Originally Posted by
DashTrash
I have heard a rumor that one of the issues that the Company wants relief on is being able to increase the amount of flying for wide body flying to the limit of Part 117. My stance on this would be a "no" vote because I do not believe that it is safe, and it would impact the staffing matrix for wide body airplanes. This would mean less wide body positions and reduced career progression. I do not fly international for the time being, so I don't know if there are any specific issues that I am ignorant about. Any input would be greatly appreciated!
Its not a rumor its called FRMS and it is one of the 5 items. FRMS allows the airline, union and FAA to agree on waivers for specific flights for 117 rules. Flights that leave late at night SFO/LAX - SYD/MEL, SFO-TLV, EWR-DEL, EWR-BOM, EWR-TLV etc.
There are two ways to look at this:
1. If FRMS gets approved then the company will need less reserves to cover the 30mins of legality that these crews have. So as you say less wide body staffing.
2. If FRMS does not get approved then we will not operate these long late night flights because it is to expensive and unreliable. This will SIGNIFICANTLY reduce wide body staffing.
So what is the right answer? 117 has no business restricting INTL flying we have safely flown INTL for decades without incident. Why? because we have 3 or 4 pilots. Were the pilots that took off for SYD the day before 117 went into affect unsafe, and the pilots that left for SYD the next day more safe? The company needs FRMS to fly its network and right now we restrict it. In my opinion we don't need it to be restrictive however we SHOULD NOT just give it to them. Make them pay for it!