Show your work.
What science, who are the "safety experts, doctors and a slew of international pilot volunteers"?
And how many of them actually fly the line or hold what they can bid and disappear behind a desk?
Straight from the committee's page on the ALPA web site, here is the list of Flight Time/Duty Time Committee members:
Chairman:
Capt. Don Wykoff (DAL)
Members:
Capt. Pat Bradshaw (DAL)
Capt. Jim Fritzler (DHL)
Capt. Alex Strickland (CAL)
Capt. Greg Whiting (UAL)
Capt. Darrell Cox (MAG)
Capt. Jim Ingalls (FDX)
F/O Matt Rettig (EGL)
Of course, the Engineering & Air Safety Department (E&AS) is also filled with staff members who have been doing science-based safety work for nearly their whole lives, and there were outside consultants hired as well. The Aviation Rulemaking Committee heard testimony from doctors and specialists before drafting the original proposal, which is largely the same as the final rule.
To the best of my knowledge, all of them fly the line. Yes, even your airline's own Capt. Wykoff, who not only chairs this committee, but also serves as the President of IFALPA. And in case you didn't know, even Capt. Moak flies a trip every month. I've told him that he's crazy to maintain his currency with all of the work that he has to do, but he keeps it up, because he knows there are people out there who will try to marginalize him if he doesn't. *Ahem*
Now I understand why Lee is so adamant about flying the line, even with his ridiculous workload. If he's been listening to this "flightless bird" nonsense for years from Delta pilots, then I guess I can see where he's coming from.![]()
Don't ever forgot who you represent and why you're in Herndon, ATN.
Maybe I have missed it...but once again...how is this rule going to make previously augmented long haul magically un-augmented after two years?
I guess I must have missed it, unless it is quite simply "You're dead wrong."
I like my 135 schedule, yes my days are long averaging 13.7 on duty, but i am only near or in the airplane for 3.7. i only have around 7.5 downtime in the middle. Now if i was flying 5 legs a day like i used too i would agree with youBecause the science experts have decreed you are perfectly safe to operate that trip unaugmented now. Not to mention that "contractual protection" of the augmented flying when it is no longer required to be = loss of negotiating capital that could be spent on other pay/QOL improvements. I'm on the side of failing to see how big an improvement this is. Yeah, it should help regional guys out but everyone else pretty much got tossed under the bus, especially cargo/135 guys. Money still wins over safety. Surprise.
Maybe I have missed it...but once again...how is this rule going to make previously augmented long haul magically un-augmented after two years?
I guess I must have missed it, unless it is quite simply "You're dead wrong."
So I was thinking about this while waiting for my cargo this morning. Since Doug has pointed out that there is a reduction in need for FOs and with cargo being exempt. It sure does look like UPS and FedEx may have trouble finding pilots later on because the regionals are almost going to be a better staffing situation. Could this be the start of the true regional career?
I know that when Comair got their great contract after the strike back in the 1990's people said that staying in a regional was going to be an option later. Is later now? Or does this destabilize the entire industry more because regionals will become more and more cut-throat?
Because the science experts have decreed you are perfectly safe to operate that trip unaugmented now. Not to mention that "contractual protection" of the augmented flying when it is no longer required to be = loss of negotiating capital that could be spent on other pay/QOL improvements. I'm on the side of failing to see how big an improvement this is. Yeah, it should help regional guys out but everyone else pretty much got tossed under the bus, especially cargo/135 guys. Money still wins over safety. Surprise.
At least 24 hour short call goes away....
True but I fear that increased reserve utilization will make up for any staffing shortages it creats. JMO.
If I hear one more thing from the union about how our contract protects us I'm going to lose it. The scenario Doug mentioned above is exactly the scenario I was worried about.