But Say That They Want To Be Sure The Airplane Is Safe

Pilots in Japan and elsewhere who are trained to fly the 787 Dreamliner don't have a lot to do while the airplanes are grounded by battery issues, but in Japan, the pilots say they want to be sure the airplane is safe to fly.

ANA has some 350 pilots specifically trained to fly the Dreamliner, and their pay has been cut by as much as 30 percent because of the grounding. One told Reuters that it is like he is "rehearsing for retirement."

The Dreamliner pilots at both ANA and JAL, which account for more than half of the 787s that have been delivered, have reportedly taken a significant hit to their income. As much as 30 percent of an ANA captain's income is determined by the number of hours they fly. At JAL, the airline has added a temporary allowance to pilot's paychecks to cover some of the shortfall caused by the grounding. The Dreamliner pilots at both airlines are not allowed to fly other airplanes even though they have flown them in the past.

Two pilots who spoke to Reuters under the condition of anonymity said that they are concerned that an extended time on the ground will erode their flying skills. "Pilots are better off flying," one said.

FMI: www.ana.co.jp, www.jal.com