Amos,
Unfortunately, it seems, some people think a pilot in an australian airline will fly, say, Brisbane - Sydney (1hr 20) and that is it for the day. YEAH, RIGHT!
How about say 4 to 5 sectors a DAY? That is, the air crew does ALL those continuous legs.
No, we don't just do an 1 or 2 hour flight, and have an overnight or home trip.
Planemad,
I think you are starting to get it.
Yes, it IS breaking "some kind of regulation" - it\'s called COMMON SENSE.
Like I said above, we don\'t do 1 sector a day - we do SEVERAL sectors a day, with 30 minute turn arounds at each (just enough time to have the aircraft refuelled, walk-around, reprogramme the FMS for the onward journey, talk to the load master, get clearances.....)
IF we are lucky, the FA\'s will give us a cuppa and a sandwich.
Best thing of all? Take a damned apple or banana. Better than nothing, and won\'t poison you!