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KARACHI: Apropos a story headlined “PIA pilot grabs some shut-eye leaving aircraft in hands of trainee” published in Dawn on May 7, Amir Akhtar Hashmi, the pilot, has issued a contradiction.
In his statement on Monday, he said all major airlines on long sector scheduled one extra non-rated co-pilot to accompany the rated co-pilot so that the captain could take a nap out of the cockpit.
In the flight mentioned in the story, he said, both co-pilots were rated on B777, adding that despite this fact he did not leave the cockpit for more than a few minutes.
He said the picture published with the story was an old one and that in that flight he was officially travelling as a passenger.
The purser in her report about the Islamabad-London flight — on which the story was based — said that a passenger had complained about the sleeping pilot. The management accepted her report as well as the allegation levelled by the passenger and the purser against her boss (captain) and took him off flying duties.
A PIA spokesperson also conceded that an inquiry into the report was under way.
Published in Dawn, May 09th, 2017
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On DawnNews
Comments (61) Closed
May 09, 2017 11:13am
I have traveled so extensively never ever seen the pilot ever coming out of the cockpit ... unless the journey is terminated. or the pilot wants to use the lu...
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May 09, 2017 11:17am
Contradictory story from the Captain. It seems that every single culprit in Pakistan cone up with ridiculous excuses which are a joke. But when you have PM Nawaz Sharif and his family lying in front of the whole world then what can you expect from the rest. A shame and a disgrace for all those law abiding Pakistanis.
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May 09, 2017 11:59am
How can you what is the truth anymore. A sign of the end of times.
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May 09, 2017 12:03pm
Does anyone ever in Pakistan admit they may have done something wrong. No one should be surprised that Mr Hashmy has denied any wrong doing. It's upto the investigators to provide evidence to the contrary.
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May 09, 2017 12:09pm
Bottom line...the truth will never come out.......old story.
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May 09, 2017 12:09pm
Good to hear the other side too. Thanks Dawn.
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May 09, 2017 12:19pm
Long haul flights have multiple pilots who share rest and workload.
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May 09, 2017 12:21pm
Some one is clearly lying. Shameful if they are taking the matter of potential risk to hundreds of lives so casually to cover their tracks. I have no faith in either the alleged pilot (very unprofessional conduct and response) or the PIA management.
Sorry, but the track record of the airline and its staff does not leave any room for the benefit of the doubt to either.
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May 09, 2017 12:31pm
I am surprised he didn't say it is conspiracy against him... His claim about picture is making me laugh. Is he saying someone took his picture in the past while sleeping and made it public , only now, after a passenger complained? He'll rest for few weeks on full pay and will be flying soon.
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May 09, 2017 12:38pm
If you were officially travelling as a passenger, why were you wearing pilot uniform?
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May 09, 2017 12:55pm
Interesting development, the pilot makes a valid point. The accused are innocent until proven guilty.
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May 09, 2017 01:17pm
So hilarious. He will get away with it.
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May 09, 2017 01:33pm
Yeah sure. We also believe that no one even smokes in the toilets of PIA flights.
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May 09, 2017 02:03pm
Such corrupt practices is a reflection of top leadership which insults public intelligence everyday yet continues to lord over you. The trickle down effect has to somehow reflect into the society eventually. It is contagious.
When people accept lying, cheating, fabrications and short-cuts to get rich quick as normal and acceptable part of their daily routine, this is when you know there is no hope left for future generations who are going to be raised in the same environment and learn the art of con game at early age.
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May 09, 2017 02:21pm
So what we are told to beleive is that it is a conspiracy against the pilot. The picture is an old one. These passengers are wrong, the purser's report is wrong and the poor pilot is any way allowed to have small naps. Let me ask this simple question how many will you take a flight where you are told that the main pilot usually takes a nap immediately after a take off?
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May 09, 2017 02:36pm
A good PR move to salvage repo by PALPA
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May 09, 2017 02:48pm
I have worked for several European carriers over the past 12 years, in the senior most capacity of flight safety. This is a non event. Crew rest is normal, almost all operators allow this. This is NOT a flight safety issue, provided two crew members, appropriately trained and licensed occupy seats on the flight deck. During cruise phase, every long-haul pilot takes "controlled" rest.
It is about time we Pakistani STOP making a news out of everything and anything.
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May 09, 2017 02:51pm
Ok, so everyone is lying, except the pilot himself!?
We get it. PIA staff is completely honest, professional and trustworthy...
Those drugs that smuggled on PIA flights, they have no knowledge of those either?
The multiple time the crew has been caught smuggling expensive Cell Phones? Were they all planted in their luggage by someone??
How about cabin crew caught shoplifting abroad? Didn't happen??
We get it.
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May 09, 2017 03:03pm
What a coverup... Bravo.
This can happen only in PIA.
