DOT 3 Hour Rule GoJet SOC Master Plan

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Noah Paul
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1 DOT 3 Hur Rule GJet SOC Master Plan Backgrund The Department f Transprtatin s (DOT) rule establishes a hard time limit f three hurs after which airlines must allw passengers t deplane. While the rule applies t arriving and departing dmestic flights, U.S. carriers perating internatinal flights in the U.S. must specify, in advance, their wn time limits fr deplaning passengers. The fllwing exceptins t the 3-hur rule (dmestic), 4-hur (internatinal) apply: Safety r security reasns Air Traffic Cntrl (ATC) advises the pilt-in-cmmand that returning t the terminal wuld disrupt airprt peratins DOT requires air carriers t: Adpt cntingency plans fr lengthy tarmac delays and publish them n their Web sites. These plans must incrprate all Crprate and Statins plans as it pertains t this rule. GJet's Cde Share Partners Master Plans fr Taxi Delays pertain t their mainline flights and Reginal Partners, and includes diversins. These plans assure that GJet Airlines will meet the guidelines f the DOT fr tarmac delays. This includes the three-hur dmestic time limit, as well as the fur-hur internatinal time limit. This plan ensures that GJet Airlines will meet r exceed specified guidance as it pertains t prvisining, as fllws: adequate fd and water (prir t reaching 2 hurs), lavatry facilities, medical attentin and all ther custmer cmfrt needs. In the event the custmer s needs cannt be met while n the aircraft, GJet SOC will cntact the cde shares SOC Planners. These planners are respnsible t cntact the statin t assure that adequate resurces are prvided fr passenger accmmdatin. GJet's SOC will assess the aircraft suitability fr meeting the passenger needs (i.e. lavatries, climate cntrl, etc.) and determine the best plan f actin. We understand that GJet s Cde Share Partners have ensured that this plan has been crdinated with all airprt authrities, U.S. Custms and Brder Prtectin, and the Transprtatin Security Administratin. Page 1 f 11

2 GJet Plan and Respnsibility The GJet System Operatins Cntrl (SOC) is respnsible fr the management, quality, and decisin-making f the cde share's master plan fr all GJet flights. The cntracted grund handling vendr cmpanies will carry ut the plan at the statin. SOC will als be respnsible fr initiating the GJet back-up plan when ur cde share partner is unrespnsive, unable t prvide an available gate r a viable slutin necessary t adhere with the tarmac delay cntingency plan. It will be the gal f the SOC t take all available infrmatin and make the best decisins pssible t ensure cmpliance with the plan. In sme cases that may mean flights with prjected lengthy taxi delays f mre than 2 hurs will need t be canceled befre even leaving the gate r flights will be instructed t return t the gate well in advance f the timeline belw due t updated infrmatin. When there is a knwn substantial delay t departure, the SOC will evaluate the length f the delay and will ntify the statin t hld barding f the flight. Gates and Facilities GJet has cntractual relatinships with it mainline partners, Delta Air Lines ( Delta ) and United Airlines ( United ), that prvide fr crdinatin fr the use f gates and assciated facilities in delay situatins. Bth Delta and United have submitted independent plans t the DOT, and much f thse plans will als apply t GJet as the mainline partners prvide all grund and gate peratins emplyees and facilities under cntractual relatinships with GJet. GJet des nt have gates r facilities at the airprts that it serves. GJet has crdinated respnse prcedures with its mainline partners, Delta and United, t the extent practicable, t share facilities in the event f an extended delay. Page 2 f 11

