The coals are on the fire, the pressure's rising, the train's a rollin' and I've just finished Sunday lunch. Good on ya', guys. Hck!
I had a friend in ATC at a major airport. Their T's & C's were Ok but not the best. The local regional ATC unit was short staffed. They paid more. There was a hidden agreement against poaching. What happened? There was a sick-out. My friend was visited by the company doctor who could find nothing wrong. My friend said he was fatigued and asked the doctor to sign a note saying he was fit to work. "No way", said the doctor and left him alone.
The ANO says that a crew member must not report for duty if they believe they are not fit to start AND COMPLETE the duty. It is their call. not crewing, nor the flight manager. Next time you are pressurised to report, ask for it in writing. I appreciate it is difficult for lower ranks, but I hope the unions and EU labour laws will give some protection.
It has long been said that pilots are their own worst enemies. What about a blockade of LHR and all major airports, a la French farmers. It's amazing how the crews came onto the streets when Laker and others went bust; surely this is more important? Where is the passion?
Stelios was at Brussels HQ with his orange brigade to combat anti-competition. Lots of TV and newspaper headlines. Branson had similiar tactics. That was so they could make more money on the backs of us. Where are we in the campaign for ourselves?
Sorry Guys, but while I'm on a roll; and truely, I'm off to bed in a Mo';
All this rubbish about 7&2, 5&3, 6&4 etc rosters. I, and my ex-colleagues still do, used to get out of bed at 04.00, come home at 02.00 and be away from home more often than be at home, work most weekends, and that was short-haul.
However, the C.P. said we didn't work shifts so didn't deserve compensation. The office staff only had 8 days off/28, only had 4 weeks holiday, so we got the same. Hm?!?
The "shift workers" in Ops, crewing and tech' did 2 days, 2 nights 4 off. That is the norm for shift workers in many industries. Now, with an efficient rostering scheme there is no question that crews could produce the required productivity on such a pattern. It would be wonderful, I'm sure. Hell, the Ryanair guys are full of joy at 5&3, so I assume this would be even better??
What about it, JAA?