Hi BB,
I must be one of those 'idiots' that you are refering to. Ok so flying 5 days on the trot can be fatigueing. But it is better than 6 days as before.
With the previous 6/3 roster, the total hours off before going back to work were often about 77,(that doesn't include flexi days). Now the minimum is 68 (when in the 2 days off period), and looking at my latest rosters is often around 72 hours.
Those 5 hours are precious, but the change from earlies to lates on day 4 and a total of 6 days working imho is far more fatigueing. Also the deal means that we get a break from earlies for 12 days, and a very useful 4 day off break as well.
So I guess for each of us we look at things differently, and for me this system is better.
As for BALPA, I agree that there should be more professional assistance to the CC. I think it is wrong that we have well intentioned, but unpaid and amateur negotiators doing so much of the work.
Finally, maybe the membership numbers could be improved by reducing the % paid when the company membership reaches various percentages of the total work force. i.e 1% for up to 60%, 0.8% from 60-75%, 0.6% from 75-98% and 0.55% for greater than 98%.
That's a challenge for an expanding airline, but it would incentivise the pilots to join and BALPA to increase membership. By doing what the pilots are asking for, and consequently having greater authority when dealing with the company, everyone would be satisfied (well, some of the time anyway)
