Ok4wire
 

Chatted to a mate who's got both a 6 and 7 day pattern next month involving the 103/146 pattern, and although he'd prefer shorter patterns, he's adamant that the new longer patterns are safer, rather than personally convenient.
It's interesting that someone is happy to work more days just to stay safe.
Should give you an indication as to how unsafe the previous 2 sector night pattern actually was, if guys are happy to effectivly give up a day off and work, just to be able to fly safe.

Makes you wonder how the company justified changing it originally.
Not sure whether it was a company or AOA sponsored fatigue study on the guys sleep/activity study that prompted the change, I doubt it was done as a token of goodwill in the current environment.

LTICX
 

Yes, it is. I reckon that he is missing two vital points: firstly he might say he is happier, but I think he is going to be losing an entire week at home every month in order to "stay safe". That's a big toll to pay for what is at best a nebulous increase in safety.

Which brings me to point two: he now has to fly (by my understanding) two-crew to CNS, instead of the previous three-crew. Hmm: 3 hours rest in J class vs none? To call that an increase in safety is iffy.

By all accounts the actigraphy watches are rumoured to show a surprisingly higher level of fatigue on the first sector than "they" were expecting; to knowingly crew that sector with 2 vice 3 is very disingenuous of the company.

Disingenuous is the Companies middle name!
You'll get no disagreement from me on that.

As for the changed 103 pattern as of end March, it appears that it's simply a reversion to how it was flown before. This would be as rare as a pay rise for the Company to silently admit they were wrong and revert back to plan A.

Supposedly the 2 sector night was all previously driven for a few dollars in CNS hotel and allowance costs. Begs the question - if they really wanted to save on costs, why didn't they operate the cabin crew through the 2 sector night also.
Answers on a post card to.....!

According to those who did it, the 103 was always 2 man to Cairns. The 3 man was only on the 103 non stop to Brisbane.

Never let the facts detract from a good story though.