At this time when the Working Time Directive is in the news, le'ts reflect on something.
Over 12 years ago, when this process started, public transport was given a FEW years to construct a plan to comply with the EU commission's directive. In the meantime companies were supposed to introduce a compensation plan for the employees until more lasting measures could be introduced.
Nothing has ever been done. The CAA's of Europe keep their eyes stubbornly shut; the MP's who have been alerted turn a blind eye; the commision who made the declaration have done nothjing to ensure its implementation, therebye identifying themselves as very weak and able to be ignored, and finally the unioins have done diddly squat.
Talking to the CAA's, as Orangetree suggests, has produced zero over the past 25 years. What about a mass resignation from the unions in each country. I guarantee that will wake up some highly relevant people and it will surely hit the newspapers without damaging any airline's balance sheet. Thus a public debate would be initiated.
I find it bizzare that ground based shift workers within the industry can do their 4 x 12 hour shifts over 8 days to average a 42 hour week, with what are reasonably stable sleep patterns and with rest periods avalaible during their shifts; yet those of us at the sharp end of safety & efficiency & can work upto 55 hours per week, and regularly do, with mostly unstable sleep patterns. There are not many jobs whereby you work for 12 hours continuous without a rest away from your work station. And yet it is recognised that we are a major contributer to incidents/accidents.
Even with the 5/4/5/2 system quoted, if the average working day is 10 hours, then over 16 days the average week is 44 hours.
The use of CAP 371 limits was always intended to keep the show on the road due to unforseen problems. It was never intended that crews should work, regularly, 13 hour days & 50 hour weeks. Yet for years this has been the norm with no opposition from anyone including the very unions to whom many pay substantial subs. Complaints to CAA's have fallen on deaf ears. They have allowed, knowingly, their rules & guidelines to be abused. The EU commmision has allowed its directives to be ignored. Incredible.
So why not a mass resignation from the very unions who have let down the industry? Like I said, it will certainly stir up a hornets' nest without damaging the industry or individual airlines.
Most airline CEO's live in a time capsule locked into the middle ages. They operate like feudal barons, each one applying for the job of Mayor of Tollpuddle.