Insights - 12 December '24

Blank Lines

In Long Haul, blank line rotation is dominating the conversation again. We thought we would supply this chronology of the evolution of blank lines to provide a bit of context to where we are now.  It is clear from this history that AIPA has made significant gains in this area over a long period of time. We think everyone who has been here for over 20 years will appreciate that in the past you could go a very long time without seeing a pattern line. For example Long Haul EA 11 negotiator, Glen Hunter, like many others that started around the same time, did not see a pattern line for 3 ½ years as a very junior SO on the A380 as he rotated through blank and reserve lines.

While we have been examining and discussing potential fixes under the current EA, unfortunately for the most part this is tinkering around the edges. There is an underlying structural issue with the operation that is driving blank lines that cannot be resolved within the current structure and practices.

While there are many small pieces that drive the blank line numbers up and down, like reactivation delays in the case of the A380 or training in anticipation of A350 deliveries, ultimately it is the fragmentation of pilots through multiple bases and the large number of pilots not participating in the blank line rotation that really drives this issue.

We used to be a single base, single type airline. We now have micro bases and flying shifts to different types and bases constantly. Some bases are saturated with trainers because the simulators are based there (and in the case of Sydney, Administrative supervisory pilots). Other bases have establishments out of sync with the available flying.

While some of the ways that other airlines operate their reserve coverage may seem like a fix, we simply don’t have the scale, frequency or type of flying to implement those models effectively.

As part of the EA negotiations, we are working to address these issues. That work continues and we will report through the EA team frequently on how it is going. A thank you to retired Captain Wayne Kearns for providing the information which enabled the construction of the below chronology.
 
A History of Blank Lines

1. In 1967 at the beginning of the bidding system for pilots there were Pattern Line Holders, Blank Line Holders and Reserve Line Holders. All the Known Flying was built into pattern lines and pilots bid for those lines in seniority order. At the time that the lines were built only the patterns that couldn’t be put into the lines was left over. Blank Lines weren’t allowed to exceed the number of Pattern Lines by more than one third. Any number over that were allocated Reserve Lines and were theoretical surplus and theoretically could have been subject to a Reduction in Numbers.

1. Blank Line Holders had only one purpose in life. That was to provide stability for the Pattern Line Holders by carrying out all of the variable duties: Open Time, Standbys, Sim supports etc.

1. Once the pattern lines were allocated, Long Service Leave and Annual Leave were overlaid and conflicting patterns were dropped into Open Time. Any time that a pilot was sick/unfit at the closing time for Open Time for their pattern, it was also dropped into Open Time.

1. There was no seniority and no bidding rights for Blank Line Holders. The company allocated the Open Time that was left (after Pattern Line Holders had bid for extra hours or a trip swap) to Blank Line Holders and Reserve Line Holders as it saw fit. Pattern Lines were nominally 160 credited hours, Blank Lines and Reserve Lines were 132.

1. The next major move was the introduction of Pattern Protection. That process took place before Blank Line Holders or Reserve Line Holders were allocated a pattern.

1. The next move changed the previous process where a pilot was a Blank Line Holder until they had the seniority to become a Pattern Line Holder. Rotating Blank Line Holders came in. Basically, it meant that the bottom half rotated from Blank/Pattern/Blank/Pattern. A pilot could move up the pole from Reserve Line Holder to Blank Line Holder and finally to permanent Pattern Line Holder.

1. The next move was that it was agreed that it was better for all if the massive amount of flying that was dropped into Open Time by Annual and Long Service Leave conflict was better handled by building extra Pattern Line Holders after the lines were allocated and before the bid period started. These were hand built. Although the one third limit stayed, the actual numbers of Blank Line Holders were slightly reduced.

1. Next was the introduction of Preferential Bidding circa 1988 where all the Known Flying, Annual and Long Service leave were put in the pot together and a computer tried to build lines according to the pilot’s bids. After this process was over the number of Pattern Line Holders was known. This was deducted from the number of pilots in the category and those due to be a Blank Line Holder were allocated a Blank Line. If it exceeded the one third, those left over became Reserve Line Holders.

1. Because Preferential Bidding was a bit more efficient for roster allocation, the company was able to reduce the required number of Blank Line Holders to 16-18% of the Pattern Line Holders.

1. In the 1990s seniority bidding when on a Blank Line was permitted.

1. During the mid-1990s a trial of composite lines was conducted where a 2-week period of Blank Line duties was embedded in a pilot’s line. It wasn’t a disaster and it wasn’t a success. It took a lot of hands-on involvement of the Schedulers and the AIPA Scheduling Rep to make it work. Both sides decided not to do it again.

1. In the log of claims that led to the CWD, AIPA logged for the shared Blank Line concept. When it went to the CWD, the Company were happy to have it as an agreed item.  A link to the Determination can be found HERE.

