As a pilot, the contrast between the order, structure and coherence of our standard operating procedures sometimes conflicts dramatically with the apparently chaotic way our employment is managed and administered. How can anyone believe that the recent phenomenon of atypical employment of the most safety critical airline staff, enhance our ability to deliver on a pilot’s prime promise – that of a safe flight? Or should we take a new look at the seniority list driven, full time, male dominated structure of the old nationalised airlines? Have they already moved on, offering flexibility without undermining security?
Using experience of the dramatic recent changes in employment models across our industry from some of our members, ECA has succeeded in persuading the European Commission to take a look at the current jobs market in Europe for professional pilots. The Commission is running its own survey to gain an insight into employment models in use in Europe – how they suit the pilots employed in them, how they affect our conditions, fatigue state, work-life balance and most importantly; how they affect our ability to do our job – safely.
