The Working Agreement signed in 1995, which lapsed in 1998, was the last time any PALPA Executive Committee had a negotiated pay rise. It would be pertinent to point out that at this juncture the Working Agreement is suspended and the Government at the central level is anything but a civilian government. We are pleased to inform the membership that the second tranche has already been included in the salaries effective 1st January 2007. There are, however, a few anomalies, which have been taken up with the Management. We are sure to clarify this issue with the Management and seek redressal of any wrong interpretation at their end. Once settled you shall be informed through an INFO/NOTICE.

With great difficulty and through our personal efforts and contacts, the Executive Committee could convince the higher ups in the Finance Ministry and the CBR to annul/review this arbitrary decision. A flat rate of 2.5% was agreed to by the senior government officials and an amendment made in the Finance Bill 2006. This change was communicated to the membership and a Special General Meeting was convened. Barring a few individuals, an overwhelming majority agreed to the reasons and logic the government had on levying this tax. Although this exemption was always there but the pressure on government from the world monitory bodies was so intense that nothing lower than this tax would have been acceptable at any level. We thank the vast majority of our membership to have understood our predicament and approved our stance on this sensitive tax issue.

During the first year of this term, numerous issues, which affected the members because of their own doing or otherwise were handled by the Executive Committee. As the representative body we standby our members whenever they need our support and would do our best to get them justice. However, certain situations in which our crew gets trapped are avoidable.

Inter departmental personnel or authorities at the airports should not be given any reason for complaint and all efforts should be made to avoid or handle tactfully all such scenarios. These cases not only bring a bad name to the community but also become an impediment in the way of Executive Committee’s dealings with the higher management. It is requested that every one of us should keep the honour and prestige of PALPA supreme.

With the financial package almost done, the Executive Committee is committed to strive to improve the Pilots’ Working Conditions. Not that we have not tried but many non-issues have taken up a fair amount of our time and energy. It is also important to highlight here that all welfare/admin issues have been left for PALPA to handle and our Flight Operations Department neither acts nor supports PALPA’s efforts to remedy the deteriorating conditions. This stance of our Department does not deter us from taking up the matter robustly with the Higher Management. WITH YOUR SUPPORT, WE ARE CERTAIN TO ACHIEVE THE BEST POSSIBLE RESULTS.

For our members and their families following issues are on our priority list:

• Pension Heads and the governing Formula.
• International Travel on Annual Leave.
• Leave Accumulation/encashment.
• Medical Facilities for Serving/Retired Pilots.

It is very heartening to report that the members and their families are using the PALPA Club House facilities extensively. The main Lawn and the guest rooms have earned us a handsome amount in the last quarter of 2006. The tempo is continuing in year 2007 as well. Needless to emphasize our guest rooms at times becomes the only available accommodation when the Management fails to provide hotel accommodation to the crew for onward duties.

The contract pilots of PIA have been offered the Club House membership on a reasonable charge. A few individuals have responded while others are expected to contact us. This will enhance the membership of the Club and would hopefully encourage and pave way for contractual pilots to become permanent PALPA members.

The Club House up gradation work is going on at a reasonable pace. The flooring of the top roof is being re-done because of the shoddy work carried out in late nineties. The cracks, which have developed were leading to seepage in the third floor rooms. Once the roof is done the
Masonary work will then the undertaken on the third floor. We hope to the complete the remaining guest rooms by the end of 2007.

Members are once again reminded that the Annual General Meeting of PALPA shall be held on Saturday 24th February 2007 at 17:00 hrs. at the PALPA premises.

The AGM will be followed by a Dinner. All members are requested to attend the meeting.

Through this Cockpit we once again want to remind our senior colleagues about the Tea Party which will take place on the 1st Tuesday of March 2007. This is an activity which is introduced by this Executive Committee, which has had a very healthy response from the Retired Pilots. The event takes place every two months on the 1st Tuesday of the month.

“The copies of the letters sent out during this period are attached herewith for your perusal and ready reference. Most of these subjects will have negligible financial impact on the Corporation and if rectified urgently would help enhance the level of motivation, besides removing unnecessary irritants, which the pilots face on regular basis. Urgency in solving these issues is requested to satisfy the just demands.

The patience of the membership and that of the PALPA Executive Committee has reached its threshold. For many months the attitude adopted by the concerned departments i.e. Flight Operations, Marketing, and Traffic etc. has forced us to bring these issues to your personal attention once again. The issues, which need immediate attention, are once again enumerated below:

“PENSION FORMULA: The formula to calculate the pension enforced before the restructuring of the Cockpit Crew salaries be implemented with immediate effect. Capping of pension amount is against the fundamental rights of the employee and challengeable in the Court of Law.

