Determining the Maximum Duty Day and Aircraft Door Closing Time

Calculating the end of the duty day based on our contractually established maximums and the time by which the aircraft door must be closed to remain within the legal parameters in our Contract can be challenging given the differences in time zones.

To answer these questions, we can refer to the maximum duty time provisions outlined in Section 6 of our Contract -Minimum Pay and Credit, Hours of Service, and Contractual Legalities.

Domestic Maximum Duty Time

The maximum duty time for domestic flights varies depending on the scheduled or actual start time of the duty period as well as the specific type of flying in the sequence.

• For duty periods starting between 0500 and 1859, the maximum duty time is 13 hours scheduled or 15 hours actual.
• For duty periods starting between 1900 and 0459, the maximum duty time is 11.5 hours scheduled or 13 hours actual.
• If the duty period is a High Value Trip (HVT), which consists of a single duty period with no more than three flight segments and a total flight time of 9 or more hours, the maximum duty time is 14 hours scheduled or 16 hours actual.
• For duty periods starting between 1900 and 0459, there are additional limitations if the duty period contains more than one flight segment, such as being limited to no more than 7 hours of flight time (unless the duty period contains a single segment), and no more than one flight segment after a red-eye flight as well as a scheduled ground time limitation.

The above duty time provisions are based on the Flight Attendant's Home Domicile Time (HDT).

International Maximum Duty Time

For international flights, the maximum duty time is based on the flight time, including deadhead (DH) time.

• For multi/non-stop flights up to 8 hours, the maximum scheduled on-duty time is 14 hours, and the maximum actual on-duty time is 16 hours.
• For multi/non-stop flights from 8:01 to 12 hours, the maximum scheduled on-duty time is 14 hours, and the maximum actual on-duty time is 16.5 hours.
• For non-stop flights over 12:01 hours, the maximum on-duty time is calculated based on the check-in time, flight time, customs, debrief, and an additional 3.5 hours.

Under no circumstances should a Flight Attendant be required to remain on duty beyond the maximum hours shown in the charts above, including deadheading, without their consent.

Calculating the Time at Which Flight Attendants Will Go Illegal

To calculate the time at which Flight Attendants will go illegal, the following formula can be used for all domestic and international duty times except for the "Non-Stop 12:01 or over" category:

Maximum Actual Duty Time                                        ___________

Subtract Scheduled Duty Time                          -        ___________

(This number represents how much time left before Flight Attendant goes illegal)

Add Scheduled Departure Time                        +        ___________

Equals Time Flight Attendant Goes Illegal        =        ___________

The result of the calculation represents the time by which Flight Attendants must close the aircraft door to remain legal.

It's important to note that while Flight Attendants may go illegal for a particular sequence based on the maximum duty time, they may still be legal for reassignment to another sequence that they can complete within the maximum duty time parameters.

Remember, going illegal doesn't necessarily mean going home.