Flying with Bad News - Safety Implications

[Dengue_Dude]

It would be interesting to know if anyone is aware of the effect - especially now, of flying 'normally', whilst waiting for 'axes to fall'.

Many of us are in positions where either the company may fold, is making cutbacks or redundancies are 'in the air' (sorry about the pun).

There used to be an RAF flight safety film called 'Distraction', showing how everyday events could mount up and overwhelm people doing their job (doesn't just apply to flightcrew, but along with divers et al, there is the third dimension to consider).

With aviation job-security issues rife, I hope someone somewhere has had the stimulus to monitor the effect of this.

Last year it was the fuel price, this year it looks like being the global recession which is adding huge psychological stressors into the equation of Flight Safety.

Surprise me, tell me that the 'authorities' are aware of this. . .

The 'edit' - might make a good PhD thesis subject for some bright spark!

[Bealzebub]

I am not sure what you mean by flying "normally"?

If you have had a row with the wife, or the kids are playing up, or the neighbours started blocking your driveway, or auntie Beth has died, you are expected to leave this behind when you report for work and do your job properly. If these things are likely to cause you undue distraction to the point it is likely to affect your performance, then you are "unfit" and you report sick until such time you feel you can properly function again.

Obviously there are times when personal issues and family matters will likely have a serious affect, and it is quite proper that you consult with your managers and take the required leave of absence. It is no use you being unfit for duty to either yourself or your colleagues. You are expected to be sufficiently mature to make the required self assesment and as a result make a sensible and realistic application.

Certainly the threat of redundancy or cutbacks will be an added stress to an individual, but life is made up of many stress factors, in fact it would be unusual to find an individual who didn't have stress of one sort or another in their lives. It is normal, cope with it. If events conspire to make it unmanagable, then ground yourself until it reduces to a level where you judge you can properly cope.

[Dengue_Dude]

Yes, the key is 'normal'.

I remember when Airtours were in the deepest dwang, all the talk on the flight deck was of 'will we be here next week' and so on.

It's just the sheer levels of 'abnormality' in the last couple of years. Yes, on an individual basis, most Ops Manuals give guidance as to what constitutes 'unfit to fly' - and it's good advice.

I know 'life happens whilst you're busy making plans', but I have never known a time in aviation where there appear to be SO many implications of global recession, wars, security threats and fluctuations in fuel prices etc.

This must have a 'backdrop' effect on the 'normal' daily stressors.

I just wonder if this has occurred to the likes of the Aviation Psychologists - it would be a good study.

[IGh]

“… the effect … of flying … whilst waiting for 'axes to fall'. [?] …”

Here’s an example of the changes in North America, but especially in USA:
In both the manufacturing sector, and the airline sector, the employer’s strategy has radically changed:The Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (WARN) was enacted on August 4, 1988 and became effective on February 4, 1989.

General Provisions

WARN offers protection to workers, their families and communities by requiring employers to provide notice 60 days in advance of covered plant closings and covered mass layoffs. This notice must be provided to either affected workers …

Employer Coverage

In general, employers are covered by WARN if they have 100 or more employees ….
In earlier decades, we suffered routine layoffs, regularly. Then after boom of of ‘80’s, there was a LONG span without the regular 20% layoff (until the bust in the early years of this century).

Consider the radical difference now from the Boeing bust of the late ‘60’s: THEN, if that day’s layoff notice include any of your machinists, then you go get that man, he gathers all his personal gear (not company’s), then you escort that now former employee out to the guard shack, take away his employee ID, and say good bye [no chance for sabotage to product].

The airline would often do about the same to their junior employees (first out), but their old style “seniority” lists offered some hint about who might be next after the initial announcement. But then we would get NO WARNING, just turn in gear, and go.

Now, and during the BIG layoffs of 2002 and 2003, airline employees and manufacturer employees were offered 60-days notice, and kept working. I feared that would be a mistake -- to keep a copilot inside an airliner cockpit after any layoff notice; I had a similar fear with a mechanic given a layoff notice.

To my surprise, this new system worked without noticeable events of sabotage. For a SAFETY perspective, I did encounter one pilot who should NOT have been working -- but most of the layoff victims took advantage of SICK LEAVE when they felt they shouldn't work.

[Blues&twos]

Slightly off the current thread topic, it was reported that John Travolta was planning on flying his son's body home himself. Did this happen? Even my wife (who has little interest in aviation) said she didn't think it sounded like a good idea.

