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Scheduling Committee Meeting Recap – June 2026

This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants

On Tuesday, June 23, 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, Director of Crew Planning Trisha Bennett, Manager of Crew Planning Colin Beard, ITS Technical Product Owner Nathan McFerren, and other management representatives from Crew Planning, Crew Scheduling, information technology (ITS), and payroll.

The Committee is next scheduled to meet on Tuesday, July 21.

Topics of Discussion

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

Local Committee Chairperson Reports

  • PDX (Portland)
    • Delay Reporting: Flight Attendants requested later reports for delays. Questions arose about cut-off times for delays when Flight Attendants were close to reporting for duty. If a delay is posted for more than an hour, Crew Scheduling will attempt to mitigate the impact of a later report. 
    • Deadhead Seating Issues: Flight Attendants expressed dissatisfaction with deadhead seating on recent flights, questioning automation accuracy and practices. We are researching automation for contractual compliance. 
  • SAN (San Diego)
    • Pairing Review: Flight Attendants have questions about legalities and compensation. AFA Grievance Committee Payroll Representative to assist with review of reassignments and stranded pairings. Typically, it takes payroll a week or two to update compensation and pull reports. 
    • Vacation Scheduling: Questions were raised about flying into days off surrounding vacations and compensation. Specifically, how to obtain pay or additional vacation. If you are flown into a vacation day, please contact Flight Attendant Crew Pay. 
  • ANC (Anchorage)
    • Flight Delays: Initial flights were delayed, leading to subsequent flight delays. Reassignment protocols were questioned if flight numbers change. Refer to Section 10.R.4 for applicable compensation. 
    • Mid-Flight Reassignments: Crew was reassigned mid-flight from a SEA turn to later flights and wanted more information about the process Crew Scheduling uses to reassign.
    • Van Delay: A delay for van transportation occurred, with pilots notified but Flight Attendants left uninformed. The Committee asked for a review to determine how management can better communicate about delays. 
  • LAX (Los Angeles)
    • Extended Layover Issues: JNU unscheduled layover resulted in no hotel accommodation for 18 hours, with Flight Attendants on duty paid hotel rates. Crew Planning management is reviewing the situation with API and ensuring we have exhausted all options, as crews were stranded at the airport. 
    • Pre-Boarding Processes: Pre-boarding is not currently offered based on seniority, with no contractual requirements, and suggestions for improved scheduler processes were made. Crew Scheduling management said they would try to make a best effort to offer in seniority order. If you are the senior Flight Attendant and don’t want the pre-board, you can give it to the next junior Flight Attendant, if applicable. 
    • Notification Timeliness: Delays in notifying crews about trip changes were noted, with notifications sometimes occurring at odd hours. Crew Scheduling does its best not to interrupt crew rest and will attempt to notify affected crews typically after 10 hours of consecutive rest. 
    • Crew Pay Notations: Crew pay issues regarding reassignments versus diversions were resolved after initially being classified incorrectly.
  • SFO (San Francisco)
    • Crew Reassignment Confusion: Issues with multiple crew reassignments led to confusion about payment eligibility.
    • Hotel Accommodation Problems: Non-contracted hotel issues reported, with a crew care report filed for follow-up.
    • Trip Structure Changes: Three-day trips are being restructured as two-day trips with premium pay, necessitating a review of efficiency. Crew Scheduling is pulling apart multiday trips around 10 AM based on reserve coverage and availability, so you may see trips that are pulled apart and desirable. 
    • Safety Concerns: Instances of hot airplanes in locations without APUs raised safety questions regarding aircraft readiness for boarding. It is a good idea to file Flight Attendant Incident reports and contact your Local Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC) if there are concerns.
  • SEA (Seattle)
    • Monitoring Open Time: Seattle Local Scheduling Committee Chairperson attended the monthly meeting with the ability to track Open Time with Jeppesen and ITS. Most of the open days closed their TSN thresholds within 60 seconds or less
    • Block2Block (B2B) Issues: Ongoing problems with Flight Attendant no-shows. B2B messaging is not considered positive contact. However, all Flight Attendants are required to review their B2B messaging at the end of duty for notifications from Crew Scheduling. 

