Originally Posted by
80ktsClamp
Been there, done that- so I'll refrain from ****ing off.
I've done my share of 6-7 leg days (
there was even a 6 leg day on the Airbus in ATL a few months back). If there is no break to eat in your day, you take one and get some chow. If you have to delay a flight, so be it. I've always followed that rule, never got in trouble for following it... and every pilot with any sort of sense follows that rule.
I remember in one of those 6 or so leg days at the regional, a supervisor met me coming off the plane to take me directly to the next flight. "Sorry, I'm getting some food."
him- "there's no time! You've got to get to the plane!"
me- "nope, want something? I'm stopping by Einsteins... I have to have food."
Needless to say, I got my way and never heard anything about it.
At mainline, they'll even meet us at the jetbridge with a crew van to whisk us away to the next airplane if we're running behind. A number of times we've refused that ride because we needed to get some chow.
Wow, six month back. That is a daily routine for some of us.
That's great that at main line you can get away with that. Unfortunately, at many of the old school regionals (the ones flying 1900s, Banderantes, Brasilias, and Saabs), that isn't an option. We, who have not proved our worth to earn a mainline seat, have to yield to our management who must maintain a performance rating.
Oh, and I am lucky if they meet me at the stairs to give me the release... forget about a meal.
Look, those of us who have come up from the ranks and have to claw our way to getting to the mainline, are forced to deal with management that isn't as understanding as the mainline. We get the pleasure of a chat with the CP when we are so exorbitant as to take time to eat.