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Hotel Committee Meeting Recap – May 2026

On Monday, May 11, our AFA Local Hotel Committee Chairpersons met virtually 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), Kelly Hepworth (PDX), Hilary Streem (SFO), Brian Sherill (LAX pmAS), and Kanani Vallot (SAN), with MEC Hotel Committee Chairperson James Bozanich facilitating the meeting.

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

Our next monthly meeting with management is scheduled for Monday, June 8.

Topics of Discussion

  • Market Sourcing: Market sourcing continues to present challenges, and we’re proactively working with Crew Hotels and API to address our needs. Both the AFA and ALPA Hotel Committees are actively monitoring this process, understanding that the options presented for site visits directly influence where our crews will ultimately be placed. We are committed to advocating for the best possible accommodations for Flight Attendants.
  • Missing Hotel Hotlines (pmAS): Occasionally, Hotel Hotlines have been missing from the inflight website—most often at month’s end, when the current hotel expires and the next month’s hotline has not yet been uploaded. To address this, we’ve requested that the expiration date for the previous month’s hotline be extended to the 7th, ensuring continuity of information during the transition. Crew Hotels has indicated that updating the Hotel Hotline is an overly burdensome process and is considering eliminating it entirely. While MyTravel was introduced as a replacement, it remains a generic platform rather than being customized for each air carrier. Crew Hotels also lacks admin rights, so updates require API involvement. We’re working to make this platform more useful for Flight Attendants and have asked management to advocate for direct access for Crew Hotels. Your feedback on this process is always welcome.
  • Bid Packet TBDs (pmAS): To increase transparency in layover bidding, we asked Crew Planning last year to include a “TBD” in the bid packet whenever a hotel has not yet been confirmed for the bid month. API typically has three days to assign all our crew hotels after receiving the flight schedule from Crew Planning. Because flight schedules fluctuate each month, there are times when we find ourselves in an overcapped market, where the number of rooms needed exceeds the number the hotel is required to provide under their contract. While our crew hotels can usually accommodate the extra rooms, it’s not always certain before assignments are finalized and imported into NAVBLUE. This is the primary reason you may see a TBD. We’ve also requested that Crew Hotels provide explanations for each month’s TBDs, so we can answer your questions with clarity and confidence.

Hot Topics

  • FAI (pmAS): We recognize that our Fairbanks hotel has received numerous complaints this year. In response, we expedited our site visit from July to March to quickly evaluate alternative options. As many of you know, contractually compliant hotels in Fairbanks are extremely limited, and crew rooms often compete with peak tourist demand—cruise passengers in the summer and northern lights tours in the winter—making it challenging for hotels to prioritize crew business. Given these constraints, we have, for now, remained at the current crew hotel. The hotel is undergoing a rebrand and a $30 million renovation over the next four years, with work progressing during the off-season. We’re hopeful that the new brand standards will drive meaningful improvements in service, attention to detail, and infrastructure. In the meantime, we’ve asked Crew Hotels to address the most frequent concern—housekeeping. We appreciate everyone who has submitted CareCare feedback, and want you to know that the Hotel Committee reviews your experiences closely and advocates on your behalf. Thank you for your candor and engagement.
  • Hotel Points: We know hotel points are important to many of you, and we’re often asked why crew rooms typically don’t earn them. Loyalty programs operated by major hotel chains—including Hilton Honors, Marriott Bonvoy, and World of Hyatt—explicitly exclude airline crew rates from earning points for room bookings, as outlined in their loyalty program terms. Crew rates are heavily discounted, directly billed, and the cost of awarding points is significant for the property. Occasionally, some hotels may allow incidental points on personal expenses, even when the room rate is not eligible. The Hotel Committee requests hotel points for Flight Attendants as a benefit at every site visit, although properties are not required to provide them. We always advocate for your interests and will continue to pursue this wherever possible.

What The Committee Is Working On

1. Conducting Hotel Site Visits: The Hotel Committee conducts site visits on hotels under consideration by management to ensure that the selected options provide the safest and most comfortable layover experience for Flight Attendants. Market reviews are triggered by factors such as contract expirations, crew complaints, and cost-saving opportunities.  

