The purpose of controlled rest is to allow pilots to be fit and rested for the more demanding phases of a flight. Requesting a pillow and blanket to help achieve that goal, is not even in the realm of being demanding!
If allegedly a 'few' pilots have demanded these items in an improper manner, then why should the company punish the majority, because of the improper actions of the few? In my 1500+ sectors at this airline, I have never witnessed my colleague demand something to the detriment of ANY passenger. The rationalization for this latest policy is complete and utter BS, yet once again some of us have fallen for the deception.
The net result of this insane policy is yet another lowering of flight safety standards based on the demands of an 'all too powerful' cabin services department.
And NO, never in the history of this airline, has a Premium Cabin pax gone without ANYTHING... because the pilots were snuggled up in caviar-encrusted duvets, soundly sleeping in comfort.
This latest dictate from the ever-wise and intelligent Edward, is yet another example of exactly what is wrong with this airline. Flt Ops has exceptionally poor leadership! Somehow and somewhere in the history of this airline, the other departments have realized that their lives would be so much easier if Flt Ops hired or promoted ineffectual individuals. Without a doubt, they have achieved their goal.
AAR (if he didn't despise pilots so much),TCAS for sure and even ED (if he had any concept of leadership or anything resembling a back-bone), SHOULD have told Cabin Services to grow up! If Cabin Services has a heartache with pilots trying to mitigate fatigue, then the simple solution is to upload extra pillows and blankets on certain flights! What is that.... 2 pillows, 2 blankets at a combined weight of.... 2kgs?????
As for the CRC, why do pilots sometimes take an extra pillow or blanket for their rest? BECAUSE IT BETTER ENABLES THEM TO ACHIEVE PROPER REST!!! Isn't that supposed to be the objective of in-flight rest? Damn, its not like we are requesting silk sleeping garments, hypo-allergenic pillows or even humidifiers that work!
Obviously Emirates has achieved its goal of lowering our expectations so far that some of us are actually trying to rationalize any and all, mandates.
Yeah... we are our own worst enemies!