PBS Subcommittee Update

  • July Bidding Overview: High activity noted with efforts to understand and plan for coverage amidst holiday schedules.
  • Bid Awards: The bid awards process was smooth, although higher lows were necessary to ensure adequate reserve coverage, with a forecast of 30% coverage awards coming to fruition.
  • Bid Protests: Protests were manageable this month, primarily centered around coverage understanding. Technical issues with the inflight website led to workarounds.
  • Meetings Conducted: Regular meetings held throughout June, including monthly updates and bid award training.
  • Other Updates:
    • Inflight Website Publishing Action Plan: Collaborations with Crew Planning to create a plan for future publishing issues, ensuring access to awards and reports during outages.
    • Software Releases: Ongoing testing of recent updates with positive results expected for a go/no-go decision soon.

Pairing Construction and Crew Planning

  • Pairing Selection: Recent pairing selections have been received, with an emphasis on soft locks. The average line value will be 80 TFP.
  • ITS Update: NAVBLUE testing is progressing well, with improvements noted in automation updates.
  • Crew Planning Analysis: Block hours for August are projected over 350K, reflecting a decrease from July. Reserve ratios are at 22.15%, with no scheduled staffing adjustment leaves (SALs).
  • Redeye Flying Trends: Breakdown of redeye flying percentages across various bases, with notable figures for ANC (34%) and SAN (29%).
  • IRROPS (Irregular Operations)
    • Updates on duty starts and layover durations for various routes specific to San Diego and Newark departures, with increased crew connections in all domiciles noted.
    • Requirements for specific flight starts and rest periods were discussed, with attention to crew teaming (keeping Flight Attendants on the same pairing) and TSA mitigation (DLG-ANC/AKN/ANC).

Crew Scheduling Insights

  • Sick Leave Trends: Sick leave rates reached 13.2%, the highest of the year, with a significant number of daily calls noted.
  • Sick Online Issues: Notable sick online issues affecting operations, particularly in commuter cities, warrant tracking and management attention. There were 96 sick online calls in June.
  • Reserve Utilization: Reserve utilization is trending upwards due to increased absences, with PDX and SEA reporting higher utilization to cover operational needs.
  • Premium Pay Statistics: Premium pay is trending high month-to-date for June. 
  • Reassignments and Fatigue Reports: Total reassignments noted at 538, with deadhead conversions at 386. Fatigue incidents reported at 30 for June, with a notable split between reserves and lineholders.
  • Crew Scheduler Staffing: Anticipation of a new staffing class in two weeks with a new supervisor, aiming to improve scheduling operations.

What The Committee Is Working On

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

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.

Benefits Committee Meeting Recap – June 2026

This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants

On Wednesday, June 17, our pre-merger Alaska Benefits Committee Chairpersons met with management for their regular meeting. These discussions help ensure that management understands the real-world impact of their decisions on Flight Attendants and that your concerns are addressed directly. 

Your representatives at the meeting were Deb Wallstrom (ANC), Kathy O’Malley (SEA), Ann LaRue (PDX), Julie Pearson (SFO), Ava McWilliams-Ellington (LAX), and Sonia Quackenbush (SAN). MEC Benefits Committee Chairperson Dianna Ripley also attended and facilitated the meeting. 

The Committee also met with management representatives, including Manager of Leaves, Accommodation, and Disability Tracy Middleton and Leave and Disability Specialist Kelly Washburn. 

The next Benefits Committee Meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, July 22.

Discussion Topics

The Committee reviewed challenges in leave processing and discussed administrative protocols to improve Member communication, documentation, and consistency. These included:

