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Uniform Committee Meeting Recap – 4th Quarter 2022

Uniform Committee

  • Our AFA Uniform Committee Chairpersons met on Tuesday, November 15 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 Tuesday, November 15, our AFA Local Uniform 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 Kim Mazzolini (ANC), Dena Heath (SEA), David Jelinek (PDX), Lisa Mueller (SFO), Heather Milner (LAX), and JP Perina (SAN).  Also present was MEC Uniform Committee Chairperson Todd Scarlett.  The committee met with Uniform Programs Manager Ashlyn Pham, Uniform Fit Center Lead Ashley Sentner, Day of Travel Experience Manager Kelly Cuthill, PDX Base Manager Kristie Stafford, and other representatives from management. 

Topics of Discussion

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

  • Review of recently updated uniform policies, which include a clarified winter hat policy and the ability to wear zero drop shoes.  The updated policy guide is posted on the uniform subsite of Alaska’s World.
  • Ongoing uniform quality issues.  The Committee has received numerous recent reports of pieces not standing up to normal wear and tear and inconsistency of sizing, cut, and fabric on new orders.  Reports have also been received about wings breaking and the printing rubbing off the name plate portion.
  • Ongoing request to review the current process for Flight Attendants to provide feedback related to uniform pieces.  Management indicates that they are working on an improved system for reporting issues and providing feedback based on what they heard from the Committee at the last quarterly meeting.
  • Concerns with lack of availability of approved boots that can be worn with the feminine uniform.
  • Ongoing concern that the policy requiring that hosiery be worn with the uniform skirt and dresses is outdated.  Management has declined to make any changes to the policy at this time.
  • Repeated request to designate certain existing pieces as gender neutral until specific gender neutral uniform pieces are available.  Management does not anticipate designated gender neutral pieces will be available until 2024 at the earliest.
  • Repeated request for a packable, insulated jacket that provides more substantial warmth than the transition jacket in a similar form factor.  Management has started reviewing options but they will not be available this season.
  • Concerns with product shortages and items that are backordered for extended periods of time.  Management reports that supply chain issues are continuing to be a challenge.  An increased number of orders are being shipped from the manufacturer by expedited means in order to increase availability.
  • Management plans to launch a new warm weather shirt in mid-2023.  A prototype shirt had previously been tested by some Uniform and Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC) Members.  The warm weather shirt will be allowed to be worn with the skirt and Arctic parka based on continued advocacy by the Committee.

The committee is next scheduled to meet with management on Tuesday, February 7, 2023.  

What The Committee Is Working On

  1. Cold Weather Improvements.  Working to expand policies and improve uniform pieces in anticipation of upcoming cold weather months.  This includes advocating for improvements to the uniform boot policy and a warmer packable jacket.
  2. Simplification of Uniform Policies.  Advocating for an overall simplification of company uniform policies through clearer guidelines, removal of excessive or unrealistic restrictions, and other common sense changes.
  3. Streamlining the Uniform Feedback Process.  Working to develop an easy-to-use, online form that Flight Attendants can use to provide feedback about uniform issues and concerns that automatically routes to management, Unisync, and our AFA Uniform Committee.

We Want to Hear From You!

Please help our Uniform Committee by taking the time to email Unisync at alaskaservice@unisyncgroup.com with any quality issues you are experiencing.  When sending an email, please describe the issue with as much detail as possible and include photos if you can.  Please CC your Local Uniform Committee Chairperson on the email so that the Uniform Committee can track the issues as well.

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 our contact information on the Uniform Committee page of the AFA Alaska website. 

Scheduling Committee Meeting Recap – October 2022

Scheduling Committee

  • Our AFA Scheduling Committee Chairpersons met on Tuesday, October 25 to discuss their ongoing program of work to represent Flight Attendants interests related to lineholder scheduling.
  • The Committee also met with management to receive updates and discuss issues and problems that Flight Attendants are experiencing with scheduling, pairings, and bidding.
  • Your Local Scheduling Committee is available to answer questions, provide clarification, or help to resolve any lineholder scheduling-related issues.  Please don’t hesitate to reach out!

On Tuesday, October 25, 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), Rita Tillou (SEA), Melodie Anderes (PDX), Jaqui Bellenie (SFO), Natalie Codd (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 Adam Clarey. The committee met with Inflight Crew Scheduling Duty Manager Sara Cook, Director of Crew Staffing Nicholas Giles, and other management representatives from Crew Planning and Crew Scheduling.

