10 hrs between shifts

boogs Newcomer MN

We are going to 10 hour minimum between shifts. Not sure how it's going to affect the mid schedule.

JP13 Senior Member momoville

Is this official or speculation? 10 hour turn around is money compared to a 8 hour quick turn....2 more hours of sleep!!

Raydon Happy Camper OKC

that would be sweet.

But why don't we hold off on the status reports until after arbitration is finished and we have official info.

no need to stir up a dust storm when we don't even know 100%

klkm Senior Member

I believe the 10 hour between shifts was a recommendation handed down by the NTSB. I have heard for a while now that this would be going into effect. I don't know if it has anything to do with negotiations. I know the recommendations would really screw with all our schedules, no more 2-2-1's. You would almost have to work straight days, straight nights, or straight mids, and the possibility for a swap is near nil. I haven't heard it going into effect but it would help with sleep schedules and fatigue, so although it may take a while getting used to it, it may help in the long run. The swing, day, mid to end the week will be a thing of the past.

polo708 Epic Member tower

Too bad because I like that, haha

Duckman Rookie

Phase advanced shift schedules are some of the worst for fatigue related performance issues (It's what my GRP/thesis was done on). Look for either a straight set of mids/evenings/days and a 2-4 week rotation, or a phase delayed schedule in your lifetime (mid/eve/eve/day/day). Currently off at 7am friday, back to work monday night at 3pm so 80 hours on a weeked.

New phase delayed schedule (because working a month or even 2 weeks of mids would surely not keep you sharp for a busy rush) would mean getting off work at 3pm on friday, and going back to work sunday night at 11pm..... 56 hours (almost an entire day LESS off).

Phase delayed WILL be better for your health, well being, and should reduce fatigue related OE's quite a bit. Then again with the new APSAT program, maybe there won't be anymore OE's....

nevets Rookie

DOT IG: Air Traffic Controller Fatigue Worsened By FAA Practices At Key Facilities
FederalDaily.com > DOT IG: Air Traffic Controller Fatigue Worsened By FAA Practices At Key Facilities

"The IG report recommended that the FAA should reevaluate the staffing ranges at its Chicago facilities, once an ongoing O’Hare Modernization Program is fully implemented, and should increase the minimum rest period between shifts. Also, the FAA should mandate yearly refresher training courses for controllers on how to reduce fatigue."

Air Traffic Control: Potential Fatigue Factors
Air Traffic Control: Potential Fatigue Factors

"FAA has begun actions at the national level to address NTSB recommendations regarding fatigue, such as amending FAA Order 7210.3 to increase the time available to controllers for rest between shifts. FAA has also developed a computer–based training module on the effects of fatigue on controller performance."

FAA Should Follow Recommendations to Mitigate Air Traffic Controller Fatigue
Durbin: FAA Should Follow Recommendations to Mitigate Air Traffic Controller Fatigue (7-2-2009)

"The final report laid out five recommendations for action by the FAA at the national level to mitigate potential fatigue factors and enhance the level of safety of the National Airspace System:

* The FAA should reevaluate the staffing ranges for Chicago O’Hare once the O’Hare Modernization Program is fully implemented to ensure the range is appropriate and meets the new operational needs of the facility;
* The FAA should implement the following changes to air traffic control facilities: increase the minimum rest period between shifts from 8 to 10 hours; increase the time available for rest after working a midnight shift on the fifth day of a six-day work week from 12 to 16 hours; and allow controllers to rest during their shift when not controlling traffic;
* The FAA should provide mandatory refresher training to controllers annually to reinforce fatigue awareness and mitigation strategies;
* The FAA should expand operational error investigation requirements to include more detailed information on fatigue factors, such as overtime, on-the-job training and work schedule;
* The FAA should require all facilities to establish procedures to rotate controllers through challenging and less demanding positions during each shift to mitigate the potential for fatigue."

boogs Newcomer MN

I'm am 100% sure this rule will be taking effect at my facility. It has nothing to do with negotiations. What still isn't known is what the new schedule will look like.

MikeATC Retired FAA, NATCA Member Nashville TN

The danger with 10 hours between shift rule is that for facilities that have mid shifts you will see the mid being on your first day back, basically your schedule would rotate backwards compared to what we do now.

Quick turns suck, but I value my days off, and I'd be upset to have my weekends shortened by working a mid on my first day, and a late shift on my last day.

klkm Senior Member

I agree, 10 hours off and 16 hours between mids will suck for schedules. But, I think it will come and there is nothing we can really do about it. It really does make sense, even though it is going to shorten weekends. Quick turns with 8 hours between, when recommended sleep is 8 hours is just asking for people to show up fatigued. If the schedules are made right, it is possible to not shorten weekends, but it will require some new shifts to be made and some odd times for showing up. Who knows how it will shake out.