, recovery, and reducing workplace stigma surrounding addiction.

We Want to Hear From You!

Do you have feedback for the Committee, concerns you’d like to share, or items you’d like brought up with management? Please let us know! Your Local Human Rights & Equity Committee is your voice to management. You can find our contact information on the Human Rights & Equity Committee page of the AFA Alaska + Hawaiian website.

Hotel Committee Meeting Recap – September 2026

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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), Kelly Hepworth (PDX), Hilary Streem and Barry Spitzer (SFO), Le’a Tupola (LAX/SEA pmHA), Brian Sherill (LAX pmAS), Kanani Vallot (SAN), and Matt Mitchell (HNL), with MEC Hotel Committee Chairperson James Bozanich facilitating the meeting.

The Committee met with Managing Director of Operations Staffing and Resource Management Brittany Audette, Director of Crew Planning Trisha Bennett, Manager of Crew Hotel and Administration Diane Szubert, Senior Crew Hotels Support Specialist Nichole Turner, and Crew Hotel Support Specialist LaFay Williams.  

Additionally, API representatives provided statistics on our hotel and transportation portfolio, an update on the hotel environment, and an open forum where our Committee raised several Flight Attendant concerns. 

Topics of Discussion

  • API Support Update (pmAS): Although Crew Hotels manages both Alaska and Hawaiian hotel operations, API maintains two separate accounts, each specializing in supporting its respective airline’s operations. Given the size of the pmAS hotel operation, API recently increased support for the Alaska account. A new Director of Client Delivery was added, as well as an additional Account Director. This brings our total Account Directors to three. Account Directors assist with managing hotel sourcing, contracts, and hotel relationships. Operationally, Alaska has four onsite representatives who sit with Alaska Crew Scheduling in Seattle. During significant IROPs events, Alaska has the support of two offshore representatives in the Philippines.
  • Process Improvements (pmAS): Over the past year, the Committee has raised frustrations and suggestions regarding hotel processes. API provided an update on past concerns, and an open forum was used to bring forward new ones.   
    • Pre-Paid Virtual Cards: When non-contracted hotels are used (such as hotels on our ad hoc list), payment is sent via a one-time-use virtual card. This is done to prevent fraud. Earlier this year, during a major IROP event in Mexico, it was discovered that a hotel on the ad hoc list could not accept virtual cards. We have not seen this domestically. API informed us that an audit of virtual card usage was conducted on our ad hoc hotels in CUN, and that a similar audit is being conducted in SJO and LIR, with completion slated for November. Contingency plans are being developed as an alternative.
    • Hotel Provided Transportation (Sign-in Sheets): API’s systems are programmed to display the recommended departure time from the property on the sign-in sheet. This has posed a problem for hotels that provide transportation, as van times are set in specific departure increments (e.g., every 15 minutes on the quarter hour), which typically do not align with the recommended departure time. The Committee has been asking for months for a solution to display accurate van times. The API product team has been tasked with identifying a solution and testing workarounds. 
    • Site Visit Sourcing Calendar: Starting in 2027, Crew Hotels and API will align on the sourcing timeline for all markets. Historically, we have had hotel contracts expire in batches at various times throughout the year. For example, we may have 12 hotels whose contracts expire on December 31st of 2026, 2027, etc., and we know we can’t source them all at the same time. Going forward, all new contracts will move to a rolling calendar year, so the sourcing cadence will be even and consistent. Given that our contracts are typically 2-3 years in duration, we should have all hotel contracts on this cadence by the end of 2028.  
      • Sourcing Timeline (For Reference): These are all the steps involved, in subsequent order, in selecting a new crew hotel. Pre-sourcing ➔ Long List (all the hotels that fall into pre-sourcing criteria) ➔Request for Proposal (RFP – hotel bids on crew business) ➔ Destination Presentation (hotels that are interested are placed in a packet) ➔ Short List (AFA narrows down the choices to most viable options) ➔ Site Itinerary (schedule for site visit is determined) ➔ Site Visit, Report Writing (by AFA, ALPA, Crew Hotels) ➔ Best and Final Negotiations, Supplier Selected, Contracting, Executed Contract (we want a contract in place ideally 2 months prior to business)
    • Other Miscellaneous Improvements: Digitized contracts, tightened up the TBD process in bid packets, moved to a different platform for invoicing, and tightened the ad hoc list. 
  • Market Specific Information (pmAS): A few months ago, management selected a new hotel in MIA. Although the hotel is stunning, the negative feedback received has centered on the isolation and the cost of on-site food. The hotel values crew business and has developed a discounted crew menu and a welcome letter to better illustrate the amenities offered to crew, which includes information on the complimentary South Beach Trolley shuttle.   

