Post-virus: Unsafe, rusty pilots?
Depends on the length of absence but some certainly will - I wouldn't describe the syllabus as a "give" but where I am for an extended absence of say, much more than 6 months to a year our Ops D certainly specifies at least one 4 hour refresher sim before launching into a catch up of missed LPCs/OPCs before getting anywhere near the line...
I know of someone where I work who due illness had a >18 month absence and as per the syllabus they had 5 X 4 hour sims before heading off with a LTC for revalidation on the aircraft.
I know of someone where I work who due illness had a >18 month absence and as per the syllabus they had 5 X 4 hour sims before heading off with a LTC for revalidation on the aircraft.
Avoid imitations
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But then again, some of us have never been given any sim training, let alone a refresher. 
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There are so many systems in place to check against 'rusty' pilots that I really don't see this as a problem. And it is not new, many individuals have already been through it (as has been made clear enough in several posts here) and continue to fly safely.
What worries me is the number of 'frazzled' pilots that there could be that could be very unsafe. Pilots who have been worrying about their domestic finances, pilots who have been worrying about health (family, friends or their own), pilots who are worried about their job security, pilots who have found the prolonged isolation at home (the exact opposite of their usual 'lifestyle' of going a long way from home!) to be 'upsetting', pilots who are having domestic difficulties due to being 'cooped up' with families in a way that they are not used to (especially with all the above problems on their minds all the time)... there are many, many other reasons why pilots could end up really 'frazzled' right now. Some managements are concerned about this (I know) which is a good start, while some appear (according to another Thread here) seem to be determined to make things worse.
Decades ago when I was out of work I had advice that "an unemployed pilot needs a mortgage for his phone bill" (in the old days before the relatively very cheap packages now available!). Right now the same probably applies to pilots stuck worrying at home. Get on the phone, talk to each other. Talking doesn't eliminate problems (although sometimes it might) but it can make a problem seem less extreme and finding that you are not the only one with a particular problem can reduce the 'sharpness' of that worry. It can also help to find ways that you hadn't thought of around worries. Go on, talk. We need pilots with clear minds as things get better.
Tell jokes! That helps to lighten things up. Don't worry about 'black' jokes, sometimes in situations that seem 'black' they are the most appropriate jokes (as anyone in certain jobs will be able to confirm!). I'll start here:
Look after each other. Fly safely.
What worries me is the number of 'frazzled' pilots that there could be that could be very unsafe. Pilots who have been worrying about their domestic finances, pilots who have been worrying about health (family, friends or their own), pilots who are worried about their job security, pilots who have found the prolonged isolation at home (the exact opposite of their usual 'lifestyle' of going a long way from home!) to be 'upsetting', pilots who are having domestic difficulties due to being 'cooped up' with families in a way that they are not used to (especially with all the above problems on their minds all the time)... there are many, many other reasons why pilots could end up really 'frazzled' right now. Some managements are concerned about this (I know) which is a good start, while some appear (according to another Thread here) seem to be determined to make things worse.
Decades ago when I was out of work I had advice that "an unemployed pilot needs a mortgage for his phone bill" (in the old days before the relatively very cheap packages now available!). Right now the same probably applies to pilots stuck worrying at home. Get on the phone, talk to each other. Talking doesn't eliminate problems (although sometimes it might) but it can make a problem seem less extreme and finding that you are not the only one with a particular problem can reduce the 'sharpness' of that worry. It can also help to find ways that you hadn't thought of around worries. Go on, talk. We need pilots with clear minds as things get better.
Tell jokes! That helps to lighten things up. Don't worry about 'black' jokes, sometimes in situations that seem 'black' they are the most appropriate jokes (as anyone in certain jobs will be able to confirm!). I'll start here:
Look after each other. Fly safely.
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Having been through 9/11, SARS, MERS plus general economic mayhem over the last 25 years and 4 redundancies as a result I can only say that I never had any great problem getting back into the saddle. The longest layoff was nearly 18 months the shorter ones felt like longer due to stress. In every case, after a few trips back on the line it was if I had never been away at all. You will be back doing the crossword in no time.
