Ask The Pilot

[jb747]

Contract? Aren't you guys under an EBA?

I'm not a lawyer. As far as I am concerned, they're the same thing.

Yeah, that'd suck. Of course, if you're working 90 percent of them, then some lucky bugger's getting 90 percent of them off...

A while back the question was asked about pay rates and you said that it varied depending on how much flying you did. Does this mean that if you have an extended period off, you don't get paid??? If so, that'd double suck...

No, there's a base pay level, but it's quite possible that some people (the same ones with Xmas off most likely), can add about 35% on top of that.

 

[mjt57]

JB, a quick one. When you're in London, what do you do for phone coverage and internet connectivity? Just trying to work out the best way to do this for the week that we'll be there.

 

[jb747]

JB, a quick one. When you're in London, what do you do for phone coverage and internet connectivity? Just trying to work out the best way to do this for the week that we'll be there.

The hotel we stay at has free wifi. All Starbucks do too.

Phone...I normally don't bother, as I can do most things I need on the net, but I'm told that O2 have a sim called the "Traveller's", which you just treat like an Oyster card (top it up if needed). The rates are apparently so good that some of the guys are using this instead of local Oz cards when at home. Data is pay as you go, but at a reasonable (i.e. not Oz telco) rate.

 

[Simo]

The hotel we stay at has free wifi. All Starbucks do too.

Phone...I normally don't bother, as I can do most things I need on the net, but I'm told that O2 have a sim called the "Traveller's", which you just treat like an Oyster card (top it up if needed). The rates are apparently so good that some of the guys are using this instead of local Oz cards when at home. Data is pay as you go, but at a reasonable (i.e. not Oz telco) rate.

International Roaming would be a real cost for you guys.

Do you get a company supplied mobile phone or do you just get a allowance to cover those costs.

I would say some airline workers who go between many countries would have some big bills when things happen when you are overseas for work more than you are in Aust.

 

[mjt57]

The hotel we stay at has free wifi. All Starbucks do too.

Phone...I normally don't bother, as I can do most things I need on the net, but I'm told that O2 have a sim called the "Traveller's", which you just treat like an Oyster card (top it up if needed). The rates are apparently so good that some of the guys are using this instead of local Oz cards when at home. Data is pay as you go, but at a reasonable (i.e. not Oz telco) rate.

Thanks JB.

I'll check out O2.

We're staying in a hotel in a place called Mayfair, I think it is. Dunno if they have free WIFI or not. But I'll check out this O2 mob in any case.

My wife and I will probably get a couple of Vodaphone SIMs for our phones for normal calls if the O2 ones don't suit.

 

[Flashback]

Thanks JB.

I'll check out O2.

We're staying in a hotel in a place called Mayfair, I think it is. Dunno if they have free WIFI or not. But I'll check out this O2 mob in any case.

My wife and I will probably get a couple of Vodaphone SIMs for our phones for normal calls if the O2 ones don't suit.

Failing that I've got some Giffgaff SIMs. Can activate them beforehand so they're ready to go, £10 will give you unlim text, 250 mins calls, 750mb data (tetherable).

 

[jb747]

Do you get a company supplied mobile phone or do you just get a allowance to cover those costs.

I would say some airline workers who go between many countries would have some big bills when things happen when you are overseas for work more than you are in Aust.

The company has never provided line pilots with a phone. I guess that's why it's a tax deduction. They are going to give us iPads, and whilst they will be 3G enabled in Oz, they won't pick up the bills overseas. The iPads should provide a real cost saving though, as they replace the unbelievably expensive Toughbooks in most of the aircraft, as well as all of the paper manuals...which weigh a lot, and cost a small fortune in upkeep.

 

[mannej]

Whilst waiting for QF2 to depart the other day, the cabin was pretty close to unbearable with the heat inside.

The reason was due to the APU being inoperable.

How much of a problem is the APU being inoperable, and in cases of extreme conditions, are there other ways of getting the cabin cooler inside without the need for the APU.

 

[Flashback]

Whilst waiting for QF2 to depart the other day, the cabin was pretty close to unbearable with the heat inside.