What The Committee Is Working On

1. Conducting Hotel Site Visits: Our Hotel Committee conducts site visits on hotels under consideration by management to ensure that the selected options provide the safest and most comfortable layover experience for Flight Attendants. Market reviews are triggered by factors such as contract expirations, crew complaints, and cost-saving opportunities.  

  • Pre-Merger Alaska: The scheduled site visits through the rest of 2026 are:
    • Sept: YYC (New Layover), YEG (New Layover), ORD (Long)
    • Oct: JFK (Long/Mid), TUS (Short), OAK (Short/Long)
    • Nov: IND, RDU (Long)
    • Dec: SEA (Mid), TPA (Long)
    • TBD: PHX (Short), YVR (Long), ADQ, PVR
  • Pre-Merger Hawaiian: The scheduled site visits through January 2027 are:
    • Dec: ATH
    • Jan: CDG

2. Hotel Gainshare Update (pmAS): There are no new updates to share on the Hotel Gainshare program this month. Negotiations remain paused as management continues to express concerns about potential federal tax implications. AFA International has already submitted a detailed legal counterargument to the company’s Vice President of Tax and their outside counsel. However, the company’s attorney continues to advise against moving forward, citing tax law concerns. The next step remains to secure an independent review from a tax attorney. We know there is strong interest in this program and will continue to provide updates as soon as there is progress.

We Want to Hear From You!

Our Hotel Committee relies on your feedback, whether positive or negative. Please report via CrewCare (pmAS) or the FA Crew Accommodations Feedback form (pmHA), which ensures your experience with a layover hotel or ground transportation is addressed. These are the only official way to report issues, as the Committee doesn’t monitor social media channels.

Each CrewCare and feedback form submission is forwarded to our AFA Hotel Committee, Crew Hotels (Alaska/Hawaiian management), API, and the hotel or ground transportation provider. This ensures quick action can be taken to correct or fix the issue for the next crew member. It also allows us to monitor hotel and transportation trends. Pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants can quickly file a CrewCare report using the web app on your IMD home screen or by clicking here.

Do you have any other feedback you would like to share with the Committee or any specific items you want us to bring up with management? Please let us know! Your Local Hotel Committee is here to represent you and ensure management hears your voice. You can find our contact information on the Hotel Committee page of the AFA Alaska + Hawaiian website.

Reserve Committee Meeting Recap – 3rd Quarter 2026

This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants

On Thursday, September 3, representatives from our pre-merger Alaska AFA Reserve Committee met to discuss ongoing work advocating for Reserve Flight Attendants. Attending on your behalf were Ella Embree (ANC), Conner Gallager (SEA), Anthony Eskander (PDX), Meghan Casey (SFO), Kanako Yamada (LAX), and Rebecca Garcia (SAN). MEC Grievance Chairperson Stephanie Adams also participated, and MEC Reserve Committee Chairperson Julie Thornton facilitated the meeting.

The Committee met with the Manager of Inflight Crew Scheduling Goose Hlaingmyint and Director of Inflight Crew Scheduling Terrance Chariandy. 

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

Topics of Discussion

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

  • Initial Training Classes: Class 3-26 will begin in October and come online in December.
  • Revamping AFA Day & Onboarding for New Hires
    • We are completely revamping the AFA Day structure and improving how information is delivered to new hires during initial training.
    • We have launched Reserve Webinars to offer more resources, directly answer questions, and share real-world examples about how our collective bargaining agreement (CBA) works. The next Webinar will be held on Wednesday, October 21.
  • Rainmaker and Pay Concerns
    • Remember to review the user guide on the inflight website. Please wait for Crew Pay to deny a query before submitting an AFA Alaska Online Support Center ticket regarding a pay discrepancy.
    • Our MEC Grievance Committee Payroll Representative and our Communication Committee are collaborating to simplify and update pay resources.
  • Evaluating Contractual Interpretation Disagreements
    • Out-of-order assignments: If a Reserve Flight Attendant believes they have been assigned out of order, they should notify Crew Scheduling. If confirmed, an annotation will be made to pay the out-of-order premium. The trip should not be reassigned to another Reserve, as this would also violate our contract.

