Still c#@p when other shift workers in the industry do 4 On 4 Off. With that pattern you could still do 900 hours pa, no problem. It's an attitude problem, not a logistical one. Just think; 2 earlies, a full nights sleep, 2 lates, 4 days off. The first of the 4 days could be infringed by a late arrival, but not effect the legality of 2 days off in 7. The first of the earlies could be a 'before 0600' report, and this too would not breach the legality of 2 days off in 7. Even if the last 'late' over ran 2400, you would still have 3 local nights in the 4 rostered days off, guaranteed, even if the first early was before 0600. There would be a full nights sleep in the middle of the roster block. No fatigue, a family or other social life, high morale, no-one leaving etc etc. It would be the best roster in the short-haul world AND you could still do 900 hours.
To quell the doubters, look at the math.
365 days pa - 35 days holidays = 330
roster 4/4/4 = 8 day roster periods = 41 pa.
Sims & refreshers etc take up 8 days = 2 roster periods.
39 x 4 days for flying duties & SBY's. = 156 days.
Average flying day 6.45 = 133 days = 900 hours.
23 days or 2 per month SBY.
WINS:
No fatigue, life style acceptable, flexibility for the company on the last & first day of a block, no-one quits, good career, training costs reduced, no shortage of pilots (& cabin staff) wanting to join, improved morale, overall company saves money hand over fist.
LOSSES:
None I can think of.
It just needs the will to succeed and an efficient roster scheme. I do not accept that crews should have an anti-social life style just because someone can not be bothered to create a decent efficient roster pattern. That is a complete joke and unacceptable in 21st century, especially in EU. The comparison of flight crews working patterns to other professions, even within the same airline, is now a cause for real serious concern; AND IT IS ALL SO UNNECESSARY!
Sadly this topic has been thrashed to death on Prune for 2 years. It is sad that a supposed 'bench mark company' is still living in the dark ages. I do wish they would do what they advertise in their philosophy.