Originally Posted by
IFlyDaPlane
I hear you. The critical thing for each of us, is to make that hard call that is right there in front of us. Day 6 of a six day trip and you are in one horse no-wheresville Podunk airport ... Fill in the blank ____ pack inop, eec falis... Call maintenance... "Fly it back, we will fix it here".
Or you are at 101 hours. Or hour 15 of duty. Do you cancel the flight?
If we don't make the hard call at the hard time, then we are part of the problem.
If the flight is not legal, not in accordance with SOP, or conducted while fatigued, then please, for goodness sake, don't come here and complain about it after the fact. If you took that flight, then you are part of the problem and you have forfeited the right to complain.
Cancelling illegal flights sends a powerful message, is the right thing to do, is the best way to effect change, and in my humble experience doesn't mess up your career.
If, on the other hand the flights are all legal, then the problem is with work rules. Get a union or make every effort to go somewhere that has work rules more to your taste.
You are ABSOLUTELY right. If it is legal, but you don’t think it is SAFE, then all you owe them is an explanation. If it is NOT LEGAL, then it is probably not safe either. Remember that most reg’s only came about after blood was spilled.
But we have the enemy from within our own ranks. They are a couple of DAY RATE(RS) that are called after the full time Pilot has turned the airplane down. These few are known to fly anything held together with speed tape and crazy glue.
Can’t believe that this guy previously the head of scheduling ( DS ) is still around offering extra cash, that some are accepting. It seems that MX gets paid to whip out the pencil, and The Pilots gets paid extra to take it the extra leg.
But soon, there will be a FAA 3 to 4 day records audit, and all those chickens will come home to roost...
Lost of License...Company will not pay...
Suspended license....Company will not pay
Did something thinking that you are helping the company. Well Captain, we didn’t tell you to do that, and you should know better. Sorry....even though you got it home for them....
So guys, as IFly said. Make the right decision. CYA. Until you are able to find greener pastures.