Jetstar NZ pilot needs a break! Give me a break...
 

We used to be the laziest nation on earth many moons ago.

Now I know who wears that crown!

Un-fricken-believable!

Jetstar pilot wins battle for breaks

:ugh::ugh::confused::confused::mad::mad:

Good on 'em I say:ok:

J*'s reason behind it was pure commercialism, the humans involved don't figure in their reasoning, congrats to the pilots:D
No doubt this will open up a whole can of worms for both sides!


Wmk2

Operator I worked for had some roster days which were all sub 1 hour flights and 20 minute turns. So one extended turn was put in so the cabin crew could eat.
Hungry grumpy cabin crew do not make a great customer service experience nor a particularly safe work environment.

Admittedly I've not seen it applied to pilots, usually had enough time in the cruise to eat, but it's the same concept.

It's law here in NZ and therefore required.

Simple as that.

Since when did it become unreasonable to ask for a break on 10+ hour day? What other industry would accept these working conditions?

I guess you win the blue ribbon in the race to the bottom, Rad Alt. Sometimes we're our own worst enemies.

At the link carriers you get to wander into the crew room once a day for a 20 minute break. It makes a big day a hell of a lot easier. I think it's a good idea.

I applaud him for his win.

However a LCC with wafer thin margins requires high utilization and fast turns. It certainly doesn't have fat in the system for operational spares and legacy turn around times :P

If there will be a greater return on the asset elsewhere, guess where it will go?

rad alt

educate yourself on the realities of domestic jet work in nz and nz employment law before getting too carried away.

Most shorthaul guys hate longer transits and would rather get straight back in the air and finish the duty period sooner. They also don't get paid for sitting around on transit. Be careful what you wish for, to enjoy that meal break, you might end up working more days in a roster.

Good on him I say, just enough time to wander into the terminal, resplendent in uniform and sunglasses to order an over priced latte' and a choccy muffin..yummmm :E
Much easier to get a rest with 7hrs in the bunk :E:E

Density? How will it now be effected?
I'd rather eat whilst operating than sitting in the airport cafe not being paid. I can't disagree with the premise, but I just think there may be some very detrimental consequences to the quality of the rosters as a result of this. That being said, I've never seen a Jetstar NZ roster, so maybe it won't.

As always, be careful what you wish for.

I'm guessing that all the guys and girls in JQNZ really wish for is that they worked for an operator that respected the rules in NZ labour law and their own contract.
All of JQNZ's competitors comply, so why can't they? According to the judges summary JQNZ say they may find it so arduous to comply that it may force them to leave the country.
As pointed out by the judge though:
"As Mr Harrison aptly observed, it is no more a defence to an airline operator to contend that provision of statutory entitlements is inconsistent with its low cost operating model than it is for a garment sweatshop operator to do so. "

Fine.. No meal break then....


Cost index 0 and a lap of the hold till I finish my meal thanks...

carbon

thats about as succinct and well put as it gets.

nicely done.

So.... Does this mean that guys on NZ contracts working in OZ are affected too? Maybe JQ will leave Australia as well?

I don't think anyone understands my point. There will be No extra hold's, No extra meal breaks etc..... The company will find a way around it, and it won't be to their detriment.
If that's the way you want it, more power to ya. Longer duty days for the same pay, or shorter duty days( but more of them) for less pay, which is worse? I would rather be at home with the family.

I wonder how pilot's used to live?

everyone else seems to be able to comply with nz ir law

what makes jq think its special?

Waren9, thanks so much for your kind comments.

Having been based in CHC for some time flying A320s, I think I have some idea of NZ IR laws. They are archaic.

What makes a 4 sector day with 30 minute breaks more difficult in NZ v. the rest of the world (and Oz in particular).

A little soft, I'd say.

And I do get that of the 16 replies so far, most are supportive of him. But it's going to be impractical to implement. FAs have been covered by this kind of rule for some time, but still find it impossible to achieve.

If you guys try and enforce it, you will do your own part in making it just so much harder for JQ to stay competitive; for them it's all about fast turnarounds.

After a little stint in more salubrious operations with much greater turnarounds (anything up to 6 hours...), I'm back enjoying the challenge of 30 min turns. There's no time for a break; nor is there room for the softies that want them.

Good luck with it long term. Can't wait to see how it goes.

Rad alt alive. Thanks for your comments. Your own version of "toughen up princess" to be sure.

Archaic industrial laws you refer to came into effect in 2009, just after captain cook landed on these shores to be sure.

As far as I am aware, F/A union has not tested this in the employment court, but am sure they will follow suit.

In using the NZ marketplace as a way to lower terms and conditions, local laws must also be respected.

Good luck in your management aspirations.

RAD ALT, angling for the CP or fleet managers job eh? maybe you could earn a nice little bonus if you keep this under control?
Either way, you are ignorant of the industrial law landscape in NZ….if you want archaic…1100nm west is a good place to start :D