3rd Quarter Air/Safety/Security/Health Update

Dear Horizon Air AFA Flight Attendants:

• ASAP
• Third Quarter Update

What is ASAP?

ASAP stands for Aviation Safety Action Program.

The goal of the ASAP program is to enhance aviation safety through the prevention of accidents and incidents. The program focuses on encouraging the voluntary reporting of safety issues, concerns, and events that come to the attention of employees and certain certificate holders.

ASAP is designed to encourage employees to voluntarily report safety concerns and issues, even when those reports may involve an alleged CFR violation.

The program aims to enhance aviation safety by identifying and mitigating potential risks.

How Does ASAP Work?

ASAP is based on a safety partnership that includes:

• The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
• The certificate holder/company
• An employee representative or third party, such as AFA, when applicable

Reports submitted through ASAP are reviewed through this partnership with the goal of identifying safety concerns, recognizing trends, and addressing potential systemic issues.

Why Reporting Matters

If you have experienced a safety concern related to the new pre-flight readiness process or believe the process may create a safety issue ASAP may be a suitable avenue for reporting that concern. Reporting safety concerns helps ensure that potential hazards are identified and evaluated so that corrective action may occur.

We are here to support you and to address your safety concerns. If you have questions about ASAP, please feel free to contact your AFA ASHS Committee Representatives and/or your Local Officers,

Bryan Grosvold, LEC 16 ASHSC Chair and Jennifer Levcun, MEC Air Safety, Health, and Security Committee Chair

Your MEC Air Safety, Health, and Security Committee continues to advocate on your behalf and engage with management on critical safety, health, and operational topics. Below is a summary of key discussions and initiatives addressed during the last quarter.

L2 PADDING UPDATE
The L2 door padding update remains under budgetary and business review with the company. Additional updates will be provided as more information becomes available.

PRE-FLIGHT PRIOR TO BOARDING

This long-standing request was conveyed to management in numerous meetings, over numerous years. The request also includes procedures around hard stand aircraft swaps. AFA has placed much of our emphasis on ensuring pre-flight duties will be completed prior to boarding. 

CREW HOTEL SAFETY CHECKLIST AND RISK ASSESSMENT

The ASHS Committee has been working with our MEC Hotel Chair, and we are jointly making formal requests for the development of a standardized crew hotel safety criteria checklist that would also include a comprehensive Safety Risk Assessment (SRA). This is not currently in place and remains a priority initiative. We are using an AAG Corporate Security document as a template. 

BETTERY CONTAINMENT BAGS (BCB) – CERTIFIED 

A dedicated meeting was conducted regarding a potential new certified battery containment bag. Extensive and detailed information was reviewed, and further updates will be provided.

THERMAL RUNAWAY TRAINING ENHANCEMENTS

The ASHS Committee has requested that future Initial and Recurrent training will include physical, hands-on components, using visual aids and various beverage scenarios to better simulate real-world thermal runaway events. Additionally, conversation and consideration is also being given to the safe handling and onboard containment of lithium batteries, including wheelchair batteries, utilizing containment bags onboard rather than placement in the cargo compartment.
 

SPLITTER CABLE POLICY REVIEW 
Policies regarding the use of splitter cables onboard are currently under review due to concerns about excessive power draw from onboard outlets. Additional information and guidance will be provided as it becomes available.

BLOOD PRESSURE CUFFS AND MEDAIRE EQUIPMENT 

Conversations included the inclusion of blood pressure cuffs onboard and updates from MedAire regarding medical equipment. This work remains in progress and we are waiting Medaire recommendations. 

HANDS-ON ERGONOMIC TESTING

Conversation is underway to introduce hands-on ergonomic training designed to reduce the risk of FA injury and improve safety during inflight duties. New technologies were discussed as well.

MENTAL HEALTH TRAINING

Hands-on mental health training initiatives are also in discussions together with our MEC EAP Chair and management to better support crew well-being. Requests include hands-on training in regard to a passenger that may be having a mental health crisis onboard the aircraft. 