Topics of Discussion

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

  • CARE Retreat.  Review of the process for bidding, awarding and assigning. Crew Planning reviews who is assigned or has attended prior to and during the bid award process.  Crew Scheduling does assign approximately 5-10 reserves to a class with openings and reviews the LTFA per the letter of agreement which allows assignment to reserves.  The reserve assignments to CARE Retreat occur mostly in the Seattle domicile.
  • Charters.  If you bid for a charter it is possible for Crew Scheduling to repost the charter for bid prior to awarding.  If the charter is reposted, any previous bid that you submitted is erased.  You will receive an email indicating that you need to submit a new bid if you would still like to bid on the reposted charter.  It’s possible that charters could be reposted any time during the bidding process, so it’s imperative to regularly check and read your company email.  Recently, several Flight Attendants have read the email after the rebid and award were issued. 
  • 4 Position Pairings.  Flight Attendants continue to ask for pairings to be built with the A, B, C, and D positions together.  The Company is still operating Airbus A320 and Boeing 737-700 aircraft which requires that 3 position pairings also be constructed.  Management is committed to reviewing the suggestion if it is in line with costs and makes operational sense.
  • Crew Access Issues.  There have been recent reports of hotel notifications not coming through, rosters not appearing on schedules, and other system glitches.  If you experience a glitch or malfunction please contact the ITS Service Desk. Thorough reporting is the key to resolving these issues for a future release.  Contact information for the ITS Service Desk can be found by clicking here (AAG sign-on required) or from Alaska’s World, choose Workgroups > ITS Service Desk from the menu.
  • Staffing Levels.  The Committee discussed concerns with management about the perception of over staffing given the current flight schedule. In the future, there will be opportunities to increase the line averages.  In addition, there will be no staffing leaves offered for December.  Flexibility will still exist with the ability to drop trips into Open Time based on TSN thresholds and the awarding of Personal Drops as the operation permits.  Management reports that there is currently an 85-90% approval rate of Personal Drops at this time. 
  • Crew Hotels and Layover Transportation.  Please continue to file CrewCare reports that include positive and negative feedback.  If you experience any issues with a hotel or layover transportation that is not listed as a reporting category in CrewCare, please contact your Local Hotel Committee. 
  • December 2022 and January 2023 Bidding.  The next few months of bidding are the most difficult for coverage awards.  The first half of December is usually a lighter flight schedule with the bulk of flying in the last two weeks.  Additionally, the dates most Flight Attendants request off will fall on the weekends. The PBS Subcommittee has updated the coverage information from last year and is available to assist you with your questions/concerns. 
  • Month End Overlap.  During the bid award process trips that touch the last 5 days of the prior bid month will be restricted.  Once the awards are posted the restrictions are removed and trading resumes as normal.  
  • Crew Access Known Issues Document.  Known issues with Crew Access are tracked and are posted in a document on the Flight Attendant website.  The document was last updated on October 19, 2022.  The Committee recommends that all Flight Attendants review the document on at least a quarterly basis.  You can find the document on the Flight Attendant website > Schedule and Bidding > Crew Access Help > Crew Access Known Issues.

What The Committee Is Working On

  1. Scheduling a meeting with Network Planning.  The Committee would like to meet with Network Planning in 2023 to discuss our contract, legalities and suggestions. We want to provide management with the Flight Attendant perspective and in an effort to improve our quality of life. 
  2. Review of JCTE/Crew Access transaction performance.  Each month, ITS provides the Committee with data on performance and transactions within JCTE/Crew Access.  The Committee reviews these reports to ensure our service levels are maintained at the appropriate thresholds.
  3. Scheduling Quality of Life Improvements.  Reviewing ways to improve Trip Length Distribution (TLD) and other quality of life options.  Working with management to develop a quality of life survey to determine Flight Attendant scheduling priorities. 
  4. Review of user guides and links of Flight Attendant website.  Ensuring information is still accurate in existing resource materials, links are still active and working, etc.
  5. Updating Crew Access videos.  Working with management and ITS to update the Crew Access instructional videos to reflect updates and changes to the user interface.

We Want to Hear From You!

