AFA Alaska

Representing the Flight Attendants of Alaska + Hawaiian

Click here to report an issue to AFA
Menu
  • Local Councils
    • Anchorage (Council 30)
      • Officers
      • Committees
    • Honolulu (Council 43)
    • Los Angeles (Council 18/pmAS)
      • Officers
      • Committees
      • Los Angeles (Council 47/pmHA)
        • Officers
      • Portland (Council 39)
        • Officers
        • Committees
      • San Diego (Council 15)
        • Officers
        • Committees
        • Seattle (Council 19)
          • Officers
          • Committees
        • San Francisco (Council 35)
          • Officers
          • Committees

        • More About Local Councils >>
        Close
      • Master Executive Council
        • Officers
        • Close
      • Committees
          • Air Safety, Health, & Security (ASHSC)
            • Air Quality
          • Benefits
          • Communications
          • Employee Assistance Program & Professional Standards
          • Government Affairs
          • Grievance
          • Hotel
          • Human Rights & Equity
          • Inflight Service
          • Inflight Training
          • Membership
          • Membership Engagement
          • Reserve
          • Retirement
          • Scheduling
            • Pairing Construction
            • Preferential Bidding System (PBS)
          • Uniform

        • More About Committees >>
        Close
      • Contract
          • Contract Home
            • 2025 Alaska TA2 (Ratified)
            • 2018 Alaska JCBA
            • 2020 Hawaiian Contract
            • Ask Contract Questions
          • Contract Resources
          • Alaska Contract Negotiations (2022-2025)
        • Close
      • Resources
          • What To Do If You Encounter Contaminated Cabin Air
          • Issues & Campaigns
          • Newsroom
            • AFA News Now
          • Event Calendar
          • Membership Services
          • New Members
          • About
          • Links
          Close
        • Merger
          • Joint Negotiating Committee
          • Close
        • Contact Us
        You are here: Home / Archives for committee meeting

        Scheduling Committee Meeting Recap – September 2025

        September 25, 2025 17:00 Leave a Comment

        This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants

        On Tuesday, September 23, our pre-merger Alaska AFA Scheduling Committee Chairpersons and Representatives met in person at Alaska Airlines Corporate Headquarters to discuss their ongoing work to represent our Flight Attendants and push for improvements in our workplace. Representing you at the meeting were Heather Reier (ANC), Rita Tillou (SEA), Melodie Anderes (PDX), Jaqui Bellenie (SFO), Kanako Yamado (LAX), and Kitty Cohen (SAN). Also present were MEC Hotel Committee Chairperson James Bozanich, MEC Scheduling Committee Vice Chairperson—Pairing Construction Karen Ferrell, MEC Scheduling Committee Vice Chairperson—PBS Virginia Fritz, and MEC Scheduling Committee Chairperson Jake Jones.

        The Committee met with Managing Director of Inflight Operations & Crew Scheduling Sara Cook, Managing Director of Operations Staffing & Resource Management Brittany Audette, Director of Crew Planning Trisha Bennett, Director of Crew Pay Peter Silberstein, Inflight Crew Scheduling Supervisor Matthew Trujillo, Manager of Crew Pay Debbie Bakke, Manager of Flight Crew Systems Support Sue Rawlings, and other management representatives from Crew Planning and Crew Scheduling

        The Committee is next scheduled to meet in person on Tuesday, October 28.

        Topics of Discussion

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

        • Tentative Agreement Implementation: Still underway, with newly added calculators requiring ongoing maintenance for accurate totals.
        • Vacation/Training Bidding Vendor: A meeting was held on July 16, 2025. A follow-up meeting is needed with the new vacation and company training bidding systems administrator to update products.

        MEC Committee Chairperson Report

        • Crew Backlog Review: Scheduled for October 15, 2025.
        • Crew Bi-Monthly Review with ALPA: Held on September 9, 2025.
        • Crew Access Issues: Review completed on July 23, 2025.
        • Rainmaker Crew Pay System: Update expected on November 20, 2025.
        • NAVBLUE Monthly Call: Scheduled for October 2, November 6, and December 4, 2025.
        • Personal Drop Report Process: Updates are being implemented in the Alaska system; a new personal drop interface was introduced on September 22, 2025.
        • Pyramiding Pay Dispute: Ongoing discussions are happening through the Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR) process.
        • 4k Dispute Over Night Compensation: AFA has filed a grievance.
        • ISA for Reserves: Working on implementation and testing of programming changes.