Pre-Merger Alaska: The scheduled site visits through July 2026 are:

  • May: SIT, PHX, ATL
  • June: OGG, RNO
  • July: BZE, BWI

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.The Gainshare program negotiations 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.

Uniform Committee Meeting Recap – 2nd Quarter 2026

This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants

On Tuesday, May 5, our pre-merger Alaska AFA Uniform Committee Chairpersons met to discuss their ongoing work to represent Flight Attendants and push for improvements in the workplace. Representing you at the meeting were Kim Mazzolini (ANC), Dena Heath (SEA), Bob Moore (PDX), Slater Areno (SFO), Heather Holmes (LAX), and JP Perina (SAN). MEC Uniform Committee Chairperson David Jelinek was also present.

The committee also met with SFO Inflight Base Manager Cierra Lewis, SEA Fit Center Supervisor Ashley Sentner, Senior Director of Sourcing & Procurement Christine Wakayama, Alaska Principal Product Manager of Service Strategy Megan Low, and Brand Partnerships & Uniform Manager Janelle Bayne.

The next Quarterly Uniform Committee Meeting will be held on Thursday, August 13.

Topics of Discussion 

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

  • Discounted Hosiery on Zappos: Unfortunately, management’s contact at Zappos is no longer working there. They are trying to find a new contact. More to come.
  • Compression Socks and Tights: Two companies that provide compression tights and socks (Discount Surgical and Compression Sale) have been added to the Perkspot website. For links to these companies and to see their product lines, check out Perkspot on Team AAG (Team AAG > HR/Pay/Total Rewards > Perks & Discounts > Employee Discounts – Perkspot).  
  • Patriotic Tie: is now permitted to be worn when working an Honor Flight. The uniform policy guide will be updated soon. 
  • Uniform Quality Concerns:
    • The Committee raised concerns about how the fabric quality appears to have changed between pieces purchased at the uniform launch and those purchased in the last year or two. The fabric content is the same, yet they feel different, and the sizes run differently.  
    • Management has collected samples and is comparing those to pieces in the fit center. At this point, there will be no changes in manufacturing; however, they are trying to pinpoint the cause of the discrepancy. 
  • Uniform Compliance Checks:
    • We are all aware of the ongoing uniform compliance checks. Management is focused on increasing compliance with the existing uniform policy among Flight Attendants in preparation for the upcoming new uniform launch. The Committee does not want any Flight Attendants to be issued Records of Discussion (RODs) or any other steps of discipline.
    • If you are flying with a Uniform Committee Member, feel free to ask questions.  If we see something that is not compliant and point it out, we are only trying to help you avoid a ROD. Feedback from a Uniform Committee Member is meant to help you avoid having a potentially negative interaction with a supervisor.
    • The Committee believes there are some vague policies that lead to Flight Attendants’ own interpretation and conflicting responses from management. Prime examples are nails and hair. The Committee asked for a visual reference for nails and hair. Management states that one was published in a monthly newsletter a while back, and that examples are included in the uniform policy guide.
    • Management states they have tried various approaches to get the workgroup on board with compliance standards, yet continue to see the same violations. Some of the most common violations they are seeing are:
      • Transition jacket worn with dresses or during boarding. The transition jacket is not allowed with any of the dresses or during boarding.
      • Noncompliant shoes and boots with Aura dress. Please refer to the shoe standards in the uniform policy guide and reach out to a supervisor or an AFA Uniform Committee Member with any questions before a compliance check.
      • Hoop nose rings. Only a single nose stud, no larger than 2 mm, is allowed.
      • Incorrect pin placement or too many pins. Please see the uniform policy guide for correct pin placement.
      • Quarter-zip, atlas, and aura cardigans, without a shirt or shell under. Aura and atlas cardigans are considered layering pieces and must be worn over the shell or a blue button-up shirt. A quarter zip cardigan can only be worn over a button-up shirt.
    • Management is starting crew check-ins with a focus on premium long-haul, Hawaii, and international flying. Check-ins will focus on multiple job aspects, including uniform compliance. Flight Attendants will be issued three RODs before moving to performance steps. If a uniform violation is not “fixable,” the Flight Attendant may be removed from their trip without pay. 
    • Management will be sending monthly reminders in base newsletters, with varying focuses.
  • Wings:
    • There is a trend of wings breaking and even arriving broken. Please inspect your wings upon receipt and let your supervisor know if any are broken.
    • Flight Attendants are allowed to order four sets of wings each year, each style. Example: you can order four sets of standard wings and four sets of “Committed to Kindness” wings for a total of eight. Wings take a while to be produced and shipped, so order wings as soon as you believe you need them.
    • Not having wings on your outer garment may result in a ROD during a uniform check. If you have wings on order and are waiting for them, let the supervisor know during the check. It will be verified, and a ROD will not be issued.
    • Ordering wings after a ROD is issued, following a uniform check, will not remove the ROD.
    • Wearing the children’s wings from the Flight Attendant Kit is not an allowable substitute, and management will issue a ROD.
    • Wearing the gold wings from previous uniforms will also result in a ROD.
  • Update on Inventory:
    • What items are currently backordered?
      • Pants: Tall modern pants in size 00 tall and 2 are low in stock. Pants ordered with a specific inseam are hemmed at the factory. There is low stock on some inseam lengths; however, unhemmed pants are available in all sizes. If an item says “no stock” on a specific inseam, order the size you need anyway, and Unisync will have an unhemmed pair of pants hemmed to your requested size. 
      • There are also some inventory challenges with short-sleeve Atlas blue shirts.