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May 09, 2017 03:09pm
If Mr.Hashmi (The pilot) had been officially traveling just as a normal passenger in that flight, then nobody would have bothered to snap a photo of him sleeping in business class. The passenger who complained must have seen Mr.Hashmi in a real pilot's uniform sleeping on duty before Mr.Hashmi covered himself with blanket in order to avoid being recognized as pilot.
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May 09, 2017 03:10pm
Travelling as a passenger but in UNIFORM. The zenith of corruption and malpractices in Pakistan!
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May 09, 2017 03:16pm
@khanm Then you must be sleeping during flights :) I also fly extensively and have seen pilots coming out and resting in Business Class several times in several airlines. (I am not supporting the specific pilot here, just replying to your comment)
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May 09, 2017 03:16pm
Such things can only happen in Pakistan!!!
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May 09, 2017 03:36pm
It is a common practice in long haul flights for the cockpit crew to take naps. We have to remember there are three people in the cockpit of Boeing 777. The co-pilots also have extensive flying experience. Also during the cruising period of the flight the plane is on autopilot. This is not a story. This is not negligence.
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May 09, 2017 03:38pm
Does it mean that the flight was being flown by two junior pilots? Because the pilot says he was a passenger. God help PIA.
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May 09, 2017 03:39pm
@Dr.M.M.Khan it happens all the time in long haul flights. I have flown about 2.1 million miles so far so I am talking from my experience as a frequent flier
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May 09, 2017 03:43pm
This is making a mountain out of a mole hill. The captain did not do anything illegal. PIA pilots are very professional. I have known several during my employment in PIA. These guys deserve a medal for flying such old aircrafts. Planes maybe old but they fly themselves. PIA will loose a good pilot if he is grounded due to this stupid accusation.
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May 09, 2017 03:43pm
@syed the crew has to be in uniform when they are flying to an assignment
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May 09, 2017 03:46pm
The matter must be investigated well. If it was ok to take rest during long flights, why was the pilot suspended? Why was pilot sleeping in uniform if traveling privately. Senior pursers are supposed to be well versed with the rules and regulations of airline, why did she write a complaint against her senior? Ordinary passengers do not know airline's rules, he or she could have been made understood to not to worry as taking a nap by pilot was perfectly normal. Don't we know the deteriorating standards of PIA? I had travelled in sixties and am traveling nowadays also - both times are not comparable at all. If PIA wants to investigate it appropriately then do not entrust PALPA or any other agency affiliated with PIA. Engage some independent body if you want justice.
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May 09, 2017 03:46pm
@khanm perhaps you have travelled on short haul flights. Happens regularly on long haul flights. Some jets like the Airbus 38o have bunks for the crew to take naps
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May 09, 2017 03:48pm
@Ady get away with what? This is not a story.
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May 09, 2017 03:58pm
What else can he say to save his skin, job and reputation?
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May 09, 2017 03:58pm
The pilot should be served justice according to Law of the Land. Why PIA staff is bent to redicule PIA & Pakistan through their shameful acts here and there on continuous basis.
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May 09, 2017 04:09pm
First of all we shouldnt be jumping into conclusion. It may pilot is saying thearlier truth and only those who know about the airline rules should comment whether they are allowed to take a nap or nothe. If he is found guilty then should be strictly punished.
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May 09, 2017 04:30pm
@Human Read first, complaint, and reply by plot and photo evidence, I was passenger I forgot to take off my uniform and training pilot s were trained. Pakistanis are not stupid as you think It's matter of responsibility and professionalism which is essentially does not exist and pilot believe he owns ship
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May 09, 2017 04:35pm
@khanm Did you travel in First Class, or Business Class, or Sohni Class of PIA? You have to be in them to view the cockpit door, or on upper deck (old Sohni Class) of B747 to view the cockpit door. I myself have been travelling by PIA since 1964, and sometimes in these classes, and have seen Captains moving around and in fact sitting on the designated seats to have meals! Or just chatting to VIP passengers. Or going to the toilet. The Co-pilot, or First Officer, is the person who controls the aircraft then. And I have full confidence in professionalism of PIA's pilots.
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May 09, 2017 04:39pm
The passenger can not be wrong.
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May 09, 2017 04:41pm
Good he did not say " He was just thinking with closed eyes how to better PIA operations for good of country and PIA".
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May 09, 2017 04:43pm
@Dr.M.M.Khan Hahahaha. Good one.
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May 09, 2017 04:48pm
Another lame excuse from another Pakistani, they have an answer for everything.
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May 09, 2017 04:50pm
The pilot is absolutely right. Every long haul flight pilot is allowed to take sleep while his assistant handles the plane.
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May 09, 2017 04:58pm
In Pakistan nobody accepts their mistakes. Everyone is right!