        Local Committee Chairperson Reports

        • PDX: Issues with charter release times and program efficiency.
        • SAN: Dispute on overfly versus reassignment in ADR.
        • ANC: Discussion on Crew Scheduling applications of sections 12.J, 10.W, and 10.R of the contract.
        • LAX: Resolutions through ADR for issues with employee parking being closed for late-night surface deadhead arrivals and hotel wait times with BUR.
        • SFO: Investigating crew access issues at 2 AM and hire date changes in Rainmaker.
        • SEA: Information needed for rescheduling after sick calls; fatigue call inquiries directed to AFA FRB Scheduling Committee Primary Representative Bianca Dew.

        PBS Subcommittee Update

        • Bid Period: October bidding went smoothly despite needing extra runs to meet Reserve minimums. Many Bid Protests came in regarding junior lineholders’ inability to hold lines with the month’s pairing packet and legalities.
        • Upcoming Releases: The next release is expected to be available before the end of the year. Final TA2 bidding improvements should be available in 2026.
        • Base Sits: In October, the PBS Subcommittee will be in SEA and PDX to assist with bidding questions.

        ITS Update

        • NAVBLUE Testing: Ongoing with outstanding items for release.
        • Crew Pay Queries: 2873 total, with 1896 resolved.
        • Rainmaker Issues: Addressing hire date discrepancies; integration with payroll is ongoing. This is an issue with data in Peoplesoft feeding to Rainmaker and will not affect pay increases.
        • B2B Integration: Troubleshooting for bugs continues.

        Crew Planning Update

        • November Block Hours: Increased by 1000 hours month over month.
        • Staffing Stats: 77.5 TFP line average, 18.0% reserve.
        • Operational Adjustments: Addressing crew connect times and mitigation strategies for IRROP.

        Crew Scheduling Update

        • Growth of Scheduling Team: New introductions and objectives for the Inflight Duty Manager program launch.
        • Sick Leave Trends: Decreasing from previous months, with a goal of 8.6% attendance.
        • Premium Utilization: Ongoing discussions regarding SAL leaves and scheduling efficiency.

        What The Committee Is Working On

        1. Crew Access Issues: Crew Access challenges significantly affect how well operations run, influencing how Flight Attendants feel about their work. It’s crucial to tackle these problems to create a better working environment. We are meeting with Jeppesen management in Vancouver, BC at their next conference on October 1 and 2. Both Alaska and AFA are frustrated with their systems and the programs not working effectively for our flight crews, specifically related to Open Time.
        2. Resolving Pyramiding Pay Disputes: Finding a solution to the pay dispute related to pyramiding is vital for maintaining fairness in how Flight Attendants are compensated. Disagreements about over-duty pay and day-off violations can seriously affect crew morale and operational integrity. The committee will keep discussing the matter through the Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR) process to clarify payment rules and ensure they are followed. They will gather information from Flight Attendants affected by these issues to guide their discussions. An update on the progress and any resolutions will be shared with Members by the end of September 2025, aiming for a settlement soon after. Management and AFA will explore other options, like mediation or arbitration, if an agreement cannot be reached.
        3. ISA for Reserves Implementation: The ineligibility for self-assignment (ISA) for Reserve Flight Attendants is an important step toward fairer and more transparent scheduling practices. This change is crucial for boosting crew satisfaction and efficiency. The Committee will work quickly to finalize this new system by working with the IT department and other relevant management to implement the necessary changes to the scheduling system. They will also develop ways to keep Flight Attendants informed about the updates. The next Crew Access release, which will include ISA implementation allowing Reserve Flight Attendant to Reserve Flight Attendant trading, is expected to be available in early October 2025, after all testing has been 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 website.

