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        You are here: Home / Archives for committee meeting

        Uniform Committee Meeting Recap – 4th Quarter 2024

        November 25, 2024 13:00

        Uniform Committee

        • Our AFA Uniform Committee Chairpersons met on Friday, November 15, to discuss their ongoing program of work to represent Flight Attendants interests related to uniforms.
        • The Committee met with management to discuss uniform issues reported by Flight Attendants, including quality, wearability, and availability.
        • If you encounter issues with uniform quality or construction, please report them to Unisync as soon as possible and include your Local Uniform Committee Chairperson to help track any trends.

        On Friday, November 15, our AFA Local 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 Dana Butchen (ANC), Dena Heath (SEA), Lisa Mueller (SFO), Heather Holmes (LAX), JP Perina (SAN), and MEC Uniform Committee Chairperson Kiara Jenkins.

        The committee also met with Director of Procurement and Logistics Eric Phillipson, Senior Product Manager Marketing Megan Low, and SFO Inflight Base Manager Cierra Lewis.

        The next Quarterly Uniform Committee Meeting will be held on February 13, 2025.

        Topics of Discussion 

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

        • The wear test for a more durable sweater is scheduled to begin in late December or early January.
        • The new transition jacket wear test is set to start in March 2025.
        • Management conducted uniform focus groups on November 4 and 8 to provide insights into merger uniforms.
        • AFA representatives will be contacting Alaska HR to explore alternatives to Occfit.
        • Management will improve efforts to ensure that marketing does not use photos in which employees do not comply with the uniform policy.
        • Wear test items will be shipped to bases. If a tester cannot pick up the items during base hours, they should contact the supervisor to arrange an alternative pickup. This information will be included in the wear test email.
        • The tote exchange program remains in effect for qualifying classes.
        • SEA Fit Center limitations have been resolved through the grievance Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) process. Flight Attendants may bring worn or damaged items to the base, and supervisors will send them for repairs or alterations.
        • Unisync has committed to expediting the ordering process for wings, and Base Admins will now place orders every two weeks instead of once a month.
        • The chunky sole band applies to fashion boots; however, arctic boots are exempt as their tread is essential for effectiveness.

        New Requests

        • Stuff sack for the puffer parka.
        • Consistent and sensible sizing, with model sizes displayed next to each piece—similar to Uniqlo, Gap, or Madewell websites.
        • Black nylons.
        • Allow pocket squares and scarves year-round for Patriotic and Breast Cancer Awareness.
        • Add pockets to maternity pieces.
        • Include reflectors on transition jackets for safety.
        • Coordinate with HR and a pantyhose company to offer them on the Unisync site so flight attendants do not have to pay out of pocket.
        • Create a uniform quality report on IMD or provide a link on Inflight.

        Previous Requests That Were Denied By Management

        • ¼ zip sweater (No new pieces will be considered prior to the merger).
        • Allow brown handbags to be carried when wearing brown shoes or belts.
        • Allow blazers to be worn with warm-weather shirts (per management, this does not fit the casual look).
        • Have pocket squares unstitched for versatility (management states the stitch is meant for ease of use).
        • Allow boots year-round.
        • Allow boots to be worn with the aura dress.
        • Permit black shoes and boots.

        Quality Concerns

        • Seams on wool pieces and holes in knitwear.
        • Seams on the aura dress and skirt.
        • Need for more stretch in pants and A-line dresses.
        • Wings continue to create holes in sweaters.

        What The Committee Is Working On

        1. Stuff Sack. Sourcing a stuff sack so the puffer parka can be packed easily.
        2. Wear Testing. Wear testing for a new/more durable cardigan less prone to hem and seam issues will begin late December/early January. The transition jacket will be wear tested after the completion of the cardigan testing (March 2025).
        3. Tote Exchange Program. Specific to the post-COVID classes who were not given the normal selection process for totes due to supply chain issues. Please see your supervisor if you would like to exchange your bags.

