Life Expectancy of a Cargo Pilot
10-21-2012, 12:21 PM
#1
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Life Expectancy of a Cargo Pilot
I am finding many health publications that clearly show people who work a night shift have a shorter life span. Has there been any specific research done on pilots flying at night over an entire career? I can only imagine that the radiation exposure at night time is exponentially higher than the day. I would love to read reports that include the use of a geiger counter during a night flight.
Could any cargo pilots chime in with fact based reports that concur with this topic?
Is it really true that ALPA did a study on FedEx pilots only to find that they live for five years on average past retirement?
Could any cargo pilots chime in with fact based reports that concur with this topic?
Is it really true that ALPA did a study on FedEx pilots only to find that they live for five years on average past retirement?
10-21-2012, 12:40 PM
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Originally Posted by USMCFDX
Please explain to me the science that you have that backs this statement up.
http://www.sievert-system.org/WebMas...questions.html
Does travelling at night reduce the dose of radiation that one might receive?
No. Cosmic radiation comes from throughout our Galaxy. It is both constant and isotropic (identical in all directions), and thus independent of the Earth's rotation.
Though the particles produced by solar flares originally come from the direction of the sun, the earth's magnetic field thoroughly modifies their distribution across the planet's surface. Areas on the "night side" can be more exposed than other areas located on the "day side".
No. Cosmic radiation comes from throughout our Galaxy. It is both constant and isotropic (identical in all directions), and thus independent of the Earth's rotation.
Though the particles produced by solar flares originally come from the direction of the sun, the earth's magnetic field thoroughly modifies their distribution across the planet's surface. Areas on the "night side" can be more exposed than other areas located on the "day side".
There is a well-documented circadian (24-hour)
rhythm that governs many of the major biological functions
of the human body. Disturbance of these cycles is
responsible for several of the most upsetting physical
and emotional problems evening and night workers experience
. Diurnal rhythms control pulse, blood pressure,
the cardio-pulmonary system, blood composition,
endocrine secretions, appetite, elimination, and the
wake-sleep cycle." Shift work, of necessity, interrupts
these processes and requires that they occur at times for
which the body is not genetically programmed or environmentally
conditioned for them.
There is disagreement over the extent to which the
body, over time, can adapt to changes in these rhythms.
Although several studies have found rhythmic adjustments
to a new work schedule may occur within four
days to two weeks," several considerations suggest that
such ready adaptation may not be commonplace. A
significant minority of shift workers, for unknown reasons,
never significantly adjust, biologically, to the alterations
imposed on their normal body cycles . In
addition, most evening and night employees in the
United States are on rotating shifts . The continuous alteration
of day and evening; or day, evening, and night
work, seriously diminishes or entirely precludes adjustment
of bodily rhythms. Furthermore, any adaptation
that may be achieved even among fixed shift workers is
repeatedly undermined by days off, holidays, vacations,
and sick leave, when employees revert to normal living
schedules." Not surprisingly then, problems related to
sleep, appetite, and digestion are the most common and
persistent complaints for many shift workers.
rhythm that governs many of the major biological functions
of the human body. Disturbance of these cycles is
responsible for several of the most upsetting physical
and emotional problems evening and night workers experience
. Diurnal rhythms control pulse, blood pressure,
the cardio-pulmonary system, blood composition,
endocrine secretions, appetite, elimination, and the
wake-sleep cycle." Shift work, of necessity, interrupts
these processes and requires that they occur at times for
which the body is not genetically programmed or environmentally
conditioned for them.
There is disagreement over the extent to which the
body, over time, can adapt to changes in these rhythms.
Although several studies have found rhythmic adjustments
to a new work schedule may occur within four
days to two weeks," several considerations suggest that
such ready adaptation may not be commonplace. A
significant minority of shift workers, for unknown reasons,
never significantly adjust, biologically, to the alterations
imposed on their normal body cycles . In
addition, most evening and night employees in the
United States are on rotating shifts . The continuous alteration
of day and evening; or day, evening, and night
work, seriously diminishes or entirely precludes adjustment
of bodily rhythms. Furthermore, any adaptation
that may be achieved even among fixed shift workers is
repeatedly undermined by days off, holidays, vacations,
and sick leave, when employees revert to normal living
schedules." Not surprisingly then, problems related to
sleep, appetite, and digestion are the most common and
persistent complaints for many shift workers.
Last edited by Ernst Kessler; 10-21-2012 at 12:52 PM.
10-21-2012, 02:34 PM
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Position: Sr. VP of button pushing
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Originally Posted by Ernst Kessler
Is it really true that ALPA did a study on FedEx pilots only to find that they live for five years on average past retirement?
No.
There are a few studys that say you'll die shortly after retirement and if you retire early you'll die sooner.
10-21-2012, 05:15 PM
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Position: B744 FO
Posts: 375
Originally Posted by Ernst Kessler
I can only imagine that the radiation exposure at night time is exponentially higher than the day. I would love to read reports that include the use of a geiger counter during a night flight.
Could any cargo pilots chime in with fact based reports that concur with this topic?
Could any cargo pilots chime in with fact based reports that concur with this topic?
This statement does not in any way imply that the radiation level is ANY greater at night. The statement is only replying to someone's assumption that it was lower.
10-21-2012, 05:52 PM
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Originally Posted by 727gm
"Though the particles produced by solar flares originally come from the direction of the sun, the earth's magnetic field thoroughly modifies their distribution across the planet's surface. Areas on the "night side" can be more exposed than other areas located on the "day side"."
This statement does not in any way imply that the radiation level is ANY greater at night. The statement is only replying to someone's assumption that it was lower.
This statement does not in any way imply that the radiation level is ANY greater at night. The statement is only replying to someone's assumption that it was lower.
You are incorrect.
The question was this:
Does travelling at night reduce the dose of radiation that one might receive?
No.
Cosmic radiation comes from throughout our Galaxy. It is both constant and isotropic (identical in all directions), and thus independent of the Earth's rotation.
Though the particles produced by solar flares originally come from the direction of the sun, the earth's magnetic field thoroughly modifies their distribution across the planet's surface. Areas on the "night side" can be more exposed than other areas located on the "day side".
Though the particles produced by solar flares originally come from the direction of the sun, the earth's magnetic field thoroughly modifies their distribution across the planet's surface. Areas on the "night side" can be more exposed than other areas located on the "day side".
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