Originally Posted by
Sunvox
My numbers are not meant to be accurate; it's more the gist of the idea that's important.
As an Airbus captain, 99% of my flying occurred in between the hours of 6 AM and midnight, and I almost 100% of the time was asleep between the hours of midnight and 5 AM. On the 777 more than 90% of my flying has some period of work between the hours of midnight and 6 AM. Clearly long haul WB trips are more productive, but the price one pays is working on the back side of the clock. Now, as a young man it wasn't too terrible. As an older pilot I HATE flying at night, but sadly it's the price I pay to get paid better than I ever have before.
When I was able to choose, I chose NOT to fly the most efficient trips on the 777 as an FO to avoid ANF. I used to fly the early Tel Aviv. It left at 5:30 or so meaning the flying guys worked until about 11:00 and then got a 4 hour nap right when one is in their WOCL. If I had had to fly a steady diet of Delhi or Hong Kong I would NOT have taken that job for ANY amount of efficiency.
Yes, WB is more efficient, but it is NOT the same job, and it is therefore not for everyone, and that's a good thing
That’s why I left. I was tired all of the time, ate a bad diet, stopped exercising, and gained weight. I don’t like NBCA, but I dislike how I felt flying long haul even more. Now I avoid duty from 0000-0600, put in my commuting requirements, a few other request, and then just fly what PBS spits out. I’m glad that I tried it, but it wasn’t for me.