“ACCUMULATED LEAVE: The Circular Nos. 31/2005 dated 31st April 2005 and 039/2006 dated 5th June 2006 should either be withdrawn in toto OR the pilots be given their accumulated leave OR encashed as per the Corporation’s rules.

“FAMILY TRAVEL: The seats for international travel in particular for serving/retired pilots should be confirmed as per the instructions sent out from the office of Director Marketing on the subject of Booking in `D’ class, dated 21st April 2006, which should not be left at the mercy of programmers in the CRC. The system should be so programmed that no personal intervention at any level is required. Once confirmed, the traffic staff should have no authority to deny/degrade the boarding. Company travel is our privilege, as such it should not be taken as loss of revenue.

“DOMESTIC TRAVEL: Serving/Retired Cockpit Crew should be allowed to travel in the Club Class when travelling on their own, as has been the practice in the past. The travel is `Subject to Load’ as such; nonavailability of seat in the Club Class would automatically be down graded to economy plus/economy class as applicable.

“RETIREMENT: Voluntary retirement should not be impeded provided the criteria laid down in the relevant policy is fulfilled. This again tantamounts to the right of the employee, which cannot be tampered with. In the business of aviation, a disgruntled pilot is a Flight Safety hazard as such he is likely to cause incidents/accidents.

“MEDICAL: The current dichotomy in the medical policy for Serving/Retired Pilots needs to be reviewed. The pilots who have served with dedication for decades cannot be maltreated at this stage of their lives. Majority of them have never availed any medical facility while they were in service and when they need it most, they are being deprived unfairly”.

Signed
GENERAL SECRETARY
PALPA

OUTCOME: In the meeting with the Chairman it was concluded that all these issues should be discussed at the earliest and resolved amicably. The Executive Committee has principally decided that the issues like Pension or Retirement, if not agreed to by the Management, will be taken up in the Court of Law. It has been emphasized adequately to the Management that these issues are our rights and cannot be taken lightly. The Management has also been apprised to take up these points on urgent basis to eliminate unnecessary irritants. The Executive Committee will communicate to the membership of the latest on these subjects as and when concluded.

PK-257 EMERGENCY LANDING IN DOHA, QATAR:

“Capt Shayan Haqqee and F/O Faisal Janjua were detailed on PK 257 (KHI-DOH-KHI). When they came on the aircraft they found engineers working on the aircraft and then after a little while aircraft was released for the flight to Doha. There were 2 Ground Engineers on board also. During all phases of flight, crew was experiencing airframe vibration and the same was reported to the Ground Engineers on board. While descending into Doha, there was a very loud bang and the aircraft started shaking badly. The crew declared an emergency. On the approach when they extended the landing gear there was no indication in the cockpit. The crew discontinued the approach and made a low pass at 1000ft to get a verification from the tower for landing gear extension and then did a visual check through cabin too. They made another approach and landed safely. The ATC of Doha were very helpful. They were no injuries and passengers were all safe”.

**************************************

Through this write up, PALPA Executive Committee acknowledges the manner in which a very serious emergency was handled by the crew.

Capt. Shayan and F/O Faisal Janjua deserve genuine appreciation for the professionalism they displayed in salvaging an extremely tricky situation, thereby saving valuable lives and the PIA aircraft. You have made all of us proud. (Well done)

The PALPA Executive Committee has also decided to collect 2% for F/O Abrar Chughtai from the salaries of all pilots in the month of December-2006.

The Executive Committee also concluded that the contribution would be subject to approval from individual members. If anyone does not agree to contribute for this noble cause may communicate his decision to PALPA in writing, the last date being the 20th November, 2006”.

These gentlemen have collectively brought the Flight Operations Department at a juncture which has humbled and humiliated the entire pilot community. This era and the one before this will go down in our history as a period which brought huge embarrassment to everyone connected with the Flight Operations.

PALPA Executive Committee will do its utmost to salvage the situation by finding an amicable and principled solution in consultation with the Senior Vice President (Flight Operations). We are open to any positive change but let this be absolutely clear that any reform which would adversely affect our Working Conditions will be resisted robustly.

Reproduced below is a letter dated 7th November, 2006 written to the Chairman PIAC, regarding Revision of Pilots Salary.

Subject:- DISBURSEMENT OF RS. 225.0 MILLIONS FOR 2007 REVISION OF PILOTS SALARY

“Reference is made to the above-mentioned subject and Circular No. 36/2006 dated May 26, 2006 notifying revised salary structure of Pilots.

The approval of staggered increase of Rs. 225.0 millions each in years 2007 and 2008 to be given to the pilots by the Management is due by January 2007. Disbursement and distribution of the said amount amongst the pilots has been done by PALPA Executive Committee, which has to be communicated to the concerned officials in the Management.

As we are already in the last quarter of the year 2006, your directive in this regard to the concerned officials will be highly appreciated, so that a smooth transition from year 2006 to 2007 is achieved.

