B757 CABIN ATTENDANT CONCERNED WITH LENGTH OF FLT AND FATIGUE ISSUES.
Synopsis
B757 CABIN ATTENDANT CONCERNED WITH LENGTH OF FLT AND FATIGUE ISSUES.
Narrative
THE 2 DAY/ALL NIGHTER HAWAII TURNS ARE COMPLETELY UNSAFE. I WAS GIVEN THIS TRIP ON RESERVE; AND WAS BEYOND EXHAUSTED. AS IF THE DAY HAWAII TURNS WERE BAD ENOUGH; THIS ADDS ADDITIONAL INSULT TO A DUTY PERIOD. ON THE RETURN FLT I WAS FALLING ASLEEP; MAKING CARELESS ACTIONS (SUCH AS DIFFICULTY IN CLOSING THE B757 COCKPIT BARRIER -- A TASK WHICH IS EASY WHEN FULLY RESTED; MY HANDS WERE TREMBLING WHEN HOLDING A COFFEE CUP/SAUCER; I NEARLY FORGOT TO DISARM MY DOOR; I COULD BARELY THINK STRAIGHT WHEN MAKING PREPARATION FOR LNDG AND WELCOME ANNOUNCEMENTS). THESE ARE ALL SIMPLE ACTIONS WHICH UNDER NORMAL WELL RESTED CIRCUMSTANCES WOULD NEVER BE COMPROMISED. THE DUTY DAY IS THAT OF AN INTL TRIP; HOWEVER WITHOUT A REST BREAK. IT IS SIMPLY NOT HUMAN TO WORK THESE HRS DURING THE NIGHT; AND THE FATIGUE WE ARE SUBMITTED TO IS AN ENORMOUS RISK TO THE CREW AND PAX'S SAFETY. IN ADDITION TO FEELING UNSAFE IN THE WORKPLACE; IT WAS COMPLETELY UNSAFE DRIVING HOME. I WAS NODDING OFF BEHIND THE WHEEL; AND EXPERIENCING GREAT DIFFICULTY KEEPING MY EYES OPEN. MY VISION WAS BLURRY; AND I WAS FRIGHTENED FOR MY SAFETY. ACR IS PUTTING US AT GREAT RISK ON MANY LEVELS. THESE HAWAII ALL NIGHTER TURNS (AS WELL AS DAY TURNS) NEED TO BE REEVALUATED. THEY MAY 'LOOK GOOD ON PAPER;' BUT THE SAFETY AND FATIGUE RELATED RISKS ARE TOO GREAT. PLTS CANNOT FLY THEM -- SO WHY SHOULD WE?
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.