        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. Please consider opening a ticket at AFA Alaska Support so the Uniform Committee can track these issues.

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

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

        Scheduling Committee Meeting Recap – November 2024

        November 21, 2024 17:00

        Scheduling Committee

        • On November 19, our AFA Scheduling Committee Chairpersons met to discuss their ongoing work representing Flight Attendants’ interests in lineholder scheduling.
        • The Committee met with management to receive updates and discuss issues and problems Flight Attendants face with scheduling, pairings, and bidding.
        • Your Local Scheduling Committee is available to assist with any lineholder scheduling-related issues. Don’t hesitate to reach out for help!

        On Tuesday, November 19, our AFA Scheduling Committee Chairpersons/Representatives met to discuss their ongoing work to represent our Flight Attendants and push for improvements in our workplace. Representing you at the meeting were Heather Reier (ANC), Jaqui Bellenie (SFO), Rita Tillou (SEA), Melodie Anderes (PDX), Kanako Yamada (LAX), and Kitty Cohen (SAN). Also present were MEC Scheduling Committee Chairperson Jake Jones, MEC Scheduling Committee Vice Chairperson—Pairing Construction Karen Ferrell, and MEC Scheduling Committee Vice Chairperson—PBS Virginia Fritz.

        The committee met with Interim Managing Director Inflight Operations & Crew Scheduling Sara Cook, Managing Director Ops Staffing & Resource Management Brittany Audette, Managing Director of Crew Staffing Nicholas Giles, Director of Crew Planning Trisha Bennett, Senior Manager of Product Management Rick Mitchell, Manager of Inflight Scheduling (Training/ Policy Procedures) Interim Matthew Trujillo, Manager of Crew Planning Jeffery Hunt, Manager of Crew Pay Debbie Bakke, and other management representatives from Crew Planning and Crew Scheduling.

        The Committee is next scheduled to meet on Tuesday, December 17, 2024.

        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 Discussion

        • Open AFA Alaska Online Support Center Tickets. Three open tickets regarding sit pay with deadhead release were denied by payroll. Further collaboration with MEC Grievance Committee Payroll Representative Kiara Jenkins is planned for review.
        • Hawaiian Airlines (HA) Route Adjustments. Request for an executive summary on HA flying route adjustments for 2025.
        • Change in Flying Schedules. Inquiry regarding the timeline for changes to flying schedules in PDX and other domiciles.
        • Staffing Adjustment Leaves (SAL). Notification of 250 SALs available for 30 days.
        • 4k Error Inquiry. Flight Attendants are requesting clarification on the 4k error and its implications.
        • Daylight Savings Impact. Issues arose concerning reporting times during the night of daylight savings, leading to an extra hour wait for some flights. An email review with Crew Scheduling is to follow.
        • Complaints About Hawaii Flying. Feedback from Flight Attendants about reduced block hours and seasonal flying; concerns over missing standard flying patterns from previous years.
        • Storm Impacts. Ongoing storms are affecting crews flying to LIR/SJO, leading to diversions and strandings.
        • Sick Leave Miscommunication. Clarification regarding sick leave balances in Rainmaker and discrepancies in the 2011 bulletin is needed.
        • Jetbridge Swap Incident. Report of a late arrival to the plane under 32.C.16.
        • Open Time (OT) Trading. No AFA Alaska Online Support Center tickets reported system issues on Open Time trading for November drops in December.
        • ADR Update. Update required on previous OT tickets.
        • Vacation Direct Trade Testing. Testing in progress for vacation direct trades with OT in cases of incorrect PS number entry.
        • Flight Cancellations. Crew listed as ST (sick transport) instead of deadhead; this is the proper listing and pay will be reconciled. 
        • Pay Flow Chart Proposal. AFA officers expressed interest in developing a pay flow chart to clarify minimum pay rules.

