Originally Posted by
blind pew
But my last company saw it as a health problem and paid for the pilot to attend an institute like the priory then give them a useful job on the ground for a year or so on full pay. They were reintroduced back on the line. Always with company medical back up over an extended period.
Maybe BA has changed and had already done this.. if not they should look at their welfare policies.
When one removes the headline there is a human story.
It is conveniently ignored by airline management that circadian rhythm disturbance has health effects. Sure open any policy manual and there is a myriad of verbage 'directed' at this, but ultimately weasel words mean little.
BA roster as close, like many airlines do to
the regulatory limits. To do so is deemed efficient and provided the pilot gets the requisite statutory 'rest' period, the sleep disturbance is dismissed as something that the pilot is responsible for.
Thus stories like this are complicated. This individual has sufficient experience of aviation to be fully cognisant of their responsibility, but something clouded that awareness.
Extended sleep disturbances as mentioned by a previous poster can render the most hardy of souls useless. Dare we mention that sleep deprivation is a big part of breaking down 'terrorists'. It often is far more effective than anything else.
As a society it is easy to point the finger, blame the individual and dismiss any further consideration. Nothing excuses him, he knows that likely better than anyone else.
As a society, if that's what it still is, perhaps it is time to look at this as a complicated problem. For a while an alcohol problem can be a little socially awkward, but like
any drug, can eventually render the user chemically dependent. At what point our society accepts this and medical assistance and support are seen as generating better outcomes will be a sign of maturity. Incarceration by a beak in Crawley is unlikely to help. Crawley Magistrates court is a glum building on the sunniest of days.