Originally Posted by fdx727pilot

I though we had to have two crews on anything over 12???? I'm not sure, though, being a lowley Boeing type.
WE do........FAA mandated on legs over 12:00 block
FedEx mans it with 1 CAP and 3 FO's..........(usually)
All MD-11 FO's are typed rated.......so in the eyes of the FAA all are Capt qualified.......(For cruise CAPT duties)
They are short FO's again.........and the FO's seem to be enjoying their days off much more than the Training guys.....who are mostly Capts but dual qualified to occupy each seat.
Apparently this month the CAPT as RFO is back. Apparently It is cheaper to pay a CAPT $206/hr to heat the meals and make the coffee than to DRAFT a Training guy on his off day. Wouldn't surprise me to see some of the training guys flying as RFO since they are drafting them as FO stand ins