What The Committee Is Working On

1. Easier Reporting of Quality Concerns: Management is working to add the ability to report quality concerns directly from your IMD in Comply365. We were getting closer; however, with the ongoing merger-related changes, it was pushed down the queue. An update will be provided when the tool is available. 

To ensure issues are addressed until the new IMD feature is available, please submit quality concerns using the Quality Concern Form on Team AAG > Other Resources > Uniforms > Safety & Quality > Quality > Here [AAG SSO required]. This will enable Unisync and the AFA Uniform Committee to track recurring issues. Changes can only be made if the vendor is provided with sufficient data and evidence of quality concerns.

2. Policy and Standards Expectations of the New Uniform: The Committee and management are aware of the challenges ahead as we move forward with the new uniform and a global look. The Committee raised concerns about the expectation that a single workgroup will represent two brands. It was suggested that the design team for the new uniform meet with Crew Planning to discuss how our pairings are currently built and how Reserves are used for last-minute flights.

3. AFA Alaska Uniform Committee Page: The Committee is working to update the AFA Alaska Uniform Committee page with resources to help Flight Attendants, such as the maternity process, sensitivity uniform options, and links to other sites and policies. 

4. New Uniform Wear Testing: The new uniform is still on schedule to launch in Q4 of 2028. The vendor is expected to be selected this month, and the process of developing the first wear test pieces will take place over the summer. The first wear test is expected to start in Q4 2026. The first wear test will focus on multiple fabrics and general fit and design. The following wear tests will narrow down the fabrics and designs and address any issues that come up. 

Management has not yet provided information on how many wear testers will be needed. The Committee appreciates the enthusiasm of the Flight Attendants who have reached out asking to be wear testers. Until we have the details, we cannot anticipate the number of volunteers we will be able to use. Unfortunately, we cannot use everyone who has contacted us, but we will be reaching out in the coming months.

We Want to Hear From You!

Please fill out the Quality Concern Form on the Uniform subsite on TeamAAG with any quality issues. Additionally, you may email your Local Uniform Committee Chairperson.

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 + Hawaiian website. 

Scheduling Committee Meeting Recap – April 2026

This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants

On Tuesday, April 21, our pre-merger Alaska AFA Scheduling Committee Chairpersons and Representatives met in person at the Alaska Airlines Global Training Center in Renton, WA 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—PBS Subcommittee Member Adam Clarey, and MEC Scheduling Committee Chairperson Jake Jones were also present.