  • Return-to-Work Scheduling Processes: The Committee and management discussed how return-to-work schedules are calculated using the monthly line average, the timing of outreach to Flight Attendants, and the documentation needed before returning to work. The discussion also included how scheduling is handled for lineholders and reserves, as well as the limited options available when a Flight Attendant is returning from Workers’ Compensation and still has ongoing appointments or physical therapy. 
  • California Leave Protections for Victims of Violence: The Committee and management discussed California leave protections available to employees who are victims of violence, as well as certain qualifying family members or designated persons. This discussion included the types of qualifying reasons for leave, job protection, coordination with FMLA when applicable, and the fact that this California protection does not have a minimum hours-worked requirement. 
  • Hartford Escalations and Quality Control: Concerns were raised by the Committee regarding inconsistent or incorrect information from The Hartford representatives, such as statements that a Flight Attendant’s job may not be protected. Management responded by advising that, when these issues arise, the Committee should collect the representative’s name along with the date and time of the call for proper investigation and resolution.
  • Washington State Waiting Week and Pay Concerns: Discussion focused on Washington State Paid Leave’s mandatory seven-day waiting week, with the Committee and management examining how its impact may differ based on a Flight Attendant’s leave start date. Additional concerns about inconsistent pay experiences for Washington-based Flight Attendants and the need for better guidance on pay calculation and coordination were also addressed.
  • Maternity Leave and Pre-Birth Pay: The Committee and management discussed the pay gap some Flight Attendants may experience when going out on maternity leave at 29 weeks, before state disability or paid leave benefits begin. Management explained that medical documentation, state filing requirements, and denial notices may be necessary to move the process forward, particularly in California, Washington, and Oregon-specific situations. 
  • 480-Hour Lookback in Complex Leave Situations: The Committee and management discussed how the 480-hour lookback applies in more complex situations, including multiple leaves, staffing adjustment leaves, and new-hire pregnancy, maternity, and bonding leave scenarios. The Committee also asked for follow-up to ensure these situations are reviewed consistently and that members receive clear guidance. 
  • FMLA Eligibility Calculator: At the Committee’s request, management was asked to consider adding an FMLA eligibility calculator to the system to eliminate the need for Flight Attendants to manually retrieve their DUTY HOURS from Rainmaker each month. The Committee explained the distinction between DUTY HOURS and TFP to management, noting that the difference can complicate the process for those trying to confirm eligibility.
  • Leave Documentation and Communication Protocols: Emphasis was placed on the need for clear documentation, proper routing of information, and consistent communication when Flight Attendants handle leave or benefits issues. The Committee emphasized the need to identify trends and ensure that concerns are directed appropriately for tracking and resolution.

What The Committee Is Working On

  1. Maternity Leave and Pre-Birth Pay: The Committee is continuing to address the gap some Flight Attendants experience when going out on maternity leave before state disability or paid leave benefits begin, particularly when state benefits do not start immediately. The Committee is also seeking clearer guidance on what documentation is required, when denial notices are needed, and how those documents should be routed to The Hartford, so Flight Attendants are not left without clear direction during an already stressful time. 
  2. Leave Processing, Hartford Escalations, and Communication: The Committee is working to improve the consistency and accuracy of information Flight Attendants receive when contacting The Hartford or navigating a leave. When incorrect or concerning information is provided, such as statements regarding job protection, the Committee will continue to collect specific details so that management can investigate, correct the issue, and determine whether broader training or quality-control improvements are needed. 
  3. 480-Hour Lookback, FMLA Eligibility, and Complex Leave Situations: The Committee is continuing to seek clearer guidance on how eligibility is calculated in complex situations, including multiple leaves, Special Absence Leaves, new-hire pregnancy and bonding leave, and questions involving DUTY HOURS versus TFP. The Committee also requested that management explore adding an FMLA eligibility calculator to the system, so Flight Attendants have a more accurate and accessible way to determine eligibility without manually pulling monthly information from Rainmaker. 

We Want To Hear From You!

We’re focused on ensuring every Flight Attendant receives accurate information, timely support, and clear guidance when navigating complex benefit and leave situations. If you have questions about the leave process, please connect with your Local Benefits Committee as early as possible. Reaching out before issues arise helps us provide timely guidance and ensures you can make informed, confident decisions about your benefits.

Every question, concern, or suggestion you share helps us advocate more effectively with management and ensures that we focus on what matters most to you. If you have questions or ideas, we encourage you to contact your Local Benefits Committee. Our contact information is always available on the Benefits Committee page of the AFA Alaska + Hawaiian website.

Hotel Committee Meeting Recap – June 2026

On Monday, June 8, our AFA Hotel Committee Chairpersons met in-person to receive an update about current layover hotels and transportation providers and discuss concerns with management. Representing you at the meeting were Dori Marron (ANC), Jarod McNeill (SEA pmAS), Kelly Hepworth (PDX), Hilary Streem (SFO), Le’a Tupola (LAX/SEA pmHA), Brian Sherill (LAX pmAS), and 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 Specialists Tamotsu “Tomo” Hirai and LaFay Williams.

Our next monthly meeting with management is scheduled for Monday, July 13.