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May 09, 2017 04:58pm
@khanm have u ever travelled in first class or business class. Bcoz the said person i.e. Pilot will not come to economy.
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May 09, 2017 05:01pm
@Fareed Hussain I did. Accepted at my school that I stole my teacher money I was kicked out from school my parents locked me down. I was shamed till I left the country. We don't accept the people who accept their fault. But we accept people who give different reasons for the same things i.e. Politician
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May 09, 2017 05:15pm
He says ,it's an old photo..That means that this is common practice in the Airline.
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May 09, 2017 06:10pm
He should be terminated at once and given an year in jail term atleast.
These people have brought the national carrier to its knees.
I've heard this guy takes aleast 700-800k PKR per flight to Canada or US, the perks of Emirates and service of Class 3 airlines. Remove him and rid the drowning carrier off these parasites.
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May 09, 2017 06:14pm
Very clever. Now he has created doubts about the proof of him sleeping. It was an old picture and was travelling as passenger in that. His friends will be working on changing records in PIA records books. Everything is possible in Pakistan. He will bring a witness claiming that he was at home that night. The only who going to get fired is the Purser, who entered the complaint in the report.
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May 09, 2017 06:26pm
Passenger but in duty uniform.....
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May 09, 2017 06:27pm
Honesty not in ruler (father) nor in public (son)
An honest and law abiding daughter took it to media let's appreciate her, award her by encouraging other daughters to take care of the country
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May 09, 2017 06:35pm
good cover up by captain.
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May 09, 2017 07:16pm
Good job , what a brave man.....
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May 09, 2017 07:28pm
Did you know that in a plane like this even junior pilots have thousands of hours of experience.
I do not understand why laypersons act like experts on flying.
A pilot.
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May 09, 2017 07:49pm
@Iqbal aswani ...you must be flying with Pia..I never take PIA my last experience was good enough...five days visit wasted three day searching for my luggage
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May 09, 2017 08:09pm
@John mark anderson ..may be they are scared to come to economy class cos the passengers may let it out on the pilot...
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May 09, 2017 08:28pm
Mr. Captain ! your flying days are over. Buy a taxi and start negotiating Karachi's traffic, because that is what you will be driving. And you can park your taxi under a tree and nap all you want, at least you won't have 300 passengers to account for.
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May 09, 2017 08:54pm
@M Malik than why they call the other pilot 'trainee'.
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May 09, 2017 09:46pm
Pakistan to United Kingdom is not a "long haul" flight and does not operate with a "relief crew". The airlines on long flights, such as this, allow crew to "shut eyes", in their cockpit seat for a few minutes. It is also a security risk for an operating Captain to sleep in the passenger compartment where he can be made a hostage, in case of a high jacking. Airlines have very elaborate safety procedures on how a cockpit crew member will leave the cockpit even if they have to use the toilet. PIA pilots are usually seen with open cockpit doors, their family and friends, if travelling with them, in and out of the cockpit and Captain/Co-pilot walking around the business class chit chatting with their colleagues/passengers. Where relief crew or multiple crew operation is required, airlines have sleeping bunks in a secure area for crew to take rest. Captain Amir Hashmi is willfully lying to a professionally public.
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May 09, 2017 09:54pm
I am from aviation industry, my father and father-in-law both were pilots for PIA. My post may appear to be a bias on this issue, but the fact is that all International airlines as a SOP for long haul flights operates with two sets of qualified pilots combination of pilot and copilot. Pilot in Command as Captain Hashmi was on this flight on a regular bases provides hands on training to copilot. Capt Hashmi made a judgment call based on the qualification of other pilots to move out of the cockpit and let other crew share cockpit workload. Safety is utmost concern of cockpit crew they will not deliberately risk their or others life. The passenger may not have notices this if an aircraft was to be equipped with crew rest area and this would not be on social media. Some time social media goes over board as in this case, public in general do not know the real issue and to them if a satiation appears to be out of ordinary they make a big issue thinking they are doing some good for society.
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May 10, 2017 02:24am
No.1 its an aircraft, not a bus! It's okay to take a nap on long flights. Its better to be fresh than sleepy for a landing which is way riskier than high-altitude cruising.
No.2 he should've just done it in the cockpit and not like he's in his grandma's home. (If he did take a nap as an operating captain, which it appears, he did. Why else would a passenger take a picture)
No.3 how can people tell what he's wearing under the blanket just by looking at that picture? Pakistanis amaze me!
No.4 rather than jumping to a conclusion, i'd like to know who took the picture and question the flight attendant. what if the flight attendant is using this to malign him and took the picture? it may seem convoluted but this is Pakistan people!
Happy Landings to everyone!
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May 11, 2017 02:25am
@Pakistan zindabad -your defense of the pilot makes no sense.
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May 12, 2017 03:07am
Guys
What happened to foreign CEO ??? What is he doing ??? just getting salary ?????
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