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        You are here: Home / Archives for committee meeting

        Hotel Committee Meeting Recap – October 2026

        October 21, 2026 09:00 Leave a Comment

        On Monday, October 12, our AFA Hotel Committee Chairpersons met remotely to receive an update on current layover hotels and transportation providers and discuss concerns with management. Representing you at the meeting were Dori Marron (ANC), Jarod McNeill (pmAS SEA), Kelly Hepworth (PDX), Hilary Streem (SFO), Brian Sherill (pmAS LAX), Kanani Vallot (SAN), and Matt Mitchell (HNL), with MEC Hotel Committee Chairperson James Bozanich facilitating the meeting.

        The Committee met with 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.

        Our next monthly meeting with management is scheduled for Monday, November 9.

        Topics of Discussion

        • City-Specific Issues (pmAS):
          • LIH: Our incumbent hotel was significantly damaged during recent weather events. As a result, our crews have experienced temporary relocations, which are expected to last through the end of October. 
          • HNL: We recently began staying at a new hotel in HNL. Since moving properties, we have received almost daily noise complaints.  We have asked that Crew Hotels escalate this with the property and place crew rooms away from public areas and events to mitigate noise disturbances.
          • PDX: We addressed downtown PDX van times, which were increased due to road construction. Construction is no longer a factor, and the ask was made to readjust the van times.
          • JFK: Was recently visited to find a new long-stay property. As part of this visit, our short-stay property was also visited. We have received a number of complaints about the travel time to the short-stay hotel, and we are exploring other options in this market.
          • MIA: We have received valuable feedback regarding the cost and availability of food at our long stay hotel. Crew Hotels has worked diligently with the hotel to develop a special crew menu with discounted options (not combinable with F&B discount). Please refer to the Hotel Hotline or MyCrewCare for details.     
        • Flight Attendant Hotel Survey: Our collective bargaining agreements (CBAs) set the minimum hotel requirements acceptable to our Flight Attendants. However, many hotel amenities are absent from the CBA. Our Hotel Committee strives to exceed these minimum standards in any way that we can. We know that Flight Attendants care about certain hotel amenities (such as coffee makers, minifridges, water refill stations, etc.), but we’d like to get more insight into how important these items are to you. For example, how important is an iron and ironing board over a steamer? We have discussed developing a survey so you can tell us exactly this, so we can keep it in mind when we inspect and select our top hotels in each market.    
        • JFK Ground Transportation (pmHA): If you experience a long wait in JFK for your ground transportation, please send us CrewCare feedback so that it can be documented and addressed. We’ve been having problems with our GT vendor that is dispatching only one shuttle. The shuttle is scheduled so that the outbound crew is picked up at the hotel, dropped off at the airport, then picks up the inbound crew. Recently, the inbound crew has been arriving early and forced to wait for the shuttle that brings the departing crew to the airport. This will only get worse when winter arrives, as flight times from HNL to JFK are much shorter during this period. 
        • Hotel Committee Support Representatives (pmAS + pmHA): We’d like to remind everyone of the support that is available if you experience an issue with your hotel or ground transportation.  Although the Hotel Committee officially merged in October 2025, certain hotel operations are being handled separately until we ratify a Joint Collective Bargaining Agreement. If you need to escalate any item, please reach out to your Local Hotel Committee Chairperson (​​https://afaalaska.org/hotel) for assistance. For pmHA support, Le’a Tupola was appointed the Local Chairperson for Council 47 (LAX/SEA) in May.  If you are a Hawaiian Flight Attendant from one of those bases, Le’a will be your primary point of contact if any issues arise. Matt Mitchell supports the HNL base for Council 43.

        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:
          • Oct: JFK (Long/Mid), TUS (Short), PHX (Short), OAK (Short/Long), YVR (Long)
          • Nov: IND, RDU (Long), SEA (Training Hotels)
          • Dec: PVR, SEA (Mid), TPA (Long)
          • TBD: ADQ
        • 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!

        Your feedback is essential to our work. Please use CrewCare to report your experience with layover hotels or ground transportation, whether your feedback is positive or highlights problems or areas that need improvement. CrewCare is the official channel for addressing your concerns and ensures they are promptly reviewed by the Committee. We are unable to monitor social media, so submitting through CrewCare is the best way to make your voice heard.

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

        Do you have any additional feedback you would like to share with the Committee, or any specific items you would like 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.