That said, I'm very glad to be in my last few years with kids gone and all major bills paid rather than halfway through with massive outgoings like some of my colleagues, the flip side of that being a wrecked pension and not much time for it to recover. Oh well, it never was an equitable life.
Stay safe, don't spend all day watching the news and try to ignore those who predict apocalypse, doom and disaster, they have no more idea about the eventual outcome than my cat and I get the distinct impression that they are enjoying it.
That said, I'm very glad to be in my last few years with kids gone and all major bills paid rather than halfway through with massive outgoings like some of my colleagues, the flip side of that being a wrecked pension and not much time for it to recover. Oh well, it never was an equitable life.
Stay safe, don't spend all day watching the news and try to ignore those who predict apocalypse, doom and disaster, they have no more idea about the eventual outcome than my cat and I get the distinct impression that they are enjoying it.
N4790P
Having been through 9/11, SARS, MERS plus general economic mayhem over the last 25 years and 4 redundancies as a result I can only say that I never had any great problem getting back into the saddle. The longest layoff was nearly 18 months the shorter ones felt like longer due to stress. In every case, after a few trips back on the line it was if I had never been away at all. You will be back doing the crossword in no time.
That said, I'm very glad to be in my last few years with kids gone and all major bills paid rather than halfway through with massive outgoings like some of my colleagues, the flip side of that being a wrecked pension and not much time for it to recover. Oh well, it never was an equitable life.
Stay safe, don't spend all day watching the news and try to ignore those who predict apocalypse, doom and disaster, they have no more idea about the eventual outcome than my cat and I get the distinct impression that they are enjoying it.
That said, I'm very glad to be in my last few years with kids gone and all major bills paid rather than halfway through with massive outgoings like some of my colleagues, the flip side of that being a wrecked pension and not much time for it to recover. Oh well, it never was an equitable life.
Stay safe, don't spend all day watching the news and try to ignore those who predict apocalypse, doom and disaster, they have no more idea about the eventual outcome than my cat and I get the distinct impression that they are enjoying it.
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what does the cat reckon ?
I've heard worse ideas.
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Does anybody have the official stance on the IAA extension regulations please? My rating expires at the end of the month and I’m wondering what I need to do for the extension to be applied. I have been getting conflicting views from my friends who find themselves in similar positions.
The issue in my opinion will be that it will be rusty crews full stop. That is from the gate agent, push back man, etc, every aspect of the operation will need more caution.
Then the ones at the pointy end, both who have not flown for sometime, also as pointed out throw in potential financial stress.
The cabin crew, same deal.
Passengers, stress of maybe not having seen loved ones for sometime, missed a major milestone, antsy, etc.
So despite what some say, I say yes it’s a pressure cooker of unseen proportion. Swiss cheese will no doubt have many more holes in it and no doubt be larger.
What can be done? Yes be professional but also slow down, bugger the OTP.
Then the ones at the pointy end, both who have not flown for sometime, also as pointed out throw in potential financial stress.
The cabin crew, same deal.
Passengers, stress of maybe not having seen loved ones for sometime, missed a major milestone, antsy, etc.
So despite what some say, I say yes it’s a pressure cooker of unseen proportion. Swiss cheese will no doubt have many more holes in it and no doubt be larger.
What can be done? Yes be professional but also slow down, bugger the OTP.
Avoid imitations
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I think it will be best if we all just use a good dollop of common sense. Sadly lacking in many areas at the moment.
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Who’s Current?
As things drag on, the backlog on checks, medicals and licensing increases.
It will take time to get everyone trained up.
And some special rules to get the checkers fit.
It will take time to get everyone trained up.
And some special rules to get the checkers fit.
Nothing to do with operational recency but I have heard of another threat to our returning to the flight line. Infected Pilots coming out of ICU having recovered from Corona -19 are being refused their medical certification due to possible lung damage. These are EASA medicals and the results are being contested. Just another hurdle but at least they are alive.
