B757-200
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Situational Awareness; Communication Breakdown
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
General None Reported / Taken
Company Policy; Procedure; Staffing
Four Flight Attendants started XA:15z with report time at the air craft of XC:30z and ended duty XG45z [next day]. For a total of 30.5 hours duty. They were on the aircraft for a total of 20.5 hours of block time during that period. The only 'live' leg was the first leg of 5.5 hours then they had two deadhead legs of total 8.5 and 6.5 of which per [Company] policy they operated and took their normal Flight Attendant positions and performed normal Flight Attendant duties; even though those legs were repositioning legs and they were only paid deadhead pay. Since I operated one of those repositioning legs and deadheaded on the other I witnessed firsthand that the Flight Attendants preformed their duties extremely professionally and without complaint. However if there was an emergency I believe that in their state of deprived rest and fatigue they would not have been able to perform emergency duties at 100%. This is no fault of their own. Additionally after this marathon duty period they were only given 12 hours of rest until they were back on duty to operate a live leg and a deadhead leg. This off period included about an hour each way through passport control and transportation to and from hotel. This was assigned to them by crew scheduling. I talked with all of them afterwards and asked each one of them to fill out a trip report. The response was unanimous and consistent; due to prior experiences at this company and the recent firing of Flight Attendants; no one wanted to be the one to 'cause waves'. While there is no limitation on Flight Attendant deadhead time; it was never intended the have Flight Attendants at their stations and preforming duties during extended deadhead periods. My suggestion would be not require Flight Attendants to maintain their positions and/or not preform duties during extended deadhead flights. Also pay full pay for anytime Flight Attendants are required to perform their duties regardless of whether it is a live or repositioning flight. Additionally set company limits on Flight Attendant duty times; regardless of FAA regulations. Pilots have FAA limits because people have died due to duty and lack of rest fatigue. Improve the workplace culture of feeling there is retribution of whistle blowers. There is a negative effect of safety when employees have an attitude of 'I'm not going to be the only one who reports that' or they feel there is going to be a negative effect on their income by either reducing their flights; called into the office or termination if they don't just do what is assigned without complaining or make waves.
B757 Captain reported that the Flight Attendants were required to work a 30.5 hour duty day.