Freight Dog:
AndrewG:
Freight Dog:
This is notwithstanding the overriding evidence from independent sources that is in the industry have know for decades that fatigue is far far far more dangerous than any residual booze. But bloody guess what. The public think that’s A Ok. Oh yes. The government haven’t yes instructed us to villifiy each other for that yet as it they were to do tht every airline, ship and lorry would be grounded.Totally agree. The problem being there isnt an official test for it yet. No doubt technology will eventually reel this one in though. We all know sticking your head out the window, slapping yourself around the face and pinching the insides of your thighs lasts for what? 30 seconds…?
It doesn’t need a test. It would be testing for something the authorities have approved. That’s why they won’t do it. A test by the authorities for fatigue would only prove the rest limitations the authorities create in which crew of airliners, ships and lorries are flawed. It takes empirical evidence before constructing the rules to which commercial companies use as targets.
In my case, the new European flight time limitations came in 2 years ago - we begged for the so called “experts” to ride with us in a trip to experience the sleep deprivation over just one month for themselves. To put their pens to paper. To ride around the world in 6 days via Alaska. And that was just riding as a passenger without flying the thing or handling any emergencies when your body is telling you it’s ruined. This idea was never even rubutted. There’s is no public outcry to silence you see. Only commercial companies who want to make. Money.
Correct me if Ive got this all wrong. In the Airline industry you have a system whereby pilots and aircrew can report and admit to their own errors, without risk of punishment, in order to improve safety? The idea being that possible common errors and faults can be spotted and corrected. Faults that would remain hidden if air crew were frightened of losing their livelihoods. But there is no method by which aircrew can put themselves up as possible problem drinkers or confess to being unsafe after a possible one off heavy night? How do you, and others in the industry find the incident reporting system works in the real world? Ive heard glowing reports, but that may just be industry spin. If crew say they feel too tired to be safe would their job be at risk?
Dont worry, take your time to answer if you can, and dont fall asleep across the keyboard. 
As an aside some of this could link into other threads such as health and driving licences. A driver who may have heart or black-out or other health issues may well be slow to seek medical advice for fear of losing their licence. We all know this is wrong, but faced with the real prospect of licence loss leading to job loss and ending up on the dole or on sick pay in a high unemployment area is it any wonder some make the wrong choice?
There is a need for compensation scheme for drivers who`s professional licence is withdrawn for medical reasons. We do seem to have an aging pool of drivers and this can only be an increasing problem in the future. ( Anyone think this needs a new thread now? )