I will speak only for myself by saying that I would not mind, in principle, with flying an 85-hour month.
And perhaps even more, if only we could pull out some of the stupid stops that really keep Gulf Air from being a more productive airline, increasing pilot morale, and wasting money unnecessarily. I am talking about restrictions such as not allowing more than 8 days off a month (as a rostering restriction). Some low-cost airlines, which enjoy greater productivity and efficiency, have pilots flying between 80-100 hours off a month while they enjoy as much as 15 or 16 days off a month because their roster blocks are
productive. On the other hand, in order to meet the not more than 8 days off a month roster, I have one DOH turn, followed by an AUH turn the next day, then a STBY. I have often heard that we are “short” on pilots, but with these types of rostering practices it does not surprise me that we would be "short" on pilots.
If I “time out” in flying the maximum number of hours/duty time allowed by the regulations, give me days off (not Forced Leave) so that I can really relax, enjoy recreation activities, and really recuperate rather than nickel and diming me for the next month with a mix of single short-haul turn around days and STBY days.
Give me some rostering options were I can have more than 8 days off a month, the ability to have 4 or 5 days off in a row, increased options to build a block and I will be better rested, more motivated, and happy to fly more hours. Because all of a sudden I would be able to enjoy a better lifestyle. It is a balance between “work hard” and “play hard.” Some pilots want to fly more (they need extra money). Some guys prefer flying less and spending more time at home. Some love the long sectors. Some dread it.
The technology exists to better entertain all of these preferences; other airlines, with tighter budgets and less office staff, are making it happen. The question is whether the airline is would be open to making these changes to enjoy the long-term benefits.
Alas, I believe this horse has already been flogged to death in the past.
