Re: Husband and wife teams on the flight deck

Mike Malherbe (mikem_at_intnet.mu)
Sat, 18 Apr 1998 13:38:44 +0400


Hi all!

Having just recently subscribed to the group, I am impressed with the
level of expertise of the contributors. I am just sorry I have missed
the past year!

I would appreciate a few comments on what has become a very sticky issue
with me. In short, my wife and I were both employed as pilots by my
present company. I am employed s a Training Captain, and my wife as a
First Officer, both on the A340. After a period of some two months
flying together as a crew, the company suddenly forbade us to fly
together on the flight deck. The reason given by the Chief Safety
Officer was that our flying together "does not give him a warm feeling
in his stomach". Period.

Short of court action, we have had no recourse but to accept Management
ruling. I have done some research into the issue and can find very
little evidence of any research done on the pros and cons of a husband
and wife operating together in an environment such as a cockpit. I have
flown with her for 10 years in total, and believe that our marital
status has a positive effect on our operation rather than all the
negatives portrayed by the Safety Officer.

Can anyone help with research information?

Thanks

Mike Malherbe