Do you have feedback for the committee, concerns you’d like to share, or items that you’d like brought up with management?  Please let us know!  Your Local Scheduling 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 Scheduling Committee page of the AFA Alaska website.

Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee Meeting Recap – 4th Quarter 2022

Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC)

  • Our AFA Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC) Chairpersons met on Thursday, October 13 to discuss their ongoing program of work to represent Flight Attendants interests related to safety, health, and security in our workplace.
  • The Committee also met with management to receive updates and discuss issues and problems that Flight Attendants are facing onboard the aircraft.
  • Reporting safety concerns is more important than ever given the challenges we are currently facing as a work group.  Flight Attendant Irregularity Reports (FAIR), Aviation Safety Action Reports (ASAP), and fatigue reports can all be filed through Report It!  Please contact a member of your Local ASHSC if you need assistance.

On Thursday, October 13, our AFA Local Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC) 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 Debi Wallstrom (ANC), David Lake (SEA), Blair Kimball (PDX), Brad Young (SFO), Carin Meritt (LAX), and Eva Gatus (SAN).  Also present were MEC ASHSC Vice Chairperson—Air Quality Yvette Satterlee and MEC ASHSC Chairperson Seth Heiple.  The committee met with Cabin Safety Manager Cari Smith-Allen, Director of Inflight Training & Standards Thomas Kaminski, Inflight Policy & Procedure Specialist Cassie Tevis, Managing Director of Inflight Operations Michaela Littman, Director of Inflight Safety & Compliance Corey Chestnut, Interim Manager of Inflight Policy & Procedure Johanna Giese, and Inflight Experience Program Manager Matthew Coder.

Topics of Discussion

The committee reviewed a number of items when meeting with management.  Some items discussed include:

