Captainīs Citizenship in Spain
Calypso, thank you again for your answer.
But I canīt agree with you.
I simply canīt find any GOOD reason to restrict the seat of the Captain to Spanish citizens
(first, from 1960 until 1999) , and from then on to EU Nationals.
There is no way to justify that. And the "on board police authority" theory is completely inconsistent, insufficient and non pertinent to my view.
That different countries and legal systems come in different colours and flavors is nothing new. But that doesnīt explain anything. I respect the law, but I think it only serves job protection purposes, nothing else.
Take the example of the US, UK, even Japan, and most of the countries on earth.
ANY citizenship is good for the state authorities for the ROLE OF A CAPTAIN, provided he/she has the right to work in that country, and has the skills and knowledge, of course.
There is no complex law enforcement, there is no justice administration, there is no national security issue involved.
So what itīs left then? Labor protection. Spain started with that, and was forced to open it a little in 1999.
But take the example of this very possible case: the wife or husband of a SPANISH citizen has the right to live and work in any EU country, including Spain. As a legal resident. No matter what citizenship he/she holds.
They can live together, of course with their children. And consequently , he or she has the right to be F/O and Captain as well, but only in the other EU countries outside Spain.
So..he/she canīt be a Captain in Spain. The homeland of his couple and children. In their own land, their father /mother is limited to be a F/O.
Absurd, isnīt it?