The Committee met with Managing Director of Inflight Performance & Crew Scheduling Sara Cook, Manager of Inflight Crew Scheduling Goose Hlaingmyint, Director of Crew Planning Trisha Bennett, Manager of Crew Planning Colin Beard, Senior Manager Product Management Rick Mitchell, ITS Technical Product Owner Nathan McFerren, Manager of Crew Pay Debbie Bakke, and other management representatives from Crew Planning, Crew Scheduling, information technology (ITS), payroll, and inflight performance.

The Committee is next scheduled to meet on Tuesday, May 26.

Topics of Discussion

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

Announcements

  • Upcoming Scheduling Meetings: May 26, June 23, July 21 (in-person), August 25, September 29, October 27, November 24, and December 29.
  • Scheduling Review Board (SRB): The SRB will meet on the first of each month from May through December 2026.
  • Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR): Scheduled out through October 8, 2026. Dates are on the MEC events calendar.
  • JCTE Update: A new update is anticipated in May 2026.
  • Pairing Selection Meetings: Scheduled monthly through December 2026 to discuss pairing selections.
  • Flight Attendant Open Time Monitoring: Active monitoring will occur on the 16th of each month, with specific times set for each base.

MEC Committee Chairperson Report

  • Crew Backlog Review: The status of the crew backlog is still pending. Need to schedule upcoming dates. 
  • Crew Bi-Monthly Review: A review with ALPA is scheduled for May 21, 2026.
  • Known Crew Access Issues: A review meeting is set for May 27, 2026.
  • Rainmaker Crew Pay System: Meetings are scheduled for May, August, and November to address ongoing concerns.
  • Fatigue Review Board (FRB): A series of meetings throughout 2026 will monitor fatigue-related issues.
  • NAVBLUE Monthly Call: Regular calls scheduled through December 2026 will address operational updates.
  • Personal Drop Report Process: Updates are being integrated into JCTE, with specific attention to the Alaska system.
  • Pyramiding Pay Dispute: Discussions continue regarding issues related to over-duty and pay disputes.
  • 4K Dispute: A grievance has been filed by AFA concerning compensation for redeye flights and the night rule.
  • Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs): Ongoing discussions focus on various operational issues and self-help arrangements.

Local Committee Chairperson Reports

  • PDX: Significant feedback regarding leaves with an emphasis on awarding low bids. Expressed concerns over what appears to be micromanagement in Block2Block (B2B) chat.
  • SAN: An issue involving a pay premium for a reassigned Flight Attendant was highlighted, and Wi-Fi code errors were noted but did not require follow-up. If you experience errors with deadhead Wi-Fi codes, please contact Crew Scheduling. 
  • ANC: Concerns about disappearing Flight Attendant schedules and pay errors were raised. This is a known issue, and Flight Attendants should contact Crew Scheduling if this occurs.
  • LAX: Issues with four-day trips in Burbank and pay analyst errors were reported.
  • SFO: Discussions centered on reassignment and compensation issues.
  • SEA: Concerns about PVR cancellations and the need for improved communication were emphasized, along with reassignments and changing flying patterns.

PBS Subcommittee Updates

  • Bidding Process: Increased bidding volume was noted in May, with challenges with some runs during SEA awards.
  • Bid Awards and Protests: Workarounds for website issues were implemented, allowing bid protest submissions via email.
  • Meetings: Various meetings were conducted, focusing on new initiatives and error messaging; the PBS system is now branded as “Skywise.”
  • Other Updates: Ongoing testing for PBS systems is in progress, with notable issues addressed.

