New GCAA Flight Time Limitations - It Could Not Be Any Worse
Nobody likes being asked to work more for no extra money, which is pretty clearly what the company is looking for.
The interesting thing about this is that there has never been an ultra long haul operation on this scale before. One set of rules and remuneration covering such a diverse set of circumstances is pretty difficult to achieve.
The company's point of view is that for part of the flight you are not required and are therefore off the clock, whilst enjoying free time in a luxurious cabin!
Obviously the reality of time changes, night flying with less than ideal rest opportunities and the pretty clear (as far as I know) legal point that the designated commander is on duty even when in the bunk make this at best a grey area. I am unaware of a fatigue study that covers well the specific Emirate's set of circumstances.
MK the cargo airline that had the spectacular crash in the northeastern USA some years ago as a result of performance calculation errors were operating with crews that more or less lived on the airplane. There was a captain's cabin and they would do multiple back to back transatlantic trips. That did not end well.
The company sees this as getting a couple more days productivity out of guys who in the extreme case could be doing 6 legs/days in a month and maxing out on hours. The employee's perspective is of an hourly rate paid when on the airplane, which in this case is going to take a dive and of a couple of days less time off at home.
Presumably the cruise second officer option used by a number of other ULR operators (Cathay/Qantas) remains a back pocket option if this does not work out. Indeed as some have pointed out the erosion of terms and conditions may increase attrition to such an extent that they are forced to act in a way more favorable to their pilots, but then again hell may freeze over first.
The interesting thing about this is that there has never been an ultra long haul operation on this scale before. One set of rules and remuneration covering such a diverse set of circumstances is pretty difficult to achieve.
The company's point of view is that for part of the flight you are not required and are therefore off the clock, whilst enjoying free time in a luxurious cabin!
Obviously the reality of time changes, night flying with less than ideal rest opportunities and the pretty clear (as far as I know) legal point that the designated commander is on duty even when in the bunk make this at best a grey area. I am unaware of a fatigue study that covers well the specific Emirate's set of circumstances.
MK the cargo airline that had the spectacular crash in the northeastern USA some years ago as a result of performance calculation errors were operating with crews that more or less lived on the airplane. There was a captain's cabin and they would do multiple back to back transatlantic trips. That did not end well.
The company sees this as getting a couple more days productivity out of guys who in the extreme case could be doing 6 legs/days in a month and maxing out on hours. The employee's perspective is of an hourly rate paid when on the airplane, which in this case is going to take a dive and of a couple of days less time off at home.
Presumably the cruise second officer option used by a number of other ULR operators (Cathay/Qantas) remains a back pocket option if this does not work out. Indeed as some have pointed out the erosion of terms and conditions may increase attrition to such an extent that they are forced to act in a way more favorable to their pilots, but then again hell may freeze over first.
Last edited by lederhosen; 5th Feb 2015 at 10:39.
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A small point, but Halifax, Nova Scotia (CYHZ) is not in the northeastern USA. (MK1602)
As far as where EK's "MK Moment" will occur, it's anyone's guess. But keep pushing it Emirates, and you'll find out I guess.
As far as where EK's "MK Moment" will occur, it's anyone's guess. But keep pushing it Emirates, and you'll find out I guess.
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We know when we are fatigued.
If you are that tired, call sick - fatigued, and go to the clinic.
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Lack of sleep 'is worse than alcohol' - Telegraph
And of course that does not take into account Boyles law, which means we are fundamentally hypoxic and dehydrated while resting luxuriously next to the wailing kid who is centimetres from our heads.
And of course that does not take into account Boyles law, which means we are fundamentally hypoxic and dehydrated while resting luxuriously next to the wailing kid who is centimetres from our heads.
short flights long nights
If 105 hours is really the new target, never before has an operation of the type that EK does, been flown with people flying those type of hours. IMO, it is a very dangerous experiment.
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Show me a few of the 105 hr rosters, if it's the new norm than there should be thousands of examples . Dangerous for sure. And again ultimate responsibility falls on the Capt. I won't be me doing anything close to that.
I remember when TCAS said 92hrs would not become a new target. Man of his word that fella.
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FTLs
As an aside , and forgive the drift, China has just dropped the FTL limit from 1000 hours to 900 this year. So that is likely to precipitate a ~10% increase in crew needs. FYI for those thinking of alternatives. Oh, and I know it's not all beer n skittles in China , but CSA might be looking at B787 to Perth soon which might help establish a Boeing Base in OZ. The 330 ones are working pretty well at the moment. Other bases maybe not so good , so frustration out there in that respect. Rome and NBO on this years agenda too ( for those EU types perhaps)
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I see what Ek is doing....
Spread rumours of 105h... Let the idiots( me and all of us) moan about it...
Send an Email that EK will not implement it and wait....
All happy again how great EK is.... And bk to 90+ hours but this time... ONLY 90+ hours....
Awesome ..... I LOVE EK... They realy look after their staff
Spread rumours of 105h... Let the idiots( me and all of us) moan about it...
Send an Email that EK will not implement it and wait....
All happy again how great EK is.... And bk to 90+ hours but this time... ONLY 90+ hours....
Awesome ..... I LOVE EK... They realy look after their staff
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