  • IMD Replacement Status.  F/As hired prior to 2022 should be receiving new IMDs before 2023.
  • Trash Stowage.  A Trash Task Force (which includes a representative from both the ASHSC and AFA Inflight Service Committee) meets every other week to monitor trash reports and work on solutions.
  • Single Door Catering.  Working with other divisions to come up with a documented process for catering out of just the aft or forward galleys where dual door catering cannot be accomplished.
  • 737 MAX 9 G1 Trash Compartment: Management is reviewing process for cleaning the MAX 9 G1 trash compartment in response to Flight Attendant complaints.  Management is also looking at improving the design on future versions of the MAX. 
  • Undesirable Lavatory Odors.  Toilets cowls are being removed on regular intervals to deep clean underneath them, which should help alleviate unpleasant smells.  Flight Attendants should write up the aircraft (using a Cabin Discrepancies form) if odors are overwhelming and need immediate attention.
  • Passenger POC Batteries.  Discussed concerns about passenger’s POC battery not being charged enough to last the length of the flight.  Management reported that CSAs are trained to ask if the POC battery is charged and can last at least 1.5x the length of the flight.  All POCs should have cabin approved tag attached prior to boarding to indicated they have been verified by CSAs
  • 737-900 Seatbelts Extensions.  Not all seat belt extensions on our fleet are compatible with every aircraft type. Maintenance checks each aircraft to ensure the correct ones are boarded every 120 days.  The Committee also brought forward concerns to management that some extensions require opening the buckle 180 degrees to release, which makes performing the safety demo awkward and may be difficult for passengers to use.
  • Onboard Cleaning Products. Management is looking at removing the large bottle of cleaning spray currently boarded due to issues with leakage. They may place a smaller bottle in the UPK instead so it is still available when needed.
  • Event Follow Up Emails.  Management reported that they are trying to constantly provide information to employees about significant events.
  • MELs.  Significant discussion was had about ways to improve communication from Maintenance Technicians and Pilots when sharing information with Flight Attendants regarding MELs.  The Committee believes management can do a better job training Flight Attendants about the MEL process and how to apply safety principles (Ready, Safe, Go).  The Committee also wants to build awareness with Flight Operations and Maintenance & Engineering so that there is a better understanding of how legally applied MELs affect Flight Attendant working conditions and can lead to the perception of an unsafe work environment.
  • Recurrent Training (RT) Drills for 2023.  Review of the number and type of drills planed for RT 2023.  Management currently plans to evaluate Flight Attendants on both Boeing and Airbus drills and a new arrival procedure drill.  The Committee is concerned that the number of drills when accompanied by hands-on practice time will not fit comfortably in the RT footprint.
  • Trays.  The Committee discussed issues with trays coming out of galley compartment unexpectedly and striking Flight Attendants.  Management reports that trays should all be catered inside of beverage carts.  It is a catering error if they are found elsewhere and should be reported using the catering feedback function in Block2Block (B2B).
  • Emergency Medical Equipment.  The Committee continues to advocate that additional equipment, such as pulse oximeters, be added to onboard medical kits.
  • Layover Transportation Safety.  Reports have been received about a number of recent accidents involving layover transportation.  The Committee wants to ensure drivers are well vetted by management and encourage Flight Attendants to wear a seatbelt whenever they are available.
  • Personal Items Plugged Into Galley Power Outlets.  There have been reports of Flight Attendants plugging personal items, like tea kettles, into galley power outlets.  No personal items may be plugged into galley power outlets as they are not tested to be safe for the environment or with the 400Hz power supplied by the outlets.
  • Apple AirTags.  Lufthansa recently banned Apple AirTags on checked luggage. The Committee asked management to provide a safety assessment of Apple AirTags and similar tracking devices on checked luggage.
  • Lack of Reach Out After Significant Events. Discussed better ways to ensure that management and AFA representatives are aware of significant events which take place on the aircraft. There can be a lag time if the only notification is from a FAIR filed by the Flight Attendants involved in the event.  Flight Attendants need better information about how and when to reach out to Inflight management about an event.  
  • Change Location of “In an evacuation, leave all carry-on items behind” Announcement.  The Committee provided feedback to management that this announcement doesn’t flow well in the safety demo and suggested moving to a different location.  Management agreed and will look at improving the flow.
  • CSA Boarding Questions in B2B Teams Messaging.  Management understands that there is significant confusion among Flight Attendants and CSAs with this process. There seem to be very different expectations between CSAs and Flight Attendants about the meaning of the “ready to board” message.  Per Company policy, boarding should start at D-40, so it is expected that when answering “ready to board” that boarding will begin accordingly at D-40.  The Committee also expressed concern about the questions being asked before Flight Attendants have even reported to the aircraft and with messages not going through in a timely manner because of connectivity issues. 
  • Block2Block (B2B) Passenger Age Group Identifiers.  The Committee shared a request to have identifiers added to B2B to help Flight Attendants assess compliance related to age-related policies and regulations (under 2, 15 or over, 21 or over). Management indicates this is on the development list but a low priority.
  • Final Compliance Checks at 18,000 Feet.  After years of advocacy by the Committee, management indicates that final compliance checks will move from being conducted at 10,000 feet on descent to 18,000 feet to improve safety. This change is being made to reduce turbulence related injuries.
  • Cabin Lighting During Compliance Checks: The Committee had previously requested brighter lighting for pre-landing compliance checks.  Management recently made the change based on this request.

What the Committee is Working On

  1. Simplifying Cabin Lighting Settings.  Together with the Inflight Service Committee, working to reduce the number of cabin lighting scenes and simplify settings while ensuring a safe level of lighting whenever carts are in the aisle.
  2. 737 MAX 8 Galley Designs.  Working with the Inflight Service Committee and management to ensure the new 737 MAX 8 galleys are as safe and as Flight Attendant friendly as possible.
  3. Launching the Line Operations Safety Audit (LOSA) Program.  Working with the members of the LOSA Steering Committee to launch the LOSA Program.  Additional communications from management will be coming soon about the opportunity for Flight Attendants to get involved in the program as LOSA Observers. 

We Want to Hear From You!

If you’ve experienced a safety-related issue, please help the committee to advocate for improvement and change by filing a report.  Flight Attendant Irregularity Reports (FAIR), Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP) reports, and fatigue reports can all be submitted using ReportIt!  If you’re not sure what type of report to file for a particular situation or need help, please don’t hesitate to contact a member of your Local ASHSC.

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

Scheduling Committee Meeting Recap – September 2022

Scheduling Committee

  • Our AFA Scheduling Committee Chairpersons met on Tuesday, September 27 to discuss their ongoing program of work to represent Flight Attendants interests related to lineholder scheduling.
  • The Committee also met with management to receive updates and discuss issues and problems that Flight Attendants are experiencing with scheduling, pairings, and bidding.
  • Your Local Scheduling Committee is available to answer questions, provide clarification, or help to resolve any lineholder scheduling-related issues.  Please don’t hesitate to reach out!

