FO removed from BA Flight
Psychophysiological entity
"Why we sleep" by Matthew Walker. An odd Christmas present but one that got my attention. It is utterly jaw-dropping.
I suspect it might be a tad expensive but by some means I recommend laying hands on it. I suspect it's not something an airline would buy for the crew room.
The book is presented by a superb scientist and writer. It's hard to imagine there could be a more qualified person in the world.
The information goes from interesting, via stunning, to bewilderingly alarming. I can't find strong enough terms, especially when it comes to the continued sales of some sleep aids. My words, but nothing short of murderous is how I would describe it, and it's not hard to see why it happens. The profits are beyond fiction.
Brain function against tiredness is the prime theme but consideration is given to the cost to nations.
IIRC $411 Billion is lost to the United States due to the workforce growing up with the current work ethos of working late and being in the office early. America leads the world in that direct loss, though Japan overtakes when compared to the GNP.
It seems nothing could be further from the truth and some enlightened companies are even installing rest rooms - in America I should say, resting rooms. Google I believe is one.
Well of course that's fine for a company that has a vast cash reserves but as we know, airlines have always operated on the edge. Flight time limitations being a major burden.
For me, it wasn't the fact I had not got enough time off, it was quite simply not knowing when I was going to be tired. In my day I'd be prodded if I even closed my eyes for a moment. A more enlightened world now, but if this book is anything to go by we've a long way to go before crews are operating at maximum efficiency. Human brains require 7 - 9 hours sleep.
And then there is Margret Thatcher that thought she could run a country - and it armed forces - on 4 hours a night.
I suspect it might be a tad expensive but by some means I recommend laying hands on it. I suspect it's not something an airline would buy for the crew room.
The book is presented by a superb scientist and writer. It's hard to imagine there could be a more qualified person in the world.
The information goes from interesting, via stunning, to bewilderingly alarming. I can't find strong enough terms, especially when it comes to the continued sales of some sleep aids. My words, but nothing short of murderous is how I would describe it, and it's not hard to see why it happens. The profits are beyond fiction.
Brain function against tiredness is the prime theme but consideration is given to the cost to nations.
IIRC $411 Billion is lost to the United States due to the workforce growing up with the current work ethos of working late and being in the office early. America leads the world in that direct loss, though Japan overtakes when compared to the GNP.
It seems nothing could be further from the truth and some enlightened companies are even installing rest rooms - in America I should say, resting rooms. Google I believe is one.
Well of course that's fine for a company that has a vast cash reserves but as we know, airlines have always operated on the edge. Flight time limitations being a major burden.
For me, it wasn't the fact I had not got enough time off, it was quite simply not knowing when I was going to be tired. In my day I'd be prodded if I even closed my eyes for a moment. A more enlightened world now, but if this book is anything to go by we've a long way to go before crews are operating at maximum efficiency. Human brains require 7 - 9 hours sleep.
And then there is Margret Thatcher that thought she could run a country - and it armed forces - on 4 hours a night.
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Back to the original subject matter.
I think it important to note that the 49 year old man suspected of being under the influence of alcohol prior to operating a BA service from Gatwick has been released from custody.
The information available to date indicates he has not been charged with any offence and is "under investigation". There is no mention of bail.
So innocent until proved... etc.
I think it important to note that the 49 year old man suspected of being under the influence of alcohol prior to operating a BA service from Gatwick has been released from custody.
The information available to date indicates he has not been charged with any offence and is "under investigation". There is no mention of bail.
So innocent until proved... etc.
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Some EU countries already have zero tolerance on the highway, some are considering introducing it.
Lithuania moves towards zero tolerance on alcohol for all drivers | ETSC
Lithuania is considering extending its zero BAC limit to all drivers. The proposal is one of the measures announced by the leader of the political party that won the general election in October.
Commercial and novice drivers are already subject to a zero BAC limit. Other drivers are permitted a maximum level of 0.4 g/l.
The Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania and Slovakia are the only other European countries that apply a zero-tolerance policy across the board.
No timetable has been given for when the measure might be introduced, according to media reports.
Commercial and novice drivers are already subject to a zero BAC limit. Other drivers are permitted a maximum level of 0.4 g/l.
The Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania and Slovakia are the only other European countries that apply a zero-tolerance policy across the board.
No timetable has been given for when the measure might be introduced, according to media reports.
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An American Airlines FO showed up drunk at Manchester a few years ago and was arrested. He got a jury trial and got some of his buddies from the Ohio Air Guard to come testify in their shiny blue uniforms about his character.
One of the character witnesses was a brigadier who himself had recently had an unusual single vehicle mishap leaving the O-club late one night according to a colleague from the unit who knew all the players.
Anyway, the jury at the Minshul Street Crown Court bought the story that the American pilot drank the Bombay Sapphire (some reports called it whisky) in his sleep and he was going to the airport in his airline uniform to inform the captain that he was unfit for duty.
Cleared: The pilot who claimed he got drunk in his sleep
by JAMES TOZER
Last updated at 22:31 21 March 2007
An airline pilot who turned up for duty on a transatlantic flight nearly six-and-a-half times the alcohol limit was cleared - after claiming he had been drinking in his sleep.
James Yates, 47, had been on a six-hour drinking session the evening before and was stopped at an airport security point looking dishevelled and unsteady on his feet, it was claimed.
