Flying with a cold
 

Hiya...just flew back from Luxembourg to London last week. I had a cold so the descent was a killer for the ears. It got me thinking...do pilots NOT fly if they have a cold? I am sure the pressure changes affect them as much. If so, how do staff rosters cope with pilots dialling in sick in the morning?

The answer is pilots SHOULD NOT fly with a cold. The reality is very different. Part of the problem is when is hay fever, which is common and manageable, actually a cold and progressively gets worse as the day goes on particularly on an 11.5 hour duty. The other part of the problem is when you go sick you forgo the flying credits so it costs you money to go sick. For most pilots that isn't a consideration but I have flown with crew who are in the early stages of cold/flu/URTI and that has been a motivation. Whether its right or wrong its the way it is.

Flying with a cold
 

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Clearing the ears is only one of the problems in terms of flying with a severe cold. At least as bad is the brain fade that comes with it - that can degrade decision-making ability and handling skills. For those reasons, pilots with bad colds should not fly.

Thanks for the replies...I suppose the same applies to cabin crew, though I read yesterday that they are paid hourly and only if they fly?? Dunno if that is true or not....
Also, with the effects of a cold on the ears, I suppose radio calls become trickier...can't be much fun flying in those circumstances....

Get a cold, call in sick. That is how it should be and how every responsible crew member handles it. The danger is not only with the normal pressurization changes and the possible baro trauma from that, as a crew member you always have to keep in mind that a pressurization malfunction might lead to a rapid depressurization which can incapacitate someone with a cold immediately and will in all likelihood lead to a loss of the medical, which in turn means loss of the job.

In that light, calling in sick is an act of self preservation.

Both pilots and cabin crew are generally paid hourly only for hours flown. This can vary by airline. I have flown twice with pilots who were almost incapacitated with pain from ears or sinus that would not clear so I was effectively solo in a large jet. The pain usually doesn't get really bad until you are at fairly low altitude like 5000 feet or so. Unfortunately this is when pilot's workload is the highest. Cabin crew are usually not as busy then and can take time to use nasal spray or whatever to try and get some relief.

I learned my lesson as Supernumerary crew "flight Mechanic", started to feel discomfort in my ears that I could not clear. I started to experience imbalance, going through customs and getting home was disorientating. Turned to a buddy a few hours later as I felt and heard a squeal out of my ear and relief and said "I landed!". Never pushed that limit afterward.