What The Committee Is Working On

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

We Want to Hear From You!

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

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

On Thursday, August 27, our Seattle Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC) representatives met with management to discuss ongoing safety concerns, operational challenges, policy updates, and workplace improvements impacting Flight Attendants across the operation. Representing you at the meeting were Deb Walstrom (ANC), David Lake (SEA pmAS), Kahea Alvarez (LAX/SEA pmHA), Carin Merritt (LAX pmAS), Eva Gatus (SAN), Baron Lee (HNL), Kalin Lackey (PDX), MEC ASHSC Vice Chairperson Brad Young, and MEC ASHSC Chairperson Seth Heiple. Also in attendance were members of the SEA pmHA ASHSC.

The Committee met with several members of inflight and safety department management, including Heidi Stiley (Cabin Safety & Compliance Manager), Matthew Coder (Senior Inflight Experience Program Manager), Shari Hinshaw (Manager of Inflight Policy & Procedures), Randy Katz (Managing Director of Inflight Safety Standards and Training), Rhonda Jordan (Safety Standards & Compliance), Jenny Bookert (SEA Director of Inflight), Karen Wook (SEA Inflight Supervisor), Olinga Asress (Manager of Inflight Base Operations), David Stewart (Manager on Security Operations), and Fermin Navarrette (Director of Security)

The next scheduled Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee meeting will take place virtually October 22, 2026

Topics of Discussion

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

  • Outstation Catering & Fall Protection: The ASHSC raised concerns that some ground catering vendors are fully opening the R2 door at outstations to service the aft trash can, rather than the required partial opening, creating a fall hazard. Management acknowledged the issue, said a bulletin will go out to catering vendors, and noted this has high visibility and continued attention at the executive level.
  • First Class Seat Calf-Rest Stowage: The ASHSC raised ongoing reports of first class calf rests failing to stow properly, creating a potential CFR violation and egress hazard. In the meantime, one aircraft with an updated mechanism is being tested, and if the fix is successful, the other aircraft will be retrofitted.
  • Preflight Emergency Equipment (EE) Check Time: The Committee continued pushing for dedicated preflight time for Flight Attendants to complete required safety and security checks, consistent with what pmHA Flight Attendants and most of the industry currently do. Management stated they believe this needs to be addressed through JCBA negotiations, while the ASHSC reiterated their stance that this is an operational safety issue that should not need to be negotiated.
  • Installed Physical Secondary Barrier (IPSB): The ASHSC made several requests related to the IPSB.
  • Crew Van Seatbelts: The Committee raised ongoing concerns about crew vans and shuttles that don’t have enough working seatbelts for every crew member. Seat belts are required for hotel shuttles under CBA Section 34.B.6.
  • Onboard Oven Safety: Flight Attendants continue to get burned while retrieving food from ovens because current gloves protect only the hands, not the forearms. Management will coordinate with the Inflight Service Committee and the ASHSC to evaluate other glove options that provide greater protection.
  • Carry-Ons Checked at the Gate: The ASHSC raised concerns about passengers checking bags at the gate for priority boarding and then removing the bag tag, so the bag never actually gets checked. Management advises Flight Attendants to send those passengers back to the gate podium if this is witnessed.
  • MedLink App Rollout for pmHA: The ASHSC asked for a timeline for rolling out the MedLink app to pmHA Flight Attendants. Management does not have a firm date yet, but is targeting early 2027.
  • Pilot PA Clarity: The ASHSC requested a reminder for flight crews about PA volume and clarity and encouraged consistent use of the interphone when a PA cannot be understood. The FAM should be updated to direct us to notify pilots when the PA is unclear so they can make adjustments to address the problem or document the issue in the logbook.
  • Universal Glassware Durability: The ASHSC raised ongoing reports of chipped or sharp-edged glassware creating a laceration risk. Management is working with the vendor and reviewing the dishwashing process.
  • Boarding with “Cabin Lights Only”: The ASHSC raised safety concerns about boarding aircraft without full cabin power.
  • Flight Attendant Inflight Home Page Update: The ASHSC flagged that the company website/app still displays a misleading message stating Flight Attendants are up to date on all bulletins.
  • New Evacuation Commands: The ASHSC raised concerns about the new evacuation commands, which will go into effect next year. Specifically, the addition of “leave everything” between repeated commands like “stay back,” which we used to just repeat. We also question the necessity of changing things for both pmHA and pmAS Flight Attendants when there is already a huge amount of change taking place as a result of the merger.

