Pilots fed up with forced quarantine despite being vaccinated and segregated

Qantas pilots operating overseas repatriation and freight flights are going for weeks without seeing their families due to strict quarantine rules that fail to acknowledge their vaccination status.

A Qantas repatriation flight in Canberra. Pilots are frustrated by the strict quarantine regulations they must observe despite being fully vaccinated. Picture: AAP

Qantas pilots flying overseas repatriation and freight flights are spending weeks on end in isolation between jobs, unable to interact with family members or exercise outdoors, despite being fully vaccinated against COVID.

The contrast between the ­pilots’ treatment and that of hotel quarantine and hospital workers — who are allowed to move freely in the community — has prompted further discussions between Qantas and government.

Australian and International Pilots Association president Murray Butt said it presented a double-edged sword for members who were desperate to work, only to be treated almost like criminals.

“It’s hard to see the logic in a hotel quarantine worker who’s there day in, day out dealing with people who’ve returned from overseas and have no restrictions on their life outside of work, and a pilot who comes into contact with virtually no other people on these overseas flights, is fully vaccinated and COVID-tested to the point their nose bleeds, yet still has to self-isolate or go into quarantine after every flight,” he said.

“We have pilots who’ve gone six weeks without being able to see their families. One second officer was not able to hold his newborn baby for weeks, or help out his wife. It’s very hard on them, and hard on their families.”

Pilots who spoke to The Australian on the condition of anonymity said they were grateful to be working again despite the ­considerable downside of self-­isolation and quarantine — but the strain on their mental health, and their families was proving to be a challenge.

Although the rules differed from state to state, in most states pilots could self-isolate at home unless their partner was an essential worker, in which case they had to quarantine in a hotel.

Throughout the 14-days of isolation, they were not permitted to interact with family members or leave the house for any reason.

They could expect a visit from local detectives at some point during their self-isolation to ensure they were abiding by the regulations, and faced being dobbed in by neighbours if they didn’t.

The rigid requirements are in stark contrast to those imposed on pilots in New Zealand who are required to quarantine for only two days after returning from the US.

The strict regulations were the same for pilots on freight flights as those on repatriation flights to India, which were double-crewed with no contact between pilots and passengers.

Only one pilot was allowed to leave the aircraft in India to do a walk around of the plane, and for the rest of the time they were separated from passengers by the business class cabin.

“The flight deck has its own air supply so we’re not even breathing the same air,” one pilot said.

The directions for flight crew were established by national cabinet but are implemented at state and territory level around the country.

A Qantas spokeswoman said they understood the quarantine requirements were having an impact on employees and their families.

“We’ll continue working with governments on this,” she said.

“We are proud of our people for the professionalism and resilience they have demonstrated operating these flights.”

A New South Wales Health spokeswoman said a precautionary approach remained in place for all international travellers and flight crew, all of whom were treated as “potentially infectious”.

“Although strengthened measures of prevention, including vaccination and surveillance testing upon arrival for flight crew, are in place, NSW Health continues to observe cases of COVID-19 in this group of workers,” said the spokeswoman.

“Fully vaccinated people can still contract – and pass on – COVID-19.”