        PBS Subcommittee Report

        • Bidding for December. High activity with numerous inquiries on bid preparation for coverage.
        • Bid Awards. Notable coverage increase in California despite improved stack heights.
        • Bid Protests. Increased protests due to complex coverage awards.
        • Upcoming Meetings. Meetings will be held with IT regarding changes and updates to the PBS system.
        • Future Releases. Confirmation of 25.1 as the next release with no additional updates anticipated.

        Pairing Construction Subcommittee Report

        • C Solution for December. Chosen pairing solution; issues noted with 4k redeye trips.
        • Crew Planning Participation. Collaboration with AFA at the Jeppesen Connection Conference provided valuable insights.
        • Impact of Network Planning. Discussed how ongoing changes in flights and trips are being adjusted based on passenger demand and route planning.

        MEC Reserve Committee Chairperson Report

        • New Class Launch. A new class will begin in PDX/LAX on December 1, 2024, with no significant hiring changes for 2025.
        • PPP Concerns. Issues were raised regarding the distribution of the PPP for mid-month hires.

        Information Technology Systems (ITS) Report

        • Updates. Testing for the software version 24.5 release is in progress; upcoming releases are scheduled for early 2025.

        Crew Planning Report

        • 4k Redeye Issues. Noted problems with illegal ground times; a quality checklist for pairings is being implemented to prevent future occurrences.
        • Staffing Updates. Ongoing discussions about staffing and budget planning for 2025 amidst operational changes.

        Crew Scheduling Report

        • Sick Leave Trends. Current trends show decreased sick leave use, with stable rates for lineholders and reserves.
        • Fatigue Monitoring. Low fatigue levels were reported this month; new temp supervisors to enhance scheduling support.

        Crew Pay Report

        • Pay Queries Review. A decrease in pay queries was noted, with ongoing efforts to improve efficiency in handling pay-related issues.

        What The Committee Is Working On

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

        We Want to Hear From You!

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

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

        Human Rights Committee Meeting Recap – 4th Quarter 2024

        November 21, 2024 09:00

        Human Rights Committee

        • Our AFA Human Rights Committee Chairpersons met on Monday, November 18, to discuss their ongoing program of work to advance human rights within our workplace and community.
        • The Committee also met with management to receive updates on what progress has been made on concerns previously brought forward and address new concerns that have come to light. 
        • If you have ideas, thoughts, or feedback for the committee, your Local Human Rights Committee Chairperson would love to hear from you!

        On Monday, November 18, our AFA Local Human Rights Committee Chairpersons met to discuss their ongoing activism to raise awareness and create positive change within our workplace and community. Your representatives attending the meeting included Nyachan Chuar (ANC), Louise Borras (LAX), Aaron Miller (PDX), Erika Daniel (SAN), Freddy Vega (SEA), and Trista Vanta (SFO). MEC Human Rights Committee Chairperson Chip Hestle II was also present.

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

        The committee’s next meeting with management is scheduled for the first quarter of 2025, with the exact date yet to be determined.

        Topics of Discussion

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

        • New ANC Local Human Rights Committee Chairperson. We welcome Nyachan Chuar as the new Local Human Rights Committee Chairperson for Council 30 (ANC).
        • MedLink App Gender Identifier Update. The MedLink app will soon be updated to include an option for users to select “male,” “female,” or “other.” This change will be part of the 11.30 version update.
        • Tattoo Policy Discussions. Management has stated that Hawaiian Airlines prohibits visible tattoos for certain countries it serves. Alaska management has yet to make a final decision on this policy as the merger process continues.
        • Transgender People, Gender Identity, and Gender Expression CBT. An upcoming computer-based training (CBT) titled “Understanding Transgender People, Gender Identity, and Gender Expression” is expected to launch in the first quarter of 2025.
        • Business Resource Group (BRG) Listening Sessions. These sessions, co-facilitated with Local AFA Human Rights Committee Chairpersons, are scheduled to continue into 2025.
        • AFA International Incident Reporting Form. A new form is now available for all AFA Flight Attendants to report incidents of discrimination, harassment, or general concerns encountered during their flight careers. This form can be accessed on the AFA International website at www.afacwa.org/international_incident_reporting_form.