Things The Committee Is Working On

1. Radiation Exposure – NAS Report Findings: The National Academies of Sciences recently released a congressionally mandated study confirming that Flight Attendants rank among the most radiation-exposed occupational groups in the country, with documented health risks, but no enforceable FAA dose limit, monitoring requirement, or tracking system. The ASHSC has met with safety department and inflight management to begin closing these gaps and will participate in a working group on the subject going forward. Safety is already sourcing a potential software product to manage exposure tracking. We’ve asked management to:

  • Provide route-level dose estimates, using the FAA’s CARI model or an equivalent internal tool.
  • Deliver training and education on radiation exposure.
  • Work with the MEC to develop accommodations when appropriate, including for pregnant Flight Attendants.

We Want to Hear From You!

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

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

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

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

Scheduling Committee Meeting Recap – August 2026

This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants

On Tuesday, August 25, our pre-merger Alaska AFA Scheduling Committee Chairpersons and Representatives met virtually to discuss their ongoing work to represent our Flight Attendants and push for improvements in our workplace. Representing you at the meeting were Rebekah Olds (ANC), Rita Tillou (SEA), Melodie Anderes (PDX), Jaqui Bellenie (SFO), Kanako Yamado (LAX), and Kitty Cohen (SAN). MEC Scheduling Committee Vice Chairperson—Pairing Construction Karen Ferrell, PBS Committee member —Krystal Kehrli, MEC Grievance Committee Payroll Representative Julie Thornton, 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 Inflight Crew Scheduling Terrance Chariandy, Manager of Inflight Crew Scheduling Goose Hlaingmyint, Managing Director of Operations Staffing and Resource Management Brittany Audette, Director of Crew Planning Trisha Bennett, Manager of Crew Planning Colin Beard, ITS Technical Product Owner Nathan McFerren, Manager of Crew Pay Debbie Bakke and other management representatives from Crew Planning, Crew Scheduling, information technology (ITS), and payroll.

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

Topics of Discussion

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

Local Committee Chairperson Reports

SEA (Seattle)

  • System Monitoring:
    • Monitored Open Time on August 16, 2026.
    • Technical issue identified: Server 1 faced difficulties transferring operations to Server 2.
    • Upcoming discussion on Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) scheduled for September 3, 2026.
    • Flight Attendants were encouraged to file tickets with Information Technology Services (ITS).
  • Hotel Compensation:
  • Current wait times at hotels remain an issue. Financial compensation efforts led by a designated AFA representative resulted in successful compensation in several cases.
    • Active disputes remain regarding compensation for rolling delays and situations where hotel accommodations are denied, particularly after delays of four hours or more.
  • Over Duty Pay:
    • Confusion was reported among Flight Attendants regarding expectations for overduty pay.
    • Clarification provided on waivers and premiums outlined in section 8.T.
    • The Committee’s stance is to never waive contractual rights.
  • Pay Guidelines Update:
    • Request for a comprehensive review and update of the Pay Guidelines due to outdated content.
    • Suggested communication to all Flight Attendants to ensure clarity on pay structures.
  • Transportation Review: Issues regarding transportation times to/from JFK require immediate review. An email has been sent addressing ongoing concerns.
  • Low Bid Options:
    • Bases report on high block hours without sufficient transfers back to the SEA base.
    • Preference expressed for Staffing Adjustment Leaves (SAL) among bases.

PDX (Portland)

  • Open Tickets:
    • Several tickets remain unresolved concerning discrepancies in compensation. Clarification on differences in ticket handling is being sought. Flight Attendants should use crew access as the system of record, not B2B or other public-facing applications. 
    • Trade Ticket Issue: Another ticket under review pertains to a trade and the correctness of messaging involved when Flight Attendant received an incorrect error on Crew Access. 

SAN (San Diego)

  • No significant operational or compensation issues are reported currently.

ANC (Anchorage)

  • Hotel Issues: Complaints regarding a lack of available rooms and extended wait times after redeye flights are forwarded to the hotel committee for review.