        Filed Under: AFA News Now, Hotel Committee Tagged With: committee meeting

        Scheduling Committee Meeting Recap – September 2026

        October 5, 2026 17:00

        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), Jaqui Bellenie (SFO), Kanako Yamado (LAX), and Kitty Cohen (SAN). MEC Scheduling Committee Vice Chairperson—Pairing Construction Karen Ferrell, MEC Scheduling Committee Vice Chairperson – PBS Virginia Fritz, 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, October 27.

        General Overview

        • System Pressure: Systemwide absences reached a two-year high in August, up 20% year-over-year.
        • Reserve Exhaustion: Reserve utilization remained above 93% for the third consecutive month, while SEA operates in a state of near-total reserve saturation (97.7%).
        • Cascading Impact: Extremely tight reserve coverage is directly causing higher Open Time, reassignment spikes, deadhead conversions, and elevated premium pay reliance.
        • Committee Action: Our Scheduling Committee is actively pushing management for increased reserve buffers, faster pay and fatigue audit processing, and strict contractual adherence heading into the fourth quarter.

        Crew Scheduling & Operational Health (August 2026 Data)

        • Systemwide Reserve Utilization: Averaged 94.5% in August, marking the fifth consecutive month in the mid-90% range (94.7% in June, 93.8% in July).
          • SEA: Reached 97.7%. SEA has remained above 97.5% since June, leaving no reserve buffer and converting unexpected absences directly into Open Time, reassignments, and premium pay
          • ANC: 93.8%
          • SFO: 90.1
          • SAN: 89.0%
        • Systemwide Sick Leave: Overall rate was 13.7%. Lineholders averaged ~14.0% and Reserves averaged ~13.2%. Sick-on-line calls caused 14 flight cancellations during the month.
        • Absence Volume: Total absences reached 76,000 year-to-date through August (a 20% increase from ~63,400 during the same period last year).
          • Reserve absences jumped 39% (from 12,600 to 17,500).
          • Lineholder absences increased 15% (from 50,800 to 58,500).
          • August was the highest single month recorded, with 11,832 total absences (including 9,045 lineholder absences).
        • Sick-on-Line Trends (Jan–Sep): 890 total calls (~100 per month), peaking at 119 in June and dropping to 89 in February.
          • Lineholders accounted for 60% of calls; Reserves accounted for 40% (meaning reserves become sick away from base at a disproportionately high rate).
          • 517 calls occurred away from domicile during an overnight; 371 calls occurred at domicile.
        • Premium Pay Usage: Reached 87.1% in August (up from 84.2% in July and 77.9% in June), heavily driven by thunderstorms and constrained reserve levels.
        • Reassignments & Conversions: Recorded 1203 total reassignments and 538 deadhead-to-working conversions.
        • Fatigue Calls: 49 fatigue reports were submitted in August, reflecting ongoing concern regarding workload and schedule sustainability.
        • Scheduling Staffing: New schedulers are transitioning to the floor, targeting a total complement of 47 schedulers by the end of 2026.

        Crew Planning Parameters (November 2026 Projections)

        • Block Hours: Projected at approximately 313,749 TFP, slightly lower than recent monthly totals.
        • Line Value & Reserve Allocation: Systemwide average line value is targeted at ~80 TFP, with reserve levels set near 22%.
        • LBO / SAL: No Low-Bid Option (LBO) or Staffing Adjustment Leaves (SAL) are offered.
        • Holiday Schedule A: Begins November 20, introducing greater pairing variety but reducing schedule pattern consistency.
        • Commuter Challenges: November 2026 vs. November 2025 trip distribution reviews show PDX and SFO remain the most challenging bases for commuting.
        • Base Red-Eye Flying:
          • SAN: 26%
          • SEA: 24%
          • ANC: 21%
          • SFO: 15%
          • PDX: 13%
          • LAX: 11%

        Technology, Systems & Automation Update

        • AICS Crew Bid System Launch: Scheduled to launch during the fourth quarter. AICS is set to replace current legacy processes for vacancy bids, transfer bids, and temporary base trades. A system demonstration is currently underway, and a formal implementation timeline and communication plan will be provided.
        • Open-Time Trading Performance: Processed 89,618 legal and illegal trades. Approximately 98.3% completed in under 1 second, showing strong processing speed.
        • Open-Time Monitoring: No active issues identified during September monitoring. System memory improvements have been made, with further updates coming in November.
        • JCTE & Crew Access Upgrades: JCTE release 10.2 MR25 is anticipated in late October, with Crew Access testing targeted for implementation on October 21.
        • PBS & NAVBLUE System Performance:
          • October bid awards experienced long run times and high system workload. A ticket was opened with NAVBLUE, and recommendations are being reviewed with Crew Planning.
          • NAVBLUE Release 26.3.1043 testing is complete; release 26.3 is undergoing user-acceptance testing. Upgrades will be avoided during holiday bid periods unless strictly necessary.
          • Crew Planning added new support staff experienced with NAVBLUE and contract rules.
        • AI Pairing Tool Development: Crew Planning is evaluating an early-stage AI tool to test pairing options. Planners are also evaluating hard-locking 4k pairings prior to launch, subject to further testing.

