So did you call in fatigued or just refuse the trip?

 

Funny, that's just what my ACP said after I jumped through all the hoops after the trip, of course, ALPA was on the phone with me!

 

I was already on the trip! When my alert didn't come as scheduled, I looked up my trip on line in VIPS, it was changing as I watched it. Eventually Skyped the DO, and told him I'm not doing it, we went round and round. I opted to jumpseat to CDG, at the DO's suggestion, and then see how I felt in CDG (told him I wasn't gonna be any more rested when I got there). We went round and round again in CDG, eventually they sent us to the hotel. My big mistake was not saying the F word right away, but the way the DO was asking questions, it was almost accusatory, I was reluctant. Next time, I just say "fatigued" and that is the end, no taking it back either, I was told! The company's big mistake - eliminating the stand bys in CDG!

(This was when we had a Capt get beat up in CDG at 1am coming out of the subway that quits running at 1130pm! )

 

We should start a thread outlining intimidation tactics like this..

You would think safety would be the #1 priority but that is probably hoping for too much.

 

In my case, I'm not so sure he was TRYING to intimidate me, though he obviously was anxious and wanted me to take the flight since he had no other options. I think he was trying to walk me down the path to either fly the flight or just say the F word, but his wording and tone came across, at the time, as accusatory and a bit intimidating. They can't really suggest the option to call fatigue to you, but once you say it, one conversation ends immediately, and another begins (ie. the new options - another flight, crew rest, etc). When telling this story to my FOs, I always emphasize NOT to be intimidated and to just use the F word, if needed, right away! Saves you from a lot of acrimonious phone conversation with the DO!

The day after I arrived in MEM, I had an email to call my ACP to talk about what happened. I contacted ALPA, they asked me some Qs (ie, my side of story, trip history to that point, did I say anything I might regret, etc), they contacted my ACP to ask for copies of the tapes (I think they're .wav files, actually), then arranged a conference call after they listened! All in all, the "debrief" was fairly painless, and my ACP found no fault and supported my decision!

 

I would estimate that I call a Duty Officer about once every 6 months (about scheduling issues, crew rest issues, catering problems, etc.). I have generally found them to be professional, reasonable and helpful, usually trying to find a way to satisfy both my needs and the company's (that's all I can ask of them!).

Thanks Duty Officers for the respect and consideration I feel I deserve ...

Regards ... Mark