Just had my second flight crew time out on me waiting at EWR. In this instance the plane arrived at the gate on time and the cleaning was completed on time, but boarding was delayed (I haven’t heard why). I’m genuinely interested in what the flight crews are doing on the plane? Are they just on the plane chillin? If not, what are the flight crew doing when delaying boarding that causes time outs? I’m genuinely interested and not attempting to be harsh or harmful to flight crews who are working hard during the holidays.
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Flight crews are only allowed to work a certain number of consecutive hours. If they would hit their limit during a flight, that flight can’t depart until they get a fresh crew. They always know when they will have to stop working. Long-haul flights have at least 3 pilots, with one asleep at any given time.
While at the gate, the pilots are in fact busy. One will be in the cockpit setting up the plane for the next flight and doing the paperwork for it, the other will be outside doing the preflight inspection of the plane. By the scheduled departure time, they’ll both be done with these duties.
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