Pairing Construction

  • Staffing Policy Changes: Effective for June 2026, management is reviewing the possibility of offering staffing leave for that month. It is the Committee’s recommendation that management not offer leaves at this time to provide relief to Flight Attendants. 
  • June Pairing Selection: Agreement has been reached on utilizing the more cost-effective solution over other options for June. This includes considerations for hotel and transportation expenses, allowing for better financial management.
  • Review of Trip Length and Distribution: There is ongoing scrutiny of the length of flying and trip distribution. The focus is on optimizing routes to reduce costs, particularly during the summer months when demand is higher.
  • Processing 4 Position Pairings: The Committee is exploring the feasibility of processing 4-position pairings rather than the traditional 1- and 3-position pairings. This adjustment aims to enhance flexibility and improve crew efficiency.
  • Cost-Effectiveness Analysis: A detailed analysis of the cost implications of different pairing structures is underway. The goal is to establish a more efficient pairing system that balances crew needs with operational demands.
  • Historical Data Review: Historical data indicates a significant decrease in the viability of four-day trips. The Committee is analyzing how to increase the value of these trips to provide more flexibility for crew members.

Crew Pay and Planning Updates

  • Crew Pay: An increase in inquiry counts in April was observed, along with a review of payroll trend data.
  • Crew Planning: Upcoming June block hours total 347k, with significant discussions on trip distribution and staffing leaves. Line averages will remain around 80 TFP, while reserve coverage should be 20% system wide. 
  • IROPS Mitigation: Various construction delays and adjustments to layover/connection times were discussed. The layover/connection restraints affect our pairings and what is available to bid. 

Crew Scheduling Update

  • Sick Leave Trends: A decrease in sick leave usage was observed, with ongoing monitoring.
  • Reserve Utilization: High utilization rates across all bases were highlighted. Seattle has the highest utilization rates. 
  • Fatigue Reports: Reports are trending downward, underscoring the importance of successful fatigue management strategies. If Flight Attendants are fatigued, they should file detailed reports on the causes of the fatigue so the review board can make the most effective decisions and recommendations. 
  • Feedback Mechanisms: Improved communication and issue reporting processes were discussed to enhance operational efficiency.

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. Our next meeting is scheduled for March 12, 2026. 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. Chime (Microsoft Teams): Implemented on February 9, 2026. This will allow Flight Attendants to contact Crew Scheduling for additional resources. Please refer to the letter of agreement and bulletin bundle.

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.

Hotel Committee Meeting Recap – April 2026

On Monday, April 13, our AFA Local Hotel Committee Chairpersons met virtually 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), Barry Spitzer (SFO), Brian Sherill (LAX pmAS), and Kanani Vallot (SAN), with MEC Hotel Committee Chairperson James Bozanich facilitating the meeting.

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

Our next monthly meeting with management is scheduled for Monday, May 11.

Topics of Discussion

  • Final Hotel Decisions: Management has finalized hotel decisions for PHL, MKE, IAD, and PSP. This information will be communicated in April’s Hotel Informational Bulletin, as we cannot publicly disclose the names of our crew hotels.
  • API Challenges: We spend most of our meeting addressing challenges with our hotel vendor, API. Some of the items are Hotel Committee facing (site visit schedules, hotel bids (RFPs) with incorrect information, sourcing timelines, etc.), and other issues are Flight Attendant facing (missing newly contracted hotels in MyCrewCare, discrepancies with system van times, etc.). Crew Hotels took detailed notes during our meetings and will follow up with API for resolution.
  • Ground Transportation GPS Tracking: We have communicated before that a number of our ground transportation providers have GPS-enabled vans. The MyCrewCare app will eventually have this feature integrated. In the meantime, we have asked for the specific standalone apps or websites where crews can currently get this information. Our goal is to have this information posted with April’s Informational Bulletin.  

Overheard on the Jetbridge

We’re aware of a rumor circulating on social media suggesting that we’re planning to leave one of our key KOA properties. We want to confirm that this isn’t true. In fact, our Hotel Committee has requested the renewal of the contract with this property and has inquired about the possibility of securing higher food discounts for Flight Attendants as part of the renewal negotiations.

We’re unsure of the rumor’s exact origin, though it may have stemmed from a comment made by an individual from another workgroup. Both AFA and ALPA maintain Hotel Committees dedicated to advocating for their Members’ needs. While the committees collaborate closely, preferences for specific properties can occasionally differ between the two groups. Our Hotel Committee always puts Flight Attendants first and will keep pushing for the hotels that work best for us.

