Originally Posted by
ethernal
There is no "agreeing to waive" timeout - crews have either timed out or they haven't. That said, DL does try to add in buffer to crew timing within reason - most would be okay with anything less than a 2 hour delay (especially those that were then scheduled to fly a final leg with RON). Beyond that is when things start getting dicey.
I am sure that some flights are not making it to MSP tonight, but that should be the minority.
At least at AA (I'd imagine all airlines are similar), the company's (IE: union contractual) duty limits would be reached before the FAA limits.
Crews may elect to overfly the union limits. Operations can't ask them to do it, the crew has to state they will operate the trip.
FAA limits can't be exceeded. Both sets of limits are multi-layered and convoluted so it isn't always easy to determine if/when they time-out.
AA liked to use the term "illegal crew" to describe any crewmember exceeding any limit. Oh the explanations that had to be given after passengers hear that phrase come out of the Gate Agt's walkie talkie. Particularly after the crew states they'll operate the trip anyhow.