767pilot

f course it is up to the feds, but all sides at ARAC decided not to touch that one

R1200RT

We were told that FedEx is already approved for Flag Ops, but aren't going to turn it on until after peak, but it's a done deal.
Not sure how the new rules will change it though.

MaydayMark

Capt. Bill Soer is the FDX ALPA rep to the FAA's ARC. At the last union meeting Bill said (assuming I understood him correctly) ...

- He does not expect the new "rules" to affect out domestic operation very much

- He also said there has been no discussion of regulations affecting jumpseating to work as it pertains to rest requirements

- He also said there was a preliminary thought that maybe freight dogs needed less rest because we do not have flight attendants? That thought has since been over ruled by the idea that "one level of safety" and rest rules is probably a better idea

-

Adlerdriver

Okay - I'm sure I'm missing the big picture but I am only able to focus on the comic nature of this statement.

Less rest because we have no F/As?????????

1- is this due to the fact that we're not up all night before the flight boinking them (or at least trying) on the off chance there are some hot ones?

2- we experience less fatigue during the flight due to the naturally lower stress environment brought on by a lack of ovaries and meopausal hormones on board?

3- or that we get to the hotel 30 minutes before a pax crew because we don't have a half-dozen 30 year veterans of the golden age of aviation on their own PFA (personal ##ing agendas).

4- or finally that we're not going to spend the flight dry heaving after watching the 6 SFO based male F/As give each other cute little knowing winks on the hotel bus after their layover?

anyone else........ thoughts?

Bitme

It may be a paper done deal, but the reason it's not here now is that our aircraft fleet is not equipped to fulfill Flag rules i.e. Flag requires that any of our planes must be reachable at any time, which is not the case. ACARS contractor went bankrupt for the 757, satcom is through a hand set, which is not too bright if you have the mask on for some reason so until a number of issues are solved we will remain 121 sup.

On another note my prediction is that most of the changes to rest rules will effect feeders, because they don't have the bucks to fight it and the big boys do.

Skimmology

Any idea what flag ops will do to the ANC lines, if anything? I was hearing shorter trip pairings, more departures out of ANC. 30 in 7 is the thought behind that.

Adlerdriver

30 in 7 is domestic only, so it won't apply to ANC ops.

Since many of the ANC departures are crewed w/ an RFO, the flag flight time limits probably won't cramp the schedule too much, IMO.

Fr8doggie

Thoughts, yeah... eww.

nakazawa

FLAG is FLAG. I don't anticipate the FAA attorneys differentiating between names on the side of the jet. Also, there's no allowance in Supplemental to conduct ETOPS (B-777). So, unless there’s some sort of magical wand, and I don’t see us being the favorite son of the FAA right now, hybrid rulings coming down in our (FDX’s) favor are unlikely.

I suggest everybody take a look at the FAR 121.4xx series, and some of the 121.6xx series. If you've got questions about scheduling, rest, and duty, you'll find some of your answers - regardless of when the NPRM comes to pass. Internationally, knowing when you do - and don't need an alternate (flights over 6 hours, and weather less than 1000/3 above/below expected approach mins) will provide some answers.

Scheduling will be HUGE internationally I think. Under supplemental our only limitation was 100 hours in a ROLLING 30 days. Now our 100 hour limit is in a calendar month, with an additional 30/7 (32/7) restriction. AND, at least internationally, there will be double the block time off when we return to domicile. Block 30 – off 60 – so hooking the OAK zit to that long pairing will need to be done at the beginning – not the end. Turning crews back and forth across the Pacific won’t be easy, and RFO’s – watch your hours! When you block into ANC after a short ANC-PVG-ANC, blocking 20 hours – you’re off for essentially 2 days before CRS can use you. NOT WAIVABLE! Contractually, we still have the 4-3-2 blocks of days off and min days off restrictions.

This is going to be FUN – and I’m excited!

Nakazawa

Tractor Bob

Seems to me they (CRS) would want longer trips not shorter. HKG out and back from ANC blocks almost 20 hours..... 2+ days between trips hurts CRS more than us.

32/7 does affect intl ops.

Over manned? I think not.

Probably the excuse they will use to exit 4a2b?