Managing Work and Relationships at 35,000 Feet

A Practical Guide for Making Personal Life Fit Aircrew Shift Work, Jetlag, and Absence from Home

Dr. Carina Eriksen

• Publisher: Routledge
• Year: 2020
• eBook ISBN: 9780429916038
• Topic: Psychology
• Subtopic: History & Theory in Psychology
• Index: Psychology

This book seeks to contribute to a psychological perspective to aircrew wellbeing and help aircrew to acquire an understanding of how to better manage the many challenges arising from sleep deprivation and frequent absence from friends and loved others at home.

Chapter One

The aircrew role

Some people have stereotypical views about the aircrew profession. This chapter addresses some of the more common misconceptions, particularly those relating to a lifestyle of permanent holidays, partying, drinking, and sunbathing. Aircrew speak about the hardship of maintaining relationships with non-flyers, who may find it hard to understand the reality of the crew lifestyle.

Problems associated with the job include:

• Irregular work patterns beyond the control of the individual which mean unavoidable difficulties with forward planning and commitments;
• Jetlag, cumulative sleep deprivation and fatigue from frequently crossing time zones;
• Limited time to spend at home means difficulties with developing and maintaining social/family relations, partnerships, and keeping on top of everyday tasks;
• Restricted opportunities to form long and lasting relationships with colleagues because of frequently changing work teams.

Stereotypes and the media

The respectability of the airline profession has been challenged recently by media reports of irresponsible behaviour by pilots. On the 4th of July 2002, BBC News reported on two US commercial pilots who faced charges of flying under the influence of alcohol. On June 24th 2005, a Norwegian court sentenced a British Airway’s pilot for preparing to fly even though members of his crew were drunk. The hype surrounding these stories may have damaged the reputation of the aircrew community at large, fuelling stereotypical views of party driven lifestyle filled with constant shopping, drinking, and sunbathing. Air-crew are often portrayed in this way through TV sitcoms such as in a recent series on Sky, Mile High (2003–2005). The series focuses on the tales of an irresponsible crew from a fictitious airline ‘Fresh’, based at Stanstead airport. The lack of professionalism they show both onboard the aircraft and in their social lives could be mistaken for troubled teenage high school living. Though the majority of crew are professional, earnest individuals, they must often defend their reputation or educate people about the realities of their lives as these stereotypes may be all that non-flyers know about them.

The realities of the profession

Being an aircrew member offers an opportunity to travel. The glamour associated with this is one of the primary attractions of the job. Every day presents new experiences, be they a new destination, irregular hours of work or the ever changing complement of people to work with. The routine procedures that crew must follow when on board does provide some secure regularity within their jobs. Typically, a duty period starts with a briefing before take off. This is often the first time crew get to meet the colleagues they will be working with on that flight. The main aim of the briefing is to ensure that everyone is aware of the safety requirements and will act competently in case of an emergency, to allocate working positions, to discuss relevant details of the destination, and to encourage team bonding. A briefing for pilots may provide additional relevant details such as weather conditions, routing, and technical instructions pertaining to the aircraft operation.

Once onboard, cabin crew and pilots immediately begin to prepare for the flight before the first passengers are allowed to board the aircraft. Pilots perform a range of safety and security checks to ensure that technical, medical, and related aircraft equipment is intact and working to the expected standard. In the mean time, cabin crew are busy checking that there is enough food to keep customers comfortable throughout the flight. On the flight deck, the pilots engage with engineers, air traffic controllers, baggage loaders and the aircraft dispatcher to negotiate departure times and to oversee aircraft operation. The captain is ultimately responsible for the safety and security of the entire flight process. During the boarding, cabin crew, apart from meeting and greeting passengers, are responsible for dealing with seat changes, drunkenness, flight delays, or any other problems that could affect safety or impact on customer experience. Depending on the size of the aircraft and length of the journey, the cabin crew usually consists of 4–10 main crew members, 2–4 ‘pursers’ who are in charge of a delegated cabin (e.g. economy class, business class, first class), and a senior cabin crew member who directs the overall passenger service and continuously updates the captain. Uncertainty about responsibilities can compromise passenger and aircraft safety, and it is a requirement of the European Joint Aviation Authority that duties and roles are pre-specified before take off. Most airlines have a ‘chain of command’ that clearly puts the operating captain in charge with his or her co-pilot as the second in command. They are followed by the senior cabin crew member, then the most experienced purser and so on. On longer routes it is sometimes necessary to have an additional set of pilots on board. The ‘reserve’ captain, as opposed to the operating co-pilot, will then become second in command while the reserve co-pilot is fourth in the chain, ahead of the senior cabin crew member.