But a jury acquitted the first officer of attempting to board the cockpit of the American Airlines Boeing 767 which had been due to take 181 passengers from Manchester to Chicago.
During the case, Yates, an American, had suggested he may have drunk a third of a bottle of whisky in his sleep after going to bed.
He denied he had been trying to get on the plane, insisting his intention was to find the captain and explain that he was not in a fit state to fly.
by JAMES TOZER
Last updated at 22:31 21 March 2007
An airline pilot who turned up for duty on a transatlantic flight nearly six-and-a-half times the alcohol limit was cleared - after claiming he had been drinking in his sleep.
James Yates, 47, had been on a six-hour drinking session the evening before and was stopped at an airport security point looking dishevelled and unsteady on his feet, it was claimed.
But a jury acquitted the first officer of attempting to board the cockpit of the American Airlines Boeing 767 which had been due to take 181 passengers from Manchester to Chicago.
During the case, Yates, an American, had suggested he may have drunk a third of a bottle of whisky in his sleep after going to bed.
He denied he had been trying to get on the plane, insisting his intention was to find the captain and explain that he was not in a fit state to fly.
Release "under investigation" is being increasingly used as an alternative to police bail as the latter is subject to time limits governing the investigation.
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Where else are the rules so strict?
I wonder what happens if a surgeon, government minister or senior business leader shows up smelling of drink?
I bet they're not handcuffed for all to read about in the news and I bet they don't get put in prison for 6 months and then fired.
I wonder what happens if a surgeon, government minister or senior business leader shows up smelling of drink?
I bet they're not handcuffed for all to read about in the news and I bet they don't get put in prison for 6 months and then fired.
Last edited by Reverserbucket; 24th Jan 2018 at 15:41.
).I'm very happy to be flown by someone whose BAC does not exceed 20mg/100ml.
Posted this last year but:
Free barrel on @ Sqn.
Mentioned to TC that we had sim at 1800 so would have to miss festivities.
TC said go for it and, if it turns to worms we'll just do it again tomorrow.
It did. (when more complex failures were introduced)
Like hypoxia, flying only slightly drunk should be a sim training exercise.
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I would never have even one sip of alcohol in the 12 hours preceding a flight. Limits are ridiculous when it should be zero tolerance.
It really is about time that 100% breath-testing of all crew should be done prior to each flight, much the same as the use of metal detectors are commonplace. It is only if you actually know your reading, that you will be able to control your drinking, it would cut out all the guesswork.
I should be Ok as I have only had a half-pint of lager in 2018 so far, and class myself as a non drinker.
.
I should be Ok as I have only had a half-pint of lager in 2018 so far, and class myself as a non drinker.
.
"Mildly" Eccentric Stardriver
Like hypoxia, flying only slightly drunk should be a sim training exercise.
Edit. I can't find the film, but here is a medical article about it. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2012569
Last edited by Herod; 24th Jan 2018 at 20:12. Reason: Found Article
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Deadstick126
You are showing your lack of understanding of human physiology, we all have some alcohol in our bloodstream due to the way that the body processes food, the alcohol limit for flying in Europe is effectively zero alcohol consumed and just above the level that can be manufactured by the body’s digestive system.
If your absolute zero alcohol limit was to be observed then no Aircraft would leave the ground and no train leave the railway station.
If your absolute zero alcohol limit was to be observed then no Aircraft would leave the ground and no train leave the railway station.
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At the levels currently proscribed by the regulations, there is strong evidence that alcohol actually has a performance ENHANCING effect! Precisely why, until very recently, it was on WADA’s list of banned substances for sports requiring high levels of concentration, such as shooting and archery!
The level proscribed is simply an arbitrary figure. One could find oneself above it, yet not be either ‘drunk’ or ‘incapable’! It’s one quarter of the drink drive limit.
Now try to run the same argument with fatigue, and ask which way have EASA recently pushed THOSE limits!!
And why!
The level proscribed is simply an arbitrary figure. One could find oneself above it, yet not be either ‘drunk’ or ‘incapable’! It’s one quarter of the drink drive limit.
Now try to run the same argument with fatigue, and ask which way have EASA recently pushed THOSE limits!!
And why!
Last edited by 4468; 25th Jan 2018 at 12:27.
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There is a film somewhere of an exercise exactly like that. The crew of, I think, a 727 were put in the sim and gradually fed more drinks. It should be compulsory viewing. If I can find it I'll post, but it was many years ago.
Edit. I can't find the film, but here is a medical article about it. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2012569
Edit. I can't find the film, but here is a medical article about it. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2012569
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Nemo Me Impune Lacessit
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I would never have even one sip of alcohol in the 12 hours preceding a flight. Limits are ridiculous when it should be zero tolerance.
I have always had a deep seated mis-trust of 'Pilot Perfect'. Not in any way condoning breaking the CAA rules but have seen tee-total pilots put in a far worse performance than someone who had a couple of beers the night before whilst on the right side of the eight hour limit. Probably the most frightening episode was watching a pilot fly a completely flawless simulator detail right up until he arrived over a beacon for an ADF procedure and turned the wrong way by 180 degrees, heading straight for Mt. Granite. Much preferred flying with pilots who were a little bit either side of the datum at times but always trying to correct it and were concentrating on what they were doing.