LAX (Los Angeles)

  • Day Room Request: A request made for a day room in PDX on August 7 faced timing issues. Scheduling called the hotel at 16:32, leaving only 1 hour and 56 minutes before the crew needed to report. Compensation was denied as the crew declined due to timing constraints. Since the crew declined the day room, no additional compensation was paid. 
  • Sit Pay Denials: Multiple instances have been reported in which sit pay has been denied. Notably, during maintenance delays, aircraft were towed away, affecting sit pay recognition. Specific case: Flight 1635 on August 10, where aircraft maintenance caused delays.
    • Hotel Capacity Issues: Concerns raised about hotel assignments to locations with insufficient capacity. Pilots were assigned to a hotel with only 24% occupancy, raising questions about decision-making processes regarding crew accommodations.

SFO (San Francisco)

  • Line Averages & LBO:
    • Current line averages remain steady at 80 tfp (Trip Flight Pay).
    • Ongoing discussions regarding low bids (LBO) and potential reductions in line averages to improve crew satisfaction.

PBS Subcommittee Update

  • September Bidding Month:
    • The September bidding process was active, with numerous inquiries related to low bids and changes in the bid packet.
    • Low Bids: First month processed since 2020. The process was reviewed to ensure contractual compliance watching bid windows.
    • Normal High Bid windows. Adjustments were made to accommodate reserve percentages and ensure lines were awarded within legal windows.
    • Coverage percentages have shown to be comparable across bases to past years.
  • Bid Protests: Had many valid bid protests due to late CB submissions from Special Projects that should have been on Flight Attendant lines before bids were processed
  • Monthly PBS Meetings: Monthly meeting held on August 6, discussing Skywise/NAVBLUE

Pairing Construction Update

  • October Solutions:
    • Parameters for minimum connections have been modified to enhance efficiency.
    • Collaborative efforts with crew planning are planned for the following month.

ITS Update

  • AI Crew Solutions (vendor) Initiatives for vacation bidding:
    • Discussions on implementing user interface for crew management:
    • Next meeting set for fall 2026 to discuss vacation awards and slots.
    • Ongoing testing of user acceptance testing (UAT) processes.
  • Trade Response Times:
    • System has maintained a high response rate for trades:
    • 99.17% of trades responded to in under 10 seconds.
    • A decrease in overall trade volume by 568 compared to July 2026.
  • Webnode Issues:
    • Brief issues with webnode 2 being unreachable have been resolved.
    • Ongoing memory leak issue under investigation, prioritized for resolution with Jeppesen.
  • Upcoming Releases:
    • Release version 10.0.7 scheduled for early September:
    • Focused on core fixes for advertised trip pool depopulation during high activity periods. No ETA, but high priority. 

Payroll Update

  • Query Volume:
    • Total of 3,703 queries recorded in July:
    • Many queries originated from Flight Attendants submitting questions before trip completion.
    • Discussions about enhancing the user guide to clarify views on pay buckets
  • Training Initiatives: Suggestions for creating video tutorials to help Flight Attendants understand pay structures.

Crew Planning Update

  • Block Hours Analysis:
    • Anticipated block hours for September: 310,850, with an increase to 316,804 expected in October.
    • Current reserve coverage stands at 20%, with low bids in place.
  • Commutability Review:
    • Analysis indicates SEA, PDX, and ANC are best suited for 3-day trips, while SEA, PDX, and SAN are optimal for 4-day trips.
    • LAX and SFO face the most significant scheduling challenges.
  • IRROP Mitigation for Summer
    • Various adjustments were made to start and end duty times in response to:
    • Air Traffic Control (ATC) requirements.
    • Increased layover times in specific locations to accommodate crew rest.
  • Hawaii Neighbor Island Flying
    • Management anticipates increased hotel costs and the need to review hotel accommodations.
    • Pairings appear to be multi-day trips with short rest periods in HNL during some overnights. 
    • We expect these pairings to be reviewed monthly and the operation of the pairings to change over the next several months. 
    • The Flight Attendant and pilot pairings should remain the same for October 2026 to keep the flight crews together and minimize operational disruption. 

