March 2009

Topic: Rest and Duty Free Periods

Q: Section 7.C.2. tells me I can elect to receive a 24-hour break from duty rather than a calendar day free from duty in any seven day period, to accommodate trip trades, optional exchanges and/or a pick-up of open time. How do I notify Swaps/Drops that I want to waive my right to a calendar day off ?

A: The mere act of submitting a request is your indication to Swaps/Drops that you intend to receive a 24-hour break in lieu of a calendar day off in seven. It is assumed that you have done your homework and are very much aware of what action you are asking Swaps/Drops to take on your behalf, whether it be to trade or pick up.

Q: Section 7.E.2.a. entitles me to ten hours of rest in domicile prior to duty on the next calendar day. Can I waive this if I want to pick up OT?

A: Yes. As indicated in the previous question the mere act of submitting a request is your indication to Swaps/Drops that you intend to waive your right to ten hours rest in domicile.

Q: Once my OT was awarded, I was scheduled for eleven hours of rest in domicile between trips however, there was weather the day the trip operated. As a result, my flights were delayed and I am now scheduled for eight hours of rest in domicile. Can I request my original eleven hours of rest back?

A: No, but you can request at least ten hours of rest in domicile. Section 7.E.2.d. does require you to notify Crew Scheduling within one hour (1:00) of being released that your schedule does not provide at least ten hours of rest.

Q: I am a Reserve, am I entitled to receive this ten hours of rest in domicile?

A: Yes, but only in certain circumstances. Please reference Section 7.E.2. You are entitled to receive it between Airport Reserve & a trip sequence; between 2 trip sequences and between a trip sequence & an Airport Reserve shift (not operating in the same calendar day).You are not entitled to receive the ten hours between a RAP and a trip sequence, an Airport Reserve shift or another RAP shift.

Q. I am on Reserve and finished a trip sequence today. I preferenced for and was awarded a next day assignment which was another trip sequence. However, there was only nine hours of in domicile rest between these sequences. Is this legal?

A. It is assumed that you were well aware that there was less than the contractually provided ten hours of rest (Section 7.E.2.c.) when you submitted your preference. Therefore, you will be considered to have waived your right to this contract provision, when you submit a preference for an assignment which provides less than ten hours rest. However, if the assignment originally provided ten or more hours of rest, but due to delays ends up with less, you may contact Crew Scheduling and receive the contractually provided ten hours rest.