How do the Majors log their time?

Shawn

Shawn

En-Route
Joined
May 6, 2013
Messages
4,354
Location
Santa Cruz, CA
Display Name
Display name:
Shawn
No...not another how do I log this thread....rather, how do THEY log that thread...literally.

In regards to logging our time there is the tried and trusted paper log book entry for each flight....many of us have made the transition to an electronic logbook...and there are advances in technology (I know, subjective) with integration like Foreflight Logbook, but how do the majors that fly day in and day out log and track their time?

Paper log after each flight?...traditional E-Logs like GA uses?...or is there a a more integrated system built into the customized EFB's that the major airlines use that tracks a pilot's time with more automation?

Just my random question that popped in my head as I was sitting at the gate for 2 hours staring into the cockpit yesterday from my cramped economy seat.
 
I keep a paper log for my records but the airline also keeps records. Theirs isn't as detailed as mine but it keeps the Feds happy.
 
After about 2 years at the airline I quit logging time except for the little daily logbook w/ room for 6-8 legs. I then would transfer that to my master logbook for each individual flight, so it filled a page up quick. I started updating awhile back when I got checked out at the local airport but just logged total of each day's flying vs leg by leg. I'm only about 15 years behind so it may never get done, think I'm on 1999...lol.

The company keeps track of the time we flew as that's how we were paid. But you had to monitor it and challenge payroll because they screwed it up constantly, always in their favor, imagine that.
 
Last edited:
I use an electronic logbook. I went many years without logging, but learned a lesson when I lost my last job. Fortunately company records propagated into my electronic log which saved me months of work.
 
So it is like credit card rewards points...you don't keep track of how many points you get after each purchase you just look at a monthly statement report for the total provided by the company.

So company tracks time and pilots may/may not track and/or back up on their own for personal records.
 
Shawn said:
So company tracks time and pilots may/may not track and/or back up on their own for personal records.
Click to expand...

One can check their time daily as it's all on the company 'puter program, and a wise pilot will check it to ensure it's correct. If not you write an explanation and submit it. Some keep up with it, some don't. Personal choice.
 
Last edited:
Small paper logbook while on trips, which then get transferred to my digital logbook when I get home. I also check what I have written in my small logbook against the company's system to ensure both are correct.

Hopefully I'm on my last flying job, but you never know, and I kind of like the routine of keeping my logs up to date.
 
mscard88 said:
After about 2 years at the airline I quit logging time except for the little logbook w/ room for 6-8 legs. I then would transfer that to my master logbook for each individual flight, so it filled a page up quick. I started updating awhile back when I got checked out at the local airport but just logged total of each day's flying vs leg by leg. I'm only about 15 years behind so it may never get done, think I'm on 1999...lol.

The company keeps track of the time we flew as that's how we were paid. But you had to monitor it and challenge payroll because they screwed it up constantly, always in their favor, imagine that.
Click to expand...

Lol! Sounds like what I do for for part 135 stuff. Company tracks our flights so I print out a sheet once a month. I try and keep up with a personal logbook but I let it go for months until insurance time comes around. Then I'm scrambling to update my logbook at the last minute so my times are accurate.
 
When doing part 135, took a copy of the manifest ,after flying,then transferred it to log book.
 
I use Logbook Pro and its mobile app. I copy/past my trip information from the airline web site into a Logbook Pro site and that uploads the pre-trip info to my app. After each leg I enter the out and in times, landings, night, instrument, etc. and it syncs back to Logbook Pro on my computer.

The airline time is logged automatically through ACARS. The airline's computer tracks my time and I can see my flights on the company web site.
 
Shawn said:
No...not another how do I log this thread....rather, how do THEY log that thread...literally.

In regards to logging our time there is the tried and trusted paper log book entry for each flight....many of us have made the transition to an electronic logbook...and there are advances in technology (I know, subjective) with integration like Foreflight Logbook, but how do the majors that fly day in and day out log and track their time?

Paper log after each flight?...traditional E-Logs like GA uses?...or is there a a more integrated system built into the customized EFB's that the major airlines use that tracks a pilot's time with more automation?

Just my random question that popped in my head as I was sitting at the gate for 2 hours staring into the cockpit yesterday from my cramped economy seat.
Click to expand...

I continue to use MyFlightbook.com plus a paper log. Only change I made was adding the fields for 121 time, and switched from tenths of an hour to minutes, since we're given all our times in hours and minutes.

MFB gets updated once a day, usually with one entry for the day covering all legs unless I'm doing a stand-up (or "high speed" as some call them), in which case there will be two entries per day, one for the morning flight inbound and one for the evening flight outbound on that day. I log the airline flight number and the name of the captain and the flight attendants onboard, which helps remember who I've flown with previously.
 
I was using log ten pro at Delta but only to keep track of my rest requirements since I was doing Draken and Delta at the same time. (and to watch out for the 1k/year - but that didn't become a factor).

The airplane turns in all the logs for you, the only thing it doesn't do is PIC/SIC, instrument time, etc. It does log who flew which leg and what type of approach you did, who got the landing, etc. You get a pop up when you log into the scheduling system when you are getting close on a currency. Most guys I flew with did not keep their own logs. I've kept every military flight for the last 16 years and all my civilian time so I figured why stop now? My mom gave me a big "professional pilot" log book so I put Draken and Delta in there.
 
I bought the Foreflight log last night and transferred my log from PilotPro. I still keep paper but I am curious too see how good the tracklog / logbook feature work today. Most of the stuff should be pre-filled in from the flight so we'll see. Will report back.
 
I use LogBook Pro and APDL. It has my login details for Flica and fetches my schedule for the month and at the end of the day it fetches tail numbers and actual times.

All I enter on a leg by leg basis is IMC, appchs, and landings (my position (PF/PM)).

APDL keeps a running look at FAR 117 compliance which is good because you'd have to be a lawyer or savant to figure it out otherwise.
 
But... I believe those of us that use the Flica times for logging are doing it wrong. Flica starts with cabin door closing and brake drop. Logging *should* begin when moving under own power.
 
mscard88 said:
The company keeps track of the time we flew as that's how we were paid. But you had to monitor it and challenge payroll because they screwed it up constantly, always in their favor, imagine that.
Click to expand...

This is how it is in the military. They only keep track of primary(pilot flying) and secondary(pilot not flying), actual, simulated instrument, and night. So it is up to the individual to log cross country, actual PIC time, and any other time the individual wants. I keep a paper logbook for flying the small GA stuff but I put everything in Log Ten Pro. So I can keep track of specific airports, approaches, etc. No real reason other than to look back on it later when I want a trip down memory lane. Gonna be doing the ATP rating soon and I haven't logged any of my military time so I need to get in and do that.
 
After a certain point it really doesn't matter - you have a certificate full of type ratings and worked at an airline for a verifiable number of years you're most likely who you say you are.
 
I quit keeping a logbook 20 years ago. I print a copy of the payroll and training records at the end of the month.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top