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Scheduling Committee Meeting Recap – May 2024

Scheduling Committee

  • On May 21, our AFA Scheduling Committee Chairpersons met to discuss their ongoing work representing Flight Attendants’ interests in lineholder scheduling.
  • The Committee met with management to receive updates and discuss issues and problems Flight Attendants face with scheduling, pairings, and bidding.
  • Your Local Scheduling Committee is available to assist with any lineholder scheduling-related issues. Don’t hesitate to reach out for help!

On Tuesday, May 21, our AFA Scheduling Committee Chairpersons/Representatives met to discuss their ongoing work to represent our Flight Attendants and push for improvements in our workplace. Representing you at the meeting were Heather Reier (ANC), Jaqui Bellenie (SFO),Melinda Jorge (SEA), Melodie Anderes (PDX), Kamako Yamado (LAX), and Kitty Cohen (SAN). Also present were MEC Scheduling Committee Chairperson Jake Jones, MEC Scheduling Committee Vice Chairperson—Pairing Construction Karen Ferrell, and MEC Scheduling Committee Vice Chairperson—PBS Virginia Fritz. 

The committee met with Managing Director of Inflight Operations Michaela Littman, Managing Director of Inflight Operations & Crew Scheduling Allen Thieman, Managing Director of Operations Staffing & Resource Management Brittany Audette, Director of Crew Staffing Nicholas Giles, Manager of Crew Planning Trisha Bennett, Senior Manager of Product Management Rick Mitchell, Director of Crew Scheduling Sara Cook, Manager of Inflight Crew Scheduling Goose Hlaingmyint, Manager of Crew Pay Debbie Bakke, and other management representatives from Crew Planning and Crew Scheduling.

The Committee is next scheduled to meet on Tuesday, June 25, 2024.

Topics of Discussion

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

  • There are concerns about the decrease in Hawaii flying.
  • PDX/SAN are facing challenges with Hawaii flying, including red-eye flights. There is also limited parking for planes in Seattle.
  • Questions were raised about the July increase in Flight Attendants and the decision to grant domicile transfers, which caused SAN to increase and SFO to decrease.
  • LAX is providing examples of issues with sit pay when Flight Attendants are assigned to pre-board, causing concerns about timely handling and violation of order of assignment. The parties are investigating. 
  • There needs to be clarity regarding text notifications for trips before Open Time and discrepancies in Crew Access. This sometimes occurs when the next month is loaded into the system. 
  • Some individual Flight Attendants are unsatisfied with the calendar view issue workaround. The calendar should actively work with the latest update and show the updated days under 90 seconds. 
  • SFO lost 40 Flight Attendants in July, raising concerns about the base’s future. Management said there’s no plan to reduce the number of gates at this time, and they are hopeful business travel will pick up in the near future.
  • There are concerns about Open Time issues from the April 16, 2024 system technical issue event.
  • There are concerns about Open Time issues from the May 15, 2024 system technical issue event.
  • Hotel wait times have improved compared to the previous month.
  • Seattle had a shortage of one TSN in June. This issue has been referred to the Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR) process, and the TSN is updated to show 17 correctly.
  • The PBS Subcommittee discussed bidding, bid awards, bid protests, and future releases. There are upcoming base sits in June.
  • There are plans to increase the number of pairings and improve commutability.
  • There are discussions about payroll issues, ITS updates, JCTE, and tap-to-pay adoption in Block2Block.
  • There will be no more requirement to file for sit time and release adjustments in the next JCTE update when pilots manually adjust the block in times.
  • Crew Planning discussed the increase in block hours for July, the reduction in SFO base block hours, and the impact of MAX delay on aircraft availability.
  • Pairing selection for July focused on keeping flight crews together and adding soft locks.
  • Commutability for July is best for SEA/ANC and most challenging for SFO/PDX.
  • There are ongoing challenges with sick leave and absences for lineholders and reserves.
  • Feedback from Flight Attendants includes the need for more productive trips, better scheduling, and increased TSN.
  • Flight Attendants desire contractual language protections and an improved work environment to address challenges.
  • Reserves are being highly utilized, and Crew Scheduling is covering flights saved by premium pay. However, we are seeing a reduction in lineholders picking up reserve days.
  • There are discussions about premium trips, reassignments, personal drops, and fatigue.
  • Hawaii flying has changed, shifting towards more transcon and Mexico flights.
  • Crew Pay is conducting base sits and aims to attend all bases this year.