        What The Committee Is Working On

        1. Optional Pronouns on Wings. Awaiting finalization of the merger with Hawaiian Airlines, as there may be an overall new design.  
        2. Arrival “Land Acknowledgement Announcements” for our six current domiciles and also requesting consideration of HNL.
        3. Batok Tattoos Visible While In Uniform. Awaiting finalization of Alaska merger with Hawaiian.
        4. Gender Neutrality Of CSA Manual. Requesting removal of the use of the identity language of he/she when addressing proper dress attire for non-rev travel.

        We Want to Hear From You!

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

        Filed Under: AFA News Now, Human Rights & Equity Committee Tagged With: committee meeting

        Scheduling Committee Meeting Recap – October 2024

        October 31, 2024 17:00

        Scheduling Committee

        • On October 29, our AFA Scheduling Committee Chairpersons met to discuss their ongoing work representing Flight Attendants’ interests in lineholder scheduling.
        • The Committee met with management to receive updates and discuss issues and problems Flight Attendants face with scheduling, pairings, and bidding.
        • Your Local Scheduling Committee is available to assist with any lineholder scheduling-related issues. Don’t hesitate to reach out for help!

        On Tuesday, October 29, our AFA Scheduling Committee Chairpersons/Representatives met to discuss their ongoing work to represent our Flight Attendants and push for improvements in our workplace. Representing you at the meeting were Rebekah Olds (ANC), Jaqui Bellenie (SFO), Rita Tillou (SEA), Melodie Anderes (PDX), Kelese Richardson (LAX), and Kitty Cohen (SAN). Also present were MEC Scheduling Committee Vice Chairperson—Pairing Construction Karen Ferrell, and MEC Scheduling Committee Vice Chairperson—PBS Virginia Fritz. 

        The committee met with Managing Director of Crew Staffing Nicholas Giles, Director of Crew Planning Trisha Bennett, Senior Manager of Product Management Rick Mitchell, Manager of Inflight Scheduling (Training/ Policy Procedures) Interim Matthew Trujillo, Manager of Crew Pay Debbie Bakke, and other management representatives from Crew Planning and Crew Scheduling.

        The Committee is next scheduled to meet on Tuesday, November 19, 2024.

        Topics of Discussion

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

        • Crew Frustrations with Cancellations. Crews faced challenges with cancelled flights, resulting in lost premium pay and communication timelines when cancellations occur. 
        • Bidding Carry Over Pairings. November bidding encountered issues with illegal carryovers and pay protection for flight attendants, requiring audits and process reviews for 10.S pairings 
        • Increased December Demand. A block hour increase is expected in December, affecting staffing and pairings, particularly in PDX.
        • Pairing Analytics Tool. A Pairing Analytics dashboard is nearing completion to improve efficiency and may expand understanding of pairing trends and historical data.
        • Staffing Adjustments. Management plans to reassess staffing and budgets in January based on ongoing operational data. 
        • Pairing Construction Feedback. Ongoing scrutiny of decrease of desired pairings, especially regarding the equity of short turns for flight attendants and desired pure 2-day pairings
        • NAVBLUE User Conference. AFA PBS Subcommittee represented AFA Alaska at the yearly NAVBLUE User conference bringing forward outstanding concerns, collaborating with other customers and advocating for improvements
        • Future Operation Impacts. Teaming is set up to help if operation affected by winter IROPS. Question of Unpredictable flight schedules due to factors like the Boeing strike and cancellations due to them.

        What The Committee Is Working On

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

        We Want to Hear From You!