We hope you would appreciate the gravity of the situation and would personally intervene, if required, to expedite the finalization and disbursement of Rs. 225.0 millions for the year 2007”.

President

Ensure that you get a decent night's sleep before flying, as tiredness can compound stress.

Planning ahead can help avoid many situations which contribute to a stressful flight.

Always leave plenty of time to complete all the formalities like customs, immigration, security checks etc especially at large busy airports. It is vital that you provide additional time to accommodate these possible obstacles.

When waiting for the flight, try to relax your mind, rather than getting wrapped up in any delays or crowds, which may begin to cause nervous energy released as stress.

Time permitting; dissipate excess energy by taking a brisk walk or doing physical exercises before the flight.

Avoid alcohol as this will only disorientate and tire you further.

Drink plenty of water the night before, during the flight and even afterwards to avoid dehydration.

2. ACTIVITIES TO BURN 100 CALORIES

3. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR NORMAL BLOOD PRESSURE & CHOLESTEROL:
(According to WHO Guidelines)

BLOOD PRESSURE:
<140/90 mm hg and <130/80 mm hg for patients with diabetes.

CHOLESTEROL:
According to ATP III Guidelines (Revised 2006)

4. CLASSIFICATION OF WEIGHT BY BODY MASS INDEX (BMI) IN ADULT ASIANS

Formula:
BMI= Weight in kgs divided by height in meter square.

5. DAILY CALORIC REQUIREMENTS:

Non-Active: 1500 Kcal approximately.
Active: 1800 + Kcal (depending on the type of activity).

REMINDER : Membership is requested to show utmost care & professionalism as the CAA(Pak) is carrying out random checks regarding various aspects of Flight Safety.

Mangla View Resort Residents, portray class, charm and space. You will find one to suit your requirements and that of your family. All designs have the view of the commanding lake and your room, needless to say will have the best.

The houses are made to withstand natural disasters such as earthquake and are built according to the highest safety standards possible.

“Room With A View”

Those PALPA members who are interested in the project may contact PALPA.

Arif Majeed
General Secretary

The Executive Committee has taken up various issues, which are either ignored by the Management or are irritants, which inflict undue anxiety in the minds of everybody. These seemingly small issues end up resulting in tragedies such as the one we have gone through on 10th July 2006.

It is our request that you pray to Allah to shower His blessings on the departed souls and grant them the status commensurate with that of a ‘SHAHEED’, Hadith from Mishkah Shareef quoted by Imam Malik says

“Anyone who dies while carrying out his duty diligently and honestly is rewarded appropriately by Allah”.

IFALPA President appreciating the urgency of the situation, sent a letter the DGCAA (Pak) promptly highlighting the Industry practice while conducting such inquiries. Extracts of the letter are reproduced below for your perusal.

“The Federation believes that the participation of active commercial pilots who are fully qualified as air safety investigators on official investigative boards will always be of paramount importance.

Such pilots should be entitled to participate in the investigation of commercial aircraft accidents, incidents and serious incidents, whenever they occur within their own State, or when they occur in another State and involve pilots and/or commercial aircraft of that State.

In conjunction with the accident of the F-27 PK-688 at Multan on 10th July 2006, and in accordance with ICAO Annex 13 paragraph 5.24, the Federation would like to offer assistance to the investigation by sending one of our accredited investigators to Pakistan.

Your positive consideration in this matter will be a substantial contribution to the continued improvement in aviation safety. Please contact me if I can be of assistance”.

Yours sincerely,

Capt. Dennis J. Dolan
President

With untiring efforts, PALPA Executive Committee could get the tax down to 2.5% on Flying related allowances. Some members have reservations about this but it was the maximum we could extract from the Government. Nevertheless, the Government’s positive approach helped us in off setting the serious financial implications the earlier slapping of tax would have had on our salaries.

Following is the amendment made by the Government regarding imposition of Tax on Flying Allowance. This is for your information:-

(A) In clause (1) a new sub-clause (1) shall be inserted, namely:-

     (i) Any amount received as flying allowance by:
    (ii)  Pilots, Flight Engineers and Navigators of Pakistan Armed Forces, Pakistani Airlines of Civil
          Aviation Authority; and
   (iii) Junior Commissioned Officers of other ranks of Pakistan Armed Forces” Shall be taxed @ 2.5% as
         a separate block of income.

Those interested may contact PALPA/Mr. Noman to get a copy of the same at Rs. 100/- each.

LENDING AN ATTENTIVE EAR:
The common misconception is that if you are opinionated, you will be considered a genius. Our culture and norms perpetuate and put those people on a certain pedestal who are opinionated and consequently they are the ones who are sought after. In our villages, or for that matter even in our cities, there are people who are followed by everyone for their opinions.

