How many earlies can be worked in a row?
 

How many early shifts can we work in a row in the UK?

Is the limit imposed by the CAA or do different airlines have their own limitations approved by the CAA?

I'd love to get some feedback on how many early shifts people actually work in a row, how long they last and number of sectors flown.

Thanks

Hi Leo8

The following is an excerpt from CAP371, the rules that we work to in the UK:

Sleep deprivation, leading to the onset of fatigue, can arise if a crew member is required to report early for duty, or finishes a duty late, on a number of consecutive days. Therefore, not more than 3 consecutive duties that occur in any part of the period 0100 to 0659 hours local time can be undertaken, nor may there be more than 4 such duties in any 7 consecutive days. Any run of consecutive duties (Late Finishes or Nights or Early Starts) can only be broken by a period of not less than 34 consecutive hours free from such duties. This 34 consecutive hours may include a duty that is not an Early, Late or Night duty.

easyJet has an alleviation from the CAP371 rules, whereby its flight crew can work 5 consecutive early duties, then have 2 days off, followed then by 5 late duties which are followed by 4 days off. easyJet are the only UK airline (to my knowledge) that have been granted this alleviation.

If you would like a pdf copy of CAP371 in full, send me a PM with your e-mail address and I will mail it to you.

regards :D

Thanks for the replies.

I work in the Channel Islands. We used to be allowed to do 4 earlies in a row. Our manual's have now been changed to 5 in a row which I discovered quite by accident. I am sure 5 can be quite exhausting if they are all 8 hour, 4 sector shifts with fog or strong crosswinds!

The 5 earlies is not uncommon in the UK, the cargo boys use it as do some of the smaller regionals. There is also an alleviation to allow for 5 consecutive deep night duties (duty between 0200-0559 local), which the freight carriers use regularly because of the nature of their operation. It isn't technically an alleviation as it features in the main body of CAP371.

Leo8 - it would be tempting fate to schedule crew close to the limits imposed by the 5 earlies rules. Regular violations of the limits would incur the wrath of the CAA who would require a schedule amendment to prevent further breaches.

Leo, I suggest you look at the CAP371 link that Mike J. has posted, in particular paragraphs 7 to 7.2.1 inclusive.

Provided your employer (and I have a good idea who it may be ;) ) keeps to the limitations imposed there, they are legal in rostering you to do that.

However, it must be emphasised that the limits in CAP371 and your own company's Ops Manual are limits - they are not targets. Any company that regularly rosters too close to those limits will, as Big Tudor has pointed out, incur the wrath of the CAA FOI.

Furthermore, as you point out, regularly flying 4 sectors on 8-hour duties with frequently poor weather conditions can be tiring. If you know, or suspect that you are fatigued, it is not legal for you to fly and you must ground yourself.

In the final analysis, therefore, the onus is on you. You must know the rules and limits - too many people don't, including rostering staff - and you must not fly out of duty hours or fatigued. If your company don't like that, then it's their tough luck.

And give my regards to Capt. N.M.! :ok:

Captain Stable, you figured out who I work for quite quickly! He is always the one we go to when any issues arise. We are lucky to have him.

He said pretty much what you did. If we feel fatigued they we must not fly the 5th early.

For some reason rostering (in many companies so I have heard!) feel the limitations can be used as targets! But, to be fair on them, they dont do it to us on purpose. Being able to roster up to 5 earlies must make it easier for them. At the moment it seems to be 3 or 4 early four sector shifts followed by standby days to bring it up to 5. But, it isnt happening to too many people and I dont think anyone has yet to actually work all five. I am sure the time will come though!

Thanks for all the responses

You obviously don´t work for a UK low cost airline... :{

The Ryanair roster pattern, although operating under IAA rather than CAA regulations, of 5 earlies - 3 off - 5 lates - 3 off, has been working fine ever since it was introduced 5 years ago and has actually prompted many people to join the airline.

The CAA would probably consider a Ryanair roster at the acceptable limit and 5 long earlies in a row can be demanding, they are however doable and manageable on a regular basis, so no real problems there.