09 Feb

Tuesday Tips With Erwin

Now that all US airlines are operating under the new 10 hours rest requirements for flight attendants, we just wanted to check in.

How’s it going?

We know a fair number of you were already employing the 10-hour rule as a scheduling standard, but if you’re one of the few who had some adjustments to make (or maybe still make) you might be feeling the impacts of policy change.

No matter what, we’ve written a handy little list of things to keep in mind as you fly along with your well-rested crews.

1. Make sure scheduling knows the drill

This one might seem obvious, but scheduling is the invisible skeleton of your operation; they might be behind the scenes, but they keep everything moving. Veteran schedulers who have been operating under the 8-hour standards might need some extra reminders or training to adapt to 10 hours as the new default.

The best way to see to this? Check-in with your team. Ask them to assess their confidence level in carrying out the new procedures and set up the proper resources in case their answer is anything but “yes!”

2. Same but for planning

Again, make sure the team that’s in charge of building the pairings is good to go by…you guessed it. Checking in with them. Set up additional trainings as needed until your entire planning team is an efficient force to behold.

3. Buffers. Buffers everywhere.

While you’re doubling down on planning, and especially as we enter IROP season with snowstorms aplenty, in the long run it will benefit your operational integrity to pad those schedules a bit more than usual. Again, people are still adjusting to the new parameters- the last thing you want is to compound any confusion with a wintertime Nor’easter.

4. What’s trending?

Even with all the strategizing in the world, you’re still going to have to make some adjustments; this is where tracking trends comes in. Which bases could use more buffer time? Which could use less? How often were trips delayed in the name of accommodating new rest requirements? You get the drill. Build upon the actual data of months past to refine your way to the most optimal path in building future schedules.

5. It’s a bargain

If you were operating under the old 8-hour rule, this is a major win in terms of contract negotiations. What would normally be a fairly large sticking point with the unions is now federally mandated. Consider this as a general suggestion to start considering the next biggest request from your unions before you go to the negotiations table, now that more rest is guaranteed. Happy bargaining!

Posted by | Posted at February 9, 2023 8:30 am |
About us

Airlines depend on ELP Aviation because our software improves operational efficiencies, eases crew interactions, and increases profitability. We offer products that provide scalable and agile solutions based on the individual Carrier’s needs. We’re already thinking about how to solve the next problem.

Learn more
Locations

Headquarters:  103 W Spring Ave, Conway Springs, KS, USA

Branch Office: Narayana Enclave, Plot No 610, Road Number 33, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad-500033, Telangana, India.

Contact Us
+ 1 (316) 239-6080

info@elpaviation.com

 

Account
If you are an ELP CrewPortal App user please contact your Department for questions.

@ ELP Aviation, Inc. 2020

About us

Airlines depend on ELP Aviation because our software improves operational efficiencies, eases crew interactions, and increases profitability. We offer products that provide scalable and agile solutions based on the individual Carrier’s needs. We’re already thinking about how to solve the next problem.

Learn more
Locations

 

Headquarters:  103 W Spring Ave, Conway Springs, KS, USA

Branch Office: Narayana Enclave, Plot No 610, Road Number 33, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad-500033, Telangana, India.

Contact Us
+ 1 (316) 239-6080

info@elpaviation.com

 

Account
If you are an ELP CrewPortal App user please contact your Airline Department for questions.

@ ELP Aviation, Inc. 2020