Please find below an update concerning:
- Practical Drift from the CWA
- Flying into VAC
- Fatigue Management during COVID-19
Practical Drift from the CWA
Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic we all are facing unprecedented times. Numerous roster changes, heavy restrictions during layovers and additional flight deck procedures are burdens of this pandemic.
At the same time many colleagues show their dedication and willingness to support the company by offering their flexibility and going beyond the scope of the CWA to make things happen. Although it appears to be justified during these times, it bears the risk of a systematic practical drift from the CWA.
You might already have seen roster changes that are not according to the CWA, simply because the continuous commitment and flexibility shown by the pilot community raised certain expectations from the company´s side.
We therefore urge you to be familiar with your CWA, know your rights and obligations and to make a conscious decision when deviating from it. Don’t forget how hard it was to achieve the improvements in the new CWA. This effort makes it even more precious.
Flying into VAC
In the last negotiations the main objective concerning vacation was to protect vacation days and to make sure that pilots are scheduled to be free of any duty at least 12 hours before the first vacation day. The new CWA includes various levels of compensation a pilot is entitled to, should he/she arrive late on the day before the first vacation day. So far, so good.
However, we have been made aware of cases where pilots arrived on their first vacation day and the current interpretation by the company could result in a disadvantaged compensation compared to a late arrival on the day before the first vacation day.
We therefore strongly recommend refraining from accepting any extension of a rotation into your vacation period until we have clarified the issue.
Please remember that the company cannot plan a pilot – neither before nor during the trip – into his/her vacation period without expressed consent.
Fatigue Management due to COVID-19
In the regular meetings with Senior Management we have highlighted numerous times that managing fatigue in advance for crews must be planned. We have extensive data on what doesn’t work and have brought up certain FDP combinations that needed addressing.
- KUL-CGO-ANC
This FDP has had several flights where crews used Commanders Discretion to avoid layovers in CGO. We welcome the recent change where the flight operates KUL-BKK for a crew change before continuing BKK-CGO-ANC.
- OVB-CGO-ANC
Another FDP that is at the FDP limit and again there have been extensions used due to delayed loading in CGO. We requested that these flights have the priority for loading to ensure crews are able to complete the flights inside the maximum FDP of 17 hrs.
- Brazil
With the COVID-19 cases increasing daily, all layovers in VCP will be shifted to CWB and flights will be routed accordingly. This will result in long, double sector FDPs. In discussions with Management, it was highlighted that these long FDPs are most likely fatiguing when departing late in the evening and with only 3 pilots. We highlighted the necessity to operate these flights with a double crew when departing in the evenings.
As always, we ask that you complete a Fatigue Report after a fatigue event or if necessary, proactively via the “Reporting” App on the Company iPad. Guidelines for filing a Fatigue Report can be found here.
