Flat-Cap
20th Oct 2000, 14:24
Being only a humble flight-deck type, and therefore being lightly versed in the dark arts of keeping punters happy. I am becoming increasingly concerned about the treatment and rostering of the cabin staff at BM LBA.
It seems that any form of stable rostering has been chucked out of the window. The situation would appear to have been getting worse all year. The point has now been reached that there is no good will left amoung the ca's. People are turning up for a rostered morning duty arrive only to be told that they will now be operating a 13 hour day, almost to max duty,followed by min. rest and 6am report the next day. This goes on day after day.
To their credit all the ca staff have been bending over backward to constantly bail rostering out of increasingly deep holes, but as fatigue sets and people are a little less accomodating, veiled treats now seem to be seeping out "The Hall" in order to ensure that flight actually do go. The rules relating to duty periods, rest, numbers of types flown in a day change at the whim of the rostering department, with little regard to any previous agreements and on one or two memorable moments the law (though I would hope that this is out ignorance rather than a deliberate breaking of the rules), ca's have been asked to operate aircraft for which the are not rated, and ouside the rules set out in the Air Navigation Order, which would make the flight illegal. Had not the ca's involved point blank refused who knows what may have happened.
As a result moral has collapsed, the ca appear permanently knackered, and understandably stressed and wound-up. This cannot be good for the them, the airline, the pax and safety. I know that while we in the pointy bit, occasionally moan about our duty periods, what the ca in LBA are being asked to do frankly amazes me. If the flight-deck were asked to operate under similar conditions there would be up-roar, mass sickness, and the undoubted involvement of BALPA HQ.
My admiration of the job that ca's do has only increased as this crisis has continued, but I'd feel that until the cabin stop being so helpful, become a bit more stroppy with HQ, and act collectively the pressure will only increase. Until flights are cancelled I don't think Donington will take the slightest notice.
Anyone else have any thoughts?
Anyway the flat-cap is off in honour of the ca's working way beyong the call of duty.
Fond regards
Flat-Cap.
------------------
See all say nowt
Sup all pay nowt
and never do owt for nowt
It seems that any form of stable rostering has been chucked out of the window. The situation would appear to have been getting worse all year. The point has now been reached that there is no good will left amoung the ca's. People are turning up for a rostered morning duty arrive only to be told that they will now be operating a 13 hour day, almost to max duty,followed by min. rest and 6am report the next day. This goes on day after day.
To their credit all the ca staff have been bending over backward to constantly bail rostering out of increasingly deep holes, but as fatigue sets and people are a little less accomodating, veiled treats now seem to be seeping out "The Hall" in order to ensure that flight actually do go. The rules relating to duty periods, rest, numbers of types flown in a day change at the whim of the rostering department, with little regard to any previous agreements and on one or two memorable moments the law (though I would hope that this is out ignorance rather than a deliberate breaking of the rules), ca's have been asked to operate aircraft for which the are not rated, and ouside the rules set out in the Air Navigation Order, which would make the flight illegal. Had not the ca's involved point blank refused who knows what may have happened.
As a result moral has collapsed, the ca appear permanently knackered, and understandably stressed and wound-up. This cannot be good for the them, the airline, the pax and safety. I know that while we in the pointy bit, occasionally moan about our duty periods, what the ca in LBA are being asked to do frankly amazes me. If the flight-deck were asked to operate under similar conditions there would be up-roar, mass sickness, and the undoubted involvement of BALPA HQ.
My admiration of the job that ca's do has only increased as this crisis has continued, but I'd feel that until the cabin stop being so helpful, become a bit more stroppy with HQ, and act collectively the pressure will only increase. Until flights are cancelled I don't think Donington will take the slightest notice.
Anyone else have any thoughts?
Anyway the flat-cap is off in honour of the ca's working way beyong the call of duty.
Fond regards
Flat-Cap.
------------------
See all say nowt
Sup all pay nowt
and never do owt for nowt