Do you think pilots are overworked?

I think pilots are overworked and justified in asking for modifications to the existing 16-hour duty shift. Airlines need to have more pilots, to reduce the load on individuals. Ideally, a pilot should be able to do a 12-hour shift without fatigue. Such shifts are common is the hospitality industry and my experience has been quite similar. If a pilot feels he is overworked then he shouldn’t be allowed to fly.
—Neethi Iyer

Pilots shouldn’t be made to fly the aircraft for more than six hours at a stretch. They must have adequate relaxation between flights. Fatigue has always been the prime cause for many accidents in the past. If pilots work for more than 10-12 hours, it tampers their body clock. Long shifts not only harm a person’s health, but also bring down the concentration levels, which can lead to mishaps. Therefore today, we need more pilots to handle the busy schedule the aviation sector.
—Dhruv Acharya

I’m not sure if fatigue alone is the cause of accidents. There is such a huge demand for pilots. Many professionals are not trained well and India doesn’t even have many training facilities to cater to the demand. Accidents have a direct link with the skills than fatigue. Moreover, the planes are propelled by sophisticated equipment, pilots only have to monitor the system. Therefore, I don’t think their demand is justified.
—Aditya Shah

I’m not surprised that pilots have made this demand. We know about various accidents which have taken place due to pilot fatigue. This is not only true for India, but also the experience worldwide. Pilots are human and a 16-hourshift can take a toll on them. They too should have 8-hour shifts like other corporate and government offices have, so that they feel fresh before their next journey. This will not only improve their performance, but also enhance air safety which is a cause of concern for many.
—Anand Patil

Pilots are right in asking for modifications in their shift hours. Fatigue coupled with personal tensions and professional stress adds to pressure and this can take a toll on a person’s performance. There has been an increase in air traffic recently. I’m sure competition has resulted in an increase in the number of flights. But airlines shouldn’t forget that passengers’ safety is paramount.
—Heer Kothari