THAI: News
Oct 20, 2018, 12:25 pm
#301
Join Date: Sep 2015
Programs: MP
Posts: 224
There is now a further article in the Bangkok Post: "THAI pilots told to keep mum about Zurich delay".
www.bangkokpost.com/news/general/1561566/thai-to-pilots-dont-talk-about-zurich?utm_source=bangkokpost.com&utm_medium=artic le_news&utm_campaign=most_recent_box
The article states "... for inactive pilots, there is no rule that first-class seats should be reserved for them or not, the source continued.". "But the pilots and the station manager should not fight and hold the passengers hostage".
www.bangkokpost.com/news/general/1561566/thai-to-pilots-dont-talk-about-zurich?utm_source=bangkokpost.com&utm_medium=artic le_news&utm_campaign=most_recent_box
The article states "... for inactive pilots, there is no rule that first-class seats should be reserved for them or not, the source continued.". "But the pilots and the station manager should not fight and hold the passengers hostage".
"The pilots who were supposed to fly the B777-300ER were therefore sent home because they were not licensed to fly the substitute plane."
This sounds to me that their claim that "deadhead pilots need proper rest to resume duty after landing" might even be unfounded. It sounds to me more like they were hitching a ride home instead of rushing to fly another flight.
Oct 20, 2018, 12:35 pm
#302
Join Date: May 2001
Location: RNO, NV, USA.
Programs: UA 2MM
Posts: 5,063
This part of the article is also very interesting:
"The pilots who were supposed to fly the B777-300ER were therefore sent home because they were not licensed to fly the substitute plane."
This sounds to me that their claim that "deadhead pilots need proper rest to resume duty after landing" might even be unfounded. It sounds to me more like they were hitching a ride home instead of rushing to fly another flight.
"The pilots who were supposed to fly the B777-300ER were therefore sent home because they were not licensed to fly the substitute plane."
This sounds to me that their claim that "deadhead pilots need proper rest to resume duty after landing" might even be unfounded. It sounds to me more like they were hitching a ride home instead of rushing to fly another flight.
BTW Thank you for your excellent translation efforts.
Oct 20, 2018, 1:04 pm
#303
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I read some of the FaceBook posts from the PIC's page. One mentioned that deadheading pilots returning in biz class seats get 3 days 'off roster' rest on arrival to their station, however if managing to return in a First seat they need only 36 hours rest. No indication if this is accurate information.
The 77W has a 'proper' crew rest area, but not the older types such as 747.
The comments appeared to be 75%-25% towards critical of the PIC, mainly for holding up 300 pax and for tarnishing TG/Thailand reputation. The supporters mostly were saying that flight safety and crew rest are the prime concern.
Of course, detailed facts are needed to understand the circumstances - but the 'big picture' to the ordinary passenger is that the flight was delayed for matters that should have been resolved internally.
The 77W has a 'proper' crew rest area, but not the older types such as 747.
The comments appeared to be 75%-25% towards critical of the PIC, mainly for holding up 300 pax and for tarnishing TG/Thailand reputation. The supporters mostly were saying that flight safety and crew rest are the prime concern.
Of course, detailed facts are needed to understand the circumstances - but the 'big picture' to the ordinary passenger is that the flight was delayed for matters that should have been resolved internally.
Oct 20, 2018, 1:33 pm
#304
Join Date: Sep 2015
Programs: MP
Posts: 224
I get it that sometimes an employee might feel compelled to fight the company for denying their rights they think they deserve. I also get it that welfare of flight personnel off-duty are also important.
But seriously, is "my friends need a bigger seat" the hill you want to die on?
It's not even an economy seat, for crying out loud. The service for both B and F on that flight are also essentially the same. Couldn't you wait to resolve this afterwards? Definitely not worth 2 hours of passengers.
But seriously, is "my friends need a bigger seat" the hill you want to die on?
It's not even an economy seat, for crying out loud. The service for both B and F on that flight are also essentially the same. Couldn't you wait to resolve this afterwards? Definitely not worth 2 hours of passengers.
Oct 20, 2018, 3:29 pm
#305
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I get it that sometimes an employee might feel compelled to fight the company for denying their rights they think they deserve. I also get it that welfare of flight personnel off-duty are also important.
But seriously, is "my friends need a bigger seat" the hill you want to die on?
It's not even an economy seat, for crying out loud. The service for both B and F on that flight are also essentially the same. Couldn't you wait to resolve this afterwards? Definitely not worth 2 hours of passengers.
But seriously, is "my friends need a bigger seat" the hill you want to die on?
It's not even an economy seat, for crying out loud. The service for both B and F on that flight are also essentially the same. Couldn't you wait to resolve this afterwards? Definitely not worth 2 hours of passengers.
But this is an unique situation where there is a substantial difference in seating... on the 747 it's angled lie flat and I don't think there are many of us who would like to spend an overnight flight in those seats, regardless of how good the service is.
Oct 20, 2018, 3:36 pm
#306
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If this was an A380/77W/787/350 I'd totally agree with you - a flat bed in biz class or F is still a flat bed.
But this is an unique situation where there is a substantial difference in seating... on the 747 it's angled lie flat and I don't think there are many of us who would like to spend an overnight flight in those seats, regardless of how good the service is.
But this is an unique situation where there is a substantial difference in seating... on the 747 it's angled lie flat and I don't think there are many of us who would like to spend an overnight flight in those seats, regardless of how good the service is.
Not to be overlooked is that of the 4 deadheading pilots, it was (allegedly) the 2 deadheading Captains were the ones who took F seats, whereas the other 2 deadheading pilots stayed in the allocated seats of 16J/K - which has extra legroom as an emergency exit row.
