Originally Posted by
ShyGuy
ALPA also interpreted that the continental USA is all one geographic area and we're always acclimated, and that SFO based pilots could use SFO time when reporting out of JFK. That turned out not to be the case.
§ 117.3 Definitions.
Acclimated means a condition in which a flightcrew member has
been in a theater for 72 hours or has been given at least 36 consecutive
hours free from duty.
Theater means a geographical area where local time at the
flightcrew member’s flight duty period departure point and arrival point
differ by more than 60 degrees longitude.
SFO's longitude is 122° 22' 43" W
JFK's longitude is 73° 46' 56" W
A difference of less than 60° longitude.
ALPA's interpretation:
Q-01. I only fly in the continental 48 states. Am I always acclimated?
A-01. Yes. The area between the East and West Coasts of the
United States does not exceed 60° longitude.
Q-02. I fly SFO-JFK which has a 3-hour time difference. I am then given a
10-hour rest period before reporting for duty at JFK. Do I use local
time (JFK) or home base time (SFO) to determine my Flight Duty
Period (FDP) start time?
A-02. You would calculate your FDP start time based on local
time (JFK).
Q-03. In the scenario in question 2 above, is there ever a circumstance
where home base time could be used?
A-03. Yes. The certificate holder can designate home base time
(SFO) to determine FDP start time in the same theater.
However, once this designation is made, it will apply for the
entire FDP series.
ALPA does say 'the continental USA is all one geographic area and we're always acclimated' (Q-01). ALPA also does say there is a specific situation where 'SFO based pilots could use SFO time when reporting out of JFK' (Q-03), though, normally, you would use JFK time (Q-02).
What 'case' does Virgin America management, or you, see that a pilot in JFK is not acclimated to the same theater as a pilot in SFO, or that a company cannot apply a specific time zone to an entire trip that remains in one 'theater'?
Please cite your reference.
ALPA had multiple reps on the FT/DT rule making committee (they helped make this rule), and has an established record as an authority on this subject (the reason ALPA was founded was due to fatigue, hence the ALPA motto, 'Schedule with Safety'). If you have information that contradicts such an authority, I'm interested to hear it.