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

        Inflight Service Committee Meeting Recap – 3rd Quarter 2025

        September 24, 2025 09:00

        On Thursday, September 18, our AFA Inflight Service Committee Chairpersons met to discuss their ongoing efforts to represent our Flight Attendants and advocate for improvements in our workplace. Although our Inflight Service Committee has now merged, meetings with management continue to focus primarily on the Alaska or Hawaiian brands individually. This particular meeting was centered on the Alaska brand. We’ll update you with a recap of the latest discussions regarding Hawaiian brand service soon. As we move forward, the Committee is dedicated to providing updates on both Alaska and Hawaiian brand services in a manner that reflects the context of each meeting, whether addressing each brand individually or together.

        Representing you at the meeting were Naomi Parcell (ANC), Ross DeJong (SEA), Todd Horn (PDX), Raymond Ramirez (SFO), Johanna Thomas (pmAS LAX), and Andrew Malone (SAN). MEC Inflight Service Committee Chairpersons Chase Vandergrift (Alaska Brand), and Bianca McKee (Hawaiian Brand) were also present.

        The Committee met with Senior Inflight Experience Program Manager Matthew Coder, Cabin Product Director Chris Dela Rosa, Cabin Product Director Evan Nomura, Director of Cabin Experience David Scotland, Director of Food and Beverage Products Mita Padhi, Manager of Food and Beverage Planning and Programs David Rodriguez, Principal Food and Beverage Programs Gracie Truex, Senior Food and Beverage Product Manager Jessica Johnston, Food and Beverage Planning Systems Managers Gayatri Watwe and Andrea Carns, Senior Product Manager Megan Low, Director of Catering Operations Andrew Moyer, Catering Safety Compliance Manager Raena Alonzo, Regional Catering Performance Manager Jayson Yang, IT Contractors Chris Pettigrew and Chris Daniels, and Managing Director of Products & Experience Mark Krolick.

        The next committee meeting is scheduled to take place on Thursday, December 4.

        Topics of Discussion

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

        Food and Beverage Product

        • Premium Class Snack Basket Launch: The Premium Class snack basket is scheduled to launch on December 30. The Committee raised concerns about the launch date being between Christmas and New Year’s, a busy travel period during which key management may be unavailable should issues arise. The Committee also raised concerns about the basket being offered in Premium Class but not in First Class on short-haul flights. 
        • Product Changes/Juice Provisioning: The Committee suggested swapping the extra cranberry juice in the main cabin beverage cart for extra apple juice. This change will be implemented on November 13, along with the introduction of new First Class wine, cranberry lime seltzer water, and blood orange hoppy water. Orange juice will transition from the current blend to 100% OJ beginning in mid-October.
        • Specialty Cocktails: The Committee asked that any non-pre-mixed specialty cocktail or “secret menu” recommendations posted by the Company on social media include instructions for passengers to ask for the specific ingredients to avoid confusion for Flight Attendants. 
        • New Product Launches: The base sits coordinated for the new serveware launch were very successful. These types of roadshows will hopefully be continued for future product launches, including the new Premium Class snack basket. 

        Catering Operations

        • Ice Quality in Seattle: Discussion involved the ongoing issues with ice quality and availability in Seattle, including melted ice, leaking bags, and the functionality and durability of the new ice cooler bags. While efforts have been made to improve the situation, management acknowledged that further progress is still needed.
        • First Class Snack Basket Loading: Concerns have been raised regarding the improper loading of first-class snack baskets, especially on downline segments where the basket is not served on the initial leg. Management will explore the option of wrapping and labeling snack baskets or loading them into the meal carts to ensure that snacks are not missed.
        • Single-Door Catering in Seattle: During single-door catering, only one cart should be positioned in the L1 door area. This cart should be moved to the side to allow crew access to the aircraft. Additionally, catering staff should have priority access to the row 1 area during pre-flight for positioning carts.