3 SOC Plan DEPARTURE DELAYS: The SOC has expanded n its current prcedures used fr extended utbund delays t ensure the DOT 3 hur rule is enfrced. It has identified actins that it needs t take, based n trigger pints. Befre Barding at the Gate If GJet anticipates a flight may be subject t a lengthy nbard grund delay befre barding passengers, a general annuncement will be made t infrm the passengers abut the pssibility f a lengthy nbard grund delay. Passengers may take apprpriate actin, such as determining whether they want t bard r seek alternate transprtatin, cancel travel plans, r reschedule the trip cnsistent with airline ticketing plicies. The passengers may btain fd and drink befre barding, r make ther preflight arrangements. After Barding Befre an Aircraft Leaves a Gate If the SOC is made aware f a lengthy grund delay (i.e. Ramp clsed due t hazardus cnditins, last minute GDP, VIP mvement, etc.) befre the flight has departed the gate, the dispatcher will infrm the flight crew t make an annuncement t brief the passengers f the nature f the delay. This allws the passengers t determine whether they want t remain nbard, deplane t btain fd and drink, seek alternate transprtatin, cancel travel plans, r reschedule the trip cnsistent with airline ticketing plicies. GJet will ntify passengers n the delayed flight regarding the status f the delay every 30 minutes while the aircraft is delayed, including the reasns fr the tarmac delay, if knwn. GJet will ntify the passengers n a delayed flight beginning 30 minutes after the scheduled departure time (including any revised departure time that passengers were ntified abut befre barding) and every 30 minutes thereafter that they have the pprtunity t deplane frm an aircraft that is at the gate r anther disembarkatin area with the dr pen, if the pprtunity t deplane actually exists. Page 3 f 11

4 After an Aircraft Leaves a Gate 60 minutes (1 hur) Mnitr taxi situatin and plans Flight Crew will reprt n status. (Flight Crew receives an aut generated message via ACARS that instructs them t reply t SOC with update). 90 minutes (1:30 hurs) Review SOC and statin plan Cntact Statin t advise them f a ptential need t return t the gate. Gauge the event t determine the likelihd f the flight s ptential t depart prir t the 3 hur mark The Flight Attendants initiate fd and beverage service SOC sends ut a ntificatin t senir management with the fllwing infrmatin: FLT - City Pair Minutes Out - Status Actins Cause Expectatins/Plan f Actin - Page 4 f 11

5 105 Minutes (1:45 Hurs) Phne Cntact is made frm SOC t the Manager f SOC r his alternate t discuss situatin and ptential next steps. Alternates in call rder - 1. Directr f Operatins r the persn in Operatinal Cntrl 2. Vice President/Chief Operating Officer 3. Chief Pilt 4. Directr f Safety 5. President 120 minutes (2 hurs) Assess need fr return and verify gate availability. If the statin des nt have a gate readily available t accmmdate the flight SOC will initiate cntact with ther airlines, airprt authrity, r FBO t btain an alternate deplaning lcatin. SOC Duty Manager updates the crprate leaders via regarding the details f the flight, assessment f the situatin and inf n cmmunicatins with the crew. In lcatins where 60 minutes is needed, ntify cde share partner f the situatin and cnfirm the need t prceed t the alternate lcatin. The Dispatcher will send an ACARS transmissin t Crew with the nbard annuncement: LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, OUR FLIGHT CONTINUES TO BE IMPACTED BY xxxxx. CURRENT CONDITIONS ARE PREVENTING A TIMELY DEPARTURE. AS A RESULT OF A NEW US GOVERNMENT RULE, THE MAXIMUM TIME PASSENGERS ARE PERMITTED ONBOARD AN AIRCRAFT BEFORE TAKEOFF IS THREE (3) HOURS. THIS MANDATE MAY MAKE IT NECESSARY TO BEGIN OUR RETURN TO THE GATE OR AN ALTERNATE DEPLANING LOCATION VERY SHORTLY. OUR STRONG DESIRE IS TO TRANSPORT YOU TO YOUR DESTINATION. WE ARE CONTINUING OUR COORDINATION WITH AIR TRAFIC CONTROL TO FIND A RESOLUTION TO OUR CURRENT SITUATION AND WILL KEEP YOU INFORMED OF ANY FURTHER DEVELOPMENTS. ACARS t be returned t dispatch with crew assessment f passenger service issues (fd, water, lavatries, md, etc.) Page 5 f 11

