Commuting
Nemo Me Impune Lacessit
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,103
Likes: 5
From: Chabanais, France
The guys who travel long distances by car every day
are pushing their luck, commuting is usually OK for long haul, done sensibly, using a B&B near the airport. Commuting short-haul is for the birds. After the Coglan accident you can only expect the company rules to get tighter.
The only person I knew who handled commuting and short haul well had a very well equipped camper van, but he was still away from home three to four nights a week.
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 1,450
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From: UK
I commuted when I was on short haul. I bid for tours so I'd fly down to Heathrow, normally sleep on the aircraft, report for work then gypsy tour round Europe. If I had an early start I'd come down the night before. Easy.
Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Europe
Hmmm, some interesting anti-commuting sentiment here. I can honestly say I am NOT tired, nor am I fatigued and I have been commuting for more than a decade. I have been flying with fellow commuters for years and they are all fine as well. So my conscience is clear, I have found a way to commute without being affected by it. It's honestly not a big deal if done sensibly. I am more worried by you who drive more than two hours each and every day.
Actually the Germans in EASA agree:
http://doczine.com/bigdata/2/1367193...3906b/coag.pdf
A very interesting document which specifically says that commuting is more a matter of FRM than FTL. And they openly admit that the problem lies more with the daily commute, NOT the guys who take a flight at the beginning of the week because those tend to have accommodation close by!
Actually the Germans in EASA agree:
http://doczine.com/bigdata/2/1367193...3906b/coag.pdf
The need for specific rules for commuting was discussed, as it is a well-known factor that can potentially reduce aircrew sleep opportunity and increase fatigue before reporting for a duty. The Colgan Air flight 3407 accident in Buffalo has recently emphasised the issue of long commuter pilot. Even if commuting is a real concern in terms of safety, it is very unlikely that a regulation would be able to prevent long commuting regarding the complexity of this issue. One of the problem of a commuting regulation will be to set a limitation while the actual commuting time could vary very much as a function of the traffic conditions. Furthermore, a long commuting using public transportation is probably less tiring than a shorter commuting using a personal car. The STARE project has shown that there were no significant differences in sleep duration before a duty between long and short commuter. This is explained by the fact that long commuter use accommodation close to their base to ensure a sufficient rest before reporting for the duty. Therefore a more sensible approach to the issue of commuting would be enhancing aircrew responsibility through education and training.
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,643
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From: UK
Can't argue with that perhaps its more a case of you being caught up with the airline managing the usual 5% who spoil it for the majority.
I suspect by the fact that this post has few comments from the usual anti EASA FTL brigade that its an area that people don't want to talk about because they know the airlines have them by the short and curlies and with EASA FTL looming the airlines are obliged to look at it in much more detail
I suspect by the fact that this post has few comments from the usual anti EASA FTL brigade that its an area that people don't want to talk about because they know the airlines have them by the short and curlies and with EASA FTL looming the airlines are obliged to look at it in much more detail
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 82
Likes: 6
From: uk
Remember that when you are commuting by air you are breathing cabin bleed air at a lower pressure altitude than if you were driving or on a train which will affect your alertness.
EK pilots in Dubai still get limos provided to take them to work.
EK pilots in Dubai still get limos provided to take them to work.
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 152
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From: The Back of Beyond
Since when does uncle Otto's Volvo qualify as a 'limo'?
Must be great turning up at work an hour or more before sign on... who wants to spend time with their families anyway?
Must be great turning up at work an hour or more before sign on... who wants to spend time with their families anyway?
Last edited by Flying Clog; 19th February 2014 at 04:15. Reason: grammar
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 6,729
Likes: 104
From: The Winchester
Remember that when you are commuting by air you are breathing cabin bleed air at a lower pressure altitude than if you were driving or on a train which will affect your alertness
Last edited by wiggy; 19th February 2014 at 08:28.
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,085
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From: Eternal Beach
The argument of "Operating flight is delayed by 4hrs now what do you do?" is invalid.
What about the other hundred or so punters on the same flight who missed meetings/connections/appointments.
If it's the same airline you work for, then that's their problem. IF you caught a scheduled flight that was to have you at home base by the FDL requirements, then you have done everything above board.
What about the other hundred or so punters on the same flight who missed meetings/connections/appointments.
If it's the same airline you work for, then that's their problem. IF you caught a scheduled flight that was to have you at home base by the FDL requirements, then you have done everything above board.
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 911
Likes: 9
From: FL510
I believe an american carrier has a system wherein when you had two valid options to fly in for duty, and fail to get there, it's not your fault, only if you had just one valid option it's your bad.
Sounds fair enough.
Sounds fair enough.
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 246
Likes: 15
From: phoenix, AZ, USA
That is indeed what we have. You have two flights to get to work. If both your flights have issues then you are covered. Fit to fly is at your determination. If there is an incident and they find you had been up for many hours commuting in you will be hung out to dry by the company and the FAA.
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 3,349
Likes: 1
From: FUBAR
I lived with the "what if" scenario for a few years. If the aircraft I required to take me to work diverted I (would have , didn't have to , I was lucky for 2 years 
) called in sick . . . . . simple, not because I am a lying bar steward, but because my company would have used "the truth", involving THEIR flight to crucify me . . . as per company SOP.
This, can happen, but , for anyone using the M25 or indeed any myriad of motorways/autoroutes/autovias/freeways anywhere worldwide. . .well, any of us can be screwed & stuck in a jam for 2 ? 3 ? 6 ? hrs. . . s - - t happens ! unfortunately Crewing Depts in "some" companies have to ignore this reality, because some ass who is being employed on much higher costs than a decently fed Rotweiller would cost (& usually has LESS intelligence) is breathing down their neck.
Just remember "I am sick " . . . . . .
) called in sick . . . . . simple, not because I am a lying bar steward, but because my company would have used "the truth", involving THEIR flight to crucify me . . . as per company SOP. This, can happen, but , for anyone using the M25 or indeed any myriad of motorways/autoroutes/autovias/freeways anywhere worldwide. . .well, any of us can be screwed & stuck in a jam for 2 ? 3 ? 6 ? hrs. . . s - - t happens ! unfortunately Crewing Depts in "some" companies have to ignore this reality, because some ass who is being employed on much higher costs than a decently fed Rotweiller would cost (& usually has LESS intelligence) is breathing down their neck.
Just remember "I am sick " . . . . . .
