Schedules expose many pilots to dangerous fatigue, errors

[Kaman]

Kaman,

Although I agree with you that the rest rules should have been changed LONG ago, comparing the speed at which the controller issue was resolved with that of the line pilot is not apples to apples.

Remember, controllers are employees of the FAA. Therefore, the change was all "in-house" and could be mandated with a stroke of the pen. Line pilots are obviously NOT employed by the FAA and therefore the "process" of issuing a new rule (law) has to be followed.[/QUOTE
I completely agree with you, and my point is that the government can print money to pay their salaries, modify schedules, change training and hiring/screening policies in a whim. Whereas, we in the industry, the end-user are subject to another government mandated study of pilot fatigue. It is an absolute joke and really cements in my mind that our Federal government is corrupt and running amok.

 

[cynic]

Cheese with your wine?

You guys all knew what the job was like before you took it; a bit late to complain now and there is somebody in line for your place if you want to quit!

 

[say again]

Cheese with your wine?

You guys all knew what the job was like before you took it; a bit late to complain now and there is somebody in line for your place if you want to quit!

Yeah, there's the answer to fixing the issues with the industry, just get up and quit. You obviously don't get it. Why is to late to fix the rest rules in the industry? Just because they were here when I started doesn't mean that they don't need changing.

 

[no1pilot2000]

What can pilots do to change the rest/fatigue issues that face them in the industry right now?

 

[JoeMerchant]

Kaman,

Although I agree with you that the rest rules should have been changed LONG ago, comparing the speed at which the controller issue was resolved with that of the line pilot is not apples to apples.

Remember, controllers are employees of the FAA. Therefore, the change was all "in-house" and could be mandated with a stroke of the pen. Line pilots are obviously NOT employed by the FAA and therefore the "process" of issuing a new rule (law) has to be followed.[/QUOTE
I completely agree with you, and my point is that the government can print money to pay their salaries, modify schedules, change training and hiring/screening policies in a whim. Whereas, we in the industry, the end-user are subject to another government mandated study of pilot fatigue. It is an absolute joke and really cements in my mind that our Federal government is corrupt and running amok.

The FAA rule was changed from 8 hours to 9 hours of scheduled rest...and that isn't "behind the door"...Somehow I don't think that would make most of those complaining happy....Essentially doing away with the 8 hour RR rule would bring us in line..

Of course ours is duty out to duty in and I don't think there's counts that time....

 

[dojetdriver]

Remember, controllers are employees of the FAA. Therefore, the change was all "in-house" and could be mandated with a stroke of the pen. Line pilots are obviously NOT employed by the FAA and therefore the "process" of issuing a new rule (law) has to be followed.

Well, that along with the FACT that there was no one to lobby against the FAA change because of the economic impact it would have, know what I'm sayin"?

 

[CesnaCaptn]

This article was hardly news. All it said was that planes fly at times when people normally sleep and the pilots that fly them will be tired/fatigued. Are airlines going to suddenly stop flying redeyes? Are they going to fly bankers hours now? Try to schedule that one transoceanic.

 

[Plankster]

call in fatigue, call in sick, or do an intensive walk-around. There are ways to slow the rocket ship. You just just have to pull the lever...

...+1

 

[kmox29]

Well, that along with the FACT that there was no one to lobby against the FAA change because of the economic impact it would have, know what I'm sayin"?

...unfortunately, I do. Be safe out there.

 

[pilotyip]

What about bugging the FAA about allowing approved controlled napping in the cockpit, it is a proven fatigue fighter.

 

[JustaNumber]

Call in fatigue, call in sick, or do an intensive walk-around. There are ways to slow the rocket ship. You just just have to pull the lever...

You are right, you should do what you need to do when you are extremely fatigued. But the economics of the situation often causes pilots to want to complete the flight just as much as the airlines and the passengers want it completed. If you call out fatigued, you lose not only the flight pay for that flight, but often the entire next day's schedule if that gets messed up as a result. Many pilots, especially regional pilots, unfortunately find themselves factoring money into their decision-making process.

This is something that would seem to need to be addressed at the union level, but then that opens the door to massive abuse by the unethical. Therefore, it really needs to be addressed with maximum limits set by the FAA. Trying not to hold my breath...

 

[JoeMerchant]

You are right, you should do what you need to do when you are extremely fatigued. But the economics of the situation often causes pilots to want to complete the flight just as much as the airlines and the passengers want it completed. If you call out fatigued, you lose not only the flight pay for that flight, but often the entire next day's schedule if that gets messed up as a result. Many pilots, especially regional pilots, unfortunately find themselves factoring money into their decision-making process.

This is something that would seem to need to be addressed at the union level, but then that opens the door to massive abuse by the unethical. Therefore, it really needs to be addressed with maximum limits set by the FAA. Trying not to hold my breath...

So if I don't want to fly, I'll I have to do is say I'm fatigued and I still get paid? Do you think there might just be some abuse of this?

If you are really fatigued, throw the flag....If it is a safety issue, say so.

 

[Hansel]

If guys are getting lines with up tp 18 days off I can imagine they can go one or two night with minimal rest, quit crying