B777 Undifferentiated or Other Model
Fatigue
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Other / Unknown
General None Reported / Taken
Human Factors; Procedure
On this flight; the Captain wanted an irregular break schedule. His break schedule lacks a valid justification. One relief co-pilot was willing to accommodate. We had half of the crew doing a standard break (flying co-pilot and me: 6 hours each) while the Captain and other Relief Pilot did a 4-6-2 break. I was awakened by the crew call from the lower bunk trying to wake my flying partner at the end of the 4 hour break. I was unable to fall back to sleep. The other Relief Pilot slept very little on the two short breaks. I learned that this was the third trip in a row with two days off in between. Relief Pilot fell asleep in the seat during the 6 hours on. The 4-6-2 break schedule is very unsafe for the operation. The Relief Pilot is not allowed a decent time to rest. When I tried politely to speak to the Captain about my concerns; he stated; 'It's fine if you relief pilots are hanging from your shoulder straps because; you are just relief pilots.' This Captain is unwilling to consider the fatigue or consequences of his irregular break scheme. His ego is getting in the way of a safe operation. There is a cost however...half of your crew is asleep in the seat.
B777 First Officer laments the Captain's decision to use a nonstandard break schedule on a 12 hour flight resulting in insufficient rest for the two relief pilots.