Originally Posted by
zerozero
They seem to think it's impossible to fly from Europe, pit stop in some God forsaken military outpost, then continue on to eastern Asia in less than 30 hours.
Major concerns about over-nighting in God forsaken hotels.
Sounds like some of them would be happier at an ALPA regional.
Once again, you are missing the point...
So, let us start with the reasoning behind the extended duty day for double crews.
First, there is more than adequate ability to sleep when you are not the operating crew.
Second, it is not about sandbox flights. They have never been the reason for the extended days. We have always been able to do those in under 18.
Third, it is about the fact that K4 is still very much a pure ad-hoc airline. Much more of our business model than ACMI or CMI. And, very often, those ad-hoc flights are a one time trip to a one time place. It is a better deal to all involved to double crew to a place where the crew can rest and the airplane can keep moving, than to have to commercial crews in and out to cover both legs of the flight. The crew makes more money in less time and the company avoids the logistics issues with cross commercialling crews.
Fourth, as a company policy, every time that a flight is conducted that is going to stretch the crew duty day, a multi department risk assessment is conducted for that flight. If all of the factors, including fatigue, do not allow it to be done reasonably, the whole plan is scrapped and a new aircraft/crew pairing is arranged.
You non K4 types are missing the real point. It ain't about the f*%^ing duty days! Pay attention... I will try to use the smallest words I can so that you hopefully understand. It is about having the leader of the e-board and his cronies trying to make us the sacrificial (know that is kind of a big word, but it means to kill something) lamb in the war on DHL. And, directly hurting the pilot group with their actions.