Refuse to fly to hurricane?
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2007
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From: Right seat
Refuse to fly to hurricane?
Should one refuse to fly if there is a risk of a hurricane catching up, when staying in hotel during ground stop at the destination, eventhough company says go?
Joined: Feb 2000
Aviation Qualifications: SLF
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From: Anderlecht
Are you FD crew? If I was a passenger on your flight I'd put my trust in your sound (I hope) professional judgement. If you felt it wasn't prudent to fly I'd expect you not to - and not to be bullied by some company official sitting nice and comfy back at base 
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2007
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From: Right seat
But if you are planned to go where a hurricane is expected to hit while you are staying in the hotel waiting for the return flight days later.
The incomming flight is not the problem... Is it fair that the company expect one to go there taking a personal risk?
The incomming flight is not the problem... Is it fair that the company expect one to go there taking a personal risk?
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 346
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From: Around the block
Start by checking your wx; METAR, TAF and FC. Check your wx charts too.
If you are within the wx limits and wind limits, you are ok.
If you are in doubt, there is doubt.
Keep it simple, dear colleague (???)
If you are within the wx limits and wind limits, you are ok.
If you are in doubt, there is doubt.
Keep it simple, dear colleague (???)
Joined: Oct 2007
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From: fort sheridan, il
danishdynamite:
if you are concerned, and you have a right to be, just call in sick. see a doctor, say: I haven't been sleeping well, I'd like to have a few sleeping pills, but need a note from you saying I can't fly while taking them.
My airline flys a great deal in hurricane country and snow country. There have been crews "snowed in" for 5 days on a trip with just ONE overnight.
they were stuck. safe, but stuck. now, some male pilots could take an advantage of young attractive girl fa/s...but that isn't the topic.
me, I would hate to be stuck anywhere but home for 5 days.
good luck!
if you are concerned, and you have a right to be, just call in sick. see a doctor, say: I haven't been sleeping well, I'd like to have a few sleeping pills, but need a note from you saying I can't fly while taking them.
My airline flys a great deal in hurricane country and snow country. There have been crews "snowed in" for 5 days on a trip with just ONE overnight.
they were stuck. safe, but stuck. now, some male pilots could take an advantage of young attractive girl fa/s...but that isn't the topic.
me, I would hate to be stuck anywhere but home for 5 days.
good luck!
Joined: Oct 1999
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From: N.Ireland
Don't be naive enough to believe that the company wouldn't send you to the location to wait out the passage of a hurricane, they will try. Don't let anyone suggest it hasn't happened before, it has. Watch the weather/storm forecast carefully, if it is forecast to pass close to your destination start quoting 'duty of care'. 
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 8,571
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From: Arizona USA
Oh, I dunno, hurricanes (or typhoons) can be kind of interesting.
Sat through at least two in HKG, when I was working for SQ.
We stayed in the Excelsior Hotel, and the folks in the Dickens Bar were quite a friendly bunch during the big blow, outside.
You could actually feel the building sway in the wind.
As I say....interesting.
Sat through at least two in HKG, when I was working for SQ.
We stayed in the Excelsior Hotel, and the folks in the Dickens Bar were quite a friendly bunch during the big blow, outside.
You could actually feel the building sway in the wind.
As I say....interesting.
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 48
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From: England
I was recently in Cuba when Gustave went to the West of Havana so I was about 200-250nm east of the center when it was a category 3. The hotel looked after us and to be honest i have experienced windier days at home in autumn.
However if I could see that there was a category 4-5 coming over the top of my intended location and the company were insisting that I stay there I would invite them to talk to my lawyer about due care and attention. this link is excellent for making an informed decision http://www.wunderground.com/tropical...y.html#a_topad and personally i would not have a major problem with Ike.
Sevenstrokeroll I do hope you don't work for the same airline as me as no doubt you don't think about your colleagues when taking such selfish actions.
However if I could see that there was a category 4-5 coming over the top of my intended location and the company were insisting that I stay there I would invite them to talk to my lawyer about due care and attention. this link is excellent for making an informed decision http://www.wunderground.com/tropical...y.html#a_topad and personally i would not have a major problem with Ike.
Sevenstrokeroll I do hope you don't work for the same airline as me as no doubt you don't think about your colleagues when taking such selfish actions.
Joined: Oct 1999
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From: N.Ireland
Quote: This is not a fair weather job only- your duty is to try and complete your task. If you are unable to bring yourself to operate to the Caribbean in hurricane season, may I suggest another career? But to let the company down with 'I feel sick today' to get out of it? No- do your job.
I have serious reservations about this advice. Your job is to try and complete your task SAFELY. Having done the job then it is the company's requirement in law to exercise 'duty of care' towards their employees which would include intentionally placing you in the path of a hurricane.
There is already a precedent to this situation and the advice to get another career smacks of huge 'macho' idealism, airline pilots are required to exercise due concern if there is any doubt, you are doing so.
I have serious reservations about this advice. Your job is to try and complete your task SAFELY. Having done the job then it is the company's requirement in law to exercise 'duty of care' towards their employees which would include intentionally placing you in the path of a hurricane.
There is already a precedent to this situation and the advice to get another career smacks of huge 'macho' idealism, airline pilots are required to exercise due concern if there is any doubt, you are doing so.
Guest
Joined: Mar 2006
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From: Not where I want to be
I can't believe that I'm reading this.
As Rainboe says, people in 5* hotels are not the ones affected. The poor in shanty towns are. Methinks people are watching too many disaster movies.
Per
As Rainboe says, people in 5* hotels are not the ones affected. The poor in shanty towns are. Methinks people are watching too many disaster movies.
Per
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 48
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From: England
Rainboe
Mostly I agree with you but the company does have a responsibility of care as much as we the pilots have a duty of care to do our jobs to the best of our ability. Now thats say there is a big cat 5 bearing down on Cancun and I mean the eye predicted to hit. Nothing is going to be going in or out so why not keep the crew out of harms way in Miami and soon as the eye has passed position the crew in so that they are ready to operate the return sector. The argument of the company that we need you there during the storm is a farce as Cancun was shut for days after Katrina so the crews that were left their suffered appalling and life threatening conditions needlessly and in the end where unable to operate as had no rest or proper food for days. The point i am trying to make is that there is a limit to what is acceptable and what is not.
Mostly I agree with you but the company does have a responsibility of care as much as we the pilots have a duty of care to do our jobs to the best of our ability. Now thats say there is a big cat 5 bearing down on Cancun and I mean the eye predicted to hit. Nothing is going to be going in or out so why not keep the crew out of harms way in Miami and soon as the eye has passed position the crew in so that they are ready to operate the return sector. The argument of the company that we need you there during the storm is a farce as Cancun was shut for days after Katrina so the crews that were left their suffered appalling and life threatening conditions needlessly and in the end where unable to operate as had no rest or proper food for days. The point i am trying to make is that there is a limit to what is acceptable and what is not.
