Jetstar NZ flights cancelled due to one pilot calling in sick?

[distracted cockroach]

Just watched a report on 3 News where J* pax were delayed all around NZ last night when "a pilot fell ill". According to the telephone voice from Melbourne "we tried to call in pilots on their days off but none were able to assist"
Well I guess another case of what goes around, comes around. I'd be in no rush to come to work on rostered days on that contract, let alone my days off!! Are manning levels so critical at J* NZ that one pilot being sick can bring the schedule to a grinding halt?
Typical interviews with annoyed passengers who had not been advised of delays or cancellations despite having provided J* with their mobile numbers when making bookings. Apparently those not able to be rebooked on Air NZ flights were given accomodation and "a voucher" and rebooked on another flight this morning.
Be interested to hear the real story behind this...I know that whatever the media say is partial truth at best. What say you J* NZ pilots?

[The Kelpie]

Jetstar cancels flights after pilot calls in sick - Business - Video - 3 News (http://www.3news.co.nz/Jetstar-cancels-flights-after-pilot-calls-in-sick/tabid/369/articleID/202264/Default.aspx)


It is both unfortunate and regrettable that Passengers were inconvenienced in this way.

The medical standards pilots have to meet and the necessity that you must feel that you are 'fit for duty' before piloting an aircraft would suggest that this could be quite a common thing. Calling in sick is something that everyone understands that happens sometimes but perhaps they do not realise that in terms of air crew, flying with something as minor as a common cold can cause problems.

I am sure that those on their days off would have been more than happy to work if able to, but given it was the weekend and their day off I would have thought that most would have had an alcoholic drink or two and not been able to satisfy the strict criteria with regards to the minimum period of consuming alcohol prior to departure.

Despite the headline I am sure that the public will hopefully recognise that it is the Company's poor contingency planning that has lead to this situation and not the actions of the pilot.

More to Follow

The Kelpie

[Muff Hunter]

i think we will see alot more of this into the future......

crew numbers across the board are drastically short especially in NZ (because they cannot find anyone to accept their disgusting conditions) and they'll be even shorter now the cadets are going to be based in oz...

what a monumental fark up by all corcerned that it has come to this. A certain manager who initials are Matt B needs to be sacked asap. he has no concept of carrying sufficent crews in the low periods let alone the busy ones!

[Roller Merlin]

When this NZ contract was set up, crews were rostered 8 days off per month. If a captain were exceedingly company-minded they could sacrifice one of these precious days off, and be called into work for the princely sum of and extra NZ$250 pay. This clearly did not work, and has since improved somewhat - they negotiated 9 days off pm and a higher payment to work on a day-off. The work rate is high...also FOs are only on 50% captains pay.... it does not take many neurons to work out that the boys and girls in nz will not be keen to give up their valued days off when someone else canot work.

[Mr. Hat]

"we tried to call in pilots on their days off but none were able to assist"

Ohhh ha hahah he heheh:{:E:{:E:{ ohhhh hahahahah

Reap what you sow my friends.

[limitedrisk]

Turns out there was never a Captain rostered for the duty in question. No pilots on standby. Only one pilot on a single day off who must have decided it was going to remain a day off.

Resource problem? Gosh thats a hard one, let me think about it for a bit.

Jennifer Timm: Jetstar Corporate Comms Adivisor stated on 3 news that it was due to pilot sickness.

Excuse me Miss Timm, will you now retract you're statement and tell the travelling public the truth.

Jetstar cancels flights after pilot calls in sick - Business - Video - 3 News (http://www.3news.co.nz/Jetstar-cancels-flights-after-pilot-calls-in-sick/tabid/369/articleID/202264/Default.aspx)

[rodchucker]

Just a tad ironic that Ms Timms was based in Melbourne while the company is trying to move pilots to NZ contracts.

Sorry, forgot to ask if she was paid NZD ,has a NZ contract or has ever flown to NZ to open a bank account/get a tax file number.