What The Committee Is Working On

  1. NavBlue. The PBS Subcommittee is seeking feedback on how they can improve their assistance to flight crews regarding bid awards and understanding results. They provided both in-person and virtual meetings for this purpose. The next in-person PBS Training is planned for June 
  2. Pairings Survey. There is a discussion of reviewing bidding data from NavBlue to see what kind of pairings Flight Attendants are interested in flying instead of sending out a survey. We will continue to review options. 
  3. Chime Communications. To reduce phone call volumes, Flight Attendants may soon be able to chat with Crew Scheduling via app/Microsoft Teams. The chat will be for Flight Attendant-initiated contact only. The function is currently in the early stages of development and still needs to be discussed with Labor Relations management and our MEC. Testing and implementation are continuing over the next few weeks. We are working on a letter of agreement for implementation, which is still pending review. 
  4. Crew Scheduling. A monthly review of PowerPoint presentations covered various aspects such as reserve utilization, detailed breakdowns, sick leave (week by week and year over year), premium, personal drops, and other relevant agenda items.
  5. Crew Planning. Like Crew Scheduling, there was a monthly review of PowerPoint presentations that covered subsequent month staffing, trip length distribution, Flight Attendant block hours, special initiatives (e.g., IROPs), commutability, and other relevant agenda items. Statistics around teaming continue to be reviewed. Crew Planning continues to maximize pairing construction and optimizing teaming strategies to minimize costs and ensure that crews (Flight Attendants) can stay together for multiple segments.
  6. ITS. Representatives from ITS joined the scheduling meeting to provide updates on NavBlue, Crew Access, internal systems, and Block2Block. These updates include performance reviews, data analysis, and information about future releases.

We Want to Hear From You!

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

Uniform Committee Meeting Recap – 2nd Quarter 2024

Uniform Committee

  • Our AFA Uniform Committee Chairpersons met on Thursday, May 2 to discuss their ongoing program of work to represent Flight Attendants interests related to uniforms.
  • The Committee also met with management to receive updates and discuss issues and problems that Flight Attendants are reporting related to uniform quality, wearability, and availability.
  • If you are experiencing any issues with uniform quality or construction, please report the issues to Unisync as soon as possible. Please include your Local Uniform Committee Chairperson on the email so they can help track any issues or trends that might be developing.

On Thursday, May 2nd, the AFA Local Uniform Committee Chairpersons met to discuss their ongoing work to represent Flight Attendants and push for improvements in the workplace. Present at the meeting were Kim Mazzolini (ANC), Dena Heath (SEA), David Jelinek (PDX), Lisa Mueller (SFO), Heather Holmes (LAX), JP Perina (SAN), and MEC Uniform Committee Chairperson Kiara O’Bryant.

The committee also met with Sr Product Manager Marketing Megan Low, Uniform Fit Center Lead Ashley Sentner, Supply Chain Program Manager Lizzie Revard, and PDX Base Manager Kristie Stafford.

The next Quarterly Uniform Committee Meeting is tentatively scheduled for Thursday, August 8, 2024.