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

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

        Scheduling Committee Meeting Recap – September 2024

        October 4, 2024 13:00

        Scheduling Committee

        • On September 24, our AFA Scheduling Committee Chairpersons met to discuss their ongoing work representing Flight Attendants’ interests in lineholder scheduling.
        • The Committee met with management to receive updates and discuss issues and problems Flight Attendants face with scheduling, pairings, and bidding.
        • Your Local Scheduling Committee is available to assist with any lineholder scheduling-related issues. Don’t hesitate to reach out for help!

        On Tuesday, September 24, our AFA Scheduling Committee Chairpersons/Representatives met to discuss their ongoing work to represent our Flight Attendants and push for improvements in our workplace. Representing you at the meeting were Heather Reier (ANC), Jaqui Bellenie (SFO), Rita Tillou (SEA), Melodie Anderes & Russel Rivinius (PDX), Kanako Yamado (LAX), and Kitty Cohen (SAN). Also present were MEC Scheduling Committee Chairperson Jake Jones, MEC Scheduling Committee Vice Chairperson—Pairing Construction Karen Ferrell, and MEC Scheduling Committee Vice Chairperson—PBS Virginia Fritz. 

        The committee met with Managing Director Inflight Operations & Crew Scheduling Allen Thieman, Director Inflight Crew Scheduling Sara Cook, Director Crew Staffing Nicholas Giles, Manager of Crew Planning Jeffery Hunt, Senior Manager Product Management Rick Mitchell, Manager Inflight Crew Scheduling Goose Hlaingmyint, Inflight Crew Scheduling Supervisor Matthew Trujillo, Manager of Crew Pay Debbie Bakke, and other management representatives from Crew Planning and Crew Scheduling.

        The Committee is next scheduled to meet on Tuesday, October 29, 2024.

        Topics of Discussion

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

        • Local Chairperson Reports
          • 3-hour sits at SNA with limited options for crew to break rooms.
          • Questions regarding Flight Attendant crew pay base sits and scheduling. Flight Attendant crew pay is visiting LAX and will attend other domiciles in the future.
          • Positive feedback on Uber codes for hotel accommodations linked to sits in excess of 4 hours.
        • Flight Operations
          • Ongoing issues with redeye flights to Texas, EWR, and Hawaii; numbers are decreasing. There is a lot of late night flying provided in the network.
          • Post-summer evaluation of 2-day HA flights.
        • Charter Operations
          • Issues with pre-cancelled charters and lack of operation.
          • Concerns about lack of transparency regarding ferry flights in bid postings. Flight Attendants should open up the bid to see the actual pairings. Only the live charter legs are listed in the charter bid header.
        • PBS and Bidding
          • October bidding observed as challenging for Reserves; protests noted.
          • Upcoming Navblue conference and software updates discussed.
        • Payroll and Compensation
          • Technical issues noted in payroll processing; specific concerns about Flight Attendants waiving pay under rest regulations.
          • Ongoing requests for clarity on reassignment policies and compensation structures.
        • Crew Planning Report
          • November Staffing Plan. Line averages projected at 76.5, similar to October but fewer Reserves.
          • Pairing Analysis. Review of pairing positions and trip distribution, with a focus on commuting challenges. SEA/ANC/LAX are the easiest commuting bases while SFO/PDX are the most challenging. 
          • Upcoming Changes. Potential schedule cuts due to the Boeing strike and a reassessment of leaves for January and February. There are no leaves planned for November or December.
          • Teaming Strategy. Flight Attendant/pilot teaming reintroduced for winter months, with ongoing analysis of historical metrics and trends.
        • Crew Scheduling Report
          • Absence Trends. Notable improvement in absence rates for lineholders; however, sick calls are increasing among lineholders. Lineholder absent rates over 14% on average.
          • Reserve Utilization. Reserve utilization at approximately 92.5% for August/September. Reserve absent rates are over 10% on average.
          • Scheduling Challenges. Issues with legal start times for early morning flights and the need for aircraft resting (RON). High Reserve utilization affects operational optimization.
          • Contractual Premium and Scheduling Flexibility. Discussion on the need for flexibility in pairing construction and scheduling, particularly regarding commutable trips and the impacts of sickness. There is a new slide where we review contractual premium and posted premium. This carves out a better picture of the operation and cost structure.
          • Fatigue Monitoring. Increased fatigue risk observed for Reserves converted to ER trips; discussions on better communication regarding fitness to fly.
          • Scheduler Updates. 14 new schedulers onboard, with several in training and others passing probation.
        • Hotel and Grievance Updates
          • Changes in JFK layovers discussed; Alaska covering redeye hotel costs that require payment twice for the rooms. There will be a possible hotel change and relocation in the near future. 
          • Arbitration for 8.M scheduled for the end of October.
        • Additional Reports
          • Crew Pay report highlighted a high volume of queries, with calls for better categorization and communication about pay issues. There are several inquiries that are submitted and not required. This backlogs the system. Please only file inquiries for the items listed in the drop down boxes or if your pay has not been appropriately reconciled by the 10th of the subsequent month.
          • Suggestions for a FAQ document and potential use of AI for payroll inquiries. 

