Quarterly MEC Air/Safety/Health/Security Committee Report

Hello Fellow Flight Attendants!

Here is a quarterly report with some of the work that has been done by the AFA Air Safety, Health and Security Committee.

This Committee is always working hard for each and every one of us. Safety Enhancements and improvements for the QX Flight Attendant Community is priority and highly valued within this team. 

Here are a few topics that have been covered from January through April of 2025. 

Brief summary of issues discussed:

January 2025.

• CAQ( Cabin Air Quality )events being tracked /data input. 
• First CAQ CART meeting with MTX.
• QX AFA has officially been invited to attend the multi carrier, multi divisional Cabin Air Quality meeting for the very first time. 
• Ergonomic Testing /training completed. (2025 training)
• Preflight before boarding.
• Padding at aft jump seat. (Pending budget 2025)
• Paine Field Safety concerns addressed. Safety walk ways/paths, boundaries , etc 
• Pre LOSA enhancements.
• 18,000 ft alignment with AS cabin prep.((Turbulence injury prevention/protection)
• Bags in cabin/heavy lifting.
• Addition of potentially 3 more adult beverages in PC. ( AFA opposed)

Summary of work by the Committee:

• Establishing CAQ data for QX Inflight. Invitation to the Cabin Air Quality meeting (s) were received. First CART meeting officially attended. Request was made to include QX CAQ events to the spreadsheet for discussion and data.
• ERC
• New Cabin Inspector. Jennifer Conkey, FAA.
• Enhancements to the SMS process and Matrix. 
• Committee conversation regarding contact from CS after FA released.

February brief overview:

Some of the above topics .

• Debriefing framework/SOP establishment between both divisions. ( Inflight/Flightops)
• FA videoing/Photogrsphjng protections.
• Pre flight before boarding . ( ongoing)
• Self defense in-house training and defense of the cabin. 
• Mental health program alignment with AS. (Wings of Wellness. Brought awareness by the ASHSC )
• Protocol for reporting unsafe working conditions.
• Time reset on delays. Operational pressure concerns. 
• SOP when a FA is questioned for being impaired.( Alcohol/drugs)
• Safety debrief process. SOP components.

March brief overview:

• Non Verbal communication between Flightdeck and Flight Attendants when the interphone is inoperable. ( More ideas than sliding paper under the FD door.)
  
   
• Alignment with Alaska’s Turbulent City list. Adding Tucson, Phoenix and Missoula to our list.
• Cobra Cuff tabs need to be placed in the up position.
• Removal of all passengers on all sides, fed and back of passenger is showing signs of extreme aggression.
• “ Verbal Judo” training.
• Update on visual and auditory reminders to passengers that threatening or assaulting a crew member will not be tolerated.
   

Please remember the importance of reporting.

FAIR and ASAPs are critical for accurate safety data. 

During a recent Safety meeting, there was an advisement to report via an ASAP report, when turbulence prohibits a compliance check. While not required, it is crucial data for our protections.

Safety data is what creates a safe workplace environment. 

Also, remember to report all issues and or concerns concerning the new L-1 process.

Some great information to know, we may step off of the aircraft to close the main cabin door. If you are concerned about body mechanics and injury, this should be some helpful information. Stepping off the plane to safely close the L-1 door will not be considered a violation. It stays within the original footprint and it is for a safety purpose. This information was confirmed by your ASHSC from the FAA. Hopefully this information may be helpful.  

Meetings Attended (April)

1st, 3rd, 7th, 8th, 10th,11th,14th, 15th,17th,21st

 Brief outline of issues discussed:

• ASAP
• De-Briefing framework/SOP establishment between both divisions.
• FA videoing/photograph. Reminders to the public. 
• Pre flight before boarding.
• PAE field Safety concerns addressed. County involved in tarmac safety enhancements. Approved and awaiting date confirmation. 
• Pre LOSA enhancements/ SOP. Manual worked on. Enhancement suggestions supplied as a committee to Robin. 
• 18,000 ft alignment with AS cabin prep. (Turbulence Injury Prevention/Protection)
• Self Defense enhancements. Defense of cabin. 
• Mental Health training follow up.( Wings of Wellness alignment or similar.) Confirmed that EAP and Company now moving forward with this action. 
• Protocol for reporting unsafe work condition.
• Concern of taking away specific early sit city list and making all cities a potential for early sit. Early Sit city list already specifies cities of concern of turbulence. Safety concerns of FAs communicated out to mgmt. @ Pre SRA. 
• Non verbal communication between the Flight deck and Flight Attendant’s when the interphone is not working. Currently, slide paper under the door. More ideas to enhance this process. Additional idea and conversation was the ability to communicate via text on TEAMs .
• Safety De-brief process. What components are in the SOP that would immediately schedule a safety debrief.
• Cobra cuff tabs need to be in the up position. Change in FAM.
• Written procedure of FA concerns of another Crew member concerning safety. More than CRM. What steps does the management team take when a safety concern comes forward during a trip.
• Update on visual and auditory reminders to passengers that threatening or assaulting a Flight Attendant/Crew member will not be tolerated. FAA is in support of public education on this matter. SRA conducted.
• Pre flight misses. (Monitoring)

