Please find below an update concerning:
- New Flight Time Limitations and Fatigue Reports
- Direct Entry Captains
- In-room Confinement at some Destinations
- Peer to Peer Support
New Flight Time Limitations and Fatigue Reports
Based on the feedback of our members we are pleased to announce that the new Flight Time Limitations, which have been implemented on 1 July 2020, have proven to be a major step towards fatigue mitigation and represent an important pillar for a safe flight operation. This was one of the main priorities during the last CWA negotiations.
Despite this improvement, it still is possible that pilots feel insufficiently rested and unfit to safely perform the next duty or series of duties. In such situations it is of utmost importance not just only to comply with the maximum flight time limitations in the CWA, but also respect OM-A, Chapter 6, Section 1.
One reason why we emphasize the personal responsibility is the possibility of cumulative fatigue while operating several days in a row, which have not been addressed adequately in the regulations, especially when operating and resting against the body clock.
Please apply a very high and professional standard in determining your capability to safely operate any subsequent flight and remember that you might possibly face a situation where you have to justify your decisions. Therefore, please do not hesitate to ask for more rest should you require it!
As we have indicated in the past, maintaining a sleep log from the beginning of a rotation will assist you in making a professional and informed decision. Also, do not forget to file a proactive fatigue report when asking for additional rest, or a reactive fatigue report, if you experienced high levels of fatigue during a flight. In order to support any change in crew scheduling and rotation planning, fatigue reports by pilots are the most valuable and required data. Guidance on how to report fatigue can be found here.
Direct Entry Captains
The hiring of Contract Captains at Cargolux has always been a delicate and emotional topic. Since the last negotiations the CWA contains a paragraph (Art. 45.6.5) that limits the number of Direct Entry Captains to be hired whilst at the same time requires the company to continue promoting Senior First Officers to Captains.
We are monitoring the situation very closely and have asked Human Resources for an update on this topic. Please click here to read the latest letter that was sent to Human Resources on 18 August 2020. Please click here to read their reply.
Additionally, this topic will be put on the agenda for the next Joint Delegation Meeting (formerly known as Comitè Mixte) in September 2020.
Latest now, limiting the amount of Direct Entry Captains to a maximum of 10 in the new CWA has proven to be very important, in contrast to the old CWA, where there was no hard limit in this matter.
In-room Confinement at some Destinations
We are concerned that additional authorities may apply the restrictive measures seen currently in BKK and HKG. SIN has improved somewhat by accepting pilots to exit their room for a short period of the day during layovers.
We have seen rotations where it is conceivable that a pilot may have an in-room confinement requirement at almost every destination. Our priority is to coordinate with Senior Management together with local authorities and request that pilots are able to move freely within the hotel property to enable for essential activities including physical exercises whilst respecting physical distancing requirements and wearing masks.
In our regular COVID-19 meetings with management we have discussed this again and requested that it is addressed before more restrictions are applied. Please click here to read the latest letter to the CEO.
Peer to Peer Support (PSP)
During COVID 19 we have seen new factors that definitely affects us pilots in our work environment. At Cargolux we have a functioning PSP in cooperation with Stiftung Mayday that enables, facilitates and ensures access to a proactive and non-punitive Pilot Peer to Peer Support Program that will assist and support flight crews in recognizing, coping with, and overcoming any problem which might negatively affect their ability to safely exercise the privileges of their license.
Please remember that this is a support program and reaching out to Peers and professional psychologists will provide you with the help, with full confidentially, so that you can make decisions you need to operate safely during flight operations. These Peers and Professionals will be supporting you in your decision-making process.
If needed and in order to obtain the maximum benefits of this program Cargolux pilots need to contact the PSP through the contracted agency of Stiftung Mayday via Phone: +49 (0)700 7700 7701 or email https://www.stiftung-mayday.de/en/cism-contact/
You may also contact our Human Factors Manager Gunnar Steinhardt. Gunnar offers support as aviation psychologist as well whilst guaranteeing full confidentiality. You may reach him via mobile +352 621 169 652 or email gunnar.steinhardt@cargolux.com
