Originally Posted by
Bucking Bar
Three step checklist:
(1) Find a phone
(2) Call Crew Scheduling
(3) Say whatever two magic words are necessary from the following list:
- I'm sick
- I'm fatigued
- I quit
- F U (will have the same effect as I quit)
- Whatever you do, don't be clever. A friend once asked a scheduler "does that jet have a pointy end? Good. Then use the pointy end and shove it ..." ALPA got him his job back after a year.
I'm kidding of course, but, people make mistakes when they are tired. Those who do safety work will all tell you that reserves tend to get in trouble after working several very long days when something else goes wrong (a distraction). Your passengers and the company deserve your efforts at your best. If you get pushed in the corner ... don't.
When I read the TA my thoughts were that the regional guys will instinctively respond to the "regional" like work rules with "regional" like defenses. The mission oriented folks will be in momentary conflict until they remember safety comes first.
I agree..it's sad that we have sunk to the same level at mainline. I had these problems when I worked at a regional. Getting pushed to the limit-being on 0400 short call for 3 years straight nearly every month. And yes, I did have to call in fatigued at my regional. When I got hired here, it was night and day and I hope it still is in the future. I'm telling you guys, the 90-100 hour credit month may mean a few more dollars in the bank account, but you're so exhausted when you get home that you don't feel like doing anything. The union sells this TA as having the best reserve system in the industry, so I guess I should just let it rest.