Shift Scheduling

Shift Work Schedule

The assignment in Module 5.4 is developing a monthly work schedule permitting efficiency and proper rest for crews.  In this brief paper, we will discuss the existing schedule, creating recommendations for improvements and merging the new schedule into this file.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has recognized that fatigue creates opportunities for stress and complicates critical decision making (FAA, n.d). Operating aircraft safely requires that flight crews obtain proper rest. Recuperating daily is vital for maintaining minimum fatigue levels while operating manned or unmanned aircraft.  Work schedules that permit at least eight hours of sleep actively mitigate against fatigue.

An analysis of the current schedule reveals characteristics unsupportive of proper rest periods.  The areas for improvement are the numbers of days on and off and rolling shift assignments.

Given that the U.S. Air Force is currently working flight crews eight hours per day, this paper assumes that the total shift working times remain constant (Fuller, 2017).  The assumption is also that the flight crews live within a certain radius of the command and control center.  Limiting the commute to and from work to a specified distance assists in providing crews with enough time to recuperate. 

In preparation for constructing the new working schedule, I would request feedback from the crews about the current program.  Obtaining recommendations from team members would be instrumental in considering all areas for improvement. 

The current working schedule requires personnel working six days, with two days off.  (see Figure 1).  This means that assigned time off occurs on different days every week

Figure 1. ERAU supplied Module 5.4 existing work schedule.

The current schedule has several disadvantages. A six-on, two-off (6/2) schedule means that time-off periods will vary each week.  This could result in an inability to adjust circadian rhythms and could distract from scheduling personal and family recuperation times (Zaslona, et. al, 2018). There are two possible remedies to the current schedule.  The main advantage to this schedule is maximizing all available personnel and covering normally scheduled time off.

The first alternative is hiring the additional staff required in maintaining identical, eight-hour shifts, while simultaneously permitting identical workday retention during the month.  This is the preferred choice, subject to comment from participants (shown in Figure 2). The disadvantage to this approach is adding three extra, part-time teams.  The advantage to this approach is a predictable work schedule for full-time crews.

The current schedule requires flight crews to work weekly rotating shifts, in clock-wise order. Some research is indicating that clock-wise rotations result in fewer cognitive errors by workers (Minonzio, et. al, 2018).

Reporting to work every week at various times creates human circadian rhythm adjustment problems (Zaslona, et. al. 2018).  Scheduling crews to work month-long, rotating shifts provides adequate time for readjustment to new scheduling. 

 

Figure 2. Proposed shift schedule with predictable schedule, utilizing part-time crews.

           

In summary, the ideal recommendation would be to add additional part-time crew, permitting identical, month long shifts.  If this is not possible, then the original schedule, paired with alternative, fatigue reducing policies may be helpful.   Including maximum living distance from GCSs, a drug and alcohol plan and healthy lifestyle polices are predominant, safety-enhancing ideas. 

           

References

Federal Aviation Administration. (n.d). Fatigue in Aviation. Retrieved from                                                       https://www.faa.gov/pilots/safety/pilotsafetybrochures/media/Fatigue_Aviation.pdf

Fuller, S. (2017). A Day in the Life of a U.S Air Force Drone Pilot. Retrieved from

            http://www.aviationtoday.com/2017/03/16/day-life-us-air-force-drone-pilot/

Minonzio, M., Shiffer, D., Bertola, M., Dipaola, F., Brunetta, E., Zamuner, A., Furlan, R. &

            Barbic, F. (2018). Clockwise and Counter-Clockwise Job Shift Rotation Differently

            Impacts on Work-Life Balance. Retrieved from https://oem.bmj.com/

            content/75/Suppl_2/A480.3

Zaslona, J., O’Keefe, K., Gander, P. & Signal, L. (2018). Shared Responsibility Managing

            Fatigue: Hearing the Pilots. Retrieved from http://journals.plos.org/

            plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0195530