LAX-AKL currently running as four man crew. Directive at the moment to try and get the block time under 12:30- achievable some times, not at others. (I suspect the company would be happy with more than 65%
) Current planned TOD is 14 hours.
All, as others have pointed out extension beyond 16 is optional. To work some (very) rough figures, consider the following. Closest we got to HNL the other night was about 1000nm. Therefore, if they diverted from abeam HNL (otherwise LAX would have probably been a bit closer) they are looking at a flight time in excess of five hours- probably closer to at least 5 1/2. Get on ground, unload sick punter, unload bags, re-fuel, etc....an hour at least. Then, blast off again and go to AKL. Half of the tech crew would have had about two hours of rest in the first nine(ish) hours tour of duty. The others would possibly have had nil. The remaining tour of duty is going to be another8-9 in front of them with rest on that being about three hours each. So, a back of the clock 16-18 hour tour of duty with max of about four hours rest for one of the crew with a significant diversion and associated 'crap' along the way. It's hard enough to do a 16 plus hour duty when it's planned (LAX-SYD, LAX-MEL) or somewhat expected (SIN-LHR with the inevitable ATC delay) but with the added 'crap' that they went through that night....well I can certainly understand taking the 'safe' option and pulling the pin.
Would a fully engaged pilot make a different decision? Hard to say. We're very good at praising crew who decide to push on but shouldn't we also praise the crew who make the 'tough' call to get off in the belief that they won't be fit in a bunch of hours time!