On Tuesday, September 27, 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), Rita Tillou (SEA), Melodie Anderes (PDX), Jaqui Bellenie (SFO), Natalie Codd (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 Adam Clarey. The committee met with Inflight Crew Scheduling Duty Manager Sara Cook, Director of Crew Staffing Nicholas Giles, and other management representatives from Crew Planning and Crew Scheduling.

Topics of Discussion

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

  • Concerns with charter bidding and ferry flight numbers that were not supposed to be in bid packets. These were pay protected under Section 10.W.  Crew Planning is developing processes to ensure compliance. 
  • Vacation bidding first round awards are posted.  Questions about whether the bidding instructions for vacation are adequate.   If not, what would Flight Attendants like to see added or removed. 
  • Preparations for winter operations.  Reminder to review Irregular Operations including but not limited to Section 8.S and 10.S.
  • New managers, supervisors and crew schedulers are joining Inflight Crew Scheduling. The committee reviewed that they do receive contract training, on the job training, work with instructors and high level crew access/crew exchange processing training.  The committee welcomes each of them to the department and look forward to working with them. 
  • Hotel and transportation issues.  Some Flight Attendants were required to vacate hotels during irregular operations in Newark.  This concern was referred to the Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR) process as AFA believes there is a clear violation of the contract.  There are still reliability issues with some hotel transportation and are reviewing all concerns.
  • Upcoming large schedule reduction for flights operating on Thanksgiving.  This will affect layovers and holiday pay.  We will see more pairings with minimum pay rules that include EOR and MSM.  Want Flight Attendants to be aware of these changes. 
  • Asking for 4 position pairings (A/B/C/D) from Crew Planning.  This is under review. 
  • Line holders picking up reserve days may be sent to CARE Retreat as a reserve assignment.  Refer to the CARE Retreat LOA. 

What The Committee Is Working On

  1. Reassignment Flow Chart.  Scheduling Committee Members reviewed a draft of the reassignment flow chart and it has been moved forward to the final stages of review and approval.  Refer to sections 10.R and 10.R.5 of our CBA.
  2. Scheduling Quality of Life Improvements.  Reviewing ways to improve Trip Length Distribution (TLD) and other quality of life options.  Working with management to develop a quality of life survey to determine Flight Attendant scheduling priorities. 
  3. Review of user guides and links of Flight Attendant website.  Ensuring information is still accurate in existing resource materials, links are still active and working, etc.
  4. Updating Crew Access videos.  Working with management and ITS to update the Crew Access instructional videos to reflect updates and changes to the user interface.
  5. Pre-Cancellation/Modification of Section 10.S LOA.  Working to familiarize Flight Attendants with the changes and update the flow chart.

We Want to Hear From You!

Do you have feedback for the committee, concerns you’d like to share, or items that you’d like brought up with management?  Please let us know!  Your Local Scheduling 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 Scheduling Committee page of the AFA Alaska website.

Inflight Service Committee Meeting Recap – 3rd Quarter 2022

Inflight Service Committee

  • Our AFA Inflight Service Committee Chairpersons met on Wednesday, September 21 to discuss their ongoing program of work to represent Flight Attendants interests related to catering and onboard service/sales.
  • The Committee also met with management to receive updates and discuss issues and problems that Flight Attendants are facing onboard the aircraft.
  • Management continues to experience challenges in many locations that are affecting the correct loading on onboard catering supplies and retail products.  Please continue to report catering issues through Block2Block and safety-related issues through ReportIt!  

On Wednesday, September 21, our AFA Local Inflight Service 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 Naomi Parcell (ANC), Ross DeJong (SEA), Todd Horn (PDX), Raymond Ramirez (SFO), Johanna Thomas (LAX), and Chase Vandergrift (SAN).  Also present was MEC Inflight Committee Chairperson Stephanie Garnett.  The committee met with Inflight Experience Program Manager Matthew Coder, Managing Director of Guest Products Todd Traynor-Corey, and other management representatives from the food & beverage, catering operations, and inflight mobile teams. 

