How long are pilots shifts?

[Tryingtobebrave]

I was wondering what is the maximum amount of hours that piolts are allowed to work in one day? Do they work 8 hours a day? or are they only allowed to do a certain amount of flights in 24 hours. The reason why Im asking is because my flight coming home from Cancun leaves at 1130 pm and I dont get back into
Winnipeg until 430am.
Im worried that pilos will be tired and stressed out from a long day of flying and not be on top of their game?
Thanks.

[Captain Hutch]

Hello Tryingtobebrave,

The FAA allows no more than 8 hours of flying in a 24 hour period for continental flights. I am thinking that you are flying a Canadian airline, which would come under Canadian rules, but I imaging that they would be the same. I believe Cancun and Winnipeg are in the same time zone, so 11:30 pm to 4:30 am make for a 5 hour flight, which would put your flying time (gate to gate) time well within the allotted time. Another thing to consider is the fact that your pilots will be making only one long flight, not a bunch of short flights, a scenario which is by far more tiring that a single long flight.

Also, your pilots will be just coming on duty when they report for your flight in the evening, so they will have been sleeping and resting for most of the day; in other words, it will be the beginning of their duty day, not the end, another plus in your favor.

So, overall, I think that you can be confident that your pilots will not be pushing any limits on your flight and should be rested and alert.

Thanks for asking,

Hutch :tiphat: