Parking
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In most cases, setting the parking brake and opening a cabin door trigger the “IN” event. The “IN” time is used to determine a number of metrics including the length of the flight (which is used to calculate flight crew compensation and legality for subsequent trips), on-time arrival report card, customs and immigration data, and company-specific performance monitoring and scheduling adjustments. Once a source of ground power is connected (APU or external power cable), the engines are shutdown and the crew completes the engine shutdown checklist. The agent verifies the disarming of the doors with the flight attendants and opens the designated exit door(s) to commence passenger disembarkation. Usually any wheelchair passengers or unaccompanied minors are accommodated last. After engine shutdown, the ground crew begins unloading and processing the baggage and freight. The flight crew secures the cockpit and cabin before departing the aircraft. At specified outstations, an exterior post-flight walkaround inspection may be required which is completed by the cockpit crew before leaving the gate area. Post-flight inspections are not as thorough as the preflight and are usually mandated after the last flight of the day at stations with limited or contract maintenance. Finally, for international operations, any customs/immigration requirements may need to be addressed.