Age 60 - Suicide of UAL Captain

[capt. megadeth]

This is very sad.

Wouldn't it be correct to say this had more to do with retirement dollars than retirement age? I could be wrong, but I don't think this would have occurred if the guy had a pension.

My condolences to his family.

Well, in this sue happy time we live in.....I hope the family sues UAL management PERSONALLY! Go after Tilton's house and estate!

 

[Big Beer Belly]

If a guy is depressed and suicidal, why is giving him meds and letting him risk hundreds of other lives the right thing to do?

I think the FAA has EVERY reason to ground you if you are seeking psychiatric help. Its not about punishing the pilot, its about protecting everyone else.

Do you want a guy flying an ILS to mins who's considering suicide? Do you want to be around when that kind of guy gets a bad call from home/scheduling/an ex-spouse?

I'm very sorry this guy offed himself. I don't think him doing that makes a case for either A) softening medical requirements or B) changing age 60. (I mean, c'mon...if he's gonna kill himself who gives a $hit if its at 60 or 65? Its stupid!)

There are resouces without medical help for stress. HIMS programs, counselors, clergy, etc. However, if you a prozac popper or livin' on paxil, I don't think you belong in the position where you are responsible for so many lives without redundant backup. You say "we have a crew...", but the captain is still the boss and who's to say your F/O isn't equally depressed.

There is a reason for medical standards. Stay healthy. Stay sane. But don't ask me for a lot of pity if you go off and shoot yourself.

BINGO!


BBB

 

[iballdriver]

Above all I'm a father and husband. Define yourself by the important things, not this stupid job.[/quote]

best words ever written. being a better husband and dad has become my daily goal.
bc

 

[T-Bags]

If someone is suffering from serious depression they should not be flying. PERIOD. DOT. END OF DISCUSSION. Meds or no meds.

And fat ugly people shouldn't reproduce, but hang out at walmart for a day and you'll see they DO.

The point is depressed pilots WILL fly ANYWAY. The question is are you better served by them being EVALUATED and TREATED so that a competant professionals thinks they are safe, or not?

 

[jpeace02]

depressed people have no desire to hurt others only themselves. people who are intrested in killing themselves and other is a whole different deal all together. and for you morons thinking it's selfish what he did, it's not for you to decided.

 

[Big Beer Belly]

And fat ugly people shouldn't reproduce, but hang out at walmart for a day and you'll see they DO.

The point is depressed pilots WILL fly ANYWAY. The question is are you better served by them being EVALUATED and TREATED so that a competant professionals thinks they are safe, or not?

T-bags... (nice screen name BTW, ) I hear what you're saying, BUT the problem with many psychiatric illnesses is they are not easy to treat, much less cure. To me, it sounds as if you believe depression is curable by simply adjusting the chemicals. If it were only that simple.

Definitely seek treatment if you are depressed (whether it grounds you or not) because that is the RIGHT thing to do for yourself and for those who entrust their lives to you. We all agree that once a malfunction has been identified, corrective action is required. Similarly, once a disease/illness has been diagnosed then treatment is prescribed. If the treatment is grounding, then so be it. I'm not in favor of endangering life and property with "mostly functioning" drugged pilots because we fear they won't make the correct choice and self-disclose.

BBB

 

[ACWild]

depressed people have no desire to hurt others only themselves. people who are intrested in killing themselves and other is a whole different deal all together. and for you morons thinking it's selfish what he did, it's not for you to decided.

I know of a girl who decided to off herself by colliding head on with a mini van that had a family on board. It was known that she was suffering from depression. During a wave of depression, rational thought isn't always there.

 

[Flydaplane]

Stupid article, this guy would have had the same problems when he turned 65.

 

[Crossky]

Stupid article, this guy would have had the same problems when he turned 65.

Perhaps having less to retire on because of concessions and bankruptcy was just clouding the real issues he had. Although, as a -400 CA if he could've flown to 65 he could have had plenty to retire on if he lived meagerly and wisely.

Sad, but honestly, suicide can steal your presence from your loved ones, who might still need and want you around (your children, spouse etc).

There have been pilots who committed suicide by crashing a plane loaded full of pax. Remember Egypt Air XXX Airbus I think? And at least one in Asia/Indonesia, maybe two that I can recall.

Suicide can appear to be a very selfish act, esp when you take others with you. Before you fry me let me say that maybe that's just an indicator of how far away deep depression can take someone from reality and rational thought.

Let's get help for our flying friends that we know and meet.

 

[munson]

this is the dumbest thing I have ever heard. Killing yourself because you cant fly an aircraft. I really would like to go to the moon, but dont see that happin any time soon. Suicide is a cop out. This guy had no business in the cockpit if he was contemplating suicide. Think about it, it could have been your family on a plane with the guy that is days away from commiting suicide...the last thing needed was to drag whatever grief he was feeling around unchecked for another 5 years.

 

[capt. megadeth]

and for you morons thinking it's selfish what he did, it's not for you to decided.

Why don't you come down to the pilot lounge in Louisville at 3am and tell me to my face that my father who committed suicide on my birthday when I was 7 wasn't selfish?

 

[hyflyt560]

Well, in this sue happy time we live in.....I hope the family sues UAL management PERSONALLY! Go after Tilton's house and estate!

I second the motion.

 

[Howard Hughes]

I don't think many people here understand how serious depression can be. Clinical depression doesn't mean you wake up bummed out a lot or you're pissed off that you have to retire at 60. Clinical depression is serious sh#t that if not treated often leads to suicide or at best terribly dificult lives. It's easy to say the guy was selfish or egocentric or whatever but I sure hope you don't have to ever witness a close friend or family member deal with this because it's a serious disease. Always easier to cast stones than to catch them.

Well said!

 

[Huck]

Silkair Flight 185

 

[Cardinal]

Why don't you come down to the pilot lounge in Louisville at 3am and tell me to my face that my father who committed suicide on my birthday when I was 7 wasn't selfish?

While I am very sorry for your loss, this is quite a revelation. You finally make sense.

 

[Pat Fabin]

This just highlights the fact that we all have to take good care of each other in this job. If you see a crewmember that needs help, try to approach them in some way and get them to seek it. We've all been through hell over the last five years and it has taken its toll. Most of us have adapted, but some are still having trouble coping with the new reality of the airline world. When I was furloughed, it was a good wakeup call for me that there are more important things in life, and I could be happy and fulfilled even if I wasn't an "airline pilot". Some of my other friends had a more difficult time coming to that conclusion.

Like cops, firefighters, soldiers, we are expected to deal with a ton of stress yet still perform flawlessly on the job. Thats a pretty tall order.

 

[VVJM265]

Why don't you come down to the pilot lounge in Louisville at 3am and tell me to my face that my father who committed suicide on my birthday when I was 7 wasn't selfish?

My condolences for your loss.

 

[waveflyer]

God bless the captain. Prayers for his family and loved ones.

Megadeath- sorry for your loss as well. It might never make sense, but i pray you find peace with it. Each suicide is as complicated as each life. Some are dumb acts of self-pity- I'd say most others- especially if they are grown adults- are medically very ill people who in my opinion succumbed to one of the most painful diseases we can have. Until you experience it- and i'd think you'd have to see it as an adult yourself capt- you don't know what real medical depression is. The sh*t flowing around in their brain is not the same as you and I. I'm thankful every day for my health and sanity.