Fatigue in cargo pilots

Cargo Pilots Say Fatigue Leading To Big Danger Below

SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) - Dozens of huge cargo jets fly over Bay Area neighborhoods daily, and the pilots flying them say lack of rest is creating a big danger below.

Federal regulations don't require cargo pilots to get as much rest as passenger pilots.
"Fatigue is an integral part of the job," UPS Pilot Bob Matchette told KPIX 5. "It's managing that fatigue, that is where the challenge lies."

A route from Oakland to Ontario, back to Oakland, then onto Ontario has been dubbed the Oakland death march by Matchette's fellow pilots.

The FAA failed to include cargo pilots when it tightened rest rules for passenger pilots last year. Passenger pilots are limited to nine hours of duty during the night. Cargo pilots can be scheduled for 16 hours.
Steve ALterman with the Cargo Industry Association says cargo pilots don't need the extra rest.
"Our pilots already fly only about half the time than the passenger pilots do, so it's a completely different model."

But, Matchete disagrees, saying "We fly the same equipment, land on the same runways, flying over the same neighborhoods. I think it's absolutely safe to say that it could be a lot safer."