New Duty and Rest FARs threads?
 

Rumors abound of new rules by the FAA regarding work rules and rest requirements.

Are there any threads? I have looked a bit but find few obvious ones.

What are folks hearing? I have heard stories of a max 12 hour day. 8 hour rest doesn't start until you're at the hotel. And a couple of other things.

IIRC, in Europe we had 13 hour max and each segment above 4 resulted in 1/2 hour less max duty time. E.g. 5 legs = 12:30 max duty, etc.

What are folks hearing?

here is some of the things we are hearing

FROM ANOTHER FORUM
~~~~
I had a long conversation with a member that is helping write the new FAA rules for duty, flying time etc. He said that what they are drafting is going to happen and very quickly. He said they have already heard from large numbers in Congress who are very unhappy about the Colgan accident! They want change and not tired pilots. Here is some of the things he shared with me:

1. Commuters don't have anything to worry about. They know they cannot track where people live or commute from.

2. Duty day will most likely be 12 hours. No increase from the scheduled max of 8 hrs flying time (although he said ALPA tried to get it raised to 9 hrs).

3. Like our 30/7 or 100/30 hour rule (which will probably not change) there will also be a max duty time in a 7 and 30 day period.

4. Your rest period will allow you approx 8 hours at the hotel. Your rest period will not start until you arrive at your hotel. Your duty period will be when you lobby at the hotel. Not when you arrive at the gate.

5. The 9 hr rest period will be gone. Most likely around 10 hour rest period.

6. Duty periods that start late (interfere with your normal circadian rhythm) will be more restrictive than the normal duty period.

7. Reserve blocks will probably be 12 hours. However, reserve blocks late at night might be shorter in concert with the attempt to make shorter duty periods when the duty starts later in the day.

8. Stand-up overnights will most likely be a thing of the past. The later a duty period starts, the sooner it must end.

9. They have also addressed ASAP reports and under the new laws companies could not take any disciplinary action against crews that submit the reports.

10. There is also a group addressing the Flight Attendants. You can expect their duty rules to closely mirror those of the pilots.


The bottom line is they have gathered a lot of data concerning flying long days, multiple stops and schedules that interfere with your bodies circadian rhythm. He also said that they expect to finish work in the next 30 to 60 days and that the airlines will most likely have 180 days to comply.

I have spoken with someone in a management position at my company that went to the Colgan hearings and some of the more current 121 hearings. He said that based on what he has heard, it's a win-lose situation.
Win: 1. some airlines will now have to hire more pilots
2. shorter duty periods
3. no more you started at 3 pm you're good till 7am

Lose: 1. more pilots in bad economy,how will that financially affect airline
2. depending on contract, possibly more days at work
3. depending in contract, possibly lower pay

I'm very cautiously optimistic

Well it is too bad that some ruin it for the rest of us that is that some companies have you work 16 hours but give you good pace to wait but Colgan it was always in a room with nothing to do so the 16 hours were a full 16 hours and they would have you move planes back and forth while waiting there.

If its anything like the rules in the UK you can look forward to more days at work and more, smaller bases.

Talking to friends who operate under the CAA rules most of the regional or low cost type airlines have a lot of their aircraft based at outstations. It allows the airlines to build more efficient schedules under the rules they have. It also means most guys are flying day lines with - as they put it - "very few night stops".

Looking at one of the websites ( pilotsjobnetwork.com ) that shows pay and bases Ryanair has about 200 aircraft and 33 bases and Easy jet 165 and 17 bases. An example of a small regional type would be BMI regional with 18 aircraft and 8 (!) pilot bases.

There is no doubt that the CAA rules are much better from a fatigue point of view, but be careful what you wish for from a QOL point of view. (however, they do get 38 days vacation at BMI regional so that helps!)

From the FAA website
 

Washington Headquarters Press Release
For Immediate Release
July 21, 2009
Contact: Alison Duquette
Phone: (202) 267-3883

Statement by FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt on the First Regional Airline Safety Forum

Today we held the first meeting in what will be a series of 12 nationwide regional airline safety forums to reduce risk at regional airlines. I'm pleased to report that airlines and unions are responding positively to the recent Call to Action from Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood and me to push safety initiatives forward now.

Today's forum was attended by 65 safety executives representing airlines and unions. The discussions focused on air carrier management responsibilities for crew education and support, professional standards and flight discipline, training standards and performance, and mentoring. The FAA will collect effective airline best practices and innovative ideas and share that information with airlines and unions. FAA inspectors will then assess how airlines are using the information.

This open dialogue will continue through August at additional Forums to be held in Dallas/Fort Worth, Chicago, Seattle, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Atlanta, Anchorage, Miami/Fort Lauderdale, Denver, St. Louis, Las Vegas, and Boston.

good stuff about what the second post says !

If management is against it, then it means it's good for us.

Commas and periods will help you a great deal. I have no idea what you are saying, is english your primary language? Serious.

Get a life!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!