        Cabin Product and Aircraft Interiors

        • 737 Fleet Upgrades: Three 737-800 aircraft are currently flying with a new 161-seat configuration, featuring new exit rows, seats with tablet and cup holders, and USB-C ports. The retrofit program will continue through summer 2026. MAX 9 aircraft are being modified to add another row of Premium Class, with completion expected by Thanksgiving.
        • Lavatory Placards: New placards clearly depicting trash placement have been installed in 737 lavatories. The “trash below” placard should be located on the mirror, and “no trash stowage” should be above the seat cover opening in the hygiene cabinet. If you notice any incorrect placement of these placards, please notify your Local Inflight Service Committee with photos and the tail number.
        • Overhead Bin Placards: Row 2 overhead bin bag orientation placards are being removed from new MAX 8 deliveries and will not be installed on MAX 10 aircraft. Removal from the current fleet is backlogged due to M&E constraints.
        • 800 Fleet Condition: Older 800s will be prioritized for cabin refurbishment, but please continue to report cabin cleanliness or carpet issues to the flight deck for maintenance so those issues can be addressed with deep cleaning programs.
        • Lavatory Diffusers: A stronger diffuser for Salt & Stone soap (batch 2 arriving mid-October) will help with lavatory odors. Management is also exploring the reintroduction of deodorizing pucks, which are present on Hawaiian Airlines aircraft.
        • Wi-Fi/Starlink Updates: Starlink will be installed across the entire Alaska and Hawaiian (excluding 717) fleets. Passengers will sign into their Atmos account for free Wi-Fi access. There will be no paid option, aiming to grow Atmos membership. Hawaiian fleet Wi-Fi will also require Atmos sign-in, with a Hawaiian-branded portal.
          • Deployment Timeline: E175s will begin in fall 2025, the mainline fleet will begin in early 2026 with increasing number of Starlink equipped aircraft throughout the year. New MAX 8 deliveries will be first, followed by 700s, and then the rest of the fleet.
          • Entertainment Shift: Free movies and TV shows will be phased out with free Wi-Fi, as testing showed passengers prefer using their own streaming accounts. Aircraft with existing IFE screens (A330, 787) will continue to offer stored content for longer-haul flights.
          • 787 Wi-Fi: 787s currently lack Wi-Fi. Boeing is working with Qatar Airways as the launch customer for Starlink on the 787-8 and 787-9. Alaska hopes to be the third airline, with a potential introduction before European service launch in 2026, though this is contingent on Boeing’s timeline.
        • A330 Refresh: Ten of 24 A330 aircraft will undergo a “like-for-like refresh ” (new covers, cushions, and carpets) in 2026 to maintain freshness. A full cabin retrofit is planned for 2028, introducing new seats across business, premium economy, and economy classes. Seat selection is ongoing, with reviews in Honolulu and a decision expected next month. A330s will remain Hawaiian-branded.
        • 787 Transition to Alaska Branding: 787s will be repainted with Alaska branding over winter 2025/spring 2026 for European service. New Alaska-branded duvets, mattress pads, slippers, amenity kits for First Class, and a small amenity kit with a rebranded pillow and blanket set for the main cabin will be introduced. Quality will be similar to current Hawaiian offerings but from Alaska-centered vendors.
        • 737 First Class Calf Rests: Recaro has adapted a wide-body premium economy seat design for Alaska’s first-class seating, but unexpected engineering issues have led to problems with the deployment and stowage of the calf rests. A permanent solution requires a part modification and is scheduled for completion in the second quarter of 2026. In the meantime, management will monitor the situation and decide whether the calf rests need to be locked out until the permanent fix is implemented. A card for passengers with instructions on using the calf rest will be introduced. If Flight Attendants encounter stowage issues, they should apply firm pressure near the actuating arm while pressing the button to resolve the problem.

        IMD and Block2Block

        • iPhone 16 IMD Refresh: The refresh is underway with ANC completed and SFO, SAN, PDX, LAX, and SEA next. Devices targeted for replacement include iPhone 12s and 2000 iPhone 13s for Alaska (those held longest). Flight Attendants are encouraged to sign up for a time slot at their base if they are contacted regarding device replacement.
        • Block2Block 2.0 HA Integration: Due to limited screen space, significant work has been done to display the wide-body seat map (A330 and 787) on the device. The display allows you to see the rows on both sides of each aisle and toggle between the left and right aisle views, with the center seats showing in both views. Special meals on the seat map on Hawaiian flights will be indicated with an “S” icon.

