https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8W-0KHHdM0o


NB flying is too much like work. What you want with a job?

 

In the interest of “fair and balanced” reporting, we can’t minimize the impact of continuous back side of the clock flying. As someone who has done both, and currently flying the guppy, I got my arse handed to me by Europe flying. Waking up at 1am body time to come home was tough, and it definitely takes a toll on you. Yes, the Guppy is busy, but it’s busy during normal business hours. (At least at my seniority-I realize some get stuck with ANF to Bogota, Quito etc). As many have stated, having options is good. We can fly trips like Fedex, Southwest, and everything in between.

 

Circadian rhythm disruptions and high levels of solar radiation over the poles is something we all should acknowledge with regards to the easy life of a WB pilot as well. Sure it’s nice getting paid to nap for up to half of the flight, and the flying is often far more chilled than domestic, but it poses a serious long term health concern. And let’s also be real that while it sounds great in theory to have these long breaks during flight, is the sleep ever really that good? I know crossing the equator of getting slammed with moderate turbulence halfway across the Pacific leads to poor sleep if any for me.

But again, that’s what is awesome about United. We can chose what works best for each of us.

 

Completely concur with you. I'm a junior NB captain now. The WB flying is fantastic except for the backside of the clock. It was taking a incremental toll on me. I definitely felt chronically fatigued most of the time. I am sleeping through the night which is nice. The EWR trips leaving Europe were difficult on me. I was waking up at 0630 local time (0030 body clock) for a 0730 local time van to the airport. When I was flying out of IAD, I recall the trips leaving a couple hours later and that made a huge difference for me.

If and when the new Fifi aircraft show up, I am looking forward to a near-Europe / domestic mix of flying. I'm relatively new to the NB flying (did a short stint in '08 as a half-winger before I was furloughed) and so far...I'm enjoying the pace. I understand that some of this enjoyment is coming from flying a different aircraft and the feeling of almost being at a different company, but I am enjoying it nonetheless.

Bottom line is that the phrase "Different strokes for different folks" is very applicable. One is not better than the other. One is just a better "fit" for someone than the other.

 

On the radiation front… I wonder if there is an appreciable difference (as it affects your health in the long term) in the radiation over the poles (international) vs domestic, or if over a 20+ year career if we are all getting a fair amount of radiation and the real difference maker is how our individual genes are affected by it. I have lunch with some retired guys that are 80+ and in great health while still flying their GA aircraft, all after doing international for decades. I hope to be in their shoes at their age!

 

Has ALPA accomplished a radiation study of any sort? If not, the membership should insist on it. If they have, would someone post a link?

The pilots in the "high-altitude" aviation community are considered "radiation workers" due to the amount of exposure they get. U-2 flights are now flown with dosimeters to allow tracking of the radiation that each pilot receives. Radiation levels are monitored daily and if the forecast is that they will be high due to solar flare activity or whatever, the flight will be cancelled.

Back around 2009, about 80 of us volunteered for a brain MRI study to try to help correlate the damage being done in the form of brain lesions. This was after we had a spate of serious injuries and one near fatality. Was radiation a contributing factor along with the high cabin altitudes we were experiencing? I don't believe they ever concluded it was... but the radiation is definitely there.

Is flying in the FL350 range for 15 hours, including a pole transit, significant WRT the amount of millirems? The answer should be known by now. And if it isn't, someone needs to get on it.

It is not my intent to derail the discussion with a thread drift. We can certainly start a new thread if anyone wants to discuss health effect of long-haul flying.

 

Great questions that I think should be explored as well. I seem to remember an ALPA pamphlet years ago re radiation exposure, but the issue died on the vine.

 

Just cover yourself with napkins and you will be fine……

 

my Dad passed from Brain Cancer. 20+ years of wide body flying. I got to know his doctor pretty well and she said she sees a lot of international pilots and fighter pilots. Something to do with the radar they use when dogfighting? and to avoid it if at all possible. Take it for what it’s worth.

 

Cute….but the issue is real. You have any knowledge in this area, or just sniping at what you perceive to be not a big deal?