Important Reminders

  • Conducting a Site Visit ≠ Leaving a Property: Doing a site visit doesn’t mean we’re planning to leave a property. As we mention each month, conducting a site visit in a market isn’t a sign that we’re getting ready to leave an existing hotel.
  • Positive Feedback Matters: We’ve recently heard a lot of good things about this property. Please keep sharing your compliments about hotels you like via CrewCare—your feedback helps both the Hotel Committee and the hotel know they’re doing a great job.
  • Your Representatives are Available: Your Local Hotel Committee is always here to answer your questions. If you hear rumors, it’s best to skip the gossip and ask us directly.

What The Committee Is Working On

1. Conducting Hotel Site Visits: The 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: We have been provided the site visit schedule for 2026, and it’s quite extensive. Additional site visits may be added due to the conditions listed above. The scheduled site visits through June 2027 are:

  • April: DFW, EWR, JFK
  • May: PHX, ATL
  • June: OGG, RNO, BOS
  • July: BWI

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

  • April: SYD, LAX
  • June: JFK

2. Hotel Gainshare Update (pmAS): The Gainshare program negotiations 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.

Human Rights & Equity Committee Meeting Recap – 1st Quarter 2026

On Wednesday, March 25, our AFA Human Rights & Equity Committee Chairpersons met to discuss their ongoing activism to raise awareness and create positive change within our workplace and community. Your representatives attending the meeting included Louise Borras (LAX-pmAS), Bruni Agosto-Pinal (LAX-pmHA), Aaron Miller (PDX), Nyachan Chuar (ANC), and Yan Yan Teague (SEA). MEC Human Rights & Equity Committee Chairperson Chip Hestle II and MEC Vice President Brice McGee were also present. 

The Committee met with several members of management, including Seattle Director of Inflight Base Operations Jenny Bookert, California Director of Inflight Base Operations Benito Pasia-Garcia Jr., Director Culture & Belonging Steve Nelson, and Senior Culture Partner Sarah Keimig.

The Committee’s next meeting with management is scheduled for Wednesday, June 24.

Topics of Discussion

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

  • Interaction With ICE Agents: The Committee requested that inflight Management provide guidance on what to do whenapproached by Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. The Committee and inflight management agree that Flight Attendants should contact an inflight supervisor immediately. The committee also suggested contacting Alaska Corporate Security. Management will reach out to Corporate Security to establish a clear process for the Flight Attendant to follow.  
  • AFA ICE Report Form: Flight Attendants are encouraged to use the ICE report form to document interactions or issues involving ICE agents. This form can be found on the AFA International website: afacwa.org/icereport.
  • Flight Crew Verification of Employment (VOE) Letter: This documentation would be similar to the COVID-19 letter that was issued by management to all Flight Attendants. The letter would identify the Flight Attendant as an Alaska Airlines employee if approached while on duty, internationally or domestically. As of now, management asks that Flight Attendants keep a copy of their passport on their person or as a photo on their cell phone. 
  • Reminder of Crew Safety: Management issued a reminder in the December 11, 2024, bulletin “Layover And Crew Transportation Safety Reminders.” The committee requests that the reminder be republished for Flight Attendants
  • Cultural Tattoos: Continued discussion surrounding Cultural tattoos. Management hasn’t finalized a decision on this policy. As of now, each pre-merger airline’s policy remains in place.
  • Culture & Belonging: The Culture & Belonging department is developing within. More interaction for and with employees, more recognition programs, and resources. Resources for hosting/suggesting events within or outside of the company, as well as continuing to keep employees updated on events and Heritage months on Team AAG.
  • CSM (Customer Service Manual) Jumpseat Dress Code Verbiage: Verbiage has been updated to reflect gender-neutral language. 
  • SEA Village Inclusivity For SEA-Based Hawaiian Flight Attendants: Asking management to ensure the SEA Village is more welcoming for our SEA-based Hawaiian Flight Attendants with the opening of the new domicile.
  • Transition of Alaska Airlines Drug and Alcohol Infinity Group to a New Alaska BRG / Hawaiian ERG: The Alaska Airlines Drug and Alcohol Infinity Group is becoming an Alaska BRG/Hawaiian ERG. Its mission is to help employees who are struggling with drug or alcohol issues by offering resources, peer support, and educational programs. The group will focus on prevention, recovery, and reducing the stigma around addiction in the workplace. The Committee is reaching out to Culture & Belonging management to discuss this possibility.
  • Optional ADA Rooms: These rooms would be available to those who self-disclose their disability in PeopleSoft. Management’s stance is that if the Flight Attendant has self-disclosed via PeopleSoft, at the time of check-in at the hotel, the hotel must accommodate the Flight Attendant with an ADA-accessible room. This gives the Flight Attendant with disabilities the ability to request ADA-compliant hotel rooms during layovers. Once signed into PeopleSoft, click “Personal Details” then navigate to “Disability” to complete the form.