        What The Committee Is Working On

        1. Reykjavik (KEF) 737 Service: Reykjavik flights will introduce a new and unique international service level in both the forward cabin and premium/main cabin. This service will be offered from the limited 737 galleys, so it needs to be thoughtfully designed. The Committee will work with management to design and test this service before its launch.
        2. Incheon (ICN) 787 Service: The Committee will continue to monitor the 787 service flow on the Seattle-Incheon route for areas of improvement. We will also work closely with management on developing the Alaska-branded long-haul service scheduled for launch next spring to Rome and London.
        3. Galley Drawers and Top Drawers Revamping: A project to redesign and revamp the galley and top beverage cart drawers for Alaska-branded flights has been identified as a future priority.

        We Want to Hear from You!

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

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

        Human Rights & Equity Committee Meeting Recap – 3rd Quarter 2025

        September 22, 2025 09:00

        On Tuesday, September 16, our AFA Human Rights & Equity Committee Chairpersons met to discuss their ongoing activism to raise awareness and create positive change within our workplace and community. Your representatives attending the meeting included Nyachan Chuar (ANC), LaLa Davis (LAX-pmAS), Bruni Agosto-Pinal (LAX-pmHA), Aaron Miller (PDX), Erika Daniel (SAN), and Trista Vanta (SFO). MEC Human Rights & Equity Committee Chairperson Chip Hestle II and MEC Vice President Brice McGee were also present.

        The Committee met with several members of management including Managing Director of Inflight Operations Michaela Littman, Seattle Director of Inflight Base Operations Jenny Bookert, and California Director of Inflight Base Operations Benito Pasia-Garcia Jr.

        The committee’s next meeting with management is scheduled for Monday, December 8.

        Topics of Discussion

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

        • Inclusivity Initiatives at Villages/Crew Rooms: The LAX and SEA Alaska Villages (crew rooms) are becoming more inclusive and work-friendly to accommodate Hawaiian crew members better. Management has presented new Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines signage to the Committee for the LAX Village. Additional initiatives focused on inclusiveness will be implemented at LAX, while SEA is currently working on designating space for Hawaiian Flight Attendants.
        • DEI Name Change and Communication: SVP of People Andy Schneider and Senior Culture Partner Sarah Keimig have posted a TeamAAG communication regarding the name change of DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) to “Culture and Belonging.” This communication also addresses Alaska’s role in response to current federal government executive orders. Jenny Bookert has included a link to the TeamAAG article in the current SEA Newsletter for those based in Seattle.
        • Unaccompanied Deportees Task Force: Concerns have been raised regarding Flight Attendants who have unaccompanied deportees on Alaska and Hawaiian flights. Management has established a task force working to find solutions for these situations. Flight Attendants are reminded to always comply with authorities in these cases and to seek assistance from inflight management if needed.
        • SEA Village Flyer Investigation: A “Don’t Be Shy, Please Ask Why” flyer has been posted on the door at the SEA Village. Alaska Customer Service Agents (CSAs) are responsible for this flyer; Inflight Management will investigate its origin, as they did not post it.
        • Social Media Policy Reminder: Given the current environment, the Committee has requested that management send out a reminder regarding Alaska’s social media policy.
        • IMD Belong App Update: The title of the “Belong” web app link on the Inflight Mobile Device (IMD) has been updated from DEI to “Culture and Belonging.”
        • Potential Drug & Alcohol Infinity Group BRG: The Committee discussed the potential for the “Alaska Airlines Drug & Alcohol Infinity Group” to become one of the company’s Business Resource Groups (BRGs). MEC Human Rights & Equity Committee Chairperson Chip Hestle will meet with inflight management and the Culture and Belonging Department to discuss this topic further. Additionally, the Committee will reach out to the AFA Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Committee to explore possible collaboration.
        • ADA-Compliant Rooms Discussion: The Committee has requested that management look into the possibility of ADA-compliant rooms for Flight Attendants who have self-disclosed their needs in PeopleSoft. Management will discuss this possibility with the HR department and respond to the Committee. The Committee will also reach out to the AFA Hotel Committee for further discussions.

