JetBlue CEO on pilot’s mid-air meltdown: ‘It started medical, but clearly wasn’t’

[Smarta$$]

That's one hell of an assumption you just made. Why don't you find out the facts before you say something you'll regret later?

Right or wrong, could you imagine what jetBlue's liability would be if he was allowed to fly and he goes off the reservation again?

 

[Blue Dude]

Right or wrong, could you imagine what jetBlue's liability would be if he was allowed to fly and he goes off the reservation again?

Which is something to be decided once the facts are in.

 

[Smarta$$]

Which is something to be decided once the facts are in.

There aren't many "facts" that will make this episode acceptable or mitigate future liability if he were to be a captain on a revenue flight again and has another "episode", even with "facts".

It is unfortunate, and I am not prejudging, or judging at all. He became ill in some respect (hopefully). But after having shown himself susceptible to an episode like this, the corporate liability and PR would probably be intolerable.

Just my humble opinion. I do wish him and his family the best, and hope the outcome is better than I fear it is.

 

[Blue Dude]

You're very likely correct. I'm just not willing to throw in the towel yet.

 

[Blue Dude]

There's something really weird about this: http://www.foxnews.com/us/2012/04/02/jetblue-pilot-released-from-texas-hospital-heads-to-court/

"Held without bond"? That's the kind of thing you do for a felon with a - forgive me - flight risk, not an airline captain with no prior record. Is this a case of some backwater DA making a career move? What's going on here?

 

[Smarta$$]

I don't know. I am sad and disappointed that they would criminalize an illness or sickness. I never thought it would be a crime to be sick. Now there may still be more to the story. We just don't know.

But, your first problem is getting your "news" from Fox, but that is a different topic all together...

 

[Blue Dude]

But, your first problem is getting your "news" from Fox, but that is a different topic all together...

Well, that's the first place that posted the headline. CNN has it now: http://www.cnn.com/2012/04/02/travel/jetblue-pilot/index.html?npt=NP1

 

[Smarta$$]

It's just a sad event. He is being treated in a hospital! He is clearly sick. Since when do we criminalize being sick?

 

[DieselDragRacer]

JetBlue pilot's wife speaks out, asks for privacy

The wife of the JetBlue pilot whose in-flight behavior prompted a high-profile diversion last week used a Sunday statement to both thank well-wishers and ask for privacy.

"First, we would like to thank all those who have expressed concern and kind thoughts during this difficult time," Connye Osbon, wife of JetBlue Captain Clayton Osbon, said in a statement issued Sunday by JetBlue. "We appreciate the public's interest in our family's current situation and in Clayton's well-being."


FULL TEXT: Statement by Connye Osbon on behalf of the Osbon Family (JetBlue)
RELATED: JetBlue pilot's meltdown: No one saw it coming
RELATED: JetBlue pilot faces federal charges


However, Osbon also made a plea for privacy as her family deals with the fallout of the apparent emotional duress her husband suffered on Flight 191 on March 27.


"At this time, we ask that the media respect our wishes for privacy," Osbon said in her statement. "We understand the public's interest in speaking with Clayton and family members, but we respectfully decline all interview requests and will not be making further statements."


Osbon's statement also included gratitude the "crew and passengers of Flight 191 for their effective yet compassionate handling of the situation."


Osbon added that "while (husband Clayton) was clearly distressed," she said "it is our belief" that "he was not intentionally violent toward anyone."


"We know you were placed in an awful situation and we appreciate your ability to respond professionally," Osbon said in addressing the crew and passengers on the flight.


The Associated Press adds "JetBlue said Friday that the crew also was declining to speak publicly about the event."

 

[TMMT]

It's just a sad event. He is being treated in a hospital! He is clearly sick. Since when do we criminalize being sick?

Sadly we've been doing that for many, many years now... this is nothing new.

 

[Hair-on-Fire]

Sadly we've been doing that for many, many years now... this is nothing new.

and many pilots are the "throw the book at them", "lock them up and throw away the key", mandatory minimum sentences type of guys.

 

[Smarta$$]

and many pilots are the "throw the book at them", "lock them up and throw away the key", mandatory minimum sentences type of guys.

I agree. Many pilots are just not as smart as they think they are.

 

[AlbieF15]

Maybe...just maybe...these Feds who seem so out of control have more info that we do. Just as I'm not for waiting for the facts to protect the pilot, I'm not quite ready to have him walking the streets again without a bit info. Maybe we need to let the authorities have time to investigate as well. If the worst tragedy out of all this is one guys loses his medical/job, then we got lucky. It could have been much, much worse.

 

[Bad-Andy]

Maybe...just maybe...these Feds who seem so out of control have more info that we do. Just as I'm not for waiting for the facts to protect the pilot, I'm not quite ready to have him walking the streets again without a bit info. Maybe we need to let the authorities have time to investigate as well. If the worst tragedy out of all this is one guys loses his medical/job, then we got lucky. It could have been much, much worse.

