MarkD
Nice to see someone gets back to the real issues - fatigue and bunk placement vs. responisbilities and not a commercial break for ipods ....
I am not questioning the capabilities of relief pilots, even if they are two FOs. It is a question of legality. With a serious incident the indictors will look for the guy in charge. Any emergency calls for decisions and we all know that we sometimes don't get it absolutely right - from the legal law twisting, suing fraction point of view. For us pros, if we get it down in one piece without any casualties, we've done a good job. For them it's the start for making headlines, money and careers.
So now be the SIGNING commander and be stuck in the torpedo tube, your colleagues do a great job up front, but some weeks later a quartepounded, sleezy lawyer (be it from the company or else) wants to get compensation or absolution. WHO will be up at the stand?
That is my question.
If I have to report there, good enough, that's what my position and salary should be for. But then I would definitely want a say on how good or bad our rest facility is and I would definitely want a choice of beeing able to join the active crew or not. If the company denies me such possibilities, and will never stand up to me on the stand and share responsibility, then accept my criticism. And to the regulators, we know you read this, you have been informed.
No action means consent.
Such consent applies to the multiple unnecessary entries to the cockpit as well.