What does "open time" refer to in airline scheduling?

"Open time" in airline scheduling refers to sequences or portions of sequences that are not assigned to any crew members following the initial bidding process and any subsequent adjustments made to the schedule. This means that after the crew bid awards are reconciled and any changes happen within the monthly scheduling adjustments, there are still flights or segments that need to be filled.

Flight attendants or pilots can choose to pick up these open time assignments, allowing airlines flexibility in staffing and ensuring that all flights are staffed adequately. This concept is crucial in managing crew schedules and operational efficiency, especially in the dynamic environment of airline operations.

The other options do not accurately capture the definition of "open time." For example, unused air traffic slots pertain to available take-off or landing opportunities rather than crew assignments. A schedule of cancelled flights is straightforwardly about disruptions rather than unassigned crew segments. Lastly, a list of fully booked flights refers to passenger capacity and does not relate to crew assignment or scheduling.