Summary of Work by the ASHS Committee:

• PAE safety concerns around the lack of safety walk ways on the tarmac. County contacted and confirmed to establish safety walk ways/boundaries. 
• ERC
• Monthly FAIR Report viewing .
   
• Enhancements to the SMS process and Matrix.
   
• Slide deck(s) sent to MEC. 
• ASHSC discussions to complete a focused pre flight before boarding on plane swaps. 
   
• Discussions on the importance of giving Regional FAs the same attention and protections as Mainline FAs concerning turbulence. 18,000 ft alignment with AS requested.
   
• Local Chairs collaboration and jointly assisting with ASHSC list from member’s questions, concerns, insight. 
   
• NEW  MCD-Closing  and disarming procedure.
   
• FAA confirmed FAs allowed to step off the plane to close the MCD. Recorded 
• FAIR Compliance spoke upon in DAG as well as another meeting. Mgmt confirmed that it is • acceptable to comply with FAIFs anytime before first leg. Does not require compliance solely after check-in. FAM needs to be changed. Recorded in DAG ( March) .
   
• Committee conversation regarding CS contact after FAs are released.
   
• Concern came fwd that CS may be changing times on the trip to extend FAs. More information needed. 
   
• Local Chairs are included in this information to work. Conversation continues. LEC 16 Chair is told no clock reset. ( confirmation will follow)
• Enhancing Debriefing processes and non verbal communication during interphone malfunctions .
   
• SRA concerning new door L-1 procedures.
   
• Committee concerns with the new process. One committee member almost fell due to a gap while closing the MCD. Safety concerns are a topic with this new process. Training by  video, very big safety concern with flight Attendant work group. 

Important Information!

When closing the MCD, you may request assistance from the agent  and you may step off of the aircraft to release the gust lock during door closure.

Reporting is what creates positive change. Your reports create data and is then tracked and trended to see if Policy and Procedural change is necessary.

Pre LOSA observations are a peer to peer observation. They are  non punitive and confidential. The program is to promote and enhance safety in the workplace.

Wildfire Protocol Information is in our IMD, under Comply 365 under Inflight References. AFA requested and collaborated with the QX Leadership Team to ensure that individuals with compromised immune systems and health issues were protected during high Air Quality Events.

Overview: Inflight crew members who are part of groups sensitive to poor air quality will not be required to layover at locations experiencing an AQI over 200. Crew members must self-identify to Inflight Supervisors. AQI 200: Using the EPA’s website (https://airnow.gov) when the AQI reaches 200. N95 mask will be stocked at all affected location.

Addition to our Public Announcement regarding Passenger interference. This has been a long time ask from your AFA ASHSC. Adding an educational piece for the public that intimidating, threatening and/or assaulting a Flight Attendant is prohibited.

This is an exciting enhancement and a big win in the Flight Attendant ‘s daily work environment!

What constitutes interference?

• Physical assault – this includes any act of violence against a crew member.
• Threats – making threats to harm a crew member or anyone else on the aircraft
• Intimidation – using actions or words to instill fear in a crew member.
• Interference with duties – any behavior that disrupts a crew member’s ability to perform their job, such as blocking their path or refusing to follow instructions.
• Disobeying instructions – refusing to comply with a crew member’s requests, like returning to your seat or turning off an electronic device.

This addition aims to enhance clarity and emphasize the importance of following crew instructions. By explicitly stating that interference with crew members is prohibited, we hope to ensure a safer and more orderly environment on board.

Current Flight Attendant Safety Issues that are Elevated to the MEC

• De-Escalation/Self  Defense Training
• IFRMP, Non punitive, not using our own sk bank to cover management’s operational issues.
• 18,000FT seating for protections against injury from Turbulence. 
• Mental Health Training and Support (Wings of Wellness program from Alaska/Hawaiian)
• Preflight before boarding.
• Enhanced Self Defense.
• FAIF Compliance
   

Thank you from the Air Safety, Health and Security Committee!

Bryan Grosvold, Local 16 Chair

Courtney Schillings, Local 17 Chair

Joshua Haime, Local 16 Representative 

Wendy Kaihara, Local 16 Representative 

Kari Terrana, Local 16 Representative 

Jennifer Levcun, MEC Chair