Aviation Regulator clamps down on pilots in India

[Boyington]

The Indian aviation regulator DGCA is planning to implement a rule which would permit company doctors to visit a pilot's residence to check upon him if he/she reports sick for a flight. They also warn of severe action like revocation of licence if it is found that the pilot has faked the illness.

An online petition has been launched against this. Please see the link

https://www.change.org/p/ministry-of-civil-aviation-stop-making-sick-pilots-fly?recruiter=31168920&utm_source=petitions_show_components_action_panel_wrapper&utm_medium=copylink

[Basil]

revocation of licence if it is found that the pilot has faked the illness.
Tea without biscuits with the Chief Pilot - but loss of licence?

[jetsreams]

This just another example of how the corrupt Indian DGCA is in cahoots with unscrupulous local airlines to harass pilots and to drive them like slaves to ensure that schedules are maintained. The DGCA has absolutely no business to get involved in such matters and to coerce pilots to fly against their will. The entire world must get together to condemn this move so that the oppressive,primitive bunch of corrupt officials ruining the aviation safety environment in India is exposed and shamed. PLEASE ASK YOUR LOCAL REGULATORS TO CARRY A SAFETY ASSESSMENT AND BLACKLIST/DOWNGRADE the Indian DGCA.

KEEP YOUR SKIES SAFE BY BANNING INDIAN REGISTERED AIRCRAFT IF SUCH RULES ARE PROMULGATED BY THE INDIAN DGCA

[sprocky_ger]

What concerns me more is that corruption in India made it possible for untrained people to sit in the cockpit:
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-06-01/pilots-qualified-to-fly-in-india-after-just-35-minutes-in-air
They should rather check the pilots for a valid license instead of checking if they pretend to be sick.

[pfvspnf]

Why does the regulator care who calls in sick ?! Airline management must be loving this

[Canute]

Before I sign anything, I'd be interested to know what the sickness rate is....?

Are pilots abusing the system?

[jetsreams]

the managements of some airlines and the regulator are obviously in cahoots ! What a Banana Republic

[jetsreams]

Reporting sick in numbers (if at all) is an industrial matter best left to unions and managements to sort out. The DGCA ignores real issues like fatigue and roster instabilty and tries to kill the issue with such oppressive rules !

[Canute]

Well, I for one won't sign unless I'm shown some figures that suggest that Indian sickness rates are on a par with something like world average.

[homonculus]

It has been the case for decades in the Western World that an employee faking sickness has been sacked. It is after all fraud. And you wont get a reference for a new job either. Many industries telephone to get further details of the illness and ask for a doctor's certificate. And in medicine we have in the past sent people round to the employee to check on them.

So why I dont understand why this is a matter for the regulator as opposed to the employer, I fail to see what the fuss is about. Why are you condoning fraud and lying in an industry that relies on honesty and trust?

[notapilot15]

Petition looks suspicious. Where is regulator/airline forcing sick pilots to fly. Are there any incidents of doctors clearing sick pilots? If this is related to a industrial action, don't fake illness, give notice to airline and take industrial action.

[Airbubba]

American Airlines pilots tried one of these pilot sickouts back in 1999. The Allied Pilots Association got taken to the woodshed and ordered to pay millions in damages:

Pilots in Sickout Told to Pay Airline $46 Million - The New York Times (http://www.nytimes.com/1999/04/16/business/pilots-in-sickout-told-to-pay-airline-46-million.html)

I've had colleagues do a phony sick call when they got a trip they didn't like and brag about it on social media and the union forum. And then whine like a baby when the company calls them on it.

Sick calls are a health and safety issue and the places I've worked have been very lenient about enforcement. But just like any good deal pilots get, some folks will abuse it and mess things up for the rest of us. :ugh:

[misd-agin]

The AA Union paid pennies on the dollar. Negotiated away with the company.

[Jonnyknoxville]

If this is indeed true , then EASA should be looking at a total ban on Indian Airlines operating in European airspace , these sort of regulations not only force guys who are not that well to fly but would also mess with their heads as well . It is subtle(blatant) intimidation of these pilots . I really don't want to share the airspace with sick and mentally tortured Indian pilots .

[Klauss]

Yes, it´s part and parcel of the safety-culture to let pilots decide when they feel unfit to
fly and rather stay at home. A medical-police is a huge step in the wrong direction.

[simplythebest]

This not a case of a pilot being sick.

It is the case of pilots collectively using 'sick to fly' as a bargaining tool for better rostering, wages etc.

DGCA asks Jet Airways to furnish details on flight disruptions - The Hindu (http://www.thehindu.com/business/Industry/dgca-asks-jet-airways-to-furnish-details-on-flight-disruptions/article9306332.ece)

Flights disrupted as Jet Airways pilots fume over new roster, report sick | mumbai news | Hindustan Times (http://www.hindustantimes.com/mumbai-news/flights-disrupted-as-jet-airways-pilots-fume-over-new-roster-report-sick/story-BBZ1tEfAeg62Rj52XbipVJ.html)

Who's right? IMO Neither the Airline , nor the Pilots.

As the way to deal with issues from both sides need more thought than blackmailing.

DGCA is stepping in to protect passenger interests.
Corrupt as they are, in this case, it seems needed.

[skridlov]

A terrific opportunity for extortion.

[notapilot15]

Aha, standard CBU-ESM grievance management technique.

[Airbubba]

This not a case of a pilot being sick.

It is the case of pilots collectively using 'sick to fly' as a bargaining tool for better rostering, wages etc.

DGCA asks Jet Airways to furnish details on flight disruptions - The Hindu (http://www.thehindu.com/business/Industry/dgca-asks-jet-airways-to-furnish-details-on-flight-disruptions/article9306332.ece)

Flights disrupted as Jet Airways pilots fume over new roster, report sick | mumbai news | Hindustan Times (http://www.hindustantimes.com/mumbai-news/flights-disrupted-as-jet-airways-pilots-fume-over-new-roster-report-sick/story-BBZ1tEfAeg62Rj52XbipVJ.html)


Pilots doing phony sick calls and then whining when they get called on it?

I'm shocked, shocked I tell you. ;)

[Lancelot de boyles]

Given some of the other scandals that have occurred, I wonder how this would pan out

Fake doctor
Visits fake pilot
To assess fake illness



8 doctors with fake certificates arrested
The accused have been charged with cheating, forgery, criminal conspiracy under the IPC and sections of Prevention of Corruption Act.

[Klauss]

Hi,
it´s been a while: has any progress been made ?
Thanks

[Dan_Brown]

I have a mate who did time in India. The CVR's were pulled on instructions by the DGCA and listened to, on a regular basis.

The the CVR is for accident investigation only, not for spying on pilots IIRC. CVR transcripts have been known to fall into the hands of employers. For a fee no doubt.

The New Zealand police tried this trick also, to prosecute a crew after an accident.

Talk about a load of snakes.

[sanjet]

Meanwhile TCAS events keep happening in Indian airspace but they won't bother rectifying those issues....

Incident: KLM B789 and Indigo A320 near Jaipur on Nov 2nd 2016, serious loss of separation (http://avherald.com/h?article=4a132a31&opt=0)

[AtomKraft]

A fish rots from the head down, and in India the 'head' is the DGCA.

In the UK we like to have a laugh by jokingly referring to the CAA as the 'Campaign Against Aviation' but believe me, until you've encountered the knuckle dragging, corrupt and over beaurocratic DGCA in India, you ain't seen nothing.

How the airlines manage there is remarkable with this crowd of idiots constantly thinking up new ways to trip them up.