[Mansfield]

Just a thought regarding the WARN act...I had the privilege of operating the final flight of Eos Airlines last April from STN to JFK. We stayed at STN for three days following the announcement; as you might imagine, the crew briefing prior to departure was challenging.

In any event, we are now nine months into the process and still awaiting any WARN money. It appears likely that we will get a percentage, but not all, of what should be owed. This obviously has to do with bankruptcy, but the WARN act should have applied in full, since no notice was given.

[boredcounter]

Sure worth a read before penning your name to the loan, especially if the loan is not in your (local) currency.

The axe is heavy in aviation and it's swings are (sometimes) beyond control.

[BladePilot]

Once worked for a small outfit that provided Air Ambulance cover for a large area.
The Duty Pilot one night had to fly his own wife to city which had Hospital with specialist care she needed. Unfortunately she passed away during the approach into the city airport. Met him the following day and couldn't help but admire his courage and professionalism an amazing guy.

[BelArgUSA]

I lost my wife in 2005, car accident.
They suspended me from flying for a period of 6 month.
I needed time off, yes... maybe a few weeks. Not that much, though.
After 2 months, I asked to resume ground activities (training).
It helped me to be active again. Starting by being at my desk.
Back on flying status, it helped me to recover somewhat faster.
Have to admit, everyone in the company supported me.
In church, some 200 employees, pilots and others, were present.
xxx
In many circumstances, personal or not, it is better not to fly.
Some schedulers do understand. Tell them "cannot fly tomorrow".
Explain if necessary. In worst cases, see a company doctor.
xxx
:(
Happy contrails, despite these sad days.

[BOAC]

DD - this is not a new phenomonen - since I started in civil aviation in 1988 there have been cycles of 'will I lose my job', although I grant this one is worse. We have always leant to cope with the concerns, tried to be professional, and as Bealzebub says, put it to one side at work. If you cannot, speak to your company or your doctor or both, but beware the consequences. If you feel it is affecting your ability to fly safely it is better you stop - you owe it to your pax and crew.

[flipster]

For sure, I am one who agrees with the opinion that
"Too many distractions can be harmful to your health!"

Been there and got that t-shirt; I'm also sure I'm not alone but why does this happen to us?

It is arguable that we are in the aviation business because we are all 'contollers' of one sort or another. One of our advanced skills is being able to 'compartmentalise'. When we close the canopy or crew door, we just normally concentrate on the job in hand - ie flying.

However, when the stresses and strains of the real-world get too much, we can all lose this ability to a degree - in extremis, we lose the ability to compartmentalise and, subsequently, we may make some bad decisions. Some of us may have seen friends in such a situation, or maybe even been 'close' ourselves? I know I owe my life to someone who spotted me becoming a 'stressed aviator' before I became a 'failing aviator'

If you have no idea about I'm on about, watch 'The Failing Aviator' video, you will get a flavour - old but good - (see the military pilot thread).

Recently, this excellent vid has been put on UTube in 7 installments - its definitely worth a look - dodgy picture quality but the content is spot-on.


YouTube - failing aviator (http://www.youtube.com/results?search_type=&search_query=failing+aviator&aq=0&oq=failing+aviat)


Once you've done that, you could check out your own stress levels (NB some 'good things' increase your stress).


Stress Test (http://www.healthcentral.com/sleep-disorders/stress-test-3454-143.html)


You may decide to do something to 'ease your foot off the pedal' or, of course, .....
you might say "I'm fine, thank you"?

The choice is totally yours.

The bottom line, is that IF you don't feel you are able to compartmentalise effectively - please go home!!



Flip

[Mr. Burns]

One day at the end of last year, I was in a situation that I had reason to believe my future with the company is being discussed (without me being present :bored:) right at that moment. Before that day, I already knew this was going to happen, as my assistant had told me that he was asked to report to two senior management guys. As the day had come, I witnessed them - by coincidence - going up the stairs... (It turned out, they discussed something slightly different, but I was indeed dismissed a few weeks later.) Right after that, I was sitting in my office without being able to do anything. Was walking up and down the floors then and finally ended up in the office of a colleague, chatting with her for half an hour or so, maybe even longer.

It might sound strange, but this was one of the best moments I have had at that company as she is a very cute, lovely, nice and wonderful person and made me forget I was in a deep crisis. :cool:

If I were a pilot, I would not have been able to fly in that situation.