When the seatbelt sign is switched off after take off, the in-flight service commences, usually a drinks and meal service with light snacks on full service journeys. Crew undertake frequent security checks throughout the flight to minimise the risk to safety and to reduce fire hazards. They also observe passenger behaviour and wellbeing. The tragic events of 9/11 have changed the set up on board an aircraft. There is now restricted access to the flight deck as a precaution against terrorist attacks and hijacking. Admission to the cockpit is quite restricted. Communication with the pilots is primarily through internal telephones located throughout the plane, although crew can enter the flight deck if necessary, e.g. for refreshments, medical attention, or pressing security matters. The recent flight deck door policy improves safety for everyone onboard, but it means that pilots are confined to a small, more cramped environment, often for long periods of time.

After landing, when the passengers have disembarked, crew make their way through immigration and customs and are transported to their appointed hotel for the duration of their layover. On shorter routes, the layover is usually less than 24 hours while on longer routes it can vary between 1 and 9 days. The exact work schedules for crew depend upon commercial routing and how the particular airline allocates staff. Some employers have additional shuttles within Europe, the United States, or between Far Eastern countries, while other airlines seek to limit long haul crew to a single destination on a duty. Airlines that run additional shuttles, although requiring their staff to commit to longer periods away from home, usually reward them with longer intervals between duty periods. Quick ‘turnarounds’ required on short haul trips mean that crew often fly out and return in the same day and don’t have to spend as much time away from home.

In their layover periods, crew are free to enjoy what their destinations have to offer. It is this perk that often attracts people to the job. There are plenty of opportunities to sightsee, shop, visit restaurants etc. in countries across the globe. Some airlines offer discounted travel for staff which they can use to explore further afield during their longer layover periods. For example, a crew member travelling to Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia may wish to escape the city, to a nearby island such as Langkawi or Pangkor. Likewise, travels to Los Angeles in California provide an ideal opportunity for crew to visit Las Vegas for a day or two, which can easily be accessed either by car, plane, or a bus journey. On shorter layovers, there are opportunities to travel to nearby destinations, such as a day trip to the Alps if staying in Geneva. Most hotels have a fully equipped gym open 24 hours a day. The hotel concierge, for example, can assist with details on local running routes, hiking tracks, or popular cycling paths if necessary. Other individuals prioritise sleep during their layovers, particularly if there are pressing engagements waiting at home. If you are employed in the industry, here are some tips to help you enjoy the opportunities presented by your travel:

• Engage with the local surroundings. Make an effort to see what’s on offer and to experience the culture of local people at your destination.
• The Lonely Planet guides provide details of local attractions. Using this you can plan your adventures and organise your visits in advance.
• Ensure you get enough rest before flying home.
• However, don’t spend too much time on your own as you may feel bored, lonely and homesick.
• Use your short layovers to improve your fitness level. Regular exercise improves physical and mental wellbeing and may help you manage fatigue.
• Consider going out with a colleague if you feel anxious about being alone in a foreign place.
• Set yourself personal goals during your layovers. These might include socialising, working through ones shopping list, visiting a museum, catching up on sleep, reading a novel, studying for an exam, or keeping fit. Achieving these will give you a focus and a sense of self accomplishment. In the long term this can enhance your motivation and job satisfaction.

It’s important to consider your personal safety at all times. No cities on earth are crime free and being vigilant can help to prevent theft and other possible harmful events. Be sensible when eating and drinking in countries that run a high risk of food and water contamination, such as in parts of South America, destinations in the Far East, India, Africa, Eastern Europe and the Middle East.

Consider these tips to enhance your personal safety:

• Don’t carry visible jewellery when visiting cities with high crime rates. An expensive looking ring, necklace, watch, camera, or mobile phone can attract unwanted attention.
• Leave your valuable possessions, such as identification documents, passports, computers, ipods, cash etc. in the hotel. Most hotel rooms have a safety box in the room for your use. If this is not the case, consider using your suitcase for safe keeping as most modern luggage devices offers a lockable alternative.
• Be sensible with your clothes; choose an outfit that is sensitive to the local culture.
• Never leave your drink unattended. It only takes a second for it to be spiked. Drugs that are used for this include GHB, Rohypnol and Ketamine, which you may not notice in your drink. Effects include ‘blackouts’, impaired judgment and functioning, blurred vision and memory loss which may last for hours depending on the type and dose of the drug. During these periods you will be vulnerable to exploitation.
• Drink bottled water and make sure the seal is intact before you drink it.
• Avoid buying food from local street vendors in countries that are known for low hygiene standards. If you can, avoid food types such as shellfish, cold salads or undercooked meat as these carry an increased risk of food poisoning, vomiting, and/or diarrhoea.

Shift work, fatigue and absences from home

The opportunity to travel, and to meet a range of different peoples and cultures is often what attracts people to the job as pilots or crew. However, in surveys, UK based crew revealed that behind their ‘plastic’ smiles and groomed façade there were real conflicts in balancing home and work life, difficulties with professional and personal relationships and a demanding mix of interpersonal and intrapersonal skills required. The realities of the job, such as a lack of control over lifestyle, being away from family and friends and the difficulties with planning ahead were negative points. There are also physical challenges associated with aircraft travel, including sleep deprivation, jetlag, and dehydration.

