Heard a rumor that Jet Blue was petitioning the Feds to increase domestic flying time to over 8 hrs in 24. Is this true? If so, why? Just curious. Thanks in advance.

 

jetBlue wants the exemption so that they can fly roundtrips coast to coast with the same crew. I'm pretty sure that they already do it with flight attendants, but not with pilots due to the 8 hr rule.

 

JB was (past tense) doing 'research' to support that very concept.

Due to many circumstances it is now on the back burner. Don't be suprised to see it rear it's ugly head down the road again...

 

If JB were actually able to pull that one off, it would set a terrible precedent for all carriers regardless if they are operating under Subparts Q or S of the FARs. I'm sure ALPA, APA, SWAPA...etc are keeping a watchful eye out to see if this subject pops up again.

Just out of curiosity... Does JB heavy crew there transcon flights so they can get the plane and crew back to JFK?

 

No; although the F/A's often make the 'turn.'

 

It would be tough in the winter to make the turns. Seen a couple of JB planes land and getting gas in MSP on the east - west trips.

 

F/A's are covered by duty time limitions only. Tough break for them.

 

Amazingly, the transcon turns for F/A's often go senior due to the productivity. FWIW, this is the same short-sighted motivation that makes turns look attractive to some JB pilots.

 

"this is the same short-sighted motivation that makes turns look attractive to some JB pilots"

"STUPID IS STUPID DOES"
Forest

 

If they're serious about flying transcon turns, they should request to do it under current provisions of FAR 121.483. It applies to flag operations, but would be a much easier waiver to get than flying unaugmented more than 8 hours.

Here's 121.483:

121.483 Flight time limitations: Two pilots and one additional flight crewmember.
(a) No certificate holder conducting flag operations may schedule a pilot to fly, in an airplane that has a crew of two pilots and at least one additional flight crewmember, for a total of more than 12 hours during any 24 consecutive hours.

(b) If a pilot has flown 20 or more hours during any 48 consecutive hours or 24 or more hours during any 72 consecutive hours, he must be given at least 18 hours of rest before being assigned to any duty with the air carrier. In any case, he must be given at least 24 consecutive hours of rest during any seven consecutive days.

(c) No pilot may fly as a flight crewmember more than—

(1) 120 hours during any 30 consecutive days;

(2) 300 hours during any 90 consecutive days; or

(3) 1,000 hours during any 12-calendar-month period.


VOILA! An augmented JetBlue crew could now fly for 12 hours.