Yarpy,
Many thanks for your words of advice and encouragement, it is appreciated. Your comment about understanding the job once I'm six months into it is very interesting.
Although at this moment in time, it can be argued I don't work in a "business" environment, believe me when I say, words and phrases such as "increased productivity" and 'increased efficiency" are bandied about by Police Managers all the time. For those at the sharp end, safety is also of paramount concern. During a day shift and the early part of a late shift, you're "single" crewed. But I ask you, when are the banks open, more likely to be subject of an armed robbery thus increasing the need for support? Shouldn't officers be double crewed all of the time, like they are at night?
The Police Management prospective is resources need to be available at times of peak demand. This I understand entirely, which means more officers have to be available during evening and night shift periods to cope with the increased calls for service. However, the unpredictable nature of policing means that officers are often left with insufficient support during the day when things can be equally as violent and confrontational.
The reason why I introduced that comparison into this arena is to show that the airline industry is not the only area where those at the sharp end are being pushed harder than ever before. And Managers are continuously trying to find inventive ways of "bending" the rules to increase profit margins. Believe me, I do not think for a minute that I will have entered an environment where there won't be pressure, bullsh!t and occasions where safety, i.e, my safety will have been compromised to make some bean counter look good, much like it was in the police to enable a senior officer to save some money on overtime.
I share the concerns of all pilots where safety and adequate rest and recuperation are concerned. I was heavily involved with the Police Federation and part of a team that was looking at alternative ways of working/shift patterns etc. As always, with any industry, Management have their goals to achieve, and the Staff Associations want what is best for their members.
It would appear from reading this forum, the industry clearly has problems where rostering and crew lifestyle is concerned. I would be interested in knowing more about the "other" safety concerns that exist, whether they are directly affected to rostering or not.
I may appear naive, but, crews need airlines to work, and airlines need crews to operate. Is there no solution that keeps everyone happy? Or am I entering a profession where common sense has even less of an influence than in the police service!!
