Canada pilot fatigue rules to start in 2018 for large carriers -union
Jun 22, 2016, 1:34 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2005
Location: YOW
Programs: AC-SE100K MM, BA-S HH-D, MB-G LT Sil, IHG-Plt, Nexus, Global Entry
Posts: 3,803
Canada pilot fatigue rules to start in 2018 for large carriers -union
http://ca.reuters.com/article/busine.../idCAKCN0Z82A6
Canada pilot fatigue rules to start in 2018 for large carriers - union
MONTREAL (Reuters) - Proposed Canadian rules to ensure commercial pilots get enough rest would go into effect in 2018 for WestJet Airlines Ltd WJA.TO and Air Canada AC.TO but apply to smaller carriers only in 2021, the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) said late on Tuesday.
The new regulations would reduce pilots' working day from up to a 14 hour shift to a period of nine to 13 hours, depending on the time they start and number of flights they make while on duty, Dan Adamus, president of ALPA's Canadian board said in an interview.
==//more//==
Canada pilot fatigue rules to start in 2018 for large carriers - union
MONTREAL (Reuters) - Proposed Canadian rules to ensure commercial pilots get enough rest would go into effect in 2018 for WestJet Airlines Ltd WJA.TO and Air Canada AC.TO but apply to smaller carriers only in 2021, the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) said late on Tuesday.
The new regulations would reduce pilots' working day from up to a 14 hour shift to a period of nine to 13 hours, depending on the time they start and number of flights they make while on duty, Dan Adamus, president of ALPA's Canadian board said in an interview.
==//more//==
Jun 22, 2016, 7:20 pm
#2
Join Date: May 2012
Location: BKK/SIN/YYZ/YUL
Programs: DL, AC, Bonvoy, Accor, Hilton
Posts: 2,919
I love the logic. The issue is deemed serious enough to warrant a change, yet the change is delayed for 2 years. Is there a special potion that the pilots will consume to keep them alert during these 2 years? Even more shameful is the pass the smaller airlines will get. Sorry, but its those airlines I would be more worried about.
This is where ALPA drops the ball. It's been on the agenda for several years. It's not as if the airlines were unaware. ALPA never ever make a case to the public using terms the public will understand. If the flying public was aware of the risk of sleep deprivation, they might be agitating for an even lower limit.
This is where ALPA drops the ball. It's been on the agenda for several years. It's not as if the airlines were unaware. ALPA never ever make a case to the public using terms the public will understand. If the flying public was aware of the risk of sleep deprivation, they might be agitating for an even lower limit.
Jun 22, 2016, 10:25 pm
#3
Join Date: Mar 2012
Programs: Mileage Plus 1K; Marriott Platinum; Hilton Gold
Posts: 6,355
If the rule goes into effect on Jan. 1, 2018, then it's less than two years, which is what FAA gave US carriers to implement new pilot duty hours.
Let's hope that AC and WJ don't wait to staff up and work out their new crew schedules like the US carriers did, with predictable, and preventable delays in 2013 as a result.
Let's hope that AC and WJ don't wait to staff up and work out their new crew schedules like the US carriers did, with predictable, and preventable delays in 2013 as a result.
Jun 22, 2016, 11:59 pm
#4
Join Date: Dec 2002
Posts: 8,002
Is there a special potion that the pilots will consume to keep them alert during these 2 years? Even more shameful is the pass the smaller airlines will get. Sorry, but its those airlines I would be more worried about.
This is where ALPA drops the ball. It's been on the agenda for several years. It's not as if the airlines were unaware. ALPA never ever make a case to the public using terms the public will understand. If the flying public was aware of the risk of sleep deprivation, they might be agitating for an even lower limit.
This is where ALPA drops the ball. It's been on the agenda for several years. It's not as if the airlines were unaware. ALPA never ever make a case to the public using terms the public will understand. If the flying public was aware of the risk of sleep deprivation, they might be agitating for an even lower limit.
A 13 hour duty day would put an end to some of the same day trans-con turns that are currently done. Some of the membership won't be happy about that.
Jun 23, 2016, 3:22 am
#5
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 36
ACPA: Flying Too Close to the Edge
Canadian Flight and Duty Times - The Urgent Need for Change (link)
http://acpa.ca/Media/ACPA/Documents/...y-May-2016.pdf
http://acpa.ca/Media/ACPA/Documents/...y-May-2016.pdf
Jun 23, 2016, 11:04 am
#6
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: AC SE MM, BA Gold, SQ Silver, Bonvoy Tit LTG, Hyatt Glob, HH Diamond
Posts: 44,323
Why does AC care if you have to come in for three 8 hour shifts instead of two 12 hour shifts?
It's the pilots who are going to have to spend more time away from home.
Jun 23, 2016, 11:08 am
#7
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: YYC
Posts: 4,035
It can (and will) add to accommodation and meal costs. If I can book a pilot A-B-A, then I don't have to pay for a hotel and dinner/breakfast for 2 crew members.
Jun 23, 2016, 11:21 am
#8
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: YYZ
Programs: TK *G
Posts: 3,099
Jun 23, 2016, 3:33 pm
#9
Join Date: Dec 2002
Posts: 8,002
At the major airline level the new rules are being implemented to protect employees from themselves.
At the bottom end of the aviation ladder, the new rules will help protect underpaid employees from their underfunded employers.
Jun 23, 2016, 9:55 pm
#11
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 36
Jun 24, 2016, 8:45 am
#12
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 251
It's quite shameful really that the Minister of Transport has failed to act on this. A two year wait to fix the antiquated duty time rules in Canada is simply not acceptable. Fatigue is a significant issue at a lot of airlines, especially the one I work at where we don't have a union.
Pilots are allowed to be scheduled 14 hour days and are often expected to extend to 17 hours due to an unforeseen event. Not to mention that duty time rules don't even exist for flight attendants. (At least the non unionized ones). Air Georgian flying as Air Canada Express has been known to force FAs to 20 hours of duty!
The FAA model is what I prefer for us to adopt here in Canada. If their airlines can operate with FARs 117 and still be profitable, there is no reason our airlines cannot do the same.
Pilots are allowed to be scheduled 14 hour days and are often expected to extend to 17 hours due to an unforeseen event. Not to mention that duty time rules don't even exist for flight attendants. (At least the non unionized ones). Air Georgian flying as Air Canada Express has been known to force FAs to 20 hours of duty!
The FAA model is what I prefer for us to adopt here in Canada. If their airlines can operate with FARs 117 and still be profitable, there is no reason our airlines cannot do the same.
Jun 24, 2016, 6:46 pm
#13
Suspended
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: YKF
Programs: AC Elite 50K, Amex AP Plat, Choice Privileges, National Exec Elite, Via Prefrence
Posts: 2,996
Jun 25, 2016, 5:53 am
#14
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Never home.
Posts: 2,971
Since Rouge is on a different AOC than mainline I assume the rules won't apply to them until 2021.
What a farce it is - in what world is Sunwing (37 B737-800 last year), Air Transat (32 A310/A330/B737), or AC Jazz (126 DH8/CRJ) too small to be able to adapt by 2018.
What a farce it is - in what world is Sunwing (37 B737-800 last year), Air Transat (32 A310/A330/B737), or AC Jazz (126 DH8/CRJ) too small to be able to adapt by 2018.