Topics of Discussion

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

  • OneWorld Pins
    • The OneWorld pin/logo is a required item. Please let your Local Chairperson know of any instances when a base does not have any pins available.
    • We have received complaints that the new 20 year OneWorld pins do not have secure backing.
    • Because of the red lanyards, bases are running out of OneWorld pins. Management provided lanyards with the OneWorld logo. They claim it is not in their budget to provide extra pins for the AFA provided red lanyards. AFA is currently working to find a resolution to this issue.
    • Inflight SEA base management has ordered more OneWorld pins and Flight Attendants should check the village during transit if they do not have the OneWorld pin.
  • Quality Concerns
    • All quality concerns including buttons falling off and splitting at the seams/cuffs of sweaters should be reported through the Quality Concern form on the Uniform subsite.
    • If you have any quality concerns, please submit your issue using the Quality Concern Form on Team AAG > Other Resources > Uniforms > Safety & Quality > Quality > Here [SSO required] so Unisync and AFA can track recurring issues. Changes can only be made if the vendor is provided with sufficient data and proof of quality concerns.
  • We addressed initial training “uniform compliance check” day rumors from social media..
    • The Committee is working with management and the Training department to  possibly allow for Uniform Chairpersons to be available on uniform days leading up to compliance check so that the New Hires in training have an opportunity to receive compliance feedback from union representatives who are not management or instructors prior to the check.
    • There may also be an opportunity to discuss uniform compliance during “Style and Service Night” provided it’s possible to continue these events for future classes.
  • Tattoos & Piercings
    • The tattoo and piercing policies will not likely change until after merger/acquisition implementation and/or a new uniform roll out.
    • As a reminder, tattoos may not be covered with bandages or compression sleeves. 
  • Wings
    • Due to the long lead time, the Committee requested to have supervisors auto-order wings on anniversary dates.
    • We continue to see quality issues with the wings at shipment and during use. Please send a report to Unisync at alaskaservice@unisyncgroup.com 
    • The Committee has requested to have blank wings available at base.
  • SEA Fit Center will be closed on the following dates and will not be accepting walk-ins due to New Hire fitting:
    • Thursday, May 23rd
    • Monday, May 27th
    • Thursday, July 4th
  • The Atlas cardigan in smaller sizes and transition jackets may routinely be on backorder due to an influx of orders.
    • This has been addressed and they should be fully in stock by Fall.
    • The embroidering of the transition jacket is causing the back order. Management is researching to see if we can forego the embroidering to speed up the process.
  • There is a spare “sneaky button” at the bottom of all shirts that can be used at any button gap to add additional support. The Committee has requested that if Flight Attendants add the buttons through an alteration service, that they are added to the alteration expense list and will have an update at the next quarterly meeting.
  • The Committee will receive the quality concern form data once the data set has been compiled and processed.
  • Still brainstorming ideas for solutions for Fit Center sizing/fixes for Flight Attendants who do not live in SEA. 
  • The undershirt language is unclear and we will be working to find a clear approach that addresses Flight Attendant needs and concerns while still maintaining a professional look.
  • The Committee made a request to allow shoes to be included in the allotment. There is a contractual component to this, so it may take time to review and get approval if management agrees.
  • Management will be releasing style and care videos for uniform pieces in the near future.
  • Management is researching adding insulation and better weatherproofing to the current transition jacket.
  • Management addressed our concerns about sweater quality (holes, rips, and splitting). The Committee was able to feel a Nylon blend from the manufacturer which will likely also be warmer than the current blend. Wear testing for these items and their durability/breathability will begin in Fall. Please let your Local Committee Chairperson know if you are interested in wear testing these items.
  • Still sourcing spinner bags.
  • Wool sensitivity items are now coded on the Uniform website.
  • The Aura vest is now available for order.
  • Grooming standards remain in effect.
  • The following uniform changes have been APPROVED:
    • The patriotic tie/scarf may be worn on September 11th.
    • Brown leather gloves may be worn when wearing a brown belt and/or brown shoes. (May not be worn with a black belt).
  • The following uniform change requests have been DENIED:
    • The mock neck sweater untucked with the skirt.
    • A shorter apron. However, the committee has requested this be added to the alteration expense list and will have an update at the next quarterly meeting.

May 31st 2024 will see the ban of popular lug-style shoes and discipline may be issued for noncompliance. AFA has gone all the way up through marketing (including Luly Yang) in attempts to advocate for the shoe to remain in compliance. The final decision is that these shoes will not be allowed.