What The Committee Is Working On

  1. Optional Pronouns on Wings: The Committee is tracking efforts to allow Flight Attendants to choose to display their personal pronouns (such as she/her, he/him, or they/them) on their uniform wings. The next steps depend on the progress of the merger, which might result in a completely new wing design for everyone.
  2. Land Acknowledgment Signage: The Committee is working to place signs in Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines workplace locations that acknowledge and honor the indigenous communities whose land these workplaces are on. Land acknowledgments are statements that recognize the long-standing relationship between indigenous peoples and their traditional territories.
  3. Batok Tattoos Visible While In Uniform: The Committee is tracking a proposal that would permit Flight Attendants to display traditional Batok tattoos while in uniform. Batok is an ancient form of tattooing practiced by indigenous communities in the Philippine and holds deep cultural significance. Management hasn’t made a final decision on the policy.  
  4. Transition of Alaska Airlines Drug and Alcohol Infinity Group to a New Alaska BRG / Hawaiian ERG: The Alaska Airlines Drug and Alcohol Infinity Group is becoming an Alaska BRG/Hawaiian ERG. Its mission is to help employees who are struggling with drug or alcohol issues by offering resources, peer support, and educational programs. The group will focus on prevention, recovery, and reducing the stigma around addiction in the workplace.

We Want to Hear From You!

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

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

On Thursday, August 27, our Seattle Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC) representatives met with management 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 Walstrom (ANC), David Lake (SEA pmAS), Kahea Alvarez (LAX/SEA pmHA), Carin Merritt (LAX […]

Joint Contract Negotiations Session 19 – September 2026

Last week, the JNC received management’s responses on several contract sections and submitted counterproposals, including important updates for retiree benefits. As negotiations continue, both parties are preparing to use Interest-based Bargaining (IBB), a collaborative approach that aims to find mutually beneficial solutions to complex issues. IBB training is scheduled for October in Seattle and will be led by a mediator from the National Mediation Board.

Understanding The Legislative Process

As we continue our Government Affairs Committee Focus Month, this week we’re exploring how the legislative process works, why enacting laws strengthens our collective bargaining power, and how to engage effectively with our elected representatives. The legislative process may sometimes feel complex or far removed, but it directly shapes our day-to-day lives—from cabin safety regulations […]

Go In-Depth with Our AFA Government Affairs Committee Chairperson

As Government Affairs Committee Focus Month continues, we’re excited to bring you a direct, face-to-face conversation that goes to the core of our Union’s legislative work. You’ll see how our experiences in the cabin translate into meaningful advocacy that drives real change. MEC Communications Committee Chairperson Brian Palmer recently sat down with MEC Government Affairs […]

Honoring the 25th Anniversary of September 11: Never Forget

A quarter of a century has passed since September 11, 2001—a day that fundamentally transformed our world and redefined aviation safety forever. Today, as members of the Alaska and Hawaiian Flight Attendant family, we stand together to reflect on that pivotal morning, honor the memory of those we lost, and reaffirm our solemn promise: We Will […]

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