        What The Committee Is Working On

        1. Optional Pronouns on Wings. Awaiting finalization of the merger with Hawaiian Airlines, as there may be an overall new design.  
        2. Arrival “Land Acknowledgement Announcements” for our seven current domiciles airports (both pre-merger Alaska and Hawaiian).
        3. Batok Tattoos Visible While In Uniform. Awaiting finalization of Alaska merger with Hawaiian.
        4. Business Resource Group (BRG) Listening Sessions, co-facilitated with pre-merger Alaska Local AFA Human Rights Chairpersons for 2025/2026. 

        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

        Reserve Committee Meeting Recap – 3rd Quarter 2025

        September 16, 2025 09:00

        This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants

        On Thursday, September 11, representatives from our AFA Local Reserve Committees met to discuss their ongoing work to advocate for Reserve Flight Attendants. Representing you at the meeting were Conner Gallager (SEA), Anthony Eskander (PDX), Meghan Casey (SFO), Kanako Yamada (LAX), and Rebecca Garcia (SAN). Also present were MEC Reserve Committee Chairperson Julie Thornton, MEC Reserve Committee Vice Chairperson—New Hire & Probation Jarod McNeill and MEC Grievance Committee Chairperson Stephanie Adams. 

        The committee met with the Managing Director of Inflight Performance & Crew Scheduling Sara Cook and Interim Manager of Inflight Crew Scheduling Matthew Trujillo.

        The committee is next scheduled to meet on Thursday, December 11.

        Topics of Discussion

        The committee reviewed several items during both internal AFA-only discussions and meetings with management. Some of the topics discussed include:

        • Issues and glitches with Crew Access that are affecting Reserve Flight Attendants. Review of where known issues are documented and newly added/ fixed issues. 
        • Review of upcoming update to Crew Access software and associated fixes to current issues and other improvements prioritization for programming fixes.
        • Review of reserve-related scheduling issues that have occurred recently.
        • Review of reserve-related issues that have been escalated to the Scheduling Review Board (SRB) and Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR) processes.
        • Ongoing concerns with no shows & non-contactables. Please report these issues through the AFA Alaska Online Support Center so that AFA Representatives can follow up with management. 

        What The Committee Is Working On

        1. Developing Additional Tools & Resources for Reserve Flight Attendants. Working to update Reserve 101 & the Reserve survival guide with new CBA provisions.
        2. Assisting Probationary Flight Attendants Through the Reserve Buddy Program. Answering questions from and providing support to probationary Flight Attendants through an expanded AFA Reserve Buddy program. Also, developing a checklist of common topics that new hire Flight Attendants need assistance with within the first 30 days after graduation.
        3. Addressing Reserve Contractual Concerns. Researching and investigating reports from Reserve Flight Attendants and actively ensuring that management complies with our contract.

        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 Reserve Committee is your voice to management. You can open a support request on the AFA Alaska Online Support Center or contact us directly using the information on the Reserve Committee page of the AFA Alaska website.

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

        Hotel Committee Meeting Recap – September 2025

        September 12, 2025 09:00

        This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants

        On Monday, September 8, our AFA Local Hotel Committee Chairpersons met in person in Seattle 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), Ila Christy (PDX), Hilary Streem (SFO), Chris Cardenas (LAX), and Kanani Vallot (SAN), with MEC Hotel Committee Chairperson James Bozanich facilitating the meeting.

        The Committee met with Director of Crew Planning Trisha Bennett, Manager of Crew Hotels and Administration Diane Szubert, Senior Crew Hotels Support Specialist Nichole Turner and Crew Hotels Support Specialist LaFay Williams. 

        This was the final meeting of our pre-merger Alaska Hotel Committee, and we’d like to thank everyone who has served on the Committee for their hard work and contributions. Next month, we’ll transition to our newly merged committee, representing the combined Alaska and Hawaiian Flight Attendant groups. Our next meeting for the Hotel Committee is scheduled for Monday, October 13.