These corporate offices must be getting very confused as to who is who in the zoo.Then again Melbourne office probably paid massive bonuses and get P class blankets supplied for free.

[Stop ECAM]

Limitedrisk

fraud   
–noun
1.
deceit, trickery, sharp practice, or breach of confidence, perpetrated for profit or to gain some unfair or dishonest advantage.

If I ran a catering business and happily accepted your full payment for my services in a month's time, knowing that I did not have the resources to fulfil said 'contract'; but I was of the hope that the good will of my overworked & underpaid staff to make up my short comings would be fruitful when required, however, that idea - the very day of the job - proved wrong; would that not be tantamount to the above.

I have taken your money knowing I can't do the job. "But I was hopeful your Honour!"

Running a business using the good will of staff may work if you treat your staff with some respect. And if you pay lip service to the very elements that that industry is built on, well really, what hope have you got...

[Capt Kremin]

The contagion has spread to the Gold Coast..... or is Mr Westaway being his usual economical with the truth?

When a major airline says it cannot crew its flights due to crew shortages, for whatever reason, why do journos refuse to enquire further?

Australian airlines dodge radiation risk





AUSTRALIAN airlines have restructured their routes in and out of Tokyo.


The changes come amid speculation a Jetstar flight was cancelled because the crew refused to stay overnight in the city.
Jetstar has since diverted its Japanese services via Osaka to allow staff to rest outside the city, while Qantas staff have begun laying over in Hong Kong.
Speculation is rife among Jetstar employees that the cancellation of Monday's flight JQ11 from the Gold Coast followed a rebellion by the flight crew who feared the risk of aftershocks and nuclear radiation. Jetstar confirmed it had "welcomed feedback" from the JQ11 crew, but denied that caused the interruption.
"We simply didn't have enough people to crew the flight," spokesman Simon Westaway said.


Fear of radiation poisoning has prompted Lufthansa and Austrian Airlines to screen aircraft for radiation exposure.
Australian and International Pilots Association vice-president Richard Woodward has urged Qantas to follow their lead.

[Keg]

Jetstar confirmed it had "welcomed feedback" from the JQ11 crew, but denied that caused the interruption.
"We simply didn't have enough people to crew the flight," spokesman Simon Westaway said.

Lol. I'm not sure that's a better answer. The way I see it:

1. J* didn't have enough crew rostered for the flight to start off with- doubtful but possible- in which case they're incompetent, or

2. They did have crew rostered for the flight but some told them to jam it and they 'didn't have enough people to crew the flight' after they tried to call in replacements.

Either way they look like a bunch of clowns for either being incompetent or basically lying.

[Mr. Hat]

It's a drum up for the enquiry about the pilot shortage.

[reubee]

So with 4 aircraft on a typical days schedule, how many crew are rosteded on for a given day and how many are on standby. If its only one on standby then it would only take two to go sick before this situation occured.

Also if the crew were CHC based were they earthquake affected. NZ apparently replaced some Atr-72 services with 733 because of a shortage of Atr-72 crew who are CHC based.

[A37575]

I am sure that those on their days off would have been more than happy to work if able to

I think you are being a trifle optimistic:ok:

[The Kelpie]

Ever the optomist A37575 :ok:

[chunkylover53]

first jetstar flight out of christchurch this morning cancelled with passengers finally being told the truth... that there were no pilot(s) available to crew it.

what an awesome company........

[SOPS]

Is the good Senator reading this?

[Oakape]

If they put the pay up to $155,000 base for captains to match PB & forgot about the stupid retention bonus, they may get a few more applicants.

Come to think of it, if they put the pay up to the equivalent of an Oz based JetStar pilot, they would probably be knocked down in the rush.

I guess cancelled flights & ticked off pax are more cost effective. I wish I could get a look at that all elusive 'big picture' that management have in their private viewing area. It must be something really special!

