Just to recap the facts.
3.5 hours sleep yes. But why? you have to ask.... not because the pilot was out partying but because he was unable to achieve the required rest, for whatever reason.
99 hours in the previous 30 days. Barely under the legal limit yet not even close to the ''sanity'' limit.
2 pilots with excellent backgrounds and by all accounts good pilots, making such a critical error!
CCQ flying on 3 types, each with COMPLETELY different takeoff and landing characteristics. Coupled with a Rostering Department that does not give a rats ass about ''actual' versus GCAA regulated minimum requirements. (what makes common sense versus the idiotic rules)
Stress levels that have exceeded what should be acceptable for an airline that considers Flight Safety a priority.
4 pilots missing the error, (2 of whom really would have had to be involved in the preflight process to pick up the error)
A change in policy after this accident that does not allow augmenting pilots to do anything of importance prior to, or during the initial phases of the flight. Therefore, the Company acknowledges that things were askew prior to the accident.
Constant and almost unbelievable distractions in the flight deck prior to departure. Hence the 'Company mandated' policy changes that preclude even 'intelligent' and required interuptions to keep the Commander aware of issues that affect his flight.
Forced resignations, even before the preliminary results of the investigation were reached. Hence, TCAS lied about the resignations. (also 'Firings' of other pilots and then their subsequent 'Rehiring'.) Kind of demonstrates the managerial approach to ANY errors we make.
An input error into the laptop and or MCDU.
A salvaged takeoff, albeit by the smallest margin.
A subsequent safe landing under extremely stressful conditions.
Allegedly bitching on the CVR about the Company and the massive and sudden negative changes affecting pilots. A good management team would discuss why pilots are suddenly questioning this airlines direction and it's leadership, because it is quite common nowadays at Emirates Airline.
A company that decrees that pilots should be professional enough to overcome the stresses and distractions of all negative declines in T&C's, yet on the other hand, they send out an email stating that evidence proves that pilots about to go on Leave are more prone to make mistakes. Geeze, the 2 stressors are not even in the same category!
Management led by an individual who truly believes we are his slaves. And just under his control is one man who has sold his soul for a profit and another man who is by all accounts an idiot, yet he elects to wear an EK pilots uniform in spite of the fact, he is not a qualified pilot.
We should sending our fellow colleague (the man unlucky enough to make a mistake which was in large part due to our management clowns) a letter of congratulations for highlighting the obvious and perilous inadequacies of this airline. He might have an agenda but that does not mean he is not morally correct. At the very least, the exposed truths might lead to a safer operation and might even positively affect our T&C's, although, with the likes of our management , that is highly unlikely.
Some people jump on this pilot for what a newspaper article said about HIM saving the flight, yet these same people then state that reporters distort and mislead in their articles, to 'sensationalize' a story. You can't have it both ways.
I am embarassed by the posts of some of my fellow pilots regarding this accident. There but for the Grace of God (or Allah), go you!!!!