A Tale of Two Trips
A Tale of Two Trips.
Folks, the last couple trips I’ve flown came with an interesting twist: the same day I was flying east to Europe, Bunny was flying west to Honolulu! Twice it happened, where we basically parted ways in PHX, to travel half the world away from each other!
The thought struck me that you’d be interested in comparing and contrasting our trips, both which are fairly typical—mine as an International trip, hers as a “domestic” US trip.
A Tale of Two Trips
More Hemisphere Dancing!
International vs. Domestic
Whether international or domestic, the scheduling of flight crews, both pilots and flight attendants, is crazy-complex.
Basically, how much crews can fly (flight hours per work day) and work (hours on the job per duty period) is dictated by both Federal regulations (FAR 117), and the crews’ contract with the Company.
Due to the safety factor of a fatigued pilot flying a plane, pilot contracts tend to be a tad more restrictive than flight attendants’.
In turn, the Company contract for each is typically slightly more restrictive than the FARs. Each provide “turn into a pumpkin” restrictions on flight and duty limits, as well as minimum crew rest between work days
That said, there is some flexibility for unforeseen delays.
In addition, International crews “augmented” with an extra pilot or two, can extend flight and duty times as well (more on that below.)
A Tale of Two Trips
The Trips
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- My trip.
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- Bunny’s trip.
Take a look at our trips, above. On the left is my trip, on the right, Bunny’s. (Times shown are all local.)
While domestic trips often comprise multiple legs per duty period, an international trip often consists of only one long flight per day, with a long layover in between.
In this regard, Bunny’s trip was somewhat similar to mine. While she had two legs the first day, it was followed by a long layover, and then one long flight back home.
Notice also that our schedules show the equipment we’re flying on for each leg. As a flight attendant, she’s checked out to work on all the company planes. Pilots, however, only fly one plane type at a time (B-777; A319-321; B-737, etc.)
As you can see, my first day’s equipment is an A321, from DFW-BOS. While I used to fly them, I’m no longer “current” to do so. Therefore, I’m actually Deadheading on the flight—that is, riding in the back as a passenger. Basically, I’m repositioning from DFW to BOS, in order to fly the next day to LHR.
(Note: Since I live in PHX but am based in DFW, I had to first get to DFW in order to catch my deadhead. I also have the option of simply traveling straight PHX-BOS in this case—which I actually did!)
Jihadi Hijacking
Now on Audiobook—Narrated by Cap'n Aux!
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- Justin Reed’s voice comes to life at EALiterary Studios—aka my closet!!
After my London layover, I basically do the trip in reverse: fly LHR-BOS, overnight, then deadhead back home to DFW.
Note that, since each of my flights is so long, I have to stay overnight in a hotel before the next flight. So, my trip is actually 5 days long, while Bunny’s was merely 3 days long.
While Bunny got to spend a lovely 30 hours or so on the beaches of Hawaii and then fly the redeye straight back home, I got to spend my time both repositioning and freezing in wintertime London!
Above: I squeeze into my tiny LHR cubicle, even as Bunny savors her Hawaiian-grown coffee while relishing the magnificent harbor view from her HI resort.
I know, I know: Oh, Boohoo, Cap’n Aux!
Hey, I still love these trips, and my new 777!
Also, as mentioned above (and in previous posts), international flights are usually “augmented,” with an extra First Officer, whom we call an “FB.” For super long flights, such as our JFK-DEL (Delhi), we have a 4th pilot, either an “FC,” or a “Relief Captain.”
With this augmented crew, we can divvy up flight time, so there will always be two pilots on the flight deck, and 1-2 pilots sleeping in the crew rest area.
Finally, since my final flight on this trip was a scheduled deadhead, I have the option of “playing hooky” and getting home on my own. Pilots often do this as well, which can cut their trip down by a day. But, it’s a mighty long day to get home: fly LHR-BOS, then deadhead/jumpseat BOS-DFW (or for me, PHX)!
But, again, I ain’t complainin’. It’s been a whole heckuva lotta fun, and all the downtime has allowed me to spend more time writing for both Airways Magazine and for you, right here on the blog.
Speaking of which, be sure to check out my latest article in the March/April 2022 issue, called, “Going Boeing!“
Bonus! Airways Interview
While you’re there, enjoy this recent interview I gave to
Till the next post,
This is Cap'n Aux & Bunny
Flying Off!
Team Aux Stands With Ukraine
Praying for the brave people of Ukraine, and for a quick end to the unprovoked invasion.
Cleared to Land
Touching Down Next
One Amazing Aviation Museum!
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Related Links
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