Topics of Discussion

  • City Specific Issues (pmAS):
    • FAI: We have requested a follow-up on contractual terms regarding acceptable room placement at our incumbent hotel, as crews continue to report ongoing issues. Room placement guarantees were a key factor in our Hotel Committee’s acceptance of the contract renewal.
    • SIT: The incumbent property has committed to installing individual HVAC units in crew rooms by fall 2026. We have requested a contractual “out” clause in the renewal to ensure we can act if this target is not met. The Committee has already approved an alternate property in SIT should this milestone not be achieved.
    • We are awaiting final hotel decisions for SJO (long), JFK (long/short), DFW (short), PHX (long/short), and ATL (long).
  • Ground Transportation Challenges: Pre-merger Alaska crews are permitted to bring guests in company-provided transportation during layovers, space permitting. Recently, some providers in MSY, BOS, and JFK denied guests. Management is proactively following up with providers to reinforce our policy. In certain markets, such as PVR, guest access is restricted by vehicle size; in others, such as CHS, a surcharge applies to cover additional liability insurance. We have also requested follow-up with the ATL hotel regarding shuttle procedures for crews, and asked for the removal of shuttles with broken air conditioning in HNL. Pre-merger Hawaiian continues to address ground transportation challenges, including late transportation at the airport and hotel in FCO, and a van with a broken air conditioner in LHR during 80-degree weather.
  • Outstanding Items (pmAS):
    • Ground Transportation Tracking: We are still waiting for instructions on how to access GPS data for some transportation vendors. Eventually, this information will be incorporated into a MyCrewCare function.
    • TBDs: At our May meeting, we requested an explanation for all the TBDs in the bid packet, but have not yet received any information about the high number of TBDs for July. Management will begin listing the reasons for TBD hotels in each market on the monthly hotel update.
  • Best and Final Hotel Contract Negotiations: Before visiting a market, our Hotel Committee reviews hotel proposals, which commonly include F&B discounts and complimentary breakfast. These offers are carefully considered when creating our short list of hotels for site visits. We have observed that some amenities initially discussed are being negotiated away during best and final rounds with API, resulting in a lower nightly rate but reduced overall value. The Committee bases recommendations on the hotel’s complete offering, and the removal of key benefits after endorsement may impact the Committee’s preferences. Crew Hotels has now requested access to contract drafts during negotiations to ensure that all agreed-upon terms are retained through finalization. If API is unable to join a site visit, the Committee remains committed to advocating for our priorities. Additionally, Crew Hotels aims to have a signed contract in place with each hotel at least 45 days prior to its use.

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 Committee is evaluating the need for additional site visits in 2026 and is getting a jump-start on the plan for 2027. The scheduled site visits through September 2026 are:

  • June: LIR, RNO
  • July: BZE, LGB (New Layover), BWI (Short), DEN (Short)
  • Aug: MCI (Short), CHS (Long)
  • Sept: YYC (New Layover), YEG (New Layover)

Pre-Merger Hawaiian: The scheduled site visits through June 2026 are:

  • June: JFK

2. Hotel Gainshare Update (pmAS): There have not been any new developments in the Hotel Gainshare program since our last update. Negotiations on the Gainshare program are currently stalled because management is concerned about the federal tax implications. AFA International was consulted and provided a legal counterargument. We’re waiting for AFA International to coordinate with Alaska Airlines Labor Relations management on this. Our goal is to reach a consensus and finalize the program’s negotiations. We recognize that many of our Members are interested in this program, and we’re doing everything we can to make it a reality.  

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 does not monitor social media channels.

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

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

Reserve Committee Meeting Recap – 2nd Quarter 2026

This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants

On Thursday, June 4, representatives from our pre-merger Alaska AFA Reserve Committee met to discuss ongoing work advocating for Reserve Flight Attendants. Representing you at the meeting were Conner Gallager (SEA), Anthony Eskander (PDX), Kanako Yamada (LAX), Adrian Alcantara (SAN), and MEC Reserve Committee Vice Chairperson—New Hire & Probation Meghan Casey (SFO). MEC Reserve Committee Chairperson Julie Thornton facilitated the meeting.

The Committee met with the Manager of Inflight Crew Scheduling Goose Hlaingmyint, Managing Director of Inflight Performance & Crew Scheduling Sara Cook, and Director of Inflight Crew Scheduling Terrance Chariandy. 

