Pilot Scheduling Common Terminology

Alphabetical terminology and definitions for Pilot Crew Schedulers, covering operational codes, crew roles, and scheduling rules.

ACARS

Aircraft Communications Addressing and Reporting System - A text message sent to the aircraft

Acclimated

A condition in which a flight crewmember has been in a theater for 72 hours or has been given at least 36 consecutive hours free from duty.

Activity Record

Information about a Pilot that relates to their schedule for the contractual month

AMOC

Alternative Method of Compliance

Augmented

A flight crew that has more than the minimum number of flight crewmembers required by the airplane type certificate to operate the aircraft to allow a flight crewmember to be replaced by another qualified flight crewmember for in-flight rest

Block Out

Departure time

Block In

Arrival time

Calendar Day

A 24-hour period from 0200 through 0159 local time

Captain (CA)

The Pilot who is in command of the aircraft and its crew members

Connection

Time between the arrival of a flight to the departure of another

Crew Rest

The length of time following a duty day. At or away from home base

Daily Open Time Coverage

A period of time from 1000 - 1500 home base time when a Scheduler follows a process to fill all open sequences for the next day. (This includes sequences two days out that depart between 0000 and 0400)

Deadhead (DHD)

Transportation of a Pilot as a passenger or non-operating Pilot.

Debrief

The period of time after block in on the last segment flown or deadhead during which the crewmember is still on duty until release. This period of time is fifteen minutes for domestic sequences and thirty minutes for international sequences.

Departure Time (Block Out)

Block out time. This does not include sign-in time for the first flight of a duty period.

Dispatch Environmental Control System (DECS)

The main repository of significant information about a flight leg, kept up to date in real time via a variety of input sources. DECS provides all operating departments with flight information to assist in the day-to-day management of flight movement

Duty

Any task that a flight crewmember performs as required by the certificate holder. Duty period begins at report time/sign-in of the flight and ends after debrief.

Fatigue

A physiological state of reduced mental or physical performance capability resulting from lack of sleep or increased physical activity that can reduce a flight crewmember's alertness and ability to safely operate an aircraft or perform safety-related duties.

Ferry Flight

The repositioning of aircraft - minimum crew, no passengers

First Officer (FO)

An Active Pilot who is second in command of an aircraft and its crew members while on flight duty and whose duty is to assist or relieve the Captain

Fit For Duty

Physiologically and mentally prepared and capable of performing assigned duties at the highest degree of safety.

Flight Attendant (FA)

Responsible for the performance of all ground and en route cabin services, station duties, and necessary en route Customs, Immigration and Health procedures.

Flight Duty Period (FDP)

A period that begins when a flight crewmember is required to report for duty with the intention of conducting a flight, a series of flights, or positioning or ferrying flights, and ends when the aircraft is parked after the last flight and there is no intention of further aircraft movement by the same flight crewmember. Debrief is not included.

Hisend

Crewmembers are able to communicate to a scheduler by sending a hisend message via their personal mode in DECS.

Home Base

Where a crew member is stationed, and their flight sequence begins and ends.

Joint Collective Bargaining Agreement (JCBA)

A contract of employment negotiated between Management and a Union.

Lineholder

A Pilot who is awarded a schedule in the monthly bidding process

Long Call Reserve (LC)

A Pilot on call that requires a 12 or 14 hour notice before sign-in.

Misconnect

A particular segment, including a deadhead, operates sufficiently late into a station causing a Pilot to miss the next scheduled segment.

Notifications

To be advised

Off Duty

The time to start crew rest

On Duty

The time to report to work

Open Time

The list of flights available to work

Operate

To work a flight

Release Time

Shall be fifteen minutes after block in time for domestic sequences and thirty minutes for international sequences

Reserve (RSV)

A Pilot who is required to be available to receive an assignment for duty and does not have a monthly scheduled time.

Rest Facility

With classes 1, 2, or 3, this is a bunk or seat accommodation installed in an aircraft that provides a flight crewmember with a sleep opportunity.

Unaugmented

A flight crew with the minimum number of flight crewmembers required by the airplane type certificate to operate the aircraft.

Window of Circadian Low (WOCL)

A period of maximum sleepiness that occurs between 0200 and 0559 during a physiological night.