Originally Posted by
contrails
Consider the full spectrum:
Consecutive nights away
Holidays
Night work
All at once, for many.
That is not the usual 9-5 job, and that's without even considering the training/certificates and skills/experience required, in addition to the consequences of mistakes or poor judgement which put the responsibilities of the profession at the highest tier: those vocations that can result in death of the employee and customers, in addition to possible equipment loss (airplane) and possible property damage.
So back in 1996, I'm flying MD11 F/O. On a trip to FRA, I'm the junior puke so I get first break. I go back to take my nap in my Business Class, half reclining seat (not a First Class seat, and we had all 3 classes back then!) and as I go to sit down next to some suit, he looks at me, as if I've just farted, and shot his dog!
"What are you doing?" he asked (as I was moving all his crap out of my seat).
"I'm taking my break." says me.
"Why do you get a Break?"
"The FAA requires us to add one pilot, and each of us needs to take a break, on every flight over 8 hours." I tell him.
"I work over 8 hours every day, and I NEVER get a Break!" says the suit.
"And how many people DIE, when you make a mistake at your job?" says this smart *** F/O.
He got quiet after that, and I almost got some rest.