BOARDING TIME PRESSURES

Boarding time constraints and operational pressure continue to be a significant concern. The Committee emphasized the importance of prioritizing safety over service pressures.

FIRST CLASS PRE-DEPARTURE BEVERAGE SERVICE 
The committee continues to monitor reports regarding first-class pre-departure beverage service. At the Safety Risk Management (SRM) Task Force meeting on July 1, 2026, management indicated no increase in intoxication or safety-related events associated with pre-departure beverage service. However, if a safety concern arises related to this duty, Flight Attendants are empowered to not perform the service. A Flight Attendant Irregularity Report (FAIR) must be submitted to document the safety concern and rationale for non-completion. Additionally, during a recent Safety Review Board (SRB) discussion, it was reaffirmed that safety takes precedence over service at all times.

E-175 MANUFACTURE GUIDANCE – COFFEE AND GALLEY DRAINS

There is ongoing concern regarding both the hygienic and ethical aspects of current coffee disposal policy and procedures. The committee also discussed that bringing

a galley service item such as a coffee pot into an unsanitary lavatory environment for disposal creates additional health, sanitation, and operational concerns. This remains under review. Also discussed was the importance of not pouring coffee or any other liquid other than water down the galley sinks. Severe damage is occurring.

FATIGUE REPORTING AND PROCESS ALIGNMENT

An Inflight Fatigue Risk Management Program (IFRMP) review has been formally requested by your MEC Air Safety, Health, and Security Committee Chair, most recently in the August Fatigue Review Board meeting. These requests have been made repeatedly. Additionally, we are hopeful work is in progress to ensure fatigue-related events are routed to the appropriate committee or division for action and resolution.

Example: Hotel-related fatigue concerns should be directed to the hotel team.

Example: ERC assigning action items to the FRB must include proper notification to all

stakeholders.

The goal is a clear, accountable process with defined action plans and documented follow-through, including fatigue prevention sign-off.

SOP ALIGNMENT BETWEEN FLIGHT OPS AND INFLIGHT 
Discussions between AFA and management have identified the need for stronger, aligned policies and procedures between Flight Ops and Inflight, through possible SOP and multi  divisional manual alignment,particularly regarding emergency response checklists or shared standards. Improved alignment enhances communication, coordination, and CRM during irregular events. Alignment between divisions will enhance coordination and strengthen CRM during irregular operations strengthening a our Safety Culture and work environment. 

SCOUT REPORTING PROGRAM 
The new reporting program, Scout, is currently in active testing. Additional details and guidance will be shared as the program progresses. BOI will be the first SCOUT role out station, including Pilots and Flight Attendants who based there. The FAA approval review meeting was September 9, 2026. Our MECP has also made several specific requests that have been addressed and will be included in the rollout, or shortley thereafter. One of these is to change the programming to include the ability to view your submitted report indefintely versus only for 72 hours that was initially programmed. The ASHS Committee has requested training materials and communication from the management team to be sent out to the Inflight division as soon as possible. There is a commitment from management that they will be actively, in person, supporting the Inflight division with this new reporting system role out. 

IPPSA PROGRAM UPDATE 
Congratulations to Kevin Robins on his appointment as the new IPPSA Coordinator! The first quarter of the IPPSA program has been completed, and it provided us with crucial safety data. Thank you for participating in this incredible peer-to-peer, confidential, collaborative and non-punitive safety program. The data that is captured through the IPPSA observations  assists with building a stronger Just Culture that prioritizes safety, and enhances training and improves our inflight policies and procedures with new initiatives. Round two of IPPSA observations will begin mid September 2026. 

 YOUR VOICE MATTERS

Every safety report, observation, and conversation helps identify hazards, improve processes, and strengthens the safety of our profession. Thank you for continuing to advocate for safe operations, supporting one another, and keeping safety at the center of everything we do. Our Flight Attendant’s safety remains our highest priority. We will continue to advocate for improvements, transparency, and accountability across all operational areas.

In Solidarity,

Jennifer Levcun

Qx AFA MEC Air Safety, Health, and Security Committee