The reason was due to the APU being inoperable.

How much of a problem is the APU being inoperable, and in cases of extreme conditions, are there other ways of getting the cabin cooler inside without the need for the APU.

Been in a similar situation once the solution was to open the front doors of the aircraft .... (it didn't really help), interested to see jb747's view!

 

[MEL_Traveller]

... are there other ways of getting the cabin cooler inside without the need for the APU.

in the US AA will ask all pax to close the window shades on disembarkation to help keep the cabin cool prior to the next flight boarding.

 

[mannej]

in the US AA will ask all pax to close the window shades on disembarkation to help keep the cabin cool prior to the next flight boarding.

Yeah - not too sure. I guess that if it was QF9 that came in, it would have been on the ground from 5:30am, so not sure how much that would have helped.

 

[simongr]

On RJ this week the window shades were closed on the sunny side of the AC prior to take off - damn glad they were too!

 

[The Rok]

Why do the shades have to be open for take off and landing?

 

[jb747]

Why do the shades have to be open for take off and landing?

I think the crude answer is so that the rescue people can tell if its worthwhile chopping their way inside.

 

[jb747]

Whilst waiting for QF2 to depart the other day, the cabin was pretty close to unbearable with the heat inside.

The reason was due to the APU being inoperable.

How much of a problem is the APU being inoperable, and in cases of extreme conditions, are there other ways of getting the cabin cooler inside without the need for the APU.

It is truly a PITA. It means that we'll need ground air to start the aircraft, and most likely ground electrics too (it's possible that the APU can be operable, but that you can't get electrics or air individually).

The aircraft's electrical requirements are so high, that you need to shed anything unnecessary, so a start from ground electrical power will involve many things being off, that are normally on (fuel pumps, fans....). There's a different checklist to work through...and it all takes time.

Air conditioning can sometimes be supplied from the ground, but it rarely manages to control the temperature as well as the on board systems. Without air, once you start putting passengers into the mix, the temperature starts rising, and it takes very little time to reach untenable levels on a hot day. What can you do...well, about the only effective thing is to hold off on pax boarding until all of the cargo/luggage is on, and to then close up and start an engine (or two) and run it until you get the cabin to a reasonable level. You then shut down, and load as quickly as you can. It once took two hours, with two engines running to get a 747 to an acceptable level on a summer day in LA. This all falls apart if just one passenger is late to board.

I've seen aircraft with cabin/coughpit temps over 50 degrees. On those days, perhaps it's best to wait for the sun to go down.....

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Why do the shades have to be open for take off and landing?

2 reasons - so you can see danger outside the aircraft in an emergency, and secondly, so your eyes are acclimatised to the prevailing light outside. The latter is the same effect if you are in a room at night and turn off the light - you are temporarily disorientated. Equally so if you are in a dark room and the light is turned on bright. Dimming the cabin lights and opening the shades means you don't have to waste valuable seconds becoming used to the bright/dark outside the aircraft.

 

[jb747]

Change of plans for the next week.

QF 9 MEL - SIN 5/10
QF 9 SIN - LHR 6/10
QF 2 LHR - SIN 9/10
QF10 SIN - MEL 12/10

 

[mjt57]

So, you're away for a week. Hope you have an uneventful week...

 

[Tortuga]

Change of plans for the next week.

QF 9 MEL - SIN 5/10
QF 9 SIN - LHR 6/10
QF 2 LHR - SIN 9/10
QF10 SIN - MEL 12/10

Is the passion you had for flying when you began your career the same as it is now or has it become more mundane?

 

[jb747]

Is the passion you had for flying when you began your career the same as it is now or has it become more mundane?

The passion changes I guess. cough after an A4 isn't the same as going for fly in an airliner, but the challenges can be even greater. I've probably got around 3 years left in my career, and I think I've ticked most of the boxes that I'd like to tick with regard to actual aviation.

I still enjoy flying the aircraft, but when I finish up, I think I'll miss the people much more than the machinery. I don't think I'll miss the industry at all.