Does CX manipulate Schedule times to avoid AFTL requirements?

[CX-HOR]

Have noticed that DXB-HKG schedules for 738 and 746 are different by 15min for the same route on the same day.

738 departing at 2305 is given a sector time of 08:05 and so requires a 3rd pilot due AFTL requirements.
746 departing at a busier time of 1710 is given a sector time of 07:50 and so operates as two crew only, sneaking under the max 8:00 for two crew operation, even though it lands at 0500 back in HKG.

At the moment actual flight times are 8:00ish, so with a standard taxi time of 20min the schedules SHOULD be 08:20. Not even close to whats given. Shortcuts could knock off 5-10min off flight time, but come on, needing to knock off 20min to achieve "scheduled standard times" what the F%#@.

So is Cathay deliberately manipulating the schedule for 746 to avoid boarding a 3rd pilot? What do you think?:=

[Arfur Dent]

No No!,
Safety is our number 1 priority!!!

[Frogman1484]

Overtime and 1.14 multiflier!!! Yeah!😬😱

[Freehills]

Other questions of the same ilk.

- Do bears defecate in the woods?
- Pope, a catholic?
- Water, is it wet?

[BusyB]

CX doesn't know the difference between "Limitations" and "Targets":mad:

[SMOC]

I believe the 15% thing is whether 15% of the flights during the year go over the scheduled time. If so, then the scheduled time has to be revised.*

Problem is guys fly fast and do everything not to go into discretion.

Just go into discretion every time and eventually we will reach the 15%

[744drv]

Some of the reason for that on the quoted DXB flight is because of the "we want our taxis" pressure coming from the cabin. Make no effort to 'get the show on the road' and you will arrive after 05:30 and then face the slings and arrows of unhappy cabin crew. I'm not saying we cannot rise above that ... but it is a factor. Last time I did this flight we were on the bus from CX City and was asked "what time will we get back to HKG in 3 days time?"!! WTF

[geh065]

I believe the 15% thing is whether 15% of the flights during the year go over the scheduled time. If so, then the scheduled time has to be revised.*
Problem is guys fly fast and do everything not to go into discretion.

Just go into discretion every time and eventually we will reach the 15%

You don't have to go into discretion to make block time exceed scheduled time. Discretion is another issue altogether.

[CX-HOR]

For as far back as you can check on archived CFPs, the CFP time would give a Sector Time without shortcuts of between 08:15 and 08:20 every single day! Now if every crew were putting in some paperwork then at least the Company couldn't maintain they weren't aware of this issue.

From AFTLs it is only when 15% or more flights in a two month period cause the use of Commanders Discretion that the Sector times will be reviewed, so it will take pressure from CSD via ASR-Fs to cause a correcting of this crewing level.

[744drv]

As far as the company is concerned there is no change to crewing required. For CX746 even if the STA was amended as late as 05:55 local HK, this is 01:55 DXB which, unbelievably makes this a wholly day time flight!!!

[CX-HOR]

Very sharp 744drv, upon review that is exactly what the AFTLs say.

The clause was probably not intended to protect from a night-day-night duty cycle with of course 24hours between duties, being unacclimatised and landing back at HKG at 0500ish after an 8 hour two man sector but thats what the book says and what Cathay have managed to engineer all within the wording but not the spirit of the AFTLs.

Geez two man Oz doesn't sound too bad!!
Better not ask for a visual at the end of the pattern though!

[bm330]

Where are the new FTL's. When will the CAD make the call and force CX to introduce the new regs. CX has clearly shown they are not going to move ahead by themselves.

[AQIS Boigu]

Are skippers operating 746 DXB-HKG filing MOR's???