Crew Scheduling Update

  • Sick Leave Trends:
    • Sick leave rates for July recorded at 12.2%, with August trending higher at 14.2%.
    • Reserve utilization is projected to increase from 11.7% in July to 13.6% in August.
  • Absence Volume:
    • Total absences have increased by approximately 18%:
    • A significant rise in the reserve population is driving this increase.
    • Notable peaks in absence rates were observed during June and July.
  • Premium Pay Cost Analysis:
    • July marked the highest premium spending month recorded:
    • Significant costs attributed to specific demand drivers such as special events (e.g., FIFA) and weather-related disruptions.
    • Awarded premium pay constituted over 84% of the total premium TFP.

Announcements

  • Upcoming Meetings:
    • A comprehensive schedule of meetings has been established from September 2026 through December 2027, including:
    • Regular updates and specific focus meetings on ADR and pairing selection.
  • JCTE Updates: Future updates on JCTE processes and timelines are anticipated for late Q3 2026.

MEC Committee Chairperson Report

  • Crew Backlog Review: Scheduled review of crew backlogs on August 27, 2026.
  • Crew Access Issues: Ongoing discussions regarding known crew access issues, with meetings to address these concerns pending.
  • Fatigue Review Board: Meetings planned to address fatigue concerns, scheduled for September 3, October 1, November 5, and December 3, 2026.
  • Pyramiding Pay Dispute:
    • Ongoing discussions related to overduty pay and associated compensation issues.
    • Grievances have been filed regarding specific disputes over night rule compensation and redeye flights.

What The Committee Is Working On

  1. Resolving Pyramiding Pay Disputes: Discussions are ongoing through the Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR) process to clarify payment rules for over-duty pay and day-off violations. Our Grievance Committee is filing grievances regarding several concerns with pyramid pay. These discussions are still ongoing with Labor Relations management. AFA has filed several grievances and still has not received a pyramiding pay chart from payroll or labor relations and our requests go unanswered. 
  2. Vacation Bidding: Representatives from the Committee met with management to discuss the new vendor, AI Crew Solutions. It was determined that when a Flight Attendant either doesn’t hold a bid or forgets to bid, they will be allowed to bid in the 2nd round of vacation. The current process assigns slot 1 and slot 2. We will provide educational material and information when bidding begins next year on the new platforms. We have additional meetings to discuss implementation and buddy bidding. We are currently testing and reviewing the User Acceptance Testing (UAT) environment. This is scheduled for implementation in the 4th quarter of 2026. 
  3. Flow Charts: These are posted on the AFA website to help guide you through contractual understanding and irregular ops here: 2025-2028 AFA Alaska CBA Reference Documents 01.26.2026
  4. Block2Block (B2B) Contactability: Implemented on February 1, 2026. Please familiarize yourself with the contractual language and bulletin bundle. Every Flight Attendant must check B2B at the end of every duty period (not trip) and make positive contact if a message is sent prior to block-in of the last flight of the duty period per §8.Q.2.e. We are actively working with management to post an updated bulletin. 
  5. Compensation: Follow up on crew pay issues and reassignment policies. Please give Flight Attendant Crew Pay a minimum of a week to update compensation for irregular operations. 
  6. Pairings: Continue to address pairing and scheduling concerns with management.
  7. Software: Monitor upcoming software implementations and their impacts on operations. We will have another JCTE update in August 2026. 
  8. Sick Leave Tracking: Continue monitoring sick leave trends and review strategies to mitigate operational impacts. 
  9. Notifications: Addressing communication issues regarding flight changes and notifications. 
  10. AFA Alaska Online Support Center Tickets: Local AFA Representatives do not have access to your schedules, Rainmaker, or pay stubs. When filing a ticket, please screenshot as much information as possible, such as trip details, reports, and Rainmaker buckets, to assist them in their research into your concerns. 

We Want to Hear From You!

Whether you have feedback for the Committee, concerns to share, or items you’d like brought up with management – don’t hesitate to let us know. Your Local Scheduling Committee is here to be your voice to management. You can easily open a support ticket on the AFA Alaska Online Support Center or directly contact us using the information provided on the Scheduling Committee page of the AFA Alaska + Hawaiian website.

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), […]

Register Now: Reserve Webinar – Wednesday, October 21

This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants When Crew Scheduling calls at 3 AM with a change to the trip you self-assigned, do you know your contractual rights? Understanding what management can—and cannot—do on reserve is your strongest line of defense. Join our Reserve Committee for “Is This Legal?”, the second installment in our three-part pre-merger […]

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