People become loud and obnoxious, rude and angry, and are often seen at each other's throat while arguing. We express our opinion based on our feelings rather than knowledge. People become vociferous, loud and self-imposing. The problem with us is that we tend to believe that if we disagree with someone, we become superior to that person. Everyone has preconceived ideas, rather than going about things in a logical manner. The problem gets more aggravated when people become rigid in their opinions and beliefs. Disagreements should never be allowed to escalate into an ego trip. Disagreements can be based on facts and experiences. We believe that while disagreeing with a man we become superior to him.

If opinions become beliefs then people eagerly blame others for their mistakes. Such people will always disagree with others; moreover, they try to impose their opinions and beliefs on others forcefully. We must try to understand reality. We can extract interest out of any subject depending on our approach to that subject or issue. It requires patience and willingness. And it can be done by listening, questioning, and speculating.

(An extract from a daily newspaper)

HEALTH TIPS
Want to wake up feeling great? Sleep, researchers say, the best way is to go to bed a little earlier than usual. But wake up at the usual time. This little change in sleep habits only works once in a while, but the effect is said to be dramatic. Give it a try.

GO TO BED A LITTLE EARLIER
You know that exercise is good for your muscles, bones and heart. It makes them all stronger.

But did you know that exercise is good for your health? Regular exercise increases the volume of plasma, which is the liquid portion of blood. As this increases, the proportion of red blood cells and other blood components to total blood volume decreases, making the blood thinner.

EXERCISE YOUR BLOOD
Not only do people who didn't exercise have thicker blood, their platelets are more “sticky”.

But did you know that exercise is good for your health? Regular exercise increases the volume of plasma, which is the liquid portion of blood. As this increases, the proportion of red blood cells and other blood components to total blood volume decreases, making the blood thinner.

Not only do people who didn't exercise have thicker blood, their platelets are more “sticky”.

So remember, when you exercise, even your blood benefits.

AVOIDING AIR RAGE
To avoid air rage during a flight, it is vital to relax. Tiredness is a major constituent of stress and rash, irrational action. By ensuring that you get plenty of sleep on the night prior to flying, will automatically ensure that you are relaxed and less likely to be irritable.

If you are delayed, accept it as a given. Shouting and violence will make not get you to your destination any faster.

Go for a short walk, or read a magazine or newspaper. Don’t dwell on the situation, as this will only intensify your feelings on anxiety and stress.

IMMORTAL GEMS
1. Nostalgia is a file that removes the rough edges from the good old days. (Doug Larsen)

2. What lies behind us and what lies before us are small matters compared to what lies within us. (Ralph Waldo Emerson)

3. An ounce of don't-say-it is worth a pound of the didn't-mean-it. (L.M. Boyd)

4. He who builds according to every man's advise will have a crooked house. (Danish Proverb)

5. Often good and bad come in the same package. No one can be deemed totally honest, nor totally despicable. Human beings are not like the keys of a piano: black or white. (JavierTomeo)

MEDICAL / ALCOHOL RELATED INCIDENTS ABROAD
Of late, there have been a few incidents of medical / alcohol related incidents abroad in which our members got into situations which could have easily been avoided by adequate constraint and precaution on the individuals’ part. Such occurrences are extremely humiliating to the entire community besides being a huge embarrassment to the individuals caught in the act. With such happenings, the PALPA Executive Committee gets a severe set back in sorting out membership issues of serious nature with the Management.

It is, therefore, earnestly requested that none of us should bring the community into disrepute by such callous acts. Your cooperation in this regard shall be highly appreciated.

ARIF MAJEED
General Secretary

The wreckage was in an open field. Police had cordoned off the scene and rescue operations were underway in the area.

Operating Cockpit Crew were Capt. Hamid and F/O. Abrar Chughtai.

You are requested to sign-up the form and submit it back to PALPA so that your User ID and Password may be communicated on your given e-mail address.

Kindly furnish your suggestions/comments for further improvement of the Website.

Guests from PIA, Civil Aviation, representatives of fellow Associations and Unions, other distinguished guests and number of dignitaries attended the dinner. A large number of members including retired members with their spouses graced the occasion.

After the recitation of Holy Quran; F/O. Arif Majeed General Secretary PALPA welcomed the guests.

He praised the presence of the distinguished guests, and members, which made the occasion memorable.

The Annual Dinner and distribution of Shields, which should have been arranged every year was held on Saturday 15th April 2006 after ‘leap' year. The last time it was held in the tenure of 2000-2001 Executive Committee. This year's Annual Dinner was very well attended and the legendary Air Marshal M. Nur Khan graced the occasion. The Chief Guest noted that it was after a lapse of almost three decades that he has been invited to attend any function of PIA or any association affiliated with PIA. We feel proud to inform you that PALPA broke this long spell for him by inviting the Air Marshal as the Chief Guest, which was indeed our privilege and honour.