Standby Reserves play an important role in covering delayed, misconnecting, or otherwise unavailable crews. If a flight assigned from Standby is delayed or canceled, different rules apply depending on when the assignment occurs and what happens afterward.
Standby Basics
If you have not received an assignment, you will normally be released to legal rest after 4 hours of Standby duty.
An initial flight assignment must generally be scheduled to depart within 5 hours of your original Standby report time.
Once you receive an initial assignment, your scheduled duty limits under Sections 6.S., 6.T., and 6.U. are based on your original Standby report time.
If Your Assigned Flight Is Delayed
Once you have been assigned a flight, you are expected to remain with that assignment as long as you remain within the applicable actual duty-time limits measured from your original Standby check-in.
Any reassignment following the initial flight assignment is also subject to the applicable actual duty maximums.
If Your Assigned Trip Cancels
Cancellation during the 4-hour Standby period:
You return to Standby for the remainder of your original 4-hour Standby period.
Cancellation after 5 hours from your original check-in:
You will normally be released to legal rest.
The exception is when the domicile is in a drafting situation.
The Drafting Exception
If the domicile has exhausted available Standbys and would otherwise need to draft Lineholders, a Standby may be assigned to a flight scheduled to depart more than 5 hours after the original Standby report time.
However:
- The assignment must be made before the original 4-hour Standby period ends.
- The assignment must remain within applicable duty limits.
- You cannot simply be held on Standby beyond the end of the 4-hour period without a flight assignment.
Pre-Boarding From Standby
A Standby may be assigned to pre-board a flight to satisfy FAA minimum staffing while waiting for another crew member.
The pre-boarding assignment must begin before the end of the original Standby period.
If the pre-board continues beyond the end of the 4-hour Standby period:
- You receive 1:00 hour of additional pay and credit toward your line value, in addition to the normal 5:00-hour Standby credit.
- Look for PB1 on your Master Schedule.
- You will be released to legal rest when the pre-board assignment ends.
- You may not be required to remain beyond 1 hour after the end of your original Standby period.
Questions?
AFA Council 21 Main Office: (703) 260-0051
CBA Reference:
Sections 6.S., 6.T. & 6.U. – Duty Limits
Standby Reserve Provisions
