Circadian rythms
 

On a different note, do you guys at UPS have some article in your new contract taking care of circadian rythms, specifically dealing with East vs West patterns ?

I guess you don't...or can any UPS pilot enlighten me ?

It appears they have tried to do that but I haven't looked into it into a lot of detail yet to be able to truly answer your question.

hey flappy, here's something from our union that should help you--



The definition of a crossing was developed to protect crewmembers from
circadian disruptions (i.e. crossing time zones).

With that, the fewer time zones you cross, the less fatigued your body
should feel over that day and subsequent days.

A basic geography lesson may be in order, OR, stated time zone differences
between major city pairings so that everyone understands.


The flight from Sydney to Hong Kong, though long (8 hours +) is basically a
north-south flight.

Dubai to Cologne for example, is the same flight time and time zones as
SDF-Anchorage.



Honolulu to Sydney is a 9+55 hour flight, but only 4 time zones, (NOT a
crossing) but PHL-CGN is an 7+10 hour flight but it's 5 time zones and IS a
crossing.

Finally, you may ask where does the .5 in 4.5 time zones come from? .5
comes from Bombay, India because they are 1/2 an hour different time than
everywhere else. Weird, but that's how they do it.



Definitions:


(vi) A crossing is any duty period in which there is more than a 4.5 time
zone

difference between any departure airport and any arrival airport;

__________________________________________________ ________--

8. International Crossings

b. There shall be a maximum of four (4) crossings within an international
trip. In order to schedule a second trip containing an international
crossing(s), there must be, at least, ninety-six (96) hours scheduled rest
in domicile.

__________________________________________________ _______

d. There shall be a minimum fifteen (15) hour rest period prior to a
crossing. If the crossing consists of a commercial or Company deadhead at
the end of a trip (up to two duty periods) the fifteen (15) hour rest
requirement does not apply. The crossing would still count toward the total
number of crossings allowed.

This is very important. Getting proper rest prior to a crossing is just as
important as rest after a crossing. This rule will make a big difference to
the quality of international trips NOW and especially with the 747-400 and
A380.

__________________________________________________ __________

9. Rest After Block

a. A crewmember shall receive twelve (12) duty free hours rest after
completing an international duty period containing eight (8) block hours or
less. A crewmember shall receive seventeen (17) duty free hours rest after
completing an international duty period containing between eight hours and
one minute (8:01) and twelve (12) block hours.

Rest after a long flight is VERY important also. Again, this rule will make
a big difference to the quality of international trips over 8 block hours,
especially to the MD-11, 747 and A380 crewmembers.