11.20.22 – 10-Hour Rest & Domestic Home Base Rest for Lineholders

Sunday, November 20, 2022

10-Hour Rest & Domestic Home Base Rest for Lineholders

As we approach the December 2nd implementation of Flight Attendant FAR 10-hour minimum rest, we want to recap what we’ve already shared and expand on how this new rule will impact domestic scheduling for Lineholders.

Before we dig a little deeper, we will review some basics of domestic home base rest:

What is the default scheduled home base rest for Lineholders following a domestic sequence?

Lineholder scheduled domestic home base rest is 11:45 from release (first sequence) to report (second sequence). That includes contractual 11:00 domestic home base rest (JCBA 11.I.), plus a 45-minute buffer (JCBA 10.D.14.a.).

What is a buffer?

A buffer is the portion of scheduled home base rest above contractual and/or FAR rest. The required scheduling buffer is in place to allow for a cushion of time between trips. In theory, this buffer or cushion makes it less likely you will go illegal in actual operations.

What is a waiver?

A waiver is a contractual provision that allows a Flight Attendant to voluntarily forgo default scheduled home base rest (JCBA 10.D.14.a.).

How do I waive home base rest?

1. In PBS, you would select the “Waive Minimum Domicile Rest” property. The system can only award/assign you with less than domestic default scheduled home base rest (11:45) if you use this waiver.
2. In TTS, a yellow X next to the sequence indicates that a waiver will automatically be applied if you ballot for and are awarded that sequence.
3. In ETB, if you pick up a trip with less than default scheduled rest, the waiver is automatically applied. There is no indication within the ETB system that you are waiving rest. By picking up the trip, the system assumes you are aware of and are agreeing to the waiver.

What does waiving default domestic home base rest mean for me as a Lineholder?

If you waive your default scheduled home base rest, you are allowing the company to award you a trip that takes you down to FAR minimum rest, plus a 1:30 buffer, following a Lineholder domestic sequence.

What happens if, in actual operations, I end up going below contractual home base rest?

1. If you fall below FAR 10-hour minimum rest, you are removed and are eligible for pay protections per JCBA 10.K.
2. If you don’t waive home base rest in PBS or no waiver is applied  when you pick up a sequence in TTS/UBL/ETB, but you subsequently fall below 11:00 hours contractual domestic rest, while still being above FAR 10-hour minimum rest, you have the option to be removed from the trip without pay.
3. If you waive home base rest in PBS or a waiver is applied when you  pick up a sequence in TTS/UBL/ETB, and you subsequently fall below 11:00 hours contractual domestic rest, while still being above FAR 10-hour minimum rest, you do not have the option to be removed from the trip.

The following chart contains domestic home base rest rules:

Lineholders picking up time in TTS/UBL/ETB for originations DECEMBER 2nd and onward:

Q: I have a domestic trip at the end of December that is scheduled to block in at 2233, with a scheduled release of 2248.  If I want to pick up a trip the next day, what’s the earliest I would be able to report?
A: You will need a trip that has a report time of 1033 or later. That would give you 11:00 contractual home base rest plus the 45-minute buffer.

Q: Using the above scenario, is there any way I can have an earlier report time?  
A: You could apply the home base rest waiver and would be able report up to 15 minutes earlier (1018). Just know that by using the waiver you would not be able to come off the trip if, in actual operations, you go below 11:00 hours contractual rest. You would only be able to come off the trip if you go below FAR 10-hour minimum rest.

Q: I have an ODAN that is scheduled to block in at 0750, with a release time of 0805. I picked up another trip that reports later that same night at 1950. What happens if I am late arriving back to base on the ODAN trip?
A: Since no waiver was needed to pick up this trip, if you end up with less than 11:00 hours contractual home base rest, you have the option to be removed without pay protection.

Q: I finished my domestic trip this morning and blocked in at 0900, with a release time of 0915. What is the earliest I could go out this evening after I have legal rest?
A: In this scenario, you would be able to pick up a trip with a report time of 1915 or later. Once you have already been released from a trip, you are able to pick up a trip with no buffers that gives you FAR 10-hour minimum rest from release to report.

In Solidarity,

Jeff Petersen
APFA National Contract Chair
[email protected]

Marti McMillan
APFA National Scheduling Chair
[email protected]