FAA Final Rule on Pilot Fatigue

After reading the FAA press release, the key point that I believe will have the largest impact on safety in the industry is the 10-hour minimum rest period.  The new rule mandates that pilots must have an opportunity of eight hours of "uninterrupted" sleep.  This is a two-hour increase over old rules.  I believe this will have the largest impact on safety because pilots will be able to get an extra hour or 2 hours of extra sleep.  Pilots will now have the opportunity to wake up and maybe get a workout in or eat some food before they go on there day.  I work at a hotel and I see every morning pilots walking out the door with a cup a coffee and look half a sleep.  In my opinion there is nothing worst then waking up and knowing that you are going to be tired through out the day.  With this new rule, pilots will have the opportunity to get there full proper amount of sleep and wake up with the attitude of not being sleeping or fatigued.  


Previous regulations stated a minimum of 8-hours rest period, with this new regulation, it will increase the rest period by 2 hours.  Which doesn't sound much, but it also states that  pilots must have an opportunity for eight hours of uninterrupted sleep within the 10-hour rest period.  I'm sure every pilot is going to be absolutely thrilled that this new regulation passed!  


According to USA Today Travel the FAA estimates the change will cost the airlines nearly $300 million over 10 years.  An airline trades group estimates it could cost $2 billion more each year.  The second figure seems high in my mind, but the FAA estimate I totally agree with.  Due to the new regulations and preferably the 10-hour minimum rest will have airlines scattering to hire pilots, managers and dispatchers.  Due to this new regulation airlines will have to hire more pilots to fill in the slots of just the new 2 hour adjustment from the old regulation.  USA Today Travel also states that Pilots will be flying shorter routes to accommodate the new rules.  This is have a huge impact on the industry, but also very beneficial for future pilots.  Airlines will have to lower there minimums to get pilots hired in the next 2 years.


I agree with the exemption of cargo carriers from the new regulations.  If cargo carriers were covered in the new regulations all cargo carriers would go bankrupt and that would include UPS and FedEx.  Cargo carriers primarily fly at night and most of the time fly at the last minute.  The new regulations is huge with limiting pilots from back to back shifts from a night shift to a morning shift.  Cargo carriers would have to hire so many pilots in order to follow these regulations it would run them into the ground.  My solution to the fatigue issues that continue to exist within the cargo industry is to hire more pilots (not as much as airlines will require to) and implement the Fatigue Risk Management System so pilots are aware of there situation.  Instead of having them on call for 48 hours straight, limit it to a day at a time, improve there facilities, maybe put some beds where they can catch up on sleep at the facility instead of driving home.  I believe improving the facilities and not having the pilots on call for so long will improve safety and limit fatigue in the cargo industry.