Crew are shift workers and there is an ever changing mix of people working during each shift. Some find it difficult to form stable and lasting working relationships in this context. Personal relationships can suffer too because of long periods away from home. These difficulties can lead to feelings of isolation and loneliness. Accumulated sleep deprivation makes everything feel harder to deal with and can lead to work stress, or physical and emotional ill health.

While it is no surprise to psychologists and human resource professionals, the importance of mental wellbeing in employees of the airline industry isn’t discussed in great detail. Air rage, hijacking, bombs on planes, and airline incidents and accidents, as well as the dramatic effects of 11th September 2001, have contributed to anxiety about flight safety among crew and the general public. The importance to crew and their passengers of physical and mental wellbeing cannot be over-stressed. According to media reports covering the crash landing at London Heathrow on 17th of January 2008 of a British Airways flight from Beijing, a potential disaster was avoided largely because of human responses to crisis. The crew onboard the aircraft, despite their own fears, trauma, and anxiety, managed the situation in a professional and calm manner. This, along with extensive training in emergency procedures, ensured the safe evacuation of more than 130 passengers and 15 crew members.

Psychology and aircrew wellbeing

Psychology is a diverse discipline that studies the way people think, feel, and behave. There are many different kinds of psychology and this can often cause confusion for the general public. Some may have already heard of clinical/counselling psychology, occupational/business psychology, social psychology, forensic/criminal psychology or sport psychology to name a few. Mental health professionals use different types of therapy according to his or her preference and speciality as well as the nature of a problem they are treating. Crew who have studied psychology or sought professional help themselves may be aware of these many kinds of therapy which include cognitive-behavioural therapy, psychodynamic therapy, and systemic therapy. This section will focus on a single specialty of psychology that identifies and treats emotional difficulties and stress induced illness.

Like other people, cabin and flight crew may suffer from emotional difficulties at times in their lives. This might be due to relationship difficulties, bereavements, excessive stress, traumatic incidents, or other form of psychological adversity. Most people, including crew can successfully overcome these problems on their own or using the support network around them. Others rely on professionals to help them. Not all people are equally keen on the idea of seeking professional help. Some may worry that sessions with a therapist will clash with their work schedule, particularly if they anticipate weekly support. Most psychologists, counsellors, or psychotherapists are sympathetic towards other peoples’ work schedule and can usually offer some flexibility to suit a person’s professional life. Crew might be pleasantly surprised by the options available to them and other shift workers. A competent and skilled psychologist, counsellor or psychotherapist can help to identify and deal with the ‘root’ of problems. There are a number of ways crew can obtain psychological support:

How to obtain psychological support

• Consider scheduling a meeting with your ground based manager to explore what support may be available in your company. It is also in their best interest to provide adequate support to their employees as failure to do so can result in long-term health related absence, reduced work performance, and a high annual staff turnover.
• For those who don’t want to speak to their manager, consider enquiring whether there are support systems in the company. Many airlines, especially the larger ones, offer employee support through an occupational health department or a semi-independent employee assistance or counselling service.
• Consider visiting your GP. Many medical practitioners (e.g. a doctor or a nurse) can offer advice on access to appropriate psychological care depending on the problem. They may give you details about counselling services in the local area. Counsellors can help with many problems, including bereavement, anxiety, depression, or drug and alcohol addictions.
• Consider private therapy. Although this approach can be expensive, it might be worth the investment. There are many ways to locate a private therapist. If you live in the UK, you can contact The British Psychological Society (BPS), the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), or the United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) who can assist you with finding an accredited therapist.
• Some private medical health insurance schemes cover issues pertaining to one’s psychological wellbeing. Seek advice from an insurance representative who can give you further information about private therapy and how to find a suitable therapist.

The stigma attached to mental health problems may prevent some people from seeking professional support. They may feel shame, fear, guilt, or strongly believe that they ought to be able to deal with their ‘personal issues’ on their own. Long absences away from home may condition crew into high levels of independence and self-reliance. Though psy...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Half Title
• Title
• Copyright
• CONTENTS
• ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
• ABOUT THE AUTHOR
• FOREWORD Managing work and relationships at 35,000 feet
• INTRODUCTION
• CHAPTER ONE The aircrew role
• CHAPTER TWO Jetlag, fatigue and sleep deprivation
• CHAPTER THREE Professional relationships
• CHAPTER FOUR Social relationships
• CHAPTER FIVE Intimate relationships
• CHAPTER SIX Achieving a work-life balance
• CHAPTER SEVEN Physical health
• CHAPTER EIGHT Considering a career in the airline industry?
• FURTHER READING