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

Topics of Discussion

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

  • Formalizing New Hire Onboarding
    • Desire for new hire onboarding improvements while in training. Discussion on ways to improve new hires’ first day, week, and month at base. All Committee Members expressed a desire for a base orientation to improve new hire transitions.Class 2-26 graduated last month and started online in ANC on June 1.
    • At this time, management is stating there are no other classes planned for this year.
  • Addressing Reserve Pay Anomalies
    • Noticing an increase in AM Reserves who are being assigned APSB shifts that end after 12:00 and are not being converted to ER prior to the assignment.Encouraging Reserves to check Rainmaker for any APSB shifts that ended after 12:00, and if the APSB also ended after the daily last flight, Reserves should be paid 3x for the APSB shift. If a Reserve believes pay is missing, reach out to your Local Reserve Committee Chairperson.
    • Procedure to guarantee daily last flight pay: Flight Attendants are encouraged to call and explicitly request a release from APSB after the daily last flight has departed to ensure they are denied, which guarantees 2x pay. If the last flight of the day is delayed, some Flight Attendants may not qualify at the end of the day.
  • Requesting More Flexibility for Reserves
    • Management agreed to review decreasing the ARC minimum and awarding more Personal Drops and Bulletin Board Drops.
  • Evaluating Contractual Interpretation Disagreements
    • Any disputes that are not resolved with Crew Scheduling Supervisors are then escalated to Scheduling Review Board (SRB) or Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR) for further discussion.
    • Discussion of recent Reserve issues regarding double out rest, day rooms, and removal of self-assignment prior to report.

What The Committee Is Working On

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

We Want to Hear From You!

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

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

On Wednesday, May 20, our Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC) representatives met virtually to discuss ongoing safety concerns, operational challenges, policy updates, and workplace improvements impacting Flight Attendants across the operation. Representing you at the meeting were Deb Wallstrom (ANC), David Lake (SEA), Kalin Lackey (PDX), Bradley Young (SFO), Bryce Sarmiento (LAX pmAS), Kahea Alvarez (LAX pmHA), Eva Gatus (SAN), Randy Rivera (HNL), and Kerri Ruiz (MEC ASHSC Vice Chairperson).

The Committee met with several members of Inflight leadership and Safety management, including Heidi Stiley (Cabin Safety & Compliance Manager), Nicky Sagum (Manager of Safety Compliance), Randy Katz (Managing Director of Inflight Safety Standards & Training), Benito Pasia-Garcia (Director of Inflight Base Operations), Lavesh Bhatia (Inflight Policy & Procedure Specialist), Shari Hinshaw (Manager of Inflight Policy & Procedures), and base management representatives Anu Lippert and Laurel Padure.

The next scheduled Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee meeting will take place in virtually on Wednesday, July 15.

