What really bothers me is how many pilots out there will not put their foot down and declare that they are not fit for flight with that much fatigue. The pressure of finishing the mission, keeping the job, paying the bills, being a team player puts too many of our bretheren at these carriers at risk. Airlines and, aircraft owners and airline managements are insured against loss, but those of us who put our lives and licenses on the line are not.
There needs to be an organization put together that is centered on being an advocacy for the piloting profession and the people who make the wheels turn. ALPA has done some good work in its history in improving training and safety standards in the industry as a whole, but there are still fences up that do not encompass the entire profession.
It's main goal should be focused on educating and encouraging the enforcement of safety standards as applied to the operation of aircraft
This organization should cover any and every person who is involved in commercial aviation at any level. From the commercial ticket holder who is doing aerial photo business or traffic watch in a 172 all the way up to a supplumental (can't spell) 747 driver who is pushing 18 hours on duty.
There is just too much pressure from aviation employers to do things that are not safe in the interest of the bottom line.
My two cents,
Walt