Confidential Human Factors
Incident Reporting Programme
The Charity
Aviation
Maritime
FC5352
Initial Report
My employer, like many others, overreacted during the pandemic and went from making pilots redundant to having a significant shortage. As a ‘short term’ measure last year, pilots were asked to volunteer to work overtime during their leave – leave credit would be ‘sold’ back to them, making the extra work mildly lucrative. This is popular with many pilots who especially suffered financially during the pandemic and who welcome any extra funds.
This ‘short term’ measure has now lasted over 12 months. Leave is sold and not returned – no days in lieu are offered, and so potentially crew can work continually without a proper break, with only 900 hours/12 months to protect them. With lots of USA 2 crew/ 3-day/ night flights, this may not be triggered, but the roster would be exhausting. I have flown with many of these pilots and they are tired. Worn out. They need a break. They need protecting against their own urge to repay debts quickly. I am concerned that their mental and physical health will suffer – which can only be bad news for a continuing safe operation.
CHIRP Comment
The practice is voluntary and so it could be argued that those who wish to partake of the offer to fly extra duties have the right to do so provided that they consider carefully what they are signing up for. The occasional extra trip is likely not of considerable consequence, but repeated additional duties can soon become detrimental in fatigue terms depending on their composition, required task levels, and interaction with the individual’s main roster.
Whilst recognising that it is for individuals to ensure that they are fit to operate as part of their responsibilities to manage their own fatigue, the impact of foregoing holidays and rest periods should not be underestimated when it comes to cumulative fatigue; although financially tempting, we all need down-time not only to protect from fatigue but also to reset energy and attention levels. The old proverb ‘All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy’ is more than just a comment on social behaviour, it also illustrates the need to have a break from work so that we do not start to suffer from habituation and complacency. The mind’s structure is such that it can work for a long time but, at the same time, proper relaxation is absolutely necessary to keep it from getting overtaxed or dulled by continuous focus on work. Recreation revitalises the mind’s inborn abilities and makes for a properly balanced person.
We asked the company if they had any policies for monitoring participation in such voluntary extra duties but we received no response.