The fatigued machine
With all that is being discussed on numerous threads here and via numerous emails flying around, its not a secret that scary times are upon us now. However, company culture aside, I think we can put all of these happenings into 1 word, FATIGUE. In my honest opinion, this is not a training problem, this is not experience problem, and this is not even a fear of punishment problem. I say this, because every pilot I know, and that goes for all that I know here as well, are very resilient individuals. It actually comes with the territory of being a pilot itself. However, when you set the absolute operational limits as the targets, even the strongest get worn down over time. This is the case with any machine, and make no mistake about, we and the system we operate in, are a machine.
Why do I say this a FATIGUE problem and isn't a training problem, an experience problem, or even a fear of punishment problem? Its because if for the last 5 years we would have not worked the trainers to the point where they just gave up and quit, we would still have a huge amount of experience in the training department and not be out begging for guys to join this department with a carrot of a star and a few extra dirhams a month. Similarly, if we didn't have FATIGUE our experienced pilots would not have all left for other places, we would not have a majority of the pilot force counting the days till they can get the hell out of here. Furthermore, we would not have a massive turn over unparalleled to any other airline in our class. Finally, I don't even think its a fear of punishment problem because without FATIGUE, many of these minor and sadly now, major incidents would simply not be occurring at the number in which they are and thus the system of fear would have never have had a chance to develop.
Unfortunately, the entire system is FATIGUED. Why do I capitalize this word every time? Its simple, most of the time, an individual does not realize he/she is FATIGUED until it hits them like a ton of bricks and something major happens, or he/she takes an extended bit of time off and realizes later how tired they previously were. Now, you can consider the entire system here is FATIGUED from running at max for many years, and now, since the system can take no time off, you are seeing the ton of bricks hit and major events starting to happen more and more often. The pilots are FATIGUED, the training department is FATIGUED, the recruiting department is FATIGUED, even our illustrious leaders are FATIGUED trying to fix all their screw ups while admitting to none, and now even our financials are FATIGUED as a result of all the previous. Unfortunately, they don't realize it, and even though we the system are crying foul, they aren't willing to listen.
I wish I could say I feel that things are recoverable, but I am afraid, we are a very long way from that, even if the right change was immediately started. With that said, the so called leaders will not be the ones to start this "right" change. Its now up to us, the inner workings of the FATIGUED machine to start it. Manage your schedules and do not worry about the reprisals that may come from it. Take care of your colleagues and point out if you see them going down the incorrect path in any part of the their lives, work or personal, as they may not be able to see it themselves. Welcome our new joiners regardless of their experience as they are the new parts of this machine that are not FATIGUED yet and may end of saving our old tired butts when we aren't expecting it.
Guys/Gals, we are the FATIGUED system. How we got here doesn't matter, only that we are here. We are the parts of the FATIGUED machine known as EK and unless we start regulating ourselves before the brick hits us personally, we are only contributing to a system that is rapidly failing. THIS IS LIFE AND DEATH NOW. Look no further than our colleagues that have come dangerously close in several severe incidences in recent times. They aren't bad pilots, incompetent, or poorly trained. Even though I ask the question "How in the world could they do that?" I know the answer is not so simple. The safety systems of our FATIGUED machine are starting to fail, and unless we the parts of this machine do something to rebuild them to the best we can, the inevitable will happen. Fly safe, be safe, and don't let FATIGUE catch you out. Your family is counting on you and so are the families of all the people we move from point A to point B on a given day.The above is only my opinion, but to keep that opinion to myself now just doesn't seem like the right thing to do anymore.