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Alcohol policy

Old 02-14-2020, 05:27 PM
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Hello, I’m the safety officer for a part 91 operator. One time in 25 hrs a trip was delayed because one of the pilots had a drink with dinner. The principal was fine with it and the corporate culture is great.The same scenario has presented itself recently and the new chief pilot is threatening “no drinking on the road”...period. I’m thinking that will result in a mass exodus, not because of the policy itself but because it gets really intrusive and caddy. So I’m curious what other creative / fair alcohol policies are out their in the part 91 world.
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Old 02-14-2020, 07:34 PM
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How about simply abiding by FAR 91.17?

Why create more rules when there are already clearly defined ones that prohibit drinking within 8 hrs and 0.04%. Or.......I'd be happy not to drink at all on a multi-day layover if I'm paid the going rate for a contract pilot on those days off, in addition to my base salary.

Corporate and 135 operators are going to have to bend over backwards with all the airline hiring going on to not only find pilots, but keep them. And I'm talking a lot more than simply increasing pay. None of this on call 24/7, rolling rest, minimal vacation stuff, that so many operators think they can get away with like its still 2008

I'm not trying to be a prick, I'm just stating the blunt reality of the situation
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Old 02-14-2020, 07:41 PM
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Originally Posted by Bahamasflyer View Post
How about simply abiding by FAR 91.17?

Why create more rules when there are already clearly defined ones that prohibit drinking within 8 hrs and 0.04%
The problem comes in that there are no defined rest periods in pt 91 ops. And to define them per company SOP takes away owner flexibility which is a driving purpose for their jets. Perhaps you can square that circle but it’ll be though.

If crews can know their report times for the following day the FAR rules work well. That’s how I’d try to attack it realizing how tough it can be in 91 ops.
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Old 02-14-2020, 07:44 PM
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Originally Posted by flightlessbirds View Post
The problem comes in that there are no defined rest periods in pt 91 ops. And to define them per company SOP takes away owner flexibility which is a driving purpose for their jets. Perhaps you can square that circle but it’ll be though.

If crews can know their report times for the following day the FAR rules work well. That’s how I’d try to attack it realizing how tough it can be in 91 ops.
Like I said, I'd be happy to totally stay dry (and do anything else the owner wants me to do) if I'm paid the going contract rate for the entire duration of the layover.
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Old 02-15-2020, 05:05 AM
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Originally Posted by holygrail View Post
Hello, I’m the safety officer for a part 91 operator. One time in 25 hrs a trip was delayed because one of the pilots had a drink with dinner. The principal was fine with it and the corporate culture is great.The same scenario has presented itself recently and the new chief pilot is threatening “no drinking on the road”...period. I’m thinking that will result in a mass exodus, not because of the policy itself but because it gets really intrusive and caddy. So I’m curious what other creative / fair alcohol policies are out their in the part 91 world.

Need defined rest periods. Without them, it's moot and you're on call the entire time. If on call the entire time, one should be compensated as such and be ready to go.
If they won't teetotalism on the road, good luck with that. Last time I checked, a lot places are hiring that let be off.
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Old 02-15-2020, 01:07 PM
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Originally Posted by holygrail View Post
Hello, I’m the safety officer for a part 91 operator. One time in 25 hrs a trip was delayed because one of the pilots had a drink with dinner. The principal was fine with it and the corporate culture is great.The same scenario has presented itself recently and the new chief pilot is threatening “no drinking on the road”...period. I’m thinking that will result in a mass exodus, not because of the policy itself but because it gets really intrusive and caddy. So I’m curious what other creative / fair alcohol policies are out their in the part 91 world.
If you don’t have a Flight Operations Manual defining duty and rest times, start there. You’ll need to define reporting times, pre-flight planning and post-flight times. Rest periods should be 10 hours minimum, 12 hours is better. Train your owner, he can have any schedule he wants, but there must be defined minimum rest and maximum duty/flight periods. Can there be a time, his mother on the opposite coast falls and is in critical condition; he wants to fly out on short notice. Of course, give it your best, but the owner needs to understand even that isn’t worth the potential risk. Ask Kobe Bryant’s family how important being at that game is now? Any thoughtful, safe owner will agree or can find a new crew.
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Old 02-20-2020, 12:00 PM
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Hello, I’m the safety officer for a part 91 operator. Recently, a trip was delayed for a crew member drinking with dinner and now there is talk of a “no drinking on the road policy”.I’m thinking that will result in a mass exodus, not because of the policy itself but because it gets really intrusive and caddy. So I’m curious what other creative / fair alcohol policies are out their in the part 91 world.[/QUOTE]
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Old 02-20-2020, 02:51 PM
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One time in 25 hrs a trip was delayed because one of the pilots had a drink with dinner.
Why was the trip delayed?
Did they spring a flight on him/her?
Off time is off time and even Part 91 people need to know when they’re expected to work and when they’re expected to rest.
Otherwise it’s reserve/standby.

So let’s assume it was within the 8 hr window.
Get to the plane an hour before departure.
Thats 7.
Travel time to the airport.
Wake up and shower.
I don’t fall asleep during desert so that’s another hour.
We’re down to less then 6hrs now and how much do you want your pilots to sleep?!
You’re looking at the wrong side of the problem here.
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Old 02-21-2020, 06:01 AM
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12-hr policy here. 8am-5pm no-go, after that is fine.
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Old 02-24-2020, 10:22 AM
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Originally Posted by holygrail View Post
Hello, I’m the safety officer for a part 91 operator. One time in 25 hrs a trip was delayed because one of the pilots had a drink with dinner. The principal was fine with it and the corporate culture is great.The same scenario has presented itself recently and the new chief pilot is threatening “no drinking on the road”...period. I’m thinking that will result in a mass exodus, not because of the policy itself but because it gets really intrusive and caddy. So I’m curious what other creative / fair alcohol policies are out their in the part 91 world.
Not a pilot, but owner (family has 2 planes (1 more on the way) and company has 1). The way we do it is nothing at all between 3am - 6pm when you’re on a rotation (we do 10 days on 10 days off) and never more than 1 drink an hour when on call outside of those hours. Rest period is your period, but we ask for the courtesy of using good judgement. We always try to give at the very minimum a 4 hour notice, and we pay salary. We also are happy to cover a drink or two during a meal during their rest period as part of per diem.
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