        Topics of Discussion

        The committee reviewed several items during the meeting with management, most of which focused on hotel decisions and challenges in our layover markets. Some items discussed include:

        • City-Specific Discussion: The Hotel Committee addressed several city-specific issues. These included concerns regarding our long-stay hotel at JFK, which has experienced a significant increase in rooms not being ready at check-in, issues with cleanliness, and the availability of refrigerators. Additionally, we discussed our long-stay options at MCO and potential alternatives in BZE. We also inquired about increasing the crew discount for our KOA property. Discussions regarding ground transportation focused on the use of shared transportation reports in ATL and MCI.
        • TBD Hotels in Bid Packet: At the end of June, management announced via an Information Bulletin that they would begin using a “TBD” (To Be Determined) indicator for any hotel that may be uncertain for the month. This change was made at the request of the Hotel Committee to ensure hotel accommodations are accurately represented in both the bid packet and PBS. The Committee has requested a report detailing the reasons for the TBD designation (e.g., hotels that have exceeded contracted room caps on specific days, hotels with known blackout dates, newly added hotels that have not yet been finalized, etc.). This will provide greater insight and help us better respond to questions from Flight Attendants.
        • Final Hotel Decisions: A final hotel decision has been communicated for FLL, and a decision regarding SEA is expected soon. For security reasons, the names of the hotels are not published here and will be shared in an Informational Bulletin on Team AAG near the end of the month.

        What The Committee Is Working On

        1. Conducting Hotel Site Visits: The Hotel Committee conducts visits to hotels that are under consideration by management to ensure that the selected options provide the safest and most comfortable layover experience for Flight Attendants. Crew Hotels has provided the Committee with the remaining cities that will be visited in 2025: SLC (Sept), MSO (Sept), SAN (Oct), CUN (Oct), BNA (Nov), HNL (Nov), MCO – Long Stay (Nov), ORD – Short Stay (Dec), and SJO (Dec). Market reviews are triggered by factors such as contract expirations, crew complaints, and opportunities for cost savings. Depending on the outcome of these reviews, additional site visits may be arranged in those cities.
        2. Hotel Gainshare Program: Conversations regarding the program are ongoing, and hopefully, we’ll be finalizing the program details this month. We’ll continue to keep you updated as developments occur.    

        We Want to Hear From You!

        Don’t let any unacceptable experience with a layover hotel or ground transportation provider go unnoticed! Please report the issue via CrewCare so that it can be addressed. CrewCare is the only official way to report issues, as the Hotel Committee does not monitor social media channels.

        Each CrewCare submission is forwarded to your AFA Hotel Committee, Crew Hotels (Alaska management), API and the hotel or ground transportation provider. This ensures quick action can be taken to correct the issue or fix it for the next crewmember. 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 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! The 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 website.

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

        • 1
        • 2
        • 3
        • …
        • 27
        • Next Page »

        Need Help?

        Have an issue or concern to report to AFA?  Click here to access the AFA Alaska online support center.

        Latest News

        • Refreshed Inflight Mobile Device (IMD) Distribution
        • AFA News in Review – September 26, 2025
        • Scheduling Committee Meeting Recap – September 2025
        • Meet Our Pre-Merger Alaska Committee Chairperson & Representatives
        • Inflight Service Committee Meeting Recap – 3rd Quarter 2025
        • Vacation Survey Closing Soon
        • Meet Our Merged MEC Committee Chairpersons
        • Human Rights & Equity Committee Meeting Recap – 3rd Quarter 2025
        • AFA News in Review – September 19, 2025
        • Pre-Merger Alaska MEC Committee Election Results

        Refreshed Inflight Mobile Device (IMD) Distribution

        October 2, 2025

        This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants Management has recently informed our Master Executive Council (MEC) that they are distributing new Inflight Mobile Devices (IMDs) to Flight Attendants with devices nearing the end of their lifecycle. The specific schedule for this distribution will be communicated by management separately. Flight Attendants with the oldest devices […]

        Scheduling Committee Meeting Recap – September 2025

        September 25, 2025

        This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants On Tuesday, September 23, our pre-merger Alaska AFA Scheduling Committee Chairpersons and Representatives met in person at Alaska Airlines Corporate Headquarters to discuss their ongoing work to represent our Flight Attendants and push for improvements in our workplace. Representing you at the meeting were Heather Reier (ANC), […]

