Airnow takes another hit. :)

[Diesel]

NEWS: CITY[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Investigator favors Bangor pilot [/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]
[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]Friday, December 09, 2005 - Bangor Daily News[/FONT] << Back[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]AUGUSTA - A Bangor pilot who refused to fly an airplane because one of its gauges wasn't working was unlawfully fired in retaliation, an investigator for the Maine Human Rights Commission concluded.

Another investigator for the panel recommended the commission find in favor of an Old Town woman in her claim that a Bangor coffee shop employee sexually harassed her.

The commission is expected to rule on both cases when it meets Monday.

Aric Merrow, a pilot with AirNow - also known as Business Air Inc., based in Bennington, Vt. - was fired April 8, 2004. AirNow management claims Merrow's job performance and attitude deteriorated over the course of several months' employment with the company in its Bangor location.

But Merrow claimed he was fired for failing to fly a cargo airplane on March 31, 2004, after he deemed the aircraft and weather conditions unsafe. Merrow flew freight at night to points in New England.

On that date, investigator Barbara Lelli wrote, before taking off, Merrow discovered the aircraft's attitude indicator was inoperative. In aeronautics, attitude is the position of an aircraft in relation to a given line or plane, such as the horizon.

Merrow returned to the hangar and with a mechanic "worked ... using a flashlight in the dark, trying to swap" the right attitude indicator to the left side.

Merrow said he called a supervisor referred to as "Chief" to say he was "uncomfortable flying the plane that night. 'Chief' pushed him to fly in spite of his concerns, and concluded by saying, 'Do what you gotta do, Buddy,'" the report says.

The mechanic supported Merrow's version of events, Lelli reported, telling her: "Tonight didn't look like the night to go darting into the clouds with only one attitude indicator ... which you are not sure works or not."

The supervisor told Lelli he didn't think Merrow was concerned about safety, but rather "just wanted the night off." Management also said Merrow had other performance problems, such as being found out of uniform, taxiing across a runway without clearance, and refusing to help another pilot transfer cargo from one aircraft to another.

But Lelli recommended the commission find in his favor.

In another case, investigator Susan Clark recommended the commission find reasonable grounds for Sarah Ogden's claim that she was sexually harassed by an employee of the Loose Moose coffee shop.

Ogden began working at the shop in the Bangor Mall in June 2003.

According to Clark's report, a man who worked at the coffee shop kissed Ogden her first day on the job.

"Within days of my employment, 'Mr. Two' began making sexually based comments ... whenever he and I worked together," Ogden claimed, including suggesting she go to a hotel with him.

The behavior escalated with the man grabbing Ogden's breast and rubbing himself against her. Ogden lost her job when, she was told, the business sold. But Clark's investigation concluded that the business had not been sold.
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[atlcrashpad]

Finally somebody stands up for a pilot. Safety is number one only in writting at some companies. Get the job done or you're fired attitude. Thank you Maine.

 

[Diesel]

Well it just means that airnow is going to have to pay out big. Plus the two crashes in the same type of plane on the same run doesn't help their chances at getting out of paying.

 

[NtheNo]

Has anyone heard that they crashed another EMB110? This one supposedly in CAE.

 

[icefr8dawg]

What, my I ask is dangerous about flying an airplane with a replacement attitude indicator? I'm sure the MEL allows for one inoperative AI, especially on the right side. From what I heard this guy had serious attitude problems especially after the AI incident.

 

[Diesel]

actually icefre8dawg let me fill you in on the subject

The horizon replaced was an electrical one. The mechanic was told to replace it with the other electrical one. Mechanic told the pilot i don't know how long it's been since this has been done and used as a electrical one. Pilot then looks at MEL and says the electrical one can be replaced as long as there is a air one on the other side. Problem is there is another electrical one on the other side doesn't fit the MEL.

But hey the electrical is pulled out and put on the pilot side. The mel conditions are not met. Wait where is the Air side per the MEL. Oh there is none? Coditions are not met. Airnow at fault. Period.

It's maine and the weather is nasty.... what would you do?

Oh that's right the maine human rights board found in favor of the pilot.... A board that has voted in favor of the accusor like 3 times in it's history but it learned enough about aviation in it's short time frame to understand that the pilot was right and that's the end of it.

So he might have had an attitude. Or lack there of due to MX but he was proven right in a court of law. You can't touch them facts.... Or the fact that the mechanic that performed the MX testified AGAINST Air Now.

 

[icefr8dawg]

Well with that said It's pretty clear cut then isn't it. Didn't know about the electrical mel issue...

 

[rptrain]

there ain't no vacuum or pressure system in a bandit, so how could there ever be an air driven AI installed? Also, the MMEL says there can't be an electronic ADI on the left side if the right side is inop. big difference between electric and electronic.

 

[S2R]

but it learned enough about aviation in it's short time frame to understand that the pilot was right and that's the end of it.

That makes me laugh. Guess next time there is a G5 orbiting with a landing gear issue these people will be on CNN as aviation analysts tellin everyone what the pilot is thinking and doing in that situation.

The Bandit has electric Ai’s on both sides so the