6 135 minutes (2:15 hurs): Assess need fr return In lcatins where 45 minutes is needed, ntify cde share partner f the situatin and cnfirm the need t prceed t the alternate lcatin. SOC Duty Manager will update the ntificatin with the current status f the flight. 150 minutes (2:30 hurs): Initiate mandatry return t gate r alternate lcatin(unless directed by Manager f SOC r Directr f Operatins) SOC Duty Manager updates the crprate leaders via regarding the details f the flight, assessment f the situatin and inf n cmmunicatins with the crew. Ntify ur cde shares SOC with updated infrmatin The Dispatcher will send an ACARS transmissin t Crew with the nbard annuncement: LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, OUR FLIGHT CONTINUES TO BE IMPACTED BY xxxxx. CURRENT CONDITIONS ARE PREVENTING A TIMELY DEPARTURE. AS A RESULT OF A NEW US GOVERNMENT RULE, THE MAXIMUM TIME PASSENGERS ARE PERMITTED ONBOARD AN AIRCRAFT BEFORE TAKEOFF IS THREE (3) HOURS. THIS MANDATE REQUIRES OUR RETURN TO THE GATE OR ALTERNATE LOCATION VERY SHORTLY. OUR STRONG DESIRE IS TO TRANSPORT YOU TO YOUR DESTINATION. WE ARE CONTINUING OUR COORDINATION WITH AIR TRAFIC CONTROL TO FIND A RESOLUTION TO OUR CURRENT SITUATION AND WILL KEEP YOU INFORMED OF ANY FURTHER DEVELOPMENTS. ACARS t be returned t dispatch with crew assessment f passenger service issues (fd, water, lavatries, md, etc.) Page 6 f 11

7 165 Minutes (2:45 Hurs) (Declaring an Emergency Situatin) SOC Duty Manager will initiate an emergency ntificatin if the aircraft has nt returned t the gate r alternate lcatin, r will nt meet the requirement f a passenger dr being pen and passengers having the ability t deplane. Phne Cntact is made frm SOC t the Vice President/Chief Operating Officer t cmmunicate with the cde share's SOC and the senir leadership f ur cde shares fr immediate assistance in reslving the emergency situatin. Alternates in call rder - President f Trans States Hlding Directr f Operatins Directr f Safety After the flight has successfully either returned and allwed the passengers t deplane r departed befre the 3 hur mark the SOC Duty Manager will cmplete the Tarmac Delay frm with all the infrmatin that is available t the SOC fr any event that exceeds 90 minutes. The cmpleted frm will then be prvided t the Directr f Safety. The key t success is gd cmmunicatin. SOC will initiate discussin with statin and crew (ther agencies, as apprpriate). Orders t return frm the SOC are cnsidered mandatry fr ther departmental representatives (Grund Operatins, Flight Operatins, etc.) Page 7 f 11

8 ARRIVAL DELAYS AND DIVERSIONS: The SOC will take these actins when handling inbund delays, t meet and exceed the three hur dmestic time limit. *Please nte these guidelines differ frm DOT guidelines. 60 minutes (1 hur) SOC alerts (gating must be imminent) SOC sends ut a ntificatin t senir management with the fllwing infrmatin: FLT - City Pair Minutes Out - Status Actins Cause Expectatins/Plan f Actin - Ntificatin f cde share's SOC f Situatin 75 minutes (1:15 hurs) SOC assessment (rder 90 minute statins plan t begin) 90 minutes (1:30 hurs) Review SOC and statin plan Cntact Statin t determine gate availability. The Flight Attendants initiate fd and beverage service Page 8 f 11

9 120 minutes (2 hurs) SOC Duty Manager updates the crprate leaders via regarding the details f the flight, assessment f the situatin and inf n cmmunicatins with the crew. In lcatins where 60 minutes is needed, ntify cde share partner f the situatin and cnfirm the need t prceed t the alternate lcatin. The Dispatcher will send an ACARS transmissin t Crew with the nbard annuncement: LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, OUR FLIGHT CONTINUES TO BE IMPACTED BY xxxxx. CURRENT CONDITIONS ARE PREVENTING A TIMELY ARRIVAL INTO THE GATE. AS A RESULT OF A NEW US GOVERNMENT RULE, THE MAXIMUM TIME PASSENGERS ARE PERMITTED ONBOARD AN AIRCRAFT IS THREE (3) HOURS. THIS MANDATE MAY MAKE IT NECESSARY TO DEPLANE AT AN ALTERNATE LOCATION VERY SHORTLY. OUR STRONG DESIRE IS TO GET YOU TO THE GATE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. WE ARE CONTINUING OUR COORDINATION WITH THE STATION TO FIND A RESOLUTION TO OUR CURRENT SITUATION AND WILL KEEP YOU INFORMED OF ANY FURTHER DEVELOPMENTS. ACARS t be returned t dispatch with crew assessment f passenger service issues (fd, water, lavatries, md, etc.) 135 minutes (2:15 hurs): Assess need t prceed t alternate lcatin. If necessary, ntify cde share partner f the situatin and cnfirm the need t prceed t the alternate lcatin. Page 9 f 11

