Ah! Sweet justice. :ok: :} Just watch for Simpson getting on to the board of one of the Airline lobby groups in the near future. :*

The UK Secretary of State indicated that he was going to vote for the proposal as he had been assured by the CAA that it was safe and sound. BALPA returned with a counter to the effect that CAA had not consulted its expert body, the CAA OAC Fixed Wing Advisory Group (FWAG). So what value is the CAA's advice to the DfT?

We have self seeking politicians pandering to the airline lobby groups and wet ministers who take 'advice' from regulatory authorities who have been shown to completely disregard their own expert bodies as they are in effect funded by those same airlines who are lobbying for the new proposals.

When are the media going to get this one right and not just turn it into a pilots "campaign against moves to increase their working hours"?

Pilots - "the most cosseted groups of employees in the world"
 

Interesting to note in Flight's article on page 8 this week "EU pilots protest at duty hike; US crash probe cites fatigue" - note the following extract:-

Michael O'Leary, chief executive of Ryanair, says if the new rules affect pilot rostering at all it will be to limit flexibility further "for the most cosseted groups of employees in the world."

Discuss!

MOL - say no more.

Too bad for Michael. He sees pilots as group of employees that he can't run into the ground from overwork because their work and duty hours are limited by law. Obviously it irritates him. What about some of their flights not serving water and coffee to the pilots? That is a basic physiological need and he is denying that! Let me understand the facts here: You are flying a new 80 Million USD aircraft for a jack :mad: who won't pay for your training or even a bottle of water for that matter and openly bad mouths his employees? That is a hell of a way to build loyalty, trust or at least a healthy working relationship with your employees!!!:yuk:
Time to tell him to "PISS OFF"!!!

Obviously a provocative man then.
 

However, unless he has gone further than I think, I don't think that he puts a gun to any pilot's head in order to make him/her fly for FR? Or am I wrong? If you don't like that guy that much, then don't work for him. Simple, no?

for the most cosseted groups of employees in the world."

shouldnt that read, ' directors of airlines'

I have it on very good authority that bottled water IS available to all pilots on all flights.

However, being Ryanair, yes you guessed it, they have to pay for it out of their own pockets.

Gawd help us what next.

Why has no strike ever happened at FR (yet) ? To me it's only a matter of time as so few people (some are though) are happy there.

And please, don't serve me with "if you don't like it, don't work for it". That is so hypocritical.

Why not decide on a strike this summer 2004 ? 3 to 4 days for a start, then assessment, and then another week, assessment, another week, assessment, etc...It's a short term expense but a VERY GOOD long term investment on health, money, private life and respect.

On a financial point of view, it would be a very smart expense as the ROI would be tenfold.

The problem is, all country's flag carriers want the facility to fly to the USA (or back) in the middle of the night. Obviously, all companies would welcome the opportunity to cut down on pilots by flying them for longer hours, but it is the USA case that is driving their arguments.

And since these talks started, the EU has been expanding to the east, which makes the desirable duty day even longer.

This is why the medical advice has been ignored. But perhaps Brian Simpson's fate will give his successor pause for thought. We certainly can't get expect any sympathy from Alistair Darling.

Regarding your posting about flight and duty time limitations, you may be interested to read my research paper into flight crew stress and fatigue.

If you send me an e-mail address, I'll forward the paper.

Dr Simon Bennett MRAeS
Director of Risk Studies
University of Leicester
[email protected]

I asume O'Leary is why Ryanair is the last choice of Eurocarriers on aplication lists these days. His comment in Flight Inter confirms what everyone believed about him anyway.

Who the hell would want to work for a mob with an ignorant twit like that at the top? :hmm:

Fatigue research
 

Pilots interested in the current debate over flight and duty time limits may be interested in my research into pilot stress and fatigue. To obtain a copy of my 2003 academic paper, please e-mail me at [email protected]
I'll then forward a copy of the paper as an attachment.
Best wishes,
Dr Simon Bennett MRAeS
Director of Risk Studies
University of Leicester, England
0116 252 5700

Bennett if you came over here to Nam mate youd have enough stress & fatigue material for an full international conferance and half a dozen bloodey theses. :bored: