Confidential Human Factors
Incident Reporting Programme
The Charity
Aviation
Maritime
CC5910
Initial Report
My operator is incredibly short of Cabin Crew. The number of crew that have reported fatigue has increased immensely. I have personally witnessed crew members in tears on duty due being so tired from the number of flights they have done. They had no fly on their roster as they had done so many hrs.
I have experienced multiple roster changes and increased workload both number of flights and on board. Minimum rest and delayed report to ensure the duty is legal is common and I have recently experienced this on my roster.
Lack of catering, face mask policy, disruptive passengers, the cabin baggage policy and slots all add to the level of fatigue. Most of which could be reduced with sufficient leadership however, this is lacking. I feel it could lead to serious safety events if the fatigue issue is allowed to continue into the summer months.
Operator Comment
In line with many companies across the aviation sector we are currently experiencing operational challenges, there is a focus on these with mitigations planned to assist with stabilisation of the operation for the busier summer period. The company FRMS, through fatigue reporting and operational data analysis, is aware of the challenges being faced by our cabin crew community and consequently assesses the effectiveness of current mitigations while identifying those areas that need further, or proactive, attention. Irrespective, crew members continue to have the protection of being able to claim fatigued absence on a non-punitive basis should they feel that their performance would otherwise compromise flight safety. Future roster sequences can similarly be reported to FRMS for review.
While respecting confidentiality, individual reports are prioritised where there are indications that a crew member needs personal wellbeing support. Additionally, as the reporter confirms, FRMS ensures that legality is maintained. Despite the acknowledged pressures, the focus thereby remains on delivering a safe and compliant operation with a level and intensity of workload which is sustainable for our crew.
We would ask the at the reporter submits their concerns via a cabin safety report, or our confidential/whistle-blower reporting processes, and should support be required they can speak to their line manager, or use our employee assistance support options.
CAA Comment
The crew should utilise the company`s normal reporting channels to address his/her fatigue concerns. This would allow the operator to manage fatigue treats associated with the current perceived programme disruptions as well as to assess or re-assess the potential impact on their operations.
CHIRP Comment
CHIRP has long since held the view that FTL maximums should be approached only infrequently and in a managed manner. Many cabin crew are feeling the daily pressures within aviation, as are many of our colleagues. Communicating with your operator and your colleagues is vital, if you believe that are suffering from the effects of fatigue, report it, if you have a safety concern, report it, if you’ve had a ‘near miss’ safety incident, report it. Without safety-related reports there is insufficient evidence for an operator (or the CAA) to see that ongoing safety concerns could be occurring.