Originally Posted by
vagabond

I have a law degree, but I don't get it. And what's a hard time trip? Sounds terrible, like an incurable tropical disease.
[Sorry for the unusually vacuous comment. I've had a long and tragic day]
Sorry about your day I hope today is better.
A hard time trip is when you are paid for the time you actually "block". Other than hard time trips are when you are paid for the guarantee. For example many of our trips pay three hours out and three hours back but only block 2.5 hours out and 1.5 hours back. Most long flights will pay hard time.