onecsd

Hello!
I've started the petition "FAA: Change FAR 117" and need your help to get it off the ground.
Will you take 30 seconds to sign it right now? Here's the link:

http://www.change.org/p/faa-change-far-117

or go to change.org and search far117

Here's why it's important:
FAR 117 was written to promote safety issues concerning fatigue in commercial flying. FAR 117 did bring about some significant changes but fell well short of changes that need to be made.
Please voice your opinion, tell the FAA why FAR 117 needs to be or should be changed.

There are certain items that I think need to be changed:

a minimum amount of rest behind the doors.

flying into circadian sleep cycle should have an extended rest.

A certain minimum standard in hotels for rest. One's that promote a good nights sleep. I shouldn't need to put on eye shades or ear plugs to sleep.

These are my ideas and certainly subject to debate. Speak up and be heard and pass the link on.

Hilltopper89

None of these things should be regulated at the federal level. These should all be negotiated by your pilot group or union directly with your company.

Packrat

Its regulated because non-Union companies use the FARs as their scheduling bible.

John Carr

As well as historically, during the BKs and concession era's, some basically reverted BACK to FAR's from negotiated work rules that were better than the minimum.

Natca

That is absolutely correct. If you guys think its bad under 117, take a look at what a supplimental 121 cargo carrier can do these days. 16 hour duty days plus and be on call 24 hours a day. So yes we can be on call for days on end then get a 10pm call to fly a 16 hour duty day and a tail end ferry on the other end. It happens often aswell.

RockyBoy

1) Do not count a 30 hour layover in a hotel as rest to reset the 168 hour duty limit. That reset should be at home.

2) Do not allow companies to automatically assume pilots will extend. Extending should be and exception, not expected.

3) Limit flying over 8 hours block in a day to 2-leg days. No more 3 and 4 leg days with 8:45 block.

John Carr

Yep, that sucks. Like the old rules and "reduced rest", the intent was a backup/contingency plan. But in reality a scheduling practice.

Doctor Dolittle

I strongly agree with numbers 2 and 3 but I beg to differ with your first point. A 30 hour layover affords plenty of opportunity to get some quality rest. In fact, it's often a lot more restful to be in a nice hotel somewhere than home with the kids, dogs, and endless honey-do list!

TenYearsGone

I disagree on this. We need rest to be away from work, period, or else the company can and will build you a trip that will never touch home. IT can happen and is close to happening at Delta.

TEN

Hilltopper89

Sorry, I still don't get it. You really want a federal regulation on hotels? How would that be stated? Ridiculous. You want the federal government to fix the awful situation you're in? Believe me...I worked for them for 24 years. You don't want them fixing anything. Vote with your feet if your company is that bad.