is this acceptable
i'm currently working for a relatively successful airline in east africa, and am worried about the conditions we pilots work under.
to start with,pilots on the longhaul fleets fly an average of 85-90 hours with no sector pay and productivity of about $18 an hour after 60 hrs.( taxable)
most pilots haven't been on leave for 2 years (3 for some) due to a shortage. we have a leave allowance of 30 days a year( which the company wants to reduce to 25) the company now wants to 'buy' the accumulated leave on condition that we accept the lesser days henceforth.
we get a fixed 'layover' allowance of $165( 175 for captains) per night spent at outstations.(taxfree)
my questions are:
1. how does one justify sector pay? my company seems to think that the basic salary pays for any flying below the productivity margin. also, what is an acceptable amount of flying per month in longhaul and how can i back this up?
2. what does your company do when, due to exeegencies of work they cannot send you on leave? do they offer to buy it? and if so, what formula do they use?
3. is 165$ enough allowance for any pilot flying to expensive destinations in this day and age?
thank you in anticipation.