FXDX

If only everyone would read this post before spouting off on the merits of freight versus pax this thread would make so much more sense.

And we like to think of ourselves as intelligent.

Well played on the mandate too.

MX727

Based on the direction this thread took and the lack of comprehension by some, we are screwed.

Skeebo made an excellent post highlighting what the Washington elite think of cargo pilots. Busboy explained it to those who didn't get it. A few folks would be well served to edit or delete their posts.

Lifizgud

My "not a real pilot" what?

onetime

When that well rested 76 passenger carrier crew is on takeoff roll, I sure hope that ultra tired, up all night on min rest, cargo crew does not miss the hold short radio call, while crossing mid-field. This is the picture that needs to be painted to Congress. We all share the same air transportation system, what or who is behind the cockpit door is irrelevant.

Lifizgud

Yeah, but we wouldn't have LIKED it...!

Turtledriver

Thanks for posting this. We all need to work together for one level of safety

Lifizgud

I just hope the cargo crew is not just fully rested because they were now required to be in domicile 24 hours prior to starting a trip...the road to hell is paved with unintended consequences and we've seen the track record our gov't has with ready, fire, aim legislation...just sayin' the obvious...

rv8builder

And when that not-well rested 767 passenger airline crew is landing on the taxiway at dawn, I sure hope no aircraft, cargo or pax, is using the same taxiway.

742Dash

And a few of us would do well to get a sense of humor. It improves lifespan.

As for the issue at hand, we have to start with a good dose of reality. People who are paid to do a job, and who are trained in "the system", are expected to take risks that the general public is not. This is why ferry permits exclude the carriage of passengers. It is why factories have yellow lines that visitors can not cross. It is why your local garage does not let customers into the bays.

So the thought that cargo pilots, or for that matter any flight crew on an airplane that is not carrying the general public, is entitled to the same protections as Joe Schmuck who just bought a ticket off of the Internet is deeply flawed and is not going to work.

However a strong argument can be made with regard to system integrity and that fatigue creates risks outside of the specific airplane. That approach has some legs.

But beware -- we may not like the results. We pilots are pretty good at numbers but really, really bad at understanding how other people are going to approach issues. And in this case the result for us could easily be less pay and more time away from home. Maybe that is right; maybe we do need to make drastic changes in the system. But anyone out there beating this drum thinking that their life is going to be better for it -- time to back off a few steps and think it through from different angles.

slavenaway

THAT is very funny.