Last edited by Thai-Kiwi; Oct 20, 2018 at 3:53 pm
Oct 20, 2018, 4:30 pm
#307
Join Date: May 2001
Location: RNO, NV, USA.
Programs: UA 2MM
Posts: 5,063
If the comment on FaceBook is accurate, TG has made provisions for this difference in seating for deadheading pilots in the 747 by having 2 different recovery periods; 1.5 days if resting on on F seat, 3 days if resting on the J seat.
Not to be overlooked is that of the 4 deadheading pilots, it was (allegedly) the 2 deadheading Captains were the ones who took F seats, whereas the other 2 deadheading pilots stayed in the allocated seats of 16J/K - which has extra legroom as an emergency exit row.
Not to be overlooked is that of the 4 deadheading pilots, it was (allegedly) the 2 deadheading Captains were the ones who took F seats, whereas the other 2 deadheading pilots stayed in the allocated seats of 16J/K - which has extra legroom as an emergency exit row.
Oct 20, 2018, 7:57 pm
#308
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: BKK
Programs: TG ROP Platinum, M&M Senator, IHG Platinum, Accor Platinum
Posts: 8,337
There is now a further article in the Bangkok Post: "THAI pilots told to keep mum about Zurich delay".
www.bangkokpost.com/news/general/1561566/thai-to-pilots-dont-talk-about-zurich?utm_source=bangkokpost.com&utm_medium=artic le_news&utm_campaign=most_recent_box
The article states "... for inactive pilots, there is no rule that first-class seats should be reserved for them or not, the source continued.". "But the pilots and the station manager should not fight and hold the passengers hostage".
www.bangkokpost.com/news/general/1561566/thai-to-pilots-dont-talk-about-zurich?utm_source=bangkokpost.com&utm_medium=artic le_news&utm_campaign=most_recent_box
The article states "... for inactive pilots, there is no rule that first-class seats should be reserved for them or not, the source continued.". "But the pilots and the station manager should not fight and hold the passengers hostage".
new Bangkok Post article
Oct 20, 2018, 8:02 pm
#309
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: BKK
Programs: TG ROP Platinum, M&M Senator, IHG Platinum, Accor Platinum
Posts: 8,337
reading the explanations of TG, I would not be surprised if they close entire F cabin on future flights with 747, where F is not sold to avoid such situations….saving face Thai way….
Oct 20, 2018, 9:21 pm
#310
Join Date: Sep 2015
Programs: MP
Posts: 224
The Thai social media is all about this story right now. There has been people who claim that the TG policy on deadhead pilot does not guarantee F class, only B.
The official comment from TG, however, is still "under investigation" on the issue.
The official comment from TG, however, is still "under investigation" on the issue.
Oct 21, 2018, 2:59 am
#312
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I'm not sure that would have been an issue. Here the plane had an F cabin, with full flat seats. If it was a 77W sent to replace the flight they would have had full flat anyway. If it was a non lie-flat 777 I guess they would have all got their 4 days off or whatever on arrival.
Oct 21, 2018, 4:05 am
#313
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: BKK
Programs: TG ROP Platinum, M&M Senator, IHG Platinum, Accor Platinum
Posts: 8,337
usually there is a 77w on this route, but they planned already ahead to replace it by a 747 for 4 days (same like last month; also from today are 747 for 3 days scheduled).
So rather than let the 777 pilots wait for 5 days in Zurich until another 777 arrives, they let them return to BKK
Oct 22, 2018, 7:34 pm
#314
Join Date: May 2012
Location: BKK/SIN/YYZ/YUL
Programs: DL, AC, Bonvoy, Accor, Hilton
Posts: 2,924
for the pilot to go public and blame the station manager for the whole mess is completely ridiculous!
I probably will ask Platinum help desk how can I avoid in future that I have to fly with Captain Chakri Dararat Chongsiri as I fear for my own safety being exposed to a Captain with such a miserable and ruthless personality
or is this Chakri Dararat Chongsiri so well connected that he thinks he is untouchable?
I probably will ask Platinum help desk how can I avoid in future that I have to fly with Captain Chakri Dararat Chongsiri as I fear for my own safety being exposed to a Captain with such a miserable and ruthless personality
or is this Chakri Dararat Chongsiri so well connected that he thinks he is untouchable?
10 years ago this month; he was suspended
Thai Airways International captain Chakri Chongsiri has been suspended from work indefinitely after he stopped three members of parliament from the People Power Party boarding flights to Khon Kaen and Udon Thani
https://www.reuters.com/article/thai...KK937820081009
Oct 22, 2018, 8:06 pm
#315
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I believe this man may believe that he is untouchable, if he is the same fellow who supported the previous military coup.
10 years ago this month; he was suspended
Thai Airways International captain Chakri Chongsiri has been suspended from work indefinitely after he stopped three members of parliament from the People Power Party boarding flights to Khon Kaen and Udon Thani
https://www.reuters.com/article/thai...KK937820081009
10 years ago this month; he was suspended
Thai Airways International captain Chakri Chongsiri has been suspended from work indefinitely after he stopped three members of parliament from the People Power Party boarding flights to Khon Kaen and Udon Thani
https://www.reuters.com/article/thai...KK937820081009
Thai Airways has reinstated a pilot following his refusal to allow three government ministers to board a flight. The Nation has reported that Captain Chakri Chongsiri was cleared of any wrongdoing, after an investigation found his actions did not breach any protocol. Captain Chakri is thought to have taken the action in support of Thailand’s on-going anti-government protests.