• Divisor plus 5 payments,
• 151 hour minimum guarantee hours (MGH) (previously 132),
• Simulator Supports paid at 4 hours (previously 3),
• Credit for Standby of 4 hours pro-rated (previously 2),
• Personal Training Credits for Blank/Reserve Line Holders paid passively instead of actively, and
• MDC of 5:30 for flying (5:10 B767)

• MDC of 5:30 for ALL duties.

• MGH set to 160 hours.

Long Haul EA Team
Andrew Marshall | John Pavlou | Glen Hunter | Corey Beer

Altitude Volume 2, 2024

AIPA and the Member Experience Team are delighted to bring you Altitude, Volume 2 2024

Click HERE to download it.

You will find articles on:

• The View From the Corner Office – Captain Tony Lucas's final farewell message as AIPA President. 
• Why AIPA Being Active in the Media is More Important Than You Think - Captain Mark Hofmeyer explains the critical role of media engagement for AIPA's mission and influence.
• All Eyes on the Network Aviation IBD - Head of AIPA IR/Legal, Matt Warburton, shares insights into the current state of the Network Aviation IBD.
• AIPA 2024 Annual Dinner – A look back at the fantastic AIPA Annual Dinner at Crown Barangaroo, with photos and highlights.

We hope you enjoy reading the magazine and welcome any suggestions you may have for future articles - send us a message on: aipa_communications@aipa.org.au. 

Happy reading!

AIPA Member Experience Team

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A Word from Welfare

02 8307 7766 | welfare@aipa.org.au

There are different mindsets that people can have, fixed and growth are two of them. A fixed mindset is characterised by someone who believes that their intelligence, personality and character are inherent and static. ‘My potential was determined at birth and doesn’t change.’ This is someone who avoids failure, desires to look smart, avoids challenges, sticks to what they know, feedback and criticism are taken personally and overall they don’t change or improve.  

A growth mindset is characterised by someone who believes that their intelligence, personality and character can be continuously developed. Their true potential is unknown and unknowable. This is someone who desires continuous learning, confronts uncertainty, embraces challenges, is not afraid to fall, puts a lot of effort in to learn and seeks feedback about their current capabilities. As pilots we start off with a keen growth mindset, but it can become all too easy to settle into a role and into a fixed mindset. Then a role or type change comes along and we are unprepared for it. Never lose that growth mindset and keep your brain in training!  

The AIPA welfare service is available 24/7, 365 days a year. We will be available if you need us throughout the Christmas period. 

Take Care Out There

AIPA WELFARE
Members are reminded of the continued availability of support services such as AIPA Welfare, PAN and EAP.

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Office Closure Over Christmas Break

The AIPA offices will be closed from Friday 20 December at 5pm and re-opening on Monday 6 January at 9am. 

Please rest assured that our 24/7 contact numbers for Emergency, Scheduling, and Welfare remain available.

Emergency: + 61 (0) 2 8307 7788
Scheduling: + 61 (0) 2 8307 7711
Welfare: + 61 (0) 2 8307 7766

AIPA Business Services

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Pilot Surveys 

We would like to ask you for a few minutes of your time to assist with a study of the Flight Safety Foundation aimed at better understanding of how Upset Prevention and Recovery Training is being implemented, as well as the problems associated with flight path management in aircraft with automated flight control systems.

Accident and incident data suggest that the man machine interface we have been accustomed to for so many years may need to be reimagined if we are to maintain our high level of safety. We believe that it is important to obtain the opinion of line pilots who undergo training and operate on a day-to-day basis as an effective way to gauge the effectiveness of the training which you receive.
 
The survey will ask for the identity of your airline and aircraft type for purposes of analysis, but will be completely deidentified for any external use. Your name will never be associated with your answers.
 
If you would like to help out, please take part in the survey below:

1. Flight Path Management (FPM) 
2. Upset Prevention and Recovery Training (UPRT)

When you are satisfied with your answers, click “done”.  However, once you have hit the “done” button, you will be unable to amend the answers submitted.
 
The surveys close 31 December 2024.

AIPA Safety & Technical 

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Enjoy 35% off at Booktopia — CLICK HERE to get your discount code.

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Podcast Library

AIPA "Stick with It" Podcast is now available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Click on the icons below to explore our wide range of topics and discussions.

Get in touch with us via: members@aipa.org.au and include "Podcast" in the subject line if you have any feedback or topics that you would like to hear discussed in a future episode.

AIPA CME Team

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Quick Links

To help you access AIPA information – refer quick links below:

CoM Contact List | How to Guide – Submitting an Intelex Fatigue Report | How to Guide – Submitting an Intelex Accommodation Report | AIPA Accident Information Directory  | AIPA Quick Reference Guide | AIPA Accident Information for Pilots | DAMP Testing Guide