iaflyer

Ha, you have not tried to "rest" during first break I take it - the 3rd is a virtual relaxation spa when compared to first break.

People have the windows open, everyone is eating, asking questions about the menu, the wine, the seat, the IFE... not to mention the hustle of the FAs back and forth to the mid-galley (on the ER). By breakfast they are a bit slower...

sailingfun

There is no mid galley on the ER.

sailingfun

Until you bust a clearance or something else happens. Then it gets complicated.

Pro Fessional

+1
Great idea until the wrong people find out. It's an FAR, not a SD directive.

Sink r8

Good point. Does the FDP include the :30 debrief time, after block-in?

80ktsClamp

Previously mentioned, but here is the direct link to the new safety video. I like it!

Timbo

This may come as a shock to you, but I was not hired as a 777 Capt. Believe it or not, I have flown Int. F/O for many years, and 767Er Capt. as well, so I got to experience all three breaks.

I was usually able to sleep better on the first than the third, only because it was usually darker on the first, and I'd eat, get a nice full belly buzz on and pass out in a food coma.

The worst thing for me was when that bright sun would come up, blazing in, and some tool across the way would have his shade open, and it would be blasting right into my eyes. I guess you now have a curtain that will help keep that from happening, but back in MY DAY....

If I were king, those window shades would all be glued shut, all the time!

Sink r8

What you're struggling with, I think, is that it seems that FAR 117 just screwed the guy who wants to fly outbound to Europe AND wants second break. But don't kid yourself, and don't kid others. The breaks can be evenly distributed by shifting the FP break to third break. The PM job is not without importance, and having that person rested also matters. If you follow the law, and you follow the FOM, that seems to be the only logical way to do it (I'm willing to be proven wrong). There might be a slight contradiction in that I think the FOM might call for the FP to have the best rest, and we can look into how that plays into this.

But if you don't like to come back from third break to fly, imagine coming back from second break, and being uber-rested, as you play your role as PM and Captain, and exercise your command authority with a clear, sharp, rested mind, while your eager and presumably younger F/O is guided to land the aircraft under your watchful eyes, and insightful leadership.

So, there might be choices to be made, command decisions to be had: fly the outbound leg to Europe AND take 2nd break, AND get involved in all sorts of weird explanations to justify your... asymmetrical breaking system, OR shift the PM to third break and comply with the regs. In the latter case, you can fly it yourself, if you find you function well that way, or give it to someone else who does.

Good luck!

Dash8widget

The FDP does not start at pickup from the hotel - it starts at scheduled report time. 1:30 (intl, iirc) or 1:00 (domestic) prior to scheduled push. Transportation from the hotel is specifically excluded in the FAR.

Dash8widget

No - the FDP ends at block in.