When I first read that CAP371 was being amended I thought "HOORAY!!", however, it now seems to be that it has definitely been swept under the carpet.
In the modern age of political correctness, employee rights etc I find it very hard to understand why the CAA or JAA get away with the limits on hours cabin and flight crew are allowed to operate.
If I worked on the ground, the Health and Safety at Work Act protects me. I have to have a set number of breaks within certain hours of duty. So, why is it that I can legally operate an 18 hour duty (with max discretion), have 17 hours rest and then do it again, and not be entitled to have a break/rest period during the flight?
Research has shown that working at altitude - which we all do - is equivalent to working at least 1 1/2 to 2 hours at sea level. Why does the HASAWA purposely exclude flight and cabin crew from protection?
Can you imagine the country's factories working flat out for 18 hours (max allowed for cabin crew, depending on check-in time and sectors flown etc)without a legally allowed break? I happen to think not, so why are all flying staff expected to do it?
The revision of CAP371,whilst good with it's intentions does not go far enough. I am not unrealistic and understand the nature of the job etc., and I am not whinging (is that how you spell it?) I would just like someone to explain to me why the CAA/JAA think that crew who work 6 days on, with an average FDA of 12 hours per flight can operate healthily with just 11 hours rest in between duties, and why we are excluded from the HASAWA.
End of the day, I am happy to be fortunate enough to have kept my job in the present climate and am thankful for it, but it does make me wonder if some of the airlines are getting away with murder. . . <img src="eek.gif" border="0"> <img src="eek.gif" border="0"> <img src="eek.gif" border="0">