How on earth can it be legal, let alone safe, to work 16 (or even 8) days in a row???
It astonishes me that the authorities allow such patterns, that Channel 4 has to resort to invention to procure a story on pilots drinking, yet ignore this aspect of air safety.
Too many companies are so complacent about pilots' duty times that they will work their crews to the limit of the regulations. Too often they consider that that is the limit of their responsibilities, and if a pilott demurs at a duty, commercial pressure is brought to bear, or a "black mark" is thereafter put on his record. Most companies' schemes contain a phrase that implies that if a pilot is having difficulty obtaining adequate rest, he should see a doctor - not that there could be any problem with the way he is being made to work!
IF IT'S LEGAL IT DOESN'T MEAN IT'S SAFE.
A plea to arlines:-
Be proactive on safety. Don't hide behind the regulations. Don't be smugly satisfied that you're sticking to the letter of the law and effectively ignoring the welfare of your crews, the safety of your passengers and cargo. And if pilots point out fatigue problems, TAKE NOTICE.