        What The Committee Is Working On

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

        We Want to Hear From You!

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

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

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        We’re excited to introduce our next group of newly elected merged MEC Committee Chairpersons, who will begin their roles on November 1. These leaders are dedicated to representing the interests of our Flight Attendants as they coordinate activities across the merged committees of both airlines. They’ll work closely with the Local Committee Chairpersons from all […]

        Hotel Committee Meeting Recap – October 2025

        October 20, 2025

        On Monday, October 13, our AFA Local Hotel Committee Chairpersons met in person in Seattle to receive an update about current layover hotels and transportation providers and discuss concerns with management. Representing you at the meeting were Dori Marron (ANC), Jarod McNeill (SEA), Kelly Hepworth (PDX), Hilary Streem (SFO), Chris Cardenas (LAX), and Kanani Vallot […]

        Pre-Merger Alaska MEC Committee Election Results

        October 17, 2025

        This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants During this week’s MEC Meeting, our MEC held interviews for the next group of pre-merger Alaska MEC Committee positions to be elected for the upcoming MEC Officer term. We want to thank everyone who expressed interest in the available positions and their willingness to serve. After careful […]

        Merged MEC Committee Chairperson Election Results

        October 17, 2025

        During this week’s MEC Meeting, our MEC held interviews for the next group of merged MEC Committee Chairpersons and Representatives. We want to thank everyone who expressed interest in the available positions and their willingness to serve. After careful consideration and deliberation, the following candidates have been elected: MEC Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee […]

        U.S. Customs & Border Protection Gender Code Requirement

        October 15, 2025

        Recently, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced changes to the rules surrounding how airlines report information about passengers and crew before flights. This system is called the Advance Passenger Information System, or APIS. These changes are in response to a Presidential Executive Order. What is APIS? APIS is a system that airlines are legally […]

        Recent Posts

        • Meet Our Merged MEC Committee Chairpersons & Representatives
        • Hotel Committee Meeting Recap – October 2025
        • AFA News in Review – October 17, 2025
        • Pre-Merger Alaska MEC Committee Election Results
        • Merged MEC Committee Chairperson Election Results
        • U.S. Customs & Border Protection Gender Code Requirement
        • Hawaiian Brand Inflight Service Committee Update – 3rd Quarter 2025
        • AFA News in Review – October 10, 2025
        • SEA Domicile Negotiations – October 2025
        • Protecting Yourself From Drug-Facilitated Sexual Assault
        • Government Affairs Committee Update – 4th Quarter 2025
        • Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee Meeting Recap – 4th Quarter 2025
        • AFA News in Review – October 3, 2025
        • Joint Contract Negotiations Session 7 – September 2025
        • Refreshed Inflight Mobile Device (IMD) Distribution

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