[Capn Bloggs]

I hate reading a whole thread and then realising most of it is 6 months old... :ouch:

[Swimbetweentheflags]

Sounds like the Asian Slayer is going real good then :rolleyes:

[Juice Rider]

What a disappointing airline , Tried to fly with them on 16th from MEL to Christchurch and was told they canceled the flight because of weather, I checked the weather, and 1hrs holding, Auckland as an Alt or delayed departure by 2hrs would have sufficed. Seems they are way too keen to cancel flights. I got to Auckland and the 7am flight the next morning to Christchurch was canceled due to weather again, there was no weather requirements at all on Christchurch then. I hate being lied too. I was told by some woman who's first language was obviously not english that the flight was canceled because of weather and this was a security risk? They cant even get there lies to make sense. Most of the passengers seemed to believe them, until they noticed that Air NZ was still flying. They treat passengers like idiots, but Im sure most are smarter than they are given them credit for.

[Mstr Caution]

A classic case of multiple delays ex NZ was heard on 123.45 flying across the Tasman about a year ago.

One aircraft delayed due crew mis reading their roster & the other aircraft delayed till departure after first light due Captain no night takeoff recency.

Seems things haven't improved.
MC

[framer]

I thought that if you held an ATPL you were always night current. that may have just been under a different part, not 121. That way, for the regionals who are mainly on the ground during darkness over the summer months with daylight savings etc, they don't have to go and do circuits to get current every March/April.
Anyone know?

[UnderneathTheRadar]

Framer - Nup


Every year Rex has to chuck it's captains in the sim for night recency at the end of daylight savings. Last I heard (stand to be corrected) they didn't do the FOs - so I don't know if they just never got the night takeoffs/landings or if they could do them under the captains supervision to get 'current'

[27/09]

FramerI thought that if you held an ATPL you were always night current. that may have just been under a different part, not 121. That way, for the regionals who are mainly on the ground during darkness over the summer months with daylight savings etc, they don't have to go and do circuits to get current every March/April.

So far as I know you are correct. Don't see or hear of the any regionals getting night current and at least one of them would have to do it in the aircraft as there is no sim.

[framer]

I think there may be a difference here between NZ and Ausi. Not sure.

[Oxidant]

It is a requirement of the Australian ATPL to be "night current"
Not an issue with an NZ, JAR, FAA, etc, etc ATPL. (God bless CASA:})

[framer]

God bless em alright. Last time I was doing a trip to YSSY I thought I'd visit the Airservices Australia website and familiarise myself with ICAO differences........ geeez there are a lot, I got bored after an hour of reading all the differences like "Australia doesn't recognise a 'destination alternate, it calls it a blah blah blah ". There was so much pointless stuff there that I never got to any good stuff....I wonder if here is any? I'm sure there are some rules that are better than the rest of the world, I just didn't find them.

[Oxidant]

"Lets try & make the rules of the air as simple as posible". (The World in general)

"No, No, NO, lets make it as difficult as posible" (CASA):rolleyes:

[Capn Bloggs]

It is a requirement of the Australian ATPL to be "night current"

Have you got a reference for that?

[Oakape]

Off the CASA website -

CAO 40.1.5

11.4 The holder of an air transport pilot licence shall not act as pilot in command of an aeroplane in regular public transport operations at night or relieve the pilot in command at night in pursuance of Civil Aviation Orders Part 48 unless he or she has complied with the provision of paragraphs 11.2 and 11.3 and has:

(a) within the preceding 15 months satisfactorily completed the night flight section of the Flight Proficiency Test specified at paragraph 5 of Appendix II; and
(b) within the preceding 90 days completed 1 take-off and landing at night.

