Didn’t you just love that moment when a voice from the front row said, “I can see what’s in this for you, Ian, but tell me what’s in it for us” - go for it, girl! A really good meeting, thanks to all concerned.
I’ve been trying to figure out the reasons for this gulf of misunderstanding, other than the obvious cost-saving one.
Ian and his team probably think nothing of driving from Bournemouth to Leeds and then working a 14 hour day. In this we are fortunate, because the success of Jet2 and therefore our jobs depend upon it. So maybe Ian can’t work out why we are so averse to nipping up the motorway from eg Sandbach to Blackpool and doing a mere 9 hour duty.
But flying is different. Reporting late creates immediate stress. Even a modest journey on congested motorways leaves you frazzled for the most important event of the day, the first takeoff. The effects are still felt during the most dangerous event of the day, the last approach and landing. Drive back through the same congestion, have 10 hours (maybe less) at home and do the same thing tomorrow and the next day, and the first few links of a fatal error chain have already been forged.
With today’s traffic, long-distance driving and safe flying just don’t mix. If the CAA are reading this (and I’m sure you are), please ensure that even the volunteers are protected when they encounter the busy Blackpool summer motorway traffic on minimum rest.
Edited for typos
Last edited by pilothouse; 9th April 2006 at 08:13.