At L-CAL, yes which is a joke if you ask me. More often than not we are on the same van/transportation service with the flight attendants in order to show when THEY are required to be there: 45 minutes prior. Our union has been pushing the company to either 1) have separate transportation for pilots (where it is a service not hotel provided) or 2) adjust our show times to be included in our duty time since we are arriving at the airport early.

I personally prefer the 45 minute show so I am not rushed and not boarding in the middle of passengers, but it has never been included in duty-day. This provision makes it part of that.

The other day I was at an outstation and due to being stuck in an employee line behind passengers with strollers (arrrgggh!) I ended up through security later than I wanted, but I still had 10 minutes to be at the plane 30 mins prior to push. I stopped and got my Fourbucks and proceeded to the gate. When I arrived the L-UAL agent said, "Well, you're finally here." I looked at my watch and said, "I'm still three minutes early since I am not required to be here until 30 mins prior to departure." She just gave me this look like I was full-of-shtuff.

 

I don't care how little time they assign. I know that when I rush, I am more likely to make a mistake.

Show up and do all your required work to get the plane ready to go. All of it, the maint log, review MEL's and brief any required flight crew actions, confirm that required maint actions have or will be accomplished, review weather and confirm legality of the dispatch, thorough pre-flight inside and out, both pilots check the box etc etc etc. I don't care when the published departure time is. I don't care what the agent says as I am not responsible to them. If they have something snarky to say, either call their super or ignore it. But in no case will I hustle for them. Maybe I just got off a jet on the other side of the terminal? My allegiance is to my license and the safety and comfort of the pax in the back. On time? Who cares?

Guys who rush for UCH give me a spastic colon.

 

Right on! I refuse to rush.

 

Yes, that's correct.