Many years ago I would occasionally fly the 0330 EWR-ANC flight. We ALWAYS had an RFO in those days (perhaps still do) although not legally required. That flight was by far, the most boring of all...very little ATC transmissions, pitch black over central Canada and 6+ hours trying to stay awake. The MD11 ACP flew it several times without an RFO and quickly agreed to our demands for another pilot for safety reasons.

I suspect the company goes strictly by the FARs these days?

Good luck and safe flying on the CDG-CAN flights.[/quote]


And Colgan Air was going by the FAA requirements when it decided not to include a stick pusher demo in its training program. Sometimes we have to go a little above the requirements when common sense dictates. Unfortunately the bean counters seem to be winning the war against common sense in this economic environment. I just hope it doesn't end up costing more in the long run.