EKs FTLs are supposed to be JAR compliant.
However: In Europe FTLs are tempered by unions or at least some representation or agreement that limit the limits. In EK these limits are predominantly used as targets with no consultation or agreement needed from those who actually do the flights. So you can find yourself flying east bound on one trip followed by a west bound the next with minimum rest in between.
A classic trip is the DXB-SIN-MEL. This is flown on consecutive days with 24-16-22 hours 'rest' respectively in between the flights. MEL is a bruiser: arr 0200, wake up call at 1600, so some of the 'rest' is actually spent on the bus. Keep in mind also that these are all 2 crew ops and that several of these can appear in the same months roster with a few east bounds to pad it out thanks to our new & very popular roster system AdOpt.
If this doesn't fit in with EK plans then a waiver will be sought (and got if you sponsor the local yacht or horse racing industry) to do anything you want for as long as you want. DXB-SIN-BNE-AKL is a prime example of such a waiver and has been renewed several times and been in force for over two years.
Added recently was the DXB-BKK-SYD. Couldn't get away with a waiver on this one (not for the want of trying) for the flight deck. The cabin crew are not so fortunate and operate on consecutive days.
EK does however ask crews to fill out a fatigue diary to keep a record of exactly how knackered they really are but these are regarded as a cynical attempt by someone who shold know better to acknowledge the fatigue issue without actually having to do anything about it.
Ask AS if any of this would have been allowed in BA...
Hope this helps, must sleep now.
Last edited by Shake; 31st August 2005 at 10:59.