Then there is this -

CIVIL AVIATION REGULATIONS 1988 - REG 5.170

Air transport (aeroplane) pilot: recent experience requirements
(1) An air transport (aeroplane) pilot must not fly an aeroplane as pilot in command if the aeroplane is carrying any other person, and the pilot has not satisfied whichever of the following requirements is applicable:
(a) if the proposed flight is to be undertaken in daylight -- the pilot has, within the period of 90 days immediately before the day of the proposed flight:
(i) carried out at least 3 take-offs and 3 landings while flying an aeroplane as pilot in command or as pilot acting in command under supervision, or in dual flying; or
(ii) satisfactorily completed an aeroplane proficiency check; or
(iii) passed a flight test conducted for the purpose of the issue, or renewal, of an aeroplane pilot rating;
(b) if the proposed flight is to be undertaken at night -- the pilot has, within the period of 90 days immediately before the day of the proposed flight:
(i) carried out at least 3 take-offs and 3 landings at night while flying an aeroplane as pilot in command or as pilot acting in command under supervision or in dual flying; or
(ii) satisfactorily completed an aeroplane proficiency check that was conducted at night; or
(iii) passed a flight test conducted at night for the purpose of the issue, or renewal, of an aeroplane pilot rating.
Penalty: 25 penalty units.
(2) An offence against subregulation (1) is an offence of strict liability.
Note For strict liability , see section 6.1 of the Criminal Code .


However, some have exemptions -

CASA EX89/11 (http://www.comlaw.gov.au/Details/F2011L01724)

[Capn Bloggs]

Thank you Oakape.

It is a requirement of the Australian ATPL to be "night current"

is correct ONLY if you want to night-fly (which is pretty obvious). One can fly ATPL stuff without being night current. So what was Oxidant's point?

[FlexibleResponse]

Is there any other country in the world that has a similar ATPL recency requirement for night flying for experienced pilots after initial conversion training is complete?

[Oxidant]

My point Capn Bloggs, is that Casa , as far as I know the only mob that require you to have an ATPL, then add this night recency clause.

The rest (Unless you know otherwise) after training & checking, issue an ATPL + IR & think you are competent to take off day or night.......

As for the comment you can fly day only, well sure, however if you flying RPT it is going to curtail your operation just a little..........

(Thanks to Oakape for posting the text of the "order")

[limitedrisk]

is correct ONLY if you want to night-fly (which is pretty obvious). One can fly ATPL stuff without being night current. So what was Oxidant's point?

Well that is correct that you only need to be night current if intending to operate at night.

However as Oxidant mentioned, this may limit you a little. One example would be a duty expected to finish before end of daylight, however a delay means there is potential to not be on the ground in time.

This reminds me of a private pilot scenario who is not night rated, gets delayed and struggles to be on the ground prior to end of daylight.

What a joke.....so the guy is responsible for 180 pax. He operates out of Auckland in LVO. Across to Goldcoast just gets visual off a non precision approach. Now it's across to Queenstown, RNP, snow showers, turbulence, 30m runway, crosswind etc.. Now the easy bit, back to Auckland for an ILS. Oh wait a minute....it's bloody dark. No one told ne this was part of the deal. What the hell am I going to do. This is so bloody demanding, I don't think I am capable. I mean I could autoland? I'm qualified. Nah, the plane might not handle it. Better stay on the ground and try again tomorrow when it's daylight.:ugh:

Welcome to GA disguised as RPT jet ops. Nice one CASA.

[Artificial Horizon]

This caught me out last year, as someone who held two ATPL's before getting my CASA one I thought that someone was just taking the piss when I was informed you had to maintain night currency on top of everything else. We had a couple of Captains last year who had to be flown to Melbourne for 20 minutes in the simulator just to do a night take off and landing at the end of summer?? WTF :mad:

Best way I can describe RPT operations in Australia is that it is like your local flying club with A320's instead of 152's. There does not seem to be a dividing line between recreational flying and professional flying. :ugh:

[Oxidant]

Limitedrisk.

Bravo, that sums it up perfectly!:D

Oh, yes A.H, I was one of them.................