What The Committee Is Working On

  1. CONTRACT NOW Lanyards. AFA believes that your right to wear a Union lanyard is protected by the Railway Labor Act. However, if you are directed by a supervisor to remove the lanyard, we recommend that you do so because we don’t want you to be disciplined. Please then fill out the Management Interference Report form. Note: The OneWorld pin is still a requirement, so please ensure you have the OneWorld pin on your lanyard or outer-most uniform piece.
  2. Training & Uniform Standards. Provide a safe and positive environment for New Hire Flight Attendants to become familiar with the Uniform Policy Guidelines.
  3. Tote Exchange Program. Specific to the post-COVID classes who were not given the normal selection process for totes due to supply chain issues. The Committee is currently working with management to create a process and will notify Flight Attendants once a method is determined. Please do not make requests at base or via email as there is no current process in place.

We Want to Hear From You!

Please email Unisync with any quality issues. In the email, please describe the issue in detail, include the “PO” number from the tag, attach photos of the issue and the tag, if possible, and CC your Local Uniform Committee Chairperson. Please consider opening a ticket at AFA Alaska Support so the Uniform Committee can track these issues.

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

Human Rights Committee Meeting Recap – 2nd Quarter 2024

Human Rights Committee

  • Our AFA Human Rights Committee Chairpersons met on Monday, May 6, to discuss their ongoing program of work to advance human rights within our workplace and community.
  • The Committee also met with management to receive updates on what progress has been made on concerns that had been previously brought forward and address new concerns that have come to light. 
  • If you have ideas, thoughts, or feedback for the committee, your Local Human Rights Committee Chairperson would love to hear from you!

On Monday, May 6, our AFA Local Human Rights Committee Chairpersons met to discuss their ongoing activism to build awareness and effect change within our workplace and community. Representing you at the meeting were Annie Madsen (ANC),Erika Daniel (SAN), Freddy Vega (SEA), and Louise Borras (LAX). Also present was MEC Human Rights Committee Chairperson Chip Hestle II.

The committee met with Managing Director of Inflight Operations Michaela Littman and Seattle Director of Inflight Base Operations Jenny Bookert.

The committee is next scheduled to meet with management on Friday August 30, 2024. 

Topics of Discussion

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

  • High Deductible Insurance Plans: Concerns of having to pay the full deductible prior to paying for the benefit of certain medications. SEA Local Committee Chairperson Chair Freddy Vega will be reaching out to our AFA Benefits Committee about the Committee concerns. Inflight Management wasn’t aware of this possible change and are also looking into this with Alaska HR/Employee Benefits.
  • Spanish speakers on international flights. Flight Attendants have the translate option on their IMD as a resource if there aren’t any Spanish speaking individuals on the flight.
  • Discussions of May & June heritage events.
  • Flight Attendant listening sessions will resume in June. Local Human Rights Committee Chairpersons will co-facilitate the sessions along with inflight management. The Committee and management have asked a representative from our various 13 BRGs (Business Resource Groups) to also attend. June will be hosted with LAX Local Committee Chairperson Louise Borras, Inflight Management, and a BRG Representative. The first session will give Flight Attendants an opportunity to learn more about our BRGs, how to join, and what opportunities are available.

What The Committee Is Working On

  1. Optional Pronouns on Wings. Working toward the ability to add pronouns to our wings.
  2. Arrival “Land Acknowledgement” announcements.
  3. Resource for Flight Attendants about safety concerns in layover cities (Layover Safety Alerts) on the AFA Website.
  4. The ability for Flight Attendant names to be spelled phonetically on our IMD.
  5. CSA manual being more gender neutral. Removal of the use of the identity language of he/she when addressing proper dress attire for non rev travel.
  6. Formal change of the Human Rights Committee (HRC) name to be inline with AFA International Human Rights Equity (HRE) name.

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 Committee is your voice to management. You can find our contact information on the Human Rights Committee page of the AFA Alaska website.