        Local Committee Chairperson Reports

        Seattle (SEA)

        • Pay & PPP Questions: High call volume regarding Standard of Pay and PPP calculations when trips are reassigned, removed, or altered.
        • Fatigue Processing Delays: Fatigue Review Board processing takes several weeks up to a month to evaluate reports, determine pay, and issue responses.
        • Contractual Clarifications: Seeking clear definitions for 8.S turns vs. 10.R reassignments and compensation. Additional inquiries remain open regarding Neighbor Island TFP, vacation rules, ISA provisions, commuter recovery, open-time drops, B2B refresh bugs, and California state-law notifications for base swaps.

        Portland (PDX)

        • Charter Flying Issue: Unresolved issues remain regarding double-out rest and denial scenarios.
        • Deadhead Automation Bugs: Deadhead seating continues to be impacted by system automation; specific examples were submitted for investigation.

        San Diego (SAN)

        • California Timekeeping: Requesting operational details regarding timekeeping procedures effective October 1, 2026.
        • 8.S Pairings: Seeking clarification on deadhead assignments on 8.S pairings regarding seating, duty limits, and pay.

        Anchorage (ANC)

        • Schedule Options: Flight Attendants report a shortage of morning Seattle turns.
        • Pay Inquiry Delays: Pay audit responses are frequently delayed, with tracking notes entered but formal responses arriving after pay period closure.
        • Hotel Concerns: Following up on hotel wait times, ticket compensation, and delay procedures prior to transport/hotel assignment.

        Los Angeles (LAX)

        • Month-End Trades: Out-of-domicile trades overlapping the 17th processing deadline required manual post-deadline handling.
        • Passport Processing Policy: A Flight Attendant with a full passport book was classified as Flight-Illegal (FIL) while awaiting new pages; the Committee requested clarification on protocols for passport processing delays.

        San Francisco (SFO)

        • Hotel Transportation Procedures: Clarifying expectations and reporting requirements when Flight Attendants do not utilize company-provided hotel transport.

        Pay Audits & Irregular Operations Mitigations

        • Flight Attendant Crew Pay Audit Results: 2,058 inquiries were resolved in August. Approximately 753 inquiries were filed earlier than required and would have been captured in standard audits. AFA and management are working to clarify filing timelines.
        • Summer IROP Mitigations: Management detailed operational fixes used during summer disruptions:
          • Adjusted start-of-duty times in SAN for transcontinental flights due to airport construction.
          • Increased EWR layovers to 12:00 for air traffic control delays, with adjusted morning departure duty times to PDX/SEA.
          • Extended crew-connect times in ANC, PDX, SEA, and SFO.
          • Increased PHX and LAS layovers to 11:00 (and early PHX rest to 11:30) for rest protection.
          • Adjusted duty times for LAS–ANC, SFO–JFK, and ANC arrivals from DLG/AKN.
          • Flight Attendant and Pilot teaming will continue through February 2027 to improve operational alignment.

        What The Committee Is Working On

        1. 2027 Meeting Scheduling: Scheduling 2027 dates on the calendar for next year’s committee meetings and activities.
        2. Vacation Bidding & Awarding: Assisting Flight Attendants with questions and concerns regarding accruals, bidding, and trading for 2027. Vacation trading for 2027 officially begins on October 28. If you feel there was an error in your accrual or award, please contact FA.crewpay@alaskaair.com for assistance.
        3. Crew Access Update: Anticipating and actively testing the JCTE update for implementation scheduled for October 21. The committee will provide full updates on system changes once testing is completed.

        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.

        Filed Under: AFA News Now, Scheduling Committee Tagged With: committee meeting

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

        October 1, 2026 13:00

        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.

        Filed Under: AFA News Now, Human Rights & Equity Committee Tagged With: committee meeting

        Hotel Committee Meeting Recap – September 2026

        September 29, 2026 13:00

        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.

        Filed Under: AFA News Now, Hotel Committee Tagged With: committee meeting

        Reserve Committee Meeting Recap – 3rd Quarter 2026

        September 16, 2026 09:00

        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.

        Filed Under: AFA News Now, Reserve Committee Tagged With: committee meeting

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