Originally Posted by
CousinEddie
We should lobby the US Governmet now for the repeal of FAR 117. Since this is all globalization at work, why should the services we US pilots provide be placed at a competitive disadvantage by our own Government? If the ME3 and now NAI can fly US citizens in and out of the US with far less restrictive and costly rest rules, why shouldn't we be allowed to to the same thing? For example, on international flights we should not be counting our time on rest breaks towards our monthly totals, just as they do. That way, we could get at or near a solid 100 hours a month in the flying seat month after month, just as they do. Therefore, we will be able to match me on a productivity basis from a competitive standpoint.
By that argument, should the EU carriers lobby their governments over employment law advantages, as opposed to aviation law advantages?
It costs Air France/Lufthansa near enough an additional 110% of a pilots salary to employ them.
Countries are different. Laws are different. The US isn't the only country in the world. In fact, it has pretty shonky employment laws compared with most of the Western world. You'll call it free market, no doubt - which in the current context, is a sad irony.