Scheduling Committee Meeting Recap – April 2024

Scheduling Committee

  • On April 23, our AFA Scheduling Committee Chairpersons met to discuss their ongoing work representing Flight Attendants’ interests in lineholder scheduling.
  • The Committee met with management to receive updates and discuss issues and problems Flight Attendants face with scheduling, pairings, and bidding.
  • Your Local Scheduling Committee is available to assist with any lineholder scheduling-related issues. Don’t hesitate to reach out for help!

On Tuesday, April 23, our AFA Scheduling Committee Chairpersons met to discuss their ongoing work to represent our Flight Attendants and push for improvements in our workplace. Representing you at the meeting were Heather Reier (ANC), Jaqui Bellenie (SFO), Rita Tillou (SEA), Melodie Anderes (PDX), Kamako Yamado (LAX), and Kitty Cohen (SAN). Also present were MEC Scheduling Committee Vice Chairperson—Pairing Construction Karen Ferrell, and MEC Scheduling Committee Vice Chairperson—PBS Virginia Fritz.

The committee met with Managing Director Inflight Operations Michaela Littman, Managing Director Ops Staffing & Resource Mgt Brittany Audette, Director of Crew Staffing Nicholas Giles, Manager of Crew Planning Trisha Bennett, Sr Mgr Product Management Rick Mitchell, Manager Inflight Crew Scheduling Goose Hlaingmyint, Manager of Crew Pay Debbie Bakke, and other management representatives from Crew Planning/Crew Scheduling.

The Committee is next scheduled to meet on May 21, 2024.

Topics of Discussion

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

  • Reassignments/Delays
    • FA’s seeing increase in Reassignments over past two months
    • Reassignments happening in base or after check-in with little notice
    • Delays on overnights reported close to report time
  • Rest Concerns
    • Flight attendants who did not waive rest are frustrated that their check in is delayed to allow rest rather than the Flight Attendant being removed from trip due to short staffing
  • Pay Issues
    • Trend in seeing delays in confirmation that corrected pay has been applied
  • Trading Issues
    • All bases discussed the open tickets regarding the JCTE trading issues and calendar display
  • Hotel Issues
    • Crews had incorrect information on pairings regarding their hotels creating lengthly waits for hotel rooms and short rest periods. All Local Scheduling Committee Chairs continue to fight for additional pay when applicable
    • Crews having non-contractual rooms
    • See Hotel Hotline for each hotel’s contract language as well as file an API report when issues arise
  • PBS Bidding
    • Request that PBS in-person bidding continue especially with new classes arriving

What the Committee is Working on

  1. NavBlue. The PBS Committee is seeking feedback on how they can improve their assistance to flight crews regarding bid awards and understanding results. They provided both in-person and virtual meetings for this purpose.
  2. Pairings Survey. There is a discussion about conducting a survey on pairing construction, and there is a possibility of organizing a virtual session or town hall. A meeting with management occurred June 5, 2023, with a follow-up meeting to be arranged. However, there is no update or estimated time of arrival (ETA) at the moment.
  3. Chime Communications. Flight Attendants may chat with crew scheduling via app/Microsoft Teams to reduce phone calls. Flight Attendant-initiated contact. Early stages of development, to be discussed with AS Labor Relations and AFA. Testing and implementation to occur in the next few weeks. We are working on a letter of agreement for implementation. This is still pending review. 
  4. Crew Scheduling. There was a monthly review of PowerPoint presentations that covered various aspects such as reserve utilization, detailed breakdowns, sick leave (week by week and year over year), premium, personal drops, and other relevant agenda items.
  5. Crew Planning. Similar to Crew Scheduling, there was a monthly review of PowerPoint presentations that cover subsequent month staffing, trip length distribution, Flight Attendant block hours, special initiatives (e.g., IROPs), commutability, and other relevant agenda items.
  6. ITS. Representatives from ITS joined the scheduling meeting to provide updates on NavBlue, Crew Access, internal systems, and Block 2 Block. These updates include performance reviews, data analysis, and information about future releases. 

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.

