I have great compassion for the situation the cabin crew are in re. NY, but this compassion wears very thin when you get the like of a few ill informed individuals willing to use personal agendas to tarnish the operation of others. These people cause more harm than good.
Perhaps Lowerlobe is suggesting that every time we push back, even if it is before the nominated time that crew get to conduct a vote to extend the tour of duty, we should conduct a vote anyhow, just in case some turn of events once underway cause people to have to extend hours over the EBA agreed. Just in case the taxy takes longer than planned, there may be storms/weather/traffic enroute causing a longer flight time, fuel may be low forcing the aircraft to fly slower, the destination weather may unforseenly turn to crap resulting in extra flight time for a diversion, something may go U/S on the taxy causing a return to the gate, the list could go on. You cannot depart a flight with any certainty saying that it will touch down at a precise time in pratical terms, particularly in the States.
As far as the hour requirements go, the crew depart the aircraft with the agreed sector time formula assuming normal operations, with the intention of satisfying firstly the legal requirements and secondly the EBA agreed requirements. If any of the above circumstances happen, we deal with them. You cannot for certain say that the taxy time is going to take X minutes anywhere, particularly NY. I have seen one day where a runway was closed, and as soon as another was opened the aircraft in the back of the line were directed over to the newly opened one thus getting away first.
If the crew feel tired to the extent they are unable to exercise their duties did they make it known? Personally if they said they were tired, even if they were not close to the limit, that would be the end of story in my book.
What are the facts Lowerlobe - ie. once again were you there and do you have all the facts upon which you base your opinions? You imply you are aware of all information regarding discussions between crew, ATC, the fuel state of the aircraft, the planned flight time, weather etc. etc. Or are you just the queen of galley gossip embellishing the facts for the purposes of your continued anger towards all other Qantas employees?
My final say on this matter.
