Originally Posted by
trustbutverify
It's a sad reality. In too many situations, that slogan makes for a good soundbite, and not much more. I refer once again to noHat's post that started this conversation. Pay penalties for fatigue calls and declining duty extensions is a prime example of DALPA failing it's own safety motto and turning their backs on those who pay them for representation.
Before the DALPA attack dogs come after me, I'll admit that ALPA safety has historically done tremendous work in advancing safety. But DALPA needs to do much better. There is an article out today that cites AA's pilot union chief as calling out his company for pilot pushing. That's how a true pilot advocate acts.
Not to mention DALPA's borderline dangerous "interpretation" of 117's "8 hours of uninterrupted sleep opportunity" clause. That, in no case ever in history, could
EVER be met with 8 hours behind the door. It will
ALWAYS be more than that by a reasonable amount. How much is reasonable? Picture yourself sitting at a large mahogany table with a glass of water facing an army of opposition, many of whom pushed you into doing it, who are now basically accusing you of being a rogue maverick and challenging you to prove to them that you had said 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep opportunity. You think telling them you face planted by the bathroom door in uniform before the door closed behind you and got 8.0 hours of actual sleep in exactly 8.0 hours in the room, then rose like a vampire and walked out exactly 8.0 hours later is going to fulfill that requirement?
IMO anything less than 9 behind the door is absolutely impossible to defend and is therefore illegal. Maybe a few minutes less if you're a narcoleptic without facial hair that always brings their own food and doesn't need/choses not to shower.