I am one of those who lives 1 hr 30 from base, and I fly for a charter airline. The uninitiated will already be aware of the potential problems by reading this thread. Taking personal responsibility is essential, because post Gary Hart, things have changed. I stay in B&B often before an early start, or if I will be working a hard week, but after the end of the working period, naturally I want to drive home. Staying in B&Bs, and the cost of my journey, uses all my in flight allowances. The only self fix solution is to move closer to my base. The problem is that LGW is an expensive area. If I was based at STN or BRS I could afford to live there. I get paid the same as colleagues who are based in more affordable areas, and my company does not offer me:
1. A relocation allowance.
2. A "London" pay subsidy.
3. Accommodation for me when working at my base.
So, there is a big problem here. Additionally, when I do drive home (M25 then M3), I can't pull off the motorway until the first service station which is 50 miles. Sometimes I struggle to stay awake until the service station where I sleep for an hour or so.
So that's us - the same must be true for our passengers too - this is relevant for the lack of stopping places argument.
I know I should move closer to LGW, but my problem is the drive of only 50 miles where I can stop and kip. Would not the problem still exist if I did move closer but still with a 30 mile drive (probably the same journey time non-motorway)?
Seems to me that the only solution is for the company to provide some accommodation to get a kip in before driving on those occasions when you're really knackered. And the Transport Authority should build more stopping places.
One way or another, it's going to cost some money. And it can't be my money because mine is all gone by the end of the month.
I agree with someone earlier who suggested getting this in the public domain by writing to your MP.