Pilot Fatigue Investigation
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: last time I looked I was still here.
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I remember a story about a BA flight from India? that was 'delayed' 14hrs. Reason? The crew were allocated a hotel for a stop-over where there was extensive renovation/building work going on. The crew needed to sleep during the day for an evening departure. They had no chance of sleep. Captain called delayed the flight until the next morning so the crew could have a proper sleep and be fit for the flight. This was a case of declaring yourself 'unfit to complete the duty'. It was incontestable and the root blame could be laid at the door of the employer. Slam-dunk. Good solid union airline. Well done.
Compare this to the call from a lowly non-union pilot that he could not sleep at home due to his neighbours having extension work done on their house, and could not sleep before an evening/night duty. One, the company accepts the excuse, the 2nd it is your fault for not managing your rest. It's a difficult world and you need to be opened eyed and aware before you dare enter.
Compare this to the call from a lowly non-union pilot that he could not sleep at home due to his neighbours having extension work done on their house, and could not sleep before an evening/night duty. One, the company accepts the excuse, the 2nd it is your fault for not managing your rest. It's a difficult world and you need to be opened eyed and aware before you dare enter.
The 747 has the ability to carry a spare engine on a "ferrying only" pylon.
Why are pilots afraid to talk about fatigue.
I can understand why it is very dangerous for a pilot to be at work in a fatigued state.
But if they are afraid to speak out, that means a safety risk is being covered up. This is dangerous.
Why are pilots afraid, and who are they afraid of??
I can understand why it is very dangerous for a pilot to be at work in a fatigued state.
But if they are afraid to speak out, that means a safety risk is being covered up. This is dangerous.
Why are pilots afraid, and who are they afraid of??
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Asia
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Why are pilots afraid to talk about fatigue.
I think it is more to do with the fact that most people don't understand the cumulative effects of shift work, siting still for 11 hours with only a brief break to stand up, cabin pressure at 8000ft, constant moderate noise, high mental processing demands in short bursts, and an expectation of consistent high standards of performance combined with significant responsibility and the toll that takes over a period of months and years.
If I show my neighbour a roster that has absolutely bowled me over he will most likely look at the numbers and start a story about how much he has worked this month and won't ( can't ) factor in all f the influences I listed above as he has never experienced them all at once. Other pilots understand. Even cabin crew find it hard to believe our job is taxing.
If I show my neighbour a roster that has absolutely bowled me over he will most likely look at the numbers and start a story about how much he has worked this month and won't ( can't ) factor in all f the influences I listed above as he has never experienced them all at once. Other pilots understand. Even cabin crew find it hard to believe our job is taxing.
