Icepack[B]. This point is probably the most important consideration. Airlines should take more responsibility of their crew but this can only be implemented effectively if all other pieces of the puzzel are available. As Mowgli states it is only possible to stop and rest if the facilities are around. There are no stopping places on the M25 or they are about 50 miles apart and who in rush hour can afford to turn off and rest with a time limit set! Some might say 'leave earlier' well I have never met anyone who has done that and foiled the M25!
It appears to be scenario where you earn money, with one hand just to throw it away on all too eager B+B's or those rather expensive Travel lodges and come home with zero profit or more commonly out of pocket.
More effective rostering which would require substantial thought processing, or relocation packages seem to be a more viable proposition economically and from an implementation point of view, than building 'The pooped pilot' services on the M25 and surrounding routes to the Airports which would not solve the problem as there will be the all too inevitable 'lets make a quick buck at someone elses expense 'mentality.
As a Pax I expect my hard earned annual holiday to be a smooth operation. I want a plane in good nick and a pilot on top form. Isn't that what I have paid for???? A certain degree of personal responsibility applies, but there is only so much an individual can do!!!!Finally, this case seems to me to have parallels with the working hours of junior Doctors which was highlighted a few years back......What was echoed then was 'this is an accident waiting to happen'....well as the old adage goes:
'What's the difference between a knackered Doctor and a .knackered Pilot?'
Answer: A Doctor kills in ones.
