The main problem that this and many other situations relating to engineers terms and conditions highlights is the lack of a proper body to represent us. If we had a body such as BALPA (should have been taken when it was offerd years ago) then we would have a much better chance of having our experience and qualifications rewarded with appropriate terms and conditions.
I think the first thing to go would be the ridiculous 7 and 3, 7 and 4 shift pattern, it is a joke and a recipe for disaster regardless of how far you have to commute. 4 on 4 off is not perfect but it is workable.
The prospect of both pilots and engineers being represented by the one body would cause seizures within the management community. Only a thought.