        Meet Our Pre-Merger Alaska Committee Chairperson & Representatives

        September 24, 2025

        This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants We’re excited to introduce the first group of pre-merger Alaska MEC Committee Chairpersons and Representatives for the upcoming MEC Officer term. They’ll begin transitioning into their roles over the next few months and officially start their terms on January 1, 2026. Below, you’ll find brief biographies that […]

        Inflight Service Committee Meeting Recap – 3rd Quarter 2025

        September 24, 2025

        On Thursday, September 18, our AFA Inflight Service Committee Chairpersons met to discuss their ongoing efforts to represent our Flight Attendants and advocate for improvements in our workplace. Although our Inflight Service Committee has now merged, meetings with management continue to focus primarily on the Alaska or Hawaiian brands individually. This particular meeting was centered […]

        Vacation Survey Closing Soon

        September 23, 2025

        There’s just 1 DAY LEFT to complete the crucial vacation survey that will help shape future provisions—your insights are essential for advocating the best outcomes for all Flight Attendants. The survey is currently open and will remain available until Wednesday, September 24 at 12 PM PT.

        Recent Posts

        • Refreshed Inflight Mobile Device (IMD) Distribution
        • AFA News in Review – September 26, 2025
        • Scheduling Committee Meeting Recap – September 2025
        • Meet Our Pre-Merger Alaska Committee Chairperson & Representatives
        • Inflight Service Committee Meeting Recap – 3rd Quarter 2025
        • Vacation Survey Closing Soon
        • Meet Our Merged MEC Committee Chairpersons
        • Human Rights & Equity Committee Meeting Recap – 3rd Quarter 2025
        • AFA News in Review – September 19, 2025
        • Pre-Merger Alaska MEC Committee Election Results
        • Merged MEC Committee Chairperson Election Results
        • Election Notice: Alaska + Hawaiian MEC Officer Elections
        • SEA Domicile Negotiations – September 2025 Update #2
        • Reserve Committee Meeting Recap – 3rd Quarter 2025
        • Celebrating Hispanic-Latinx Heritage Month

        Local Councils

        • Anchorage
        • Honolulu
        • Los Angeles (pre-merger Alaska)
        • Los Angeles (pre-merger Hawaiian)
        • Portland
        • San Diego
        • San Francisco
        • Seattle

        Master Executive Council

        • MEC

        Negotiations

        • Contract 2022 Home
        • Negotiations News
        • TA2 Information

        Contract

        • Contract Home

        Committees

        • Air Safety, Health, & Security
        • Benefits
        • Communications
        • EAP/Professional Standards
        • Government Affairs
        • Grievance
        • Hotel
        • Human Rights
        • Inflight Service
        • Mobilization
        • Reserve
        • Retirement
        • Scheduling
        • Uniform

        News By Month

        News By Category

        AFA News Now Air Quality Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC) Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) AS/HA Merger AS/VX Merger Benefits Committee Committees Communications Committee Contract Contract 2014 Negotiations Blog Council 15 SAN Council 18 LAX Council 19 SEA Council 30 ANC Council 35 SFO Council 39 PDX EAP/Professional Standards Committee Extension 2021 Blog Featured Government Affairs Committee Grievance Committee Hotel Committee Human Rights & Equity Committee Industry News Inflight Service Committee Inflight Training Committee JNC Blog Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) Latest News Local Councils Master Executive Council (MEC) Membership Committee Membership Engagement Committee Message from the MEC President Mobilization Committee Negotiations Pairing Construction Preferential Bidding System (PBS) Press Releases Reserve Committee Retirement Committee Scheduling Committee Uniform Committee
        • Email
        • Facebook
        • Instagram
        • YouTube

        Want To Stay In The Loop?

        Stay up-to-date on AFA Alaska news and information by signing up for our email and text message updates. Click a button below to get started or update your preferences if you're already a subscriber.
        Sign Up for Emails
        Sign Up for Text Updates

        Connect With AFA

        • Contact Us
        • Online Support Center
        • AFA International
        • CWA
        • AFA Alaska Social Media Guidelines
        • AFA-CWA Mutual Respect Policy

        Copyright © 2013-2025 Alaska Airlines Master Executive Council, Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, AFL-CIO