Originally Posted by
04jharrison
So what… he’s raising the issue which people seem happy to pave over. I have to echo him why are we giving the regulators a free pass for not doing their job? “To regulate” literally means to control something — especially a business activity — by means of rules and regulations. If the operators they oversee are breaching employment law, then ensuring compliance with those laws is part of that job.
Unions are meant to be the backstop when regulators fail and to set better Ts&Cs … pay to fly isn’t a T&C is exploitation and now we’re in a scenario where all sides are failing — and everyone’s just passing the buck.
This guy is making that point and you’re shooting him down for it as if other opinions have no validity… I can’t excuse his joke but I can understand his frustration.
The role of the regulator, be it the UKCAA, FAA, EASA, CASA, GCAA etc is to regulate those who hold an AOC, with respect to the regulations and safety.
It is not the role of a regulator, or any government department, to get involved in industrial aspects of the AOC holder.
Similarly, the regulator must not get involved in the running of a business. It is not their area of expertise.
Ts & Cs are agreed, or set, by the operator, sometimes with union consultation. And sometimes not.
Ultimately, it is up to the individual to accept, or otherwise, an employment offer from an airline, depending on their view of the Ts & Cs. If not enough people accept the Ts & Cs, then market forces will drive an increase. This is something that we have seen several times since the 60s.
Regardless of your view of pay to fly (something I personally find offensive), if pilots accept this, then you can’t blame the airlines.
Similarly, airlines that make pilots pay for type ratings is, in my view, distasteful. But pilots continue to sign up for these.
Luckily, most airlines no longer require a pilot to,pay for their type ratings, which is good. And we are seeing more airlines fully sponsoring cadet pilot training, another positive step.
But these are business decisions, and it isn’t for the regulator to get involved. The regulator is there to ensure safety & compliance with the regulations.