Topics of Discussion

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

  • Cabin Heat Events and APU Operations: The Committee discussed recent incidents of prolonged aircraft ground delays due to inoperative APUs during extreme heat. Concerns were raised regarding unsafe cabin temperatures, passenger comfort, and operational delays in returning to the gate. Management confirmed that APUs are expected to be running by D-10, and Flight Attendants were encouraged to use operational pauses and to submit FAIR/SHR reports whenever cabin temperatures become unsafe.
  • Meta Smart Glasses and Privacy Concerns: The Committee discussed concerns about the use of Meta smart glasses while on duty, including passenger privacy, recording capabilities, and operational distractions. Management advised that Revision 75 will prohibit Flight Attendant use of Meta glasses while working.
  • Emergency Equipment Accessibility: Several concerns were raised regarding retrofitted overhead emergency equipment locations on the 737-800 fleet. Flight Attendants reported difficulty accessing halon and water extinguishers, challenges viewing gauges during preflight checks, and improper bracket positioning impacting accessibility. Additional concerns included demo kits and carry-on baggage obstructing emergency equipment. Management requested continued FAIR reporting to establish trend data.
  • Extreme Cold Weather Evacuation Concerns: ANC representatives raised concerns regarding insufficient cold-weather uniform options during potential evacuations in extreme winter conditions. Discussion included FAA limitations on wearing bulky outerwear in jumpseats, lack of galley stowage space, and the need for additional guidance or training regarding cold-weather evacuation scenarios.
  • Hotel Van Safety Procedures: The Committee discussed safety concerns involving hotel transportation vendors requesting crew members to provide flight information before identifying themselves. Particular concern was raised for individual Flight Attendants arriving late at night. Management will coordinate follow-up discussions with hotel transportation providers regarding security expectations and procedures.
  • MAX 9 Trash Bin Design and Galley Trash Procedures: Representatives continued discussions regarding the MAX9 trash bin design, which allows trash and liquids to fall behind bins and creates sanitation concerns. Maintenance & Engineering advised that a retrofit project is planned for later this year. Additional discussion focused on current galley trash-handling procedures, including the operational practice of hanging trash bags in galleys, as well as concerns related to fire suppression and monitoring requirements.
  • Inoperative Seatbelt Sign MEL Events: The Committee reviewed recent events involving inoperative seatbelt sign switches and discussed alternate procedures when signs cannot be activated. Management reiterated that announcements currently serve as the approved mitigation procedure under MEL guidance.
  • Inaudible Flight Deck Announcements: Representatives discussed ongoing concerns about inaudible pilot PA announcements and difficulties hearing critical information while in the cabin. Management noted that this may primarily be a CRM issue, but agreed that additional review may be appropriate.
  • Safety Card Type Placards: Discussion continued regarding inconsistencies and missing safety card type placards onboard aircraft. Management reminded Flight Attendants to report missing placards through standard reporting channels so corrective action can be tracked.
  • Narcan and Overdose Response Discussions: The Committee discussed modernization of EMK/EEMK kits to potentially include nasal Narcan. Management acknowledged that many carriers are moving in this direction and confirmed the topic remains under review with MedAire and Safety leadership. Discussion also included training considerations, accessibility, storage, and maintenance requirements.
  • A330 Lavatory Flush Noise Concerns: Representatives raised concerns regarding excessive lavatory flush noise levels onboard the A330 fleet. Discussion included OSHA exposure thresholds, custom hearing protection programs, and possible reimbursement or support options for hearing protection devices.
  • PPE Use During Fume Events: The Committee discussed Flight Attendant concerns regarding the use of PPE, including carbon-layered masks, during fume events. Management stated there should be no issue with Flight Attendants utilizing appropriate PPE during qualifying exposure events and agreed additional follow-up may be necessary regarding onboard PPE availability and policy clarification.

Things The Committee Is Working On

  1. New Power Bank Procedures: There were several instances last year of power banks going into thermal runaway on Asian carriers. Additionally, UL (Underwriter’s Laboratory), which tracks thermal runaway events on commercial aircraft, has documented an increase in events attributable to power banks. As a result, there are updates to regulatory guidance on how they should be limited, stowed, and used onboard the aircraft. The Committee has been gathering information and working with the company to develop new procedures, which will be rolled out soon at AAG.
  2. MAX 10 Galleys: In coordination with the Inflight Service Committee, we have been working with management and the galley manufacturer on the MAX 10 galley designs. Our focus has been on safety, optimizing workflow, crew stowage location, which can be accessed without being visible to passengers, and easily accessible emergency equipment
  3. Demo Kit Stowage: We are gathering pictures of demo kits that are in overhead bins without dividers, along with tail numbers, and are making a case to have dividers for all demo kit stowage in first class on the 737.

We Want to Hear From You!

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

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

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

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

Wrapping Up Membership Engagement Focus Month: Stronger Together

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Benefits Committee Meeting Recap – July 2026

This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants On Wednesday, July 22, our pre-merger Alaska Benefits Committee Chairpersons met for their regular monthly meeting. This meeting was an internal AFA-only meeting and did not involve management.  Representing you at the meeting were Ava McWilliams Ellington (LAX), Linda Gunselman (PDX), Sonia Quackenbush (SAN), Kathy O’Malley (SEA), […]

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As part of Membership Engagement Committee Focus Month, we’re excited to spotlight one of our core missions: empowering you with knowledge and confidence to participate more fully in our Union. When we understand how our Union works, we strengthen our collective voice and create a more engaged community. To help you on this journey, we’re […]

Scheduling Committee Meeting Recap – July 2026

This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants On Tuesday, July 21, our pre-merger Alaska AFA Scheduling Committee Chairpersons and Representatives met in person at Alaska Global Training Center 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), […]

Joint Contract Negotiations Session 17 – July 2026

This session, the JNC focused on refining the Reserve survey to ensure a comprehensive representation of member concerns. Significant progress was also made on Section 23 (Insurance Benefits), with proposals aimed at enhancing Flight Attendant protections and securing tailored insurance provisions. Additionally, productive discussions continued on Section 30 (Training). Further improvements are anticipated pending management’s response to our latest proposal.

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