Scheduling Committee Meeting Recap – March 2024

Scheduling Committee

  • On March 26, our AFA Scheduling Committee Chairpersons met to discuss their ongoing work representing Flight Attendants’ interests in lineholder scheduling.
  • The Committee met with management to receive updates and discuss issues and problems Flight Attendants face with scheduling, pairings, and bidding.
  • Your Local Scheduling Committee is available to assist with any lineholder scheduling-related issues. Don’t hesitate to reach out for help!

On Tuesday, March 26, our AFA Scheduling Committee Chairpersons met to discuss their ongoing work to represent our Flight Attendants and push for improvements in our workplace. Representing you at the meeting were Heather Reier (ANC), Jaqui Bellenie (SFO), Rita Tillou (SEA), Melodie Anderes (PDX), Kanako Yamada (LAX), and Kitty Cohen (SAN). Also present were 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 Inflight Operations & Crew Scheduling Allen Thieman, Managing Director Inflight Operations Michaela Littman, Managing Director Ops Staffing & Resource Mgt Brittany Audette, Director of Crew Scheduling Sara Cook, Director of Crew Planning Mike Ostler, Director of Crew Staffing Nicholas Giles, Manager of Crew Planning Trisha Bennett, Manager of Crew Pay Debbie Bakke, and other management representatives from Crew Planning/Crew Scheduling.

The Committee is next scheduled to meet on April 23, 2024.

Topics of Discussion

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

  • The popularity of 2-day DCAs and their new integration into 3-day trips.
  • Advocacy for fewer red eye flights from certain locations and more 2-day non-red-eye flights.
  • Questions about the efficiency of splitting certain flight legs into separate operations.
  • The desire for an increase in co-terminal turns and more productive 2-3 day trips.
  • Requests to reduce the number of 4-day trips and specific connections.
  • Issues with Crew Scheduling and open segments related to pre-cancellations for like assignments. Open legs are reviewed in all domiciles.
  • Concerns about the process of resolving issues with pay analysts.
  • Flight Attendant confusion regarding accrued sick leave and its availability for use.
  • Questions about the transportation of sick family/sick child calls on overnight stays.
  • Challenges with internal AFA OS tickets and restrictions on advertising.
  • Clarification needed on how screenshots work for combining and breaking apart trips. See labor memos related to screenshots on AFA website.
  • Request for CSA to meet the plane instead of other company employees (Flight Attendants/Pilots).
  • Increase in reassignments for line holders at report, impacting planned layovers.
  • April Bid awards were quick and had no issues, published the following morning.
  • Light April bid protest, one violation of junior line bidder seniority honored.
  • NavBlue discussions about meetings, including weekly pilot calls and management calls.
  • NavBlue future updates discussed, including transition to Red Hat 8 and AWS transition.
  • NavBlue UAT testing and install of version 23.7.10 to PROD contingent upon bug fixes.
  • NavBlue planning for password reset changes and removing IT from NavBlue logins.
  • Mention of NavBlue future releases 23.8, 24.1, and 24.3.
  • Discussions about pairing selection, analytics, and collaboration with crew planning monthly.
  • Challenges with pairing construction and optimizing for quality of life.
  • Request for improvements and review of Jeppesen’s optimization capabilities.
  • Navblue released an update, no problems reported from users at this moment.
  • JCTE release March 26, 2024, with Buddy Roster, screenshots to be published after implementation.
  • Trade analysis shows increased trades in March, performance remaining steady for Crew Access.
  • Database reindex scheduled for April 9, 2024 to improve trade analysis.
  • June JCTE release will include historical data of processed transactions and ability to advertise for work.
  • B2B tap to pay implementation coming soon, training sandbox in progress.
  • Outage message to be sent regarding JCTE update and for future updates at the request of Flight Attendants.
  • Christopher joined Inflight Crew Planning from Flight Ops, brings experience in aviation and used to work for JetBlue. Some management employees have expressed interest in retirement over the next year and assisting with integrating new members on the team.
  • Block hours are increasing significantly in May, with LAX showing a reduction.
  • Targeting 79.69TFP line average and 20.1% reserves for reserve staffing, we expect peak month in July for staffing.
  • Trip length distribution remains consistent, some more commutable trips.
  • SEA/ANC have best commutability for Flight Attendants, SFO/PDX most challenging.
  • 5 MAXs mitigated in latter part of Spring, potential risk to reduce schedule.
  • May bid month frequency to destination changes reviewed, Mexico flights shifting to Alaska and Transcon.
  • E-175 stage length reduced, Mainline overnights added to park aircraft in outstations due to limitations in some of our domiciles.
  • Remote parking/hard stand issues in Seattle, coordinating with wheelchairs and special services.
  • Concerns with pre-cancellations, PBS bidding, and FCR when trips release into subsequent day.
  • Absence rates increasing, Crew Scheduling goal to clean out Open Time daily utilizing reserves.
  • Waived pay causing a burden on the rest of the Flight Attendant population, reassignments increasing. Crew Scheduling reports that Flight Attendants are waiving pay for alternative assignments but not picking up and this sometimes causes a ripple effect on the operation to cover the remaining open segments. 
  • Reserve utilization at 82.2-92.9% January to March, month over month increases.
  • Fatigue reports in March increased. Total of 42 fatigue calls with several days remaining till month end.
  • Attrition seeing 5 ½ – 8 years of service, 50/50 commuter versus in domicile.
  • Payroll to attend scheduling meetings, communication and response clarity needed on processes and inquiries.
  • Quick reference guide requested for Inflight webpage information filtering for rainmaker and timelines to complete pay and query responses. There is a lot of information available but we don’t believe Flight Attendants are accessing the documents.