10 150 minutes (2:30 hurs): Cmmunicate mandatry deplaning lcatin(unless directed by Manager f SOC r Directr f Operatins) SOC Duty Manager updates the crprate leaders via regarding the details f the flight, assessment f the situatin and inf n cmmunicatins with the crew. Ntify ur cde shares SOC with updated infrmatin The Dispatcher will send an ACARS transmissin t Crew with the nbard annuncement: LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, OUR FLIGHT CONTINUES TO BE IMPACTED BY xxxxx. CURRENT CONDITIONS ARE PREVENTING A TIMELY ARRIVAL. AS A RESULT OF A NEW US GOVERNMENT RULE, THE MAXIMUM TIME PASSENGERS ARE PERMITTED ONBOARD AN AIRCRAFT IS THREE (3) HOURS. THIS MANDATE MAY MAKE IT NECESSARY TO DEPLANE AT AN ALTERNATE LOCATION VERY SHORTLY. OUR STRONG DESIRE IS TO GET YOU TO THE GATE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. WE ARE CONTINUING OUR COORDINATION WITH THE STATION TO FIND A RESOLUTION TO OUR CURRENT SITUATION AND WILL KEEP YOU INFORMED OF ANY FURTHER DEVELOPMENTS. ACARS t be returned t dispatch with crew assessment f passenger service issues (fd, water, lavatries, md, etc.) 165 Minutes (2:45 Hurs) (Declaring an Emergency Situatin) SOC Duty Manager will initiate an emergency ntificatin if the aircraft has nt reached the gate r alternate lcatin, r will nt meet the requirement f a passenger dr being pen and passengers having the ability t deplane. Phne Cntact is made frm SOC t the Vice President/Chief Operating Officer t cmmunicate with the cde share's SOC and the senir leadership f ur cde shares fr immediate assistance in reslving the emergency situatin. Alternates in call rder - President f Trans States Hldings Directr f Operatins Directr f Safety After the flight has successfully blcked in at a gate and deplaned the SOC Duty Manager will start t fill ut the Tarmac Delay Frm with all the infrmatin that is available t the SOC fr any event that exceeds 60 minutes. The cmpleted frm will be prvided t the Directr f Safety. Page 10 f 11

11 DIVERSIONS: Diversins have the greatest ptential fr custmer service failures. Knwing that technlgy is nt always indicative f a custmer s ability t deplane, GJet will initiate the back-up plan t assure custmer egress is allwed. Special cnsideratin shuld be given t cities that are nt nrmal serviced airprts by ur partners. Additinal pre-planning may be required fr these cities and diversins shuld be avided if pssible. Mnitring f in-times frm statins t assure that in means custmer have the ability t deplane ACARS transmissins t crew at 2:30 t assure dr pen and egress available SOC Duty Manager will crdinate with the cde share's planner regarding diversin airprt suitability: Capacity cnstraints Gate availability and aircraft capability Aircraft grund supprt equipment available fr the type f aircraft Airprt staff availability t handle extra flights TSA, CBP, and Centers fr Disease Cntrl and Preventin (CDC) availability, as apprpriate Availability f lcal htels, buses, and medical supprt ACARS t be returned t dispatch with crew assessment f passenger service issues (fd, water, lavatries, md, etc.) Statins training t ascertain that a dr pen within three hurs is mandatry and that there must be a plicy t allw this, even in the case f multiple diversins SOC Duty Manager will cmmunicate with ATC desk t priritize diverted flights and use the Diversin Recvery Tl In the case f a diversin the SOC Duty Manager will fllw the timeline and prcedures established abve Extended Taxi Out Delays. Page 11 f 11

DOT 3-Hour Rule Master Plan

DOT 3-Hour Rule Master Plan DOT 3-Hour Rule Master Plan (continued) Page 2 of 13 Table of Contents A. BACKGROUND... 3 B. COMPASS AIRLINES PLAN AND RESPONSIBILITY... 4 C. SOC PLAN... 5 1. Departure Delays...