Topics of Discussion

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

  • The main topic of discussion was the ice issue. It is now currently being addressed by management with an in-depth focus to determine the root cause.  Failure of ice provisioning, quantity, and quality has contributed to a lack of confidence by Flight Attendants in the catering operation. 
  • Management is considering upgrading first class product, specifically food and service, to allow Alaska to be more competitive.  Attention to providing Flight Attendants the opportunity to be successful needs to be taken into account when changes are being contemplated.
  • Plastic food toppers should be returning, first class menus are scheduled to return also, and upgrades in the snack basket number and quality of products are expected.  A new Bloody Mary Mix is being researched.  Again, we are dependent upon the supply chain. The committee recommends a soft launch for new products.
  • At this time management has confirmed the small cans of soda are here to stay.
  • Revision of the layout of the seatback card has been requested and would include alaskareceipts.com and not include pictures of non-available fresh products interspersed with what is actually offered onboard without pre-order.
  • Refreshed interior enhancements of the 737-800 were presented by management.  The first aircraft will probably be on-line in mid 2023 or sooner. 
  • Satellite Wi-Fi will be coming to most of the fleet in several months (depending upon supply issues) with the exclusion of the 737-700.  
  • The Hawaii arrival announcement has been changed and there are some minimal changes to the service announcements as well.  The service announcements will advise passengers that certain retail items are available for purchase.  
  • The State of Hawaii is interested in a digital arrival agriculture form and the company is working with them to bring this to fruition. At the inception, paper forms would be available onboard as well.

What The Committee Is Working On

  1. Addressing ice issues.  Continuing issues reported through Block2Block and other reporting channels, voicing Flight Attendant frustration with the quality and quantity of ice are continually brought forward. We are focusing on holding management accountable for not providing a basic component for required service.  
  2. Providing input on tools necessary for optimum service is currently pinpointed.  The committee is requesting new trays that are sturdier and more suited for delivering service items. In addition, a request to management has been made to research and replace the carafes as soon as possible.  The committee’s focus is to remind management to recognize that the Flight Attendant needs for appropriate tools should be prioritized in management budgets. We will continue to make management aware that tools are a necessary part of doing business. 
  3. Advocating for realistic service levels.  The committee continues to advocate against the addition of a third beverage cart on premium long-haul flights based on operational and logistical factors.

We Want to Hear from You!

Please continue to report any catering issues or problems with onboard service using the catering feedback function in Block2Block.  If you’ve experienced a safety-related issue, please submit a report through ReportIt!  Your reports provide the Committee with the data needed to continue pushing management for meaningful improvements in our workplace.

Do you have other feedback for the committee or items that 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 website. 

We Will Never Forget – September 11, 2001

AFA Never Forget Website United Flight 175 Robert J. FangmanAmy N. JarretAmy R. KingKathryn LaBorieAlfred G. MarchandMichael C. TarrouAlicia N. TitusCaptain: Victor SaraciniFirst Officer: Michael HorrocksCustomer Service Representatives: Marianne MacFarlane and Jesus Sanchez United Flight 93 Lorraine G. BaySandra BradshawWanda A. GreenCeeCee LylesDeborah WelshCaptain: Jason DahlFirst Officer: Leroy Homer American Flight 11 Barbara AresteguiJeffrey CollmanSara […]

Vacation Survey Now Open

This message is for both pre-merger Alaska and Hawaiian Flight Attendants Your Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) is working diligently to understand and improve the vacation benefits for our Flight Attendants at Alaska and Hawaiian. Your input is essential in ensuring that the vacation provisions we adopt reflect your needs and preferences. To gather your perspectives, […]

SEA Domicile Negotiations – September 2025

This message is for pre-merger Hawaiian Flight Attendants Negotiations Update The SEA Domicile Negotiating Committee met this week for three days of collective bargaining with management.  The SEA NC met with management on September 3 to September 5 in Honolulu. At the negotiating table for this session were: Representing AFA and our Flight Attendants   […]

Pre-Merger Alaska MEC Committee Interviews—October 2025

This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants In accordance with Article VI.C of the AFA Alaska MEC Policy and Procedure Manual, the terms of office for the MEC Committee Chairpersons and other MEC-level positions align with those of the MEC Officers. Since the current term for the MEC Officers will conclude on December 31, […]

Merged MEC Committee Chairperson Interviews—October 2025

This message is for both pre-merger Alaska and Hawaiian Flight Attendants The integration of our Master Executive Councils (MECs) is progressing steadily. Our first group of committees successfully merged on June 1, and we are now planning for another group of committees to merge on November 1. As part of the committee merging process, our […]

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