What the Committee is Working on

  1. NavBlue. The PBS Committee is seeking feedback on how they can improve their assistance to flight crews regarding bid awards and understanding results. They provided both in-person and virtual meetings for this purpose.
  2. Pairings Survey. There is a discussion about conducting a survey on pairing construction, and there is a possibility of organizing a virtual session or town hall. A meeting with management occurred June 5, 2023, with a follow-up meeting to be arranged. However, there is no update or estimated time of arrival (ETA) at the moment.
  3. Chime Communications. Flight Attendants may chat with crew scheduling via app/Microsoft Teams to reduce phone calls. Flight Attendant-initiated contact. Early stages of development, to be discussed with AS Labor Relations and AFA. Testing and implementation to occur in the next few weeks. We are working on a letter of agreement for implementation. This is still pending review. 
  4. Crew Scheduling. There was a monthly review of PowerPoint presentations that covered various aspects such as reserve utilization, detailed breakdowns, sick leave (week by week and year over year), premium, personal drops, and other relevant agenda items.
  5. Crew Planning. Similar to Crew Scheduling, there was a monthly review of PowerPoint presentations that cover subsequent month staffing, trip length distribution, Flight Attendant block hours, special initiatives (e.g., IROPs), commutability, and other relevant agenda items.
  6. ITS. Representatives from ITS joined the scheduling meeting to provide updates on NavBlue, Crew Access, internal systems, and Block 2 Block. These updates include performance reviews, data analysis, and information about future releases. 

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.

Scheduling Committee Meeting Recap – December 2025

This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants On Tuesday, December 16, 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 Heather Reier (ANC), Melinda Jorge (SEA), Melodie Anderes (PDX), […]

Reserve Committee Meeting Recap – 4th Quarter 2025

This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants On Thursday, December 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 […]

Inflight Service Committee Meeting Recap – 4th Quarter 2025

On Thursday, December 4, our AFA Inflight Service Committee Chairpersons met to discuss their ongoing work in representing our Flight Attendants and advocating for improvements in our workplace. Representing you at the meeting were Naomi Parcell (ANC), Ross DeJong (SEA), Todd Horn (PDX), Raymond Ramirez (SFO), Johanna Thomas (LAX pmAS), and Andrew Malone (SAN). MEC […]

Joint Contract Negotiations Session 10 – December 2025

The Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) met with management this week to continue bargaining sessions in Seattle, WA. Discussions focused on narrowing issues in Leaves of Absence, Association General, and reviewing vacation provisions as part of the joint contract process.

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