Well said...

The only thing I would add is "but for the grace of God go I." Enough stress can break anyone. It simply takes the right personal factors at the right time (or the "wrong time" if you will). Not one of us on here knows what really happened, and maybe being held really is what's best for him (long term) and his family...

 

[satpak77]

All "speculation". Did he ever actually do anything contrary with the flight controls? What did he do other than exercise his freedom of expression? Did his words cause the plane to turn upside down? The prosecuter will have nothing to stand on when its over with. I think his attorney will eat them alive before its over with.

Yes and yelling "fire" in a crowded movie theater is allowed also.

Freedom of expression, of course.

:laugh:

 

[satpak77]

Google news states pilot will claim insanity.

 

[ExpWayVis31]

Who is paying Clayton's legal fees?

Have the jetBlue pilots taken up a collection to help out Clayton?

I know if this had happened at my airline the pilot brethren would rally to his support.

 

[Lake Alice]

Supposedly Jetblue is providing legal support. The curious part is how effective can they be. With a union legal would be doing EVERYTHING they could to keep him out of jail, get him the proper medical treatment and even get his medical back.
Is Jetblue truly going to represent him? Do they really want him getting his medical back? Would they want him as a line pilot again?
This are all huge question marks. Jetblue is playing both sides of the fence and eventually they will pick a side. Hmmmm, which side will it be.

 

[Fins Up]

Supposedly Jetblue is providing legal support. The curious part is how effective can they be. With a union legal would be doing EVERYTHING they could to keep him out of jail, get him the proper medical treatment and even get his medical back.
Is Jetblue truly going to represent him? Do they really want him getting his medical back? Would they want him as a line pilot again?
This are all huge question marks. Jetblue is playing both sides of the fence and eventually they will pick a side. Hmmmm, which side will it be.

I don't think anyone will be able to get his medical back. Even if that happens, he won't be flying people around. Putting him in the cockpit would be commercial suicide for jetblue. Sad, but true.

 

[B6Busdriver]

JetBlue does what is best for JetBlue. Right now the best thing for JetBlue to do is play stand by your man. When it no longer is beneficial to JetBlue's public image they will cut bait. How can it possibly be in anyone's best interest to only have company paid attorneys represent you in your time of need? This is what the majority of individuals that make up the pilot "group" at JetBlue have voted for whether they knew it or not.

 

[StarChecker]

Supposedly Jetblue is providing legal support. The curious part is how effective can they be.

JetBlue is paying for his attorneys. However:

How much experience do they have dealing with FAA enforcement actions?

How much experience do they have with FAA Aeromedical?

How much experience do they have....period?

We all know the answers to these questions if Clayton had access to ALPA legal....but 1193 short-sighted fools didn't think any of us would need it...

 

[waveflyer]

I don't think anyone will be able to get his medical back. Even if that happens, he won't be flying people around. Putting him in the cockpit would be commercial suicide for jetblue. Sad, but true.

Not so sure about that- let the case play out.
Northwest pilots got caught drunk and at least one got their job back after recertifying and an alcohol program and w/o media fanfare.
We still have many backwards ideas about mental health-

AlbieF15- after FedEx 705 I get the impulse to lump this in- but there is a serious difference between having a mental stressed episode and homicidal/suicidal actions. Huge difference. Auburn Calloway was a psychopath. I haven't heard the worst critics claiming that here.

With all the pilot suicides occurring in the last 10 years- we need to systemically deal with the stress that many airlines purposefully put their crews through.

 

[Lake Alice]

JetBlue is paying for his attorneys. However:

How much experience do they have dealing with FAA enforcement actions?

How much experience do they have with FAA Aeromedical?

How much experience do they have....period?

We all know the answers to these questions if Clayton had access to ALPA legal....but 1193 short-sighted fools didn't think any of us would need it...

I agree. The point I was delicately trying to make is CO voted against representation. He is relying on a legal support that does not have his best ingest in mind. Regardless of the union the legal support provided would have only the pilot in mind. JetBlue has to play both sides.

 

[Daddy]

JetBlue does what is best for JetBlue. Right now the best thing for JetBlue to do is play stand by your man. When it no longer is beneficial to JetBlue's public image they will cut bait. How can it possibly be in anyone's best interest to only have company paid attorneys represent you in your time of need? This is what the majority of individuals that make up the pilot "group" at JetBlue have voted for whether they knew it or not.

B6Busdriver gets it

 

[CaptJax]

B6 Paxs Sue Over Pilot's In-Flight Meltdown

JetBlue passengers sue over pilot's in-flight meltdown
By Ben Mutzabaugh, USA TODAY

Ten passengers who were on a March JetBlue flight disrupted by a pilot's bizarre behavior are suing the airline, the Associated Press reports.

In the suit, the passengers say they feared for their lives as JetBlue Capt. Clayton Osbon ran through the cabin screaming about Jesus and al-Qaida. Osbon eventually has to be physically pinned down by crew and passengers as the New York-to-Las Vegas flight diverted to the Texas panhandle city of Amarillo.

The plaintiffs claim JetBlue was "grossly negligent" in allowing Osbon to fly. The suit was filed in state Supreme Court in Queens, N.Y.

No one was seriously hurt during the March 27 flight, though AP notes that a flight attendant suffered bruised ribs as passengers rushed to restrain Osbon.

Osbon is scheduled to appear at a hearing in Amarillo on Friday in which the court will evaluate whether he is mentally competent to stand trial. Facing federal charges of interfering with a flight crew, Osbon could be sentenced to up to 20 years in prison.

JetBlue did not immediately comment about the lawsuit, which AP writes "claims JetBlue knew or should have known he was unfit to be entrusted with the aircraft as pilot."

The plaintiffs, all residents of the New York City area, cite emotional distress in seeking unspecified damages.

 

[Ex737Driver]

JetBlue passengers sue over pilot's in-flight meltdown
By Ben Mutzabaugh, USA TODAY

Ten passengers who were on a March JetBlue flight disrupted by a pilot's bizarre behavior are suing the airline, the Associated Press reports.

In the suit, the passengers say they feared for their lives as JetBlue Capt. Clayton Osbon ran through the cabin screaming about Jesus and al-Qaida. Osbon eventually has to be physically pinned down by crew and passengers as the New York-to-Las Vegas flight diverted to the Texas panhandle city of Amarillo.

The plaintiffs claim JetBlue was "grossly negligent" in allowing Osbon to fly. The suit was filed in state Supreme Court in Queens, N.Y.

No one was seriously hurt during the March 27 flight, though AP notes that a flight attendant suffered bruised ribs as passengers rushed to restrain Osbon.

Osbon is scheduled to appear at a hearing in Amarillo on Friday in which the court will evaluate whether he is mentally competent to stand trial. Facing federal charges of interfering with a flight crew, Osbon could be sentenced to up to 20 years in prison.

JetBlue did not immediately comment about the lawsuit, which AP writes "claims JetBlue knew or should have known he was unfit to be entrusted with the aircraft as pilot."

The plaintiffs, all residents of the New York City area, cite emotional distress in seeking unspecified damages.

Ahhhhhhhhhhh, time for some lawyerun'. Gots to get mu babby daddy paid up on herru. Spin, spin, spin.................big money!!!

 

[spacecadet1]

Don't blame those people for suing. The airlines have to do a better job of keeping out the religious wack-jobs. I bet those people thought they were on a "come to Jesus" flight.

 

[airplane wizard]

JetBlue passengers sue over pilot's in-flight meltdown
By Ben Mutzabaugh, USA TODAY

Ten passengers who were on a March JetBlue flight disrupted by a pilot's bizarre behavior are suing the airline, the Associated Press reports.

In the suit, the passengers say they feared for their lives as JetBlue Capt. Clayton Osbon ran through the cabin screaming about Jesus and al-Qaida. Osbon eventually has to be physically pinned down by crew and passengers as the New York-to-Las Vegas flight diverted to the Texas panhandle city of Amarillo.

The plaintiffs claim JetBlue was "grossly negligent" in allowing Osbon to fly. The suit was filed in state Supreme Court in Queens, N.Y.

No one was seriously hurt during the March 27 flight, though AP notes that a flight attendant suffered bruised ribs as passengers rushed to restrain Osbon.

Osbon is scheduled to appear at a hearing in Amarillo on Friday in which the court will evaluate whether he is mentally competent to stand trial. Facing federal charges of interfering with a flight crew, Osbon could be sentenced to up to 20 years in prison.

JetBlue did not immediately comment about the lawsuit, which AP writes "claims JetBlue knew or should have known he was unfit to be entrusted with the aircraft as pilot."

The plaintiffs, all residents of the New York City area, cite emotional distress in seeking unspecified damages.

Ridiculous to say the least.

 

[redflyer65]

Let's see,

Fearing for your life and landing safely are pretty far apart. It's like when people try to sue over an engine failure with subsequent safe landing. They walked away unharmed, but feel someone should pay them for 'emotional distress'? Please. Definitely lame.

But I'm sure Jetblue will pony up to make them go away, and these people know it.

 

[kidflo]

FYI....Jetblue is paying for FOUR full time attorneys for Clayton.....two are criminal attorneys, one is an FAA attorney and one has psych experience.....

Sure...ALPA attorneys would have gotten him off by now...I know, I know...

But..would you FOs want to walk in that cockpit and see my boy sitting in the left seat?