Narrative:

To start I'm going to copy the definition of mental fatigue from the aim:1. Fatigue continues to be one of the most treacherous hazards to flight safety; as it may not be apparent to a pilot until serious errors are made. Fatigue is best described as either acute (short-term) or chronic (long-term).2. A normal occurrence of everyday living; acute fatigue is the tiredness felt after long periods of physical and mental strain; including strenuous muscular effort; immobility; heavy mental workload; strong emotional pressure; monotony; and lack of sleep. Consequently; coordination and alertness; so vital to safe pilot performance; can be reduced. Acute fatigue is prevented by adequate rest and sleep; as well as by regular exercise and proper nutrition.3. Chronic fatigue occurs when there is not enough time for full recovery between episodes of acute fatigue. Performance continues to fall off and judgment becomes impaired so that unwarranted risks may be taken. Recovery from chronic fatigue requires a prolonged period of rest.I called in fatigued yesterday and was dealt with in a manner I would call inappropriate by an assistant chief pilot. He called inquiring as to the nature of the fatigue call. I told him my reasons which he deemed unsatisfactory and proceeded to lecture me in a manner which appeared to me as condescending and threatening in nature. I was told; 'this is your second call in a week and it looks awfully suspicious...maybe you better get in shape or quit and find yourself a cushier job.' I'm 6'3' and weigh 200 pounds. I went to the doctor for a routine physical 3 weeks ago and was told I'm perfectly healthy if it matters. I inadvertently called him 'dude' which then prompted him to tell me; 'listen son; I'll talk to you any way I see fit.' from there I asked if I was being pressured into flying fatigued to which he responded; 'no; but this looks like a trend and maybe you should get into shape or something. I'm tired of you pilots meandering around.' I get regular exercise; spend most of my days off outside and eat as healthy as one can with our work schedule (no soda; no coffee; no tobacco; minimal fried foods). I then asked if the conversation was being recorded. He said; 'what; do you want a copy? Sure; now it's being recorded.' I ended the conversation before I said something I'd regret and before I hung up was told; 'I look forward to reading your report.' these reports are anonymous in nature and identities are redacted so I'm not sure how he plans on finding mine. If it was recorded and you want to hear the conversation I'm sure he will oblige. I'd actually like a copy as well for my records and for the FAA. He has done this to multiple other pilots as well as sent 'unacceptable attendance' emails and letters to crew members violating the attendance policy which requires a verbal notice prior to a written one.from talking to pilots in the crew room; they've shown me letters saying that their attendance was 'at an unacceptable level and further sick calls would result in disciplinary action.' this creates an atmosphere where crew members will jeopardize the health of their crew and passengers to avoid being punished for doing the right thing. This is not only punitive but extremely unsafe. I do not take pride in being unable to complete my schedule today. However; I cannot be held responsible for chronic poor staffing and the canceled flights associated with it. Anyone can look back over the past 6 years and see my record here. My record speaks for itself. As a reserve pilot this month I will credit around 93 hours. This is absurd. My line next month has me flying 93 hours with 12 days off. I'm unable to drop flying due to lack of reserves. No reserves [means] abused reserves are now forced to cover open time as well as any call offs by being reassigned. This amount of work every single month with minimal time off between trips is a perfect recipe for chronic fatigue. Last thursday I was reassignedinto flying 9 legs in and out of the hub. I barely accomplished this and was therefore unfit to fly the 6 legs they scheduled me for barely 12 hours later. This resulted in 4 canceled flights for lack of crew. Weather was blamed; but no captain was put on those flights. Last night a hockey team saw fit to wake my first officer and I in the middle of the night. I maybe had 4 hours of sleep and flew 5 legs today in 9 hours of duty. Looking back; on the last leg I was yawning the entire flight and had to keep myself from nodding off in flight. After being notified of 2 more legs upon arrival I called off due to being too exhausted. Apparently this is unacceptable.if one person here makes a decision that could potentially save lives and is threatened; the likelihood they will continue to do what is required to remain safe diminishes. If I valued anything my chief pilot had to say; I may now feel my job could be on the line should I be unfit for duty in the future. Is this the kind of message you want to spread throughout the company? Continuing to fly when unfit could prove extremely detrimental when you consider the airspace in which I'm operating on a daily basis. ZZZ is among the busiest airspace in the country. It's an unforgiving airspace where mistakes will get you killed or seriously hurt. Contrary to popular belief; I am not a robot. Should something arise where prior rest affects fitness for duty; I should not have to fear punitive action from the company should I do what is necessary and required per the FAA. Threats and intimidation will do nothing but breed contempt and ultimately create more incidents. I'm positive nobody at this company wants such a thing to happen again.actions speak louder than words; and perception is reality. The management at this company is at a fork in the road. They've created this mess through under staffing and poking the pilot group with sharp sticks long enough that morale is at an all time low. Orders flow from the top down. I'm inclined to believe that management is more than happy with the status quo. The ceo stated last september that the culture of this company would change in 6 months time; it has not. In fact; it is worse. Flight crews are overworked and unable to take time off without fear of retaliation from their direct supervisors. With this company I've missed birthdays; weddings; funerals; anniversaries; etc.; and have done so because my work schedule dictated that I be flying and not present for family events. I've tried dropping trips; but to no avail due to lack of personnel. So I take personal offense when some middle manager calls me out on my personal telephone and lectures me on my attendance. The only way for events like this to be prevented is by new personnel. The current people we have working at headquarters are too set in their ways. They do whatever they want without fear of reprisal and that is unacceptable. Actions have consequences. Just because someone is your direct supervisor does not mean that they can tell you whatever they wish and get away with it; especially in a tone that is demeaning and unprofessional. I will not be intimidated. Neither should anyone else at this company; especially for something as sensitive as fatigue.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: Air carrier Captain describes the events surrounding a fatigue call and his reprimand by an Assistant Chief Pilot.

Narrative: To start I'm going to copy the definition of mental fatigue from the AIM:1. Fatigue continues to be one of the most treacherous hazards to flight safety; as it may not be apparent to a pilot until serious errors are made. Fatigue is best described as either acute (short-term) or chronic (long-term).2. A normal occurrence of everyday living; acute fatigue is the tiredness felt after long periods of physical and mental strain; including strenuous muscular effort; immobility; heavy mental workload; strong emotional pressure; monotony; and lack of sleep. Consequently; coordination and alertness; so vital to safe pilot performance; can be reduced. Acute fatigue is prevented by adequate rest and sleep; as well as by regular exercise and proper nutrition.3. Chronic fatigue occurs when there is not enough time for full recovery between episodes of acute fatigue. Performance continues to fall off and judgment becomes impaired so that unwarranted risks may be taken. Recovery from chronic fatigue requires a prolonged period of rest.I called in fatigued yesterday and was dealt with in a manner I would call inappropriate by an Assistant Chief Pilot. He called inquiring as to the nature of the fatigue call. I told him my reasons which he deemed unsatisfactory and proceeded to lecture me in a manner which appeared to me as condescending and threatening in nature. I was told; 'This is your second call in a week and it looks awfully suspicious...maybe you better get in shape or quit and find yourself a cushier job.' I'm 6'3' and weigh 200 LBS. I went to the doctor for a routine physical 3 weeks ago and was told I'm perfectly healthy if it matters. I inadvertently called him 'dude' which then prompted him to tell me; 'Listen son; I'll talk to you any way I see fit.' From there I asked if I was being pressured into flying fatigued to which he responded; 'No; but this looks like a trend and maybe you should get into shape or something. I'm tired of you pilots meandering around.' I get regular exercise; spend most of my days off outside and eat as healthy as one can with our work schedule (no soda; no coffee; no tobacco; minimal fried foods). I then asked if the conversation was being recorded. He said; 'What; do you want a copy? Sure; now it's being recorded.' I ended the conversation before I said something I'd regret and before I hung up was told; 'I look forward to reading your report.' These reports are anonymous in nature and identities are redacted so I'm not sure how he plans on finding mine. If it was recorded and you want to hear the conversation I'm sure he will oblige. I'd actually like a copy as well for my records and for the FAA. He has done this to multiple other pilots as well as sent 'unacceptable attendance' emails and letters to crew members violating the attendance policy which requires a verbal notice prior to a written one.From talking to pilots in the crew room; they've shown me letters saying that their attendance was 'at an unacceptable level and further sick calls would result in disciplinary action.' This creates an atmosphere where crew members will jeopardize the health of their crew and passengers to avoid being punished for doing the right thing. This is not only punitive but extremely unsafe. I do not take pride in being unable to complete my schedule today. However; I cannot be held responsible for chronic poor staffing and the canceled flights associated with it. Anyone can look back over the past 6 years and see my record here. My record speaks for itself. As a reserve pilot this month I will credit around 93 hours. This is absurd. My line next month has me flying 93 hours with 12 days off. I'm unable to drop flying due to lack of reserves. No reserves [means] abused reserves are now forced to cover open time as well as any call offs by being reassigned. This amount of work every single month with minimal time off between trips is a perfect recipe for chronic fatigue. Last Thursday I was reassignedinto flying 9 legs in and out of the hub. I barely accomplished this and was therefore unfit to fly the 6 legs they scheduled me for barely 12 hours later. This resulted in 4 canceled flights for lack of crew. Weather was blamed; but no Captain was put on those flights. Last night a hockey team saw fit to wake my First Officer and I in the middle of the night. I maybe had 4 hours of sleep and flew 5 legs today in 9 hours of duty. Looking back; on the last leg I was yawning the entire flight and had to keep myself from nodding off in flight. After being notified of 2 more legs upon arrival I called off due to being too exhausted. Apparently this is unacceptable.If one person here makes a decision that could potentially save lives and is threatened; the likelihood they will continue to do what is required to remain safe diminishes. If I valued anything my Chief Pilot had to say; I may now feel my job could be on the line should I be unfit for duty in the future. Is this the kind of message you want to spread throughout the company? Continuing to fly when unfit could prove extremely detrimental when you consider the airspace in which I'm operating on a daily basis. ZZZ is among the busiest airspace in the country. It's an unforgiving airspace where mistakes will get you killed or seriously hurt. Contrary to popular belief; I am not a robot. Should something arise where prior rest affects fitness for duty; I should not have to fear punitive action from the company should I do what is necessary and required per the FAA. Threats and intimidation will do nothing but breed contempt and ultimately create more incidents. I'm positive nobody at this company wants such a thing to happen again.Actions speak louder than words; and perception is reality. The Management at this company is at a fork in the road. They've created this mess through under staffing and poking the pilot group with sharp sticks long enough that morale is at an all time low. Orders flow from the top down. I'm inclined to believe that Management is more than happy with the status quo. The CEO stated last September that the culture of this company would change in 6 months time; it has not. In fact; it is worse. Flight crews are overworked and unable to take time off without fear of retaliation from their direct supervisors. With this company I've missed birthdays; weddings; funerals; anniversaries; etc.; and have done so because my work schedule dictated that I be flying and not present for family events. I've tried dropping trips; but to no avail due to lack of personnel. So I take personal offense when some middle Manager calls me out on my personal telephone and lectures me on my attendance. The only way for events like this to be prevented is by new personnel. The current people we have working at headquarters are too set in their ways. They do whatever they want without fear of reprisal and that is unacceptable. Actions have consequences. Just because someone is your direct Supervisor does not mean that they can tell you whatever they wish and get away with it; especially in a tone that is demeaning and unprofessional. I will not be intimidated. Neither should anyone else at this company; especially for something as sensitive as fatigue.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.