Long Haul 777

[CHIVILCOY]

I have just returned from Buenos Aires with Air France on a 777-200. Out of curiosity can anyone tell me how many flight deck crew would operate on this flight? Also how long would they stay in Buenos Aires before returning?

[Anti Skid On]

I did a Malaysia Airlines flight of similar duration (AKL - KUL) on a B772 a couple of years back. On the deck were 2 Captains, one FO and one SO. When I went up there both Captains were there and the FO was asleep in first class, SO was having a meal elsewhere (this was about 5 hours into the 11 hour flight). I think one Captain was heading for a rest break once the SO was back. Don't know if they always have four, but would guess at least three.

[icemanalgeria]

We do Buenos Aires to Madrid with 1 capt 2 Fo's. It's 12 hours out and 13 hours back.

We average 3.5 hours rest in Business class, (The company wanted us to use 1 Business class seat and have a pax next to us or take 2 seats in economy, We put a stop to that.)

[Sunshine Express]

On British Airways to/from London the crew will be 2 Captains
and 2 First Officers. Each crew of Captain and SFO will take rest
in bunks for about 6 hours each.

[CHIVILCOY]

Not such a bad life then,especially with B.A !!

[Notso Fantastic]

Then again, London is quite a lot further than Madrid, isn't it? Did anybody say it was such a bad life or are you trying to make a point?

[CHIVILCOY]

Notso Fantastic


Re: Not such a bad life.

My comment was a tongue in cheek reply and I am sorry if you took it the wrong way. It's comforting to know that the flight crew get proper rest on such a long flight.

[Notso Fantastic]

Point taken. Not to be forgotten is the high level of work of all pilots these days. So it is not just a flight in isolation as for you, the pilots have to cope with repeated time zone changes and very disrupted sleep patterns, which make the relief crews and bunk rest so necessary. One of my colleagues has just completed this on a 3 week pattern:
LAX,OFF,SFO,OFFx2,SEA,OFF,JFK,OFF.
He's walking dead!

[icemanalgeria]

Yes, It's true for all the longhaul guys.

On average my monthly roster means 8 days of lost sleep.
It's not just the long flight but jet lag and sleeping pattern.

Example :- Saturday night to Bed at 22.00 awake 8.00am Sunday relax pack bag go into the city.

back to sleep at 14.00 , too much noise, too light, or just can not sleep.

18.00 time to shower and change 19.00 pickup 19.40 arrive at Airport for pre-flight briefing pushback at 21.10 local . arrive Madrid 0950 (local Buenos Aires time) and only 3.5 hours away from the controls trying to sleep in business class. now 14.50 Madrid time post flight paperwork,customs, Transport to hotel arrive at hotel 15.50 Madrid time. Dead to the world by 16.10.

Wakeup 23.00 Madird Time, Can not sleep any more restless the rest of the night make breakfast at 9.00am by Mid afternoon sleepy but try to stay awake , get a good night's sleep next day up at 8.00 back to bed at 14.00 can't sleep to much noise too much light 18.00 shower and changed pickup 19.00 arrive at airport 19.30 preflight briefing pushback ............ I guess you get the picture..

And this 4 times a month, sometimes back to back with only 30 hours off duty inbetween flights.