April Fools Article

[Trader]

Funny article - but so close to reality it makes you wonder!!!

[Kip Powick]

This is a courteous laugh

PS..where's the article

[CD]

Maybe this one...

New CPRL offers airlines money-saving opportunity

Apr 01, 2009 at 12:00 PM 

FTN has learnt that during a recent ‘closed-door’ meeting, a number of airline representatives agreed on a proposal for the introduction of a new licence specifically for ‘cruise’ pilots, to be known as the Cruise Pilot (Relief) Licence – CPRL.

According to industry sources, the use of CRPL pilots on long-haul flights could save airlines up to 20% in flight pay and allowances, and the proposal has been driven by growing costs and the economic downturn, which has put a number of airline operations in jeopardy. One airline representative FTN spoke with said that unless money saving proposals such as the CPRL are introduced, many more airline pilots would be faced with reductions in flight pay or even redundancy.

Early indications are that training for the rating would include radiotelephony written and oral examinations (based on CAP 413 for UK-licensed CPRLs) and a one-day course in an appropriate simulator for cockpit familiarisation. The one- 

day course would also include basic training in Threat & Error Management (TEM). A class one medical certificate would be required for the CPRL and its is estimated that using CPRLs on long-haul flights would negate the need for ‘heavy’ crews of three or more fully-rated pilots for a two-pilot aircraft. Whilst initially restricted to sectors of 10 hours duration or longer, it is envisaged that eventually CPRLs could be used on sectors as short as three hours.

The CPRL pilot would not become an active member of the flight crew until the aircraft was established in the cruise sector by at least 30 minutes. Their role then would be one of systems monitoring, although they will not have the authority to make course or altitude changes. This would mean either the first officer or captain would not be required on the flight deck during the cruise sectors, and they would be expected to rest in preparation for the descent and approach. They would, however, lose flight pay accordingly.

It is understood that although the original intention was for the CPRL candidate to be a low-houred ‘frozen’ ATPL holder, a number of airlines are looking at qualifying cabin crew to perform the functions of a CPRL. As one industry observer pointed out, they have the advantage of already being on the airline payroll, having passed all the necessary security checks and being experienced in the airline environment. Furthermore, they could ‘split’ their duties, acting as cabin crew for the busy take-off and approach phases, and CPRLs during the quiet cruise phase.

It is likely, say industry observers, that fully licensed pilots will not be in favour of the proposals given the reduction in flight pay. However, FTN has learnt that these pilots may be offered an opportunity to supplement their reduced flight pay by working as cabin crew during the cruise sector. Pilots who are interested in supplementing their income in this way would be required to undertake full cabin crew training in order to qualify as bona fide cabin crew staff members. The training requirement would vary according to which airline the pilot is employed with but it is believed that a 3-week residential course would constitute the minimum training requirement.

One airline recruitment manager, who FTN spoke to on the condition of confidentially, said: “While I can appreciate pilots’ concerns, they are ignoring the bigger picture here. We simply cannot continue to pay pilots so much for sitting on their backsides during long, cruise sectors, effectively earning money for doing nothing. We are after all a business and not a charity and unless we take action then pilots will have no jobs at all. They should be thanking us for our initiative, rather than complaining.”

From a flight training perspective, a senior representative from one of the Europe’s main flight training organisations, told FTN: “Although it is difficult to comment on a proposal that has yet to be ratified, early indications are that a cruise pilot rating could help enormously in reducing airline overheads. Airline operations these days are becoming more and more about systems management and less about piloting ability, and as long as the rating is restricted to cruise sectors I can see no reason why this couldn’t be introduced worldwide.

“The opportunity for first officers to experience life as cabin crew could also prove extremely valuable,” added the FTO source.

The established regulatory bodies have yet to comment officially on the proposed cruise pilot licence, but FTN understands that a working group is being established to take the proposals further. The Long-Haul In-Flight Relief Pilot Appraisal Working Group (LIRPA01) is being established with a membership of invited industry experts who hope to have an initial proposal ready by the end of the year. Before going to press, we attempted to contact the main pilot unions for comment but unfortunately they had all left for the afternoon to attend a champagne reception being hosted by the Professional Association of Cabin Crew Employees.

Original article here...

[Trader]

In the words of Homer --"I am so smart...s-m-r-t"

Thanks - that was the article!!

[Jaydee]

Trudeau reverses course, drops carbon tax as of April 1

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is doing a major reversal and dropping the controversial carbon tax as of April 1, the Sun has learned. This comes on the same day that the Liberal government was previously expected to increase the carbon tax.

 

A statement from the Prime Minister’s Office obtained in advance exclusively by the Sun reveals that inflation and the cost-of-living is what spurred Trudeau’s change of heart.

 

“I just can’t do it,” said Trudeau. “It’s become clear that an increase in the carbon tax at this point in time would only add to the hardships faced by Canadians who are already struggling to pay the bills.” The change comes into effect immediately.

 

Trudeau also explained that his policy reversal is “a teachable moment for all Canadians and an opportunity for reflection.”

 

A source speaking on background revealed that Trudeau went out to buy his own groceries on Thursday night for the first time in years and was flabbergasted by the price of goods. “He only took a $10 bill because he figured it would be enough for a block of marble cheese, but after tax he just didn’t have enough on him,” the source explained.

A bystander reportedly offered to buy the cheese for the PM upon seeing his struggles at the cash register. It’s unknown if Trudeau accepted the stranger’s money.

 

The carbon tax reversal comes after Alberta Premier Jason Kenney decided his province would temporarily stop collecting the provincial gas tax, which adds 13 cents per litre to the price of gas.

 

While the Liberals had previously touted that the federal carbon tax would be revenue neutral, a new report from the Parliamentary Budget Officer reveals that the majority of Canadians will now pay more in carbon taxes than they receive back in the form of rebates.

 

It remains unclear whether the elimination of the carbon tax is a temporary or permanent measure, but based on the publication date of this story we recommend you don’t let yourself be fooled.

 

EDITORIAL: Carbon tax increase is sadly no joke

We’d prefer to think that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s April 1 carbon tax increase is just a cruel April Fool’s Day joke.

 

But, alas, Trudeau’s carbon tax increased by 25% to $50 per tonne of greenhouse gas emissions on Friday, up from $40.

 

These increases have happened every year on April 1 since 2019, when the tax was introduced at $20 per tonne of emissions, and will continue to rise annually up to $170 per tonne in 2030.

 

For families living in the four provinces where Trudeau imposed his carbon tax — Alberta, Ontario, Saskatchewan and Manitoba — gasoline prices because of the federal carbon tax will rise by 2.2 cents per litre to 11 cents per litre, on its way to 37.4 cents per litre in 2030.

 

The cost of natural gas for heating homes will rise by 2 cents per cubic metre to 9.8 cents per cubic metre, on its way to 32.4 cents per cubic metre in 2030.

 

However, Trudeau’s carbon tax doesn’t just apply to gasoline and natural gas, but to a total of 22 forms of fossil fuel energy in all, which is why whenever the carbon tax goes up, the cost of almost everything goes up because almost all goods and services consume fossil fuel energy.

 

Ever since it introduced the carbon tax, the Trudeau government has claimed 80% of households end up better off financially because of carbon tax rebates.

 

But Parliamentary Budget Officer Yves Giroux said last week when the full adverse financial impact of Trudeau’s carbon tax on the economy is considered, most households — 60% — pay more in carbon taxes than they get in rebates.

 

By 2024, Giroux said, 80% of Ontario households will be paying more, which will occur in Alberta in 2028.

 

Giroux calculated the average net cost to the 60% of households paying Trudeau’s carbon tax after rebates have been applied, from 2022 to 2030.

 

For Alberta, he said, the average cost in 2022 will be $671 rising to $2,282 in 2030.

 

For Ontario, $360 this year rising to $1,461 in 2030; for Saskatchewan, $390 rising to $1,464 in 2030 and for Manitoba, $299 rising to $1,145 in 2030.

 

The Trudeau government says the average family paying the carbon tax in Alberta in 2022 will end up $338 ahead; Ontario, $134 ahead; Saskatchewan, $319 ahead Manitoba $229 ahead.

 

We know who we believe.

 

 

 

https://torontosun.com/opinion/editorials/editorial-carbon-tax-april-fools

Edited April 1, 2022 by Jaydee