Regarding pilots sleeping in cars. I took a cup of our free coffee to a Ryan sleeper. Nice guy trying to pay off debt as quickly as possible, can't fault him really. I guess it's all about cultural norms. Jo public would assume that at least we stay in a travel logde or similar. My colleagues would think it outrageous if we were not provided with accom.
Cultural norms take only a few years to establish and longer to dis establish. So what cutural norms are going to be established through this recession? Would BALPA allow sleeping in cars to happen? Not in my opinion. Collectively a bunch of switched on guys who work with senior managers and directors, they would mutually agree accomodation for pilots is cast in stone and expected by the travelling public.
Don't really understand this anti Balpa sentiment, unless your a manager. Even so retiring on 2/3 final salary for 600 hrs per year probably beats the financial reward given to non union airline managers. 100% membership = a strong collective bargaining position. How many doctors belong to the BMA and how many lawyers are members of the law society? Balpa aren't 70's shop stewards but hard working campaigners at many levels who do get visibilty and respect from many inside and outside the industry.
Why am I posting? Because I have enjoyed a fulfilling career and the trappings of a proffesion. To see guys sleeping in cars is outrageous even more so for it to be denied. To see newcomers doing 900 hrs per year with no pension or real way out fills me with dread. 600 hrs over 30 odd years has its moments of tiredness but 900 and having to juggle acomm. Just hope people like me are never called to testify in court when trying to paint the picture of modern aviation (not singleing any operator out here).
Don't keep "paying mill owner for permission to come to work".