1.07.22 – Government Affairs Update: 10-Hour Minimum Rest

Friday, January 7, 2022

Flight Attendant Unions File Joint Submission on the 10-Hour Minimum Rest Regulation

This week, APFA, along with other Flight Attendant Unions, jointly submitted official comments on the proposed 10-hour minimum rest rule. The joint filing discusses the increasing responsibilities of Flight Attendants and the many studies that show how fatigue can impair alertness and response time. The submission also makes clear that the intent of Congress, which was to increase the minimum FAR rest to 10 hours, was unambiguous. Finally, the comments debunk the arguments that the air carriers have tried to present including scheduling issues, headcount, programming, and alleged cost increases.

The 10-hour minimum rest regulation passed as part of the 2018 FAA Reauthorization Bill over three years ago. The legislative text reads:

The final rule shall ensure that—

1. a flight attendant scheduled to a duty period of 14 hours or less is given a scheduled rest period of at least ten consecutive hours; and

2. the rest period is not reduced under any circumstances.

Since October 2018, the implementation has been stalled through an arduous and lengthy rulemaking process. The past two years have been incredibly trying for flight attendants who have had to work through the pandemic. APFA thanks Secretary Buttigieg for overseeing that the implementation process is expedited.

The 10-hour FAR minimum rest is calculated from release to report.

On behalf of the Association of Professional Flight Attendants (APFA), Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA), International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Airline Division (IBT), Transport Workers Union of America (TWU), and the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO (TTD), read the full submission here.

The comment period closed on January 3rd, and the DOT will now catalog each submission they receive. Keep an eye out for more information on implementation.

In Solidarity,

Allie Malis
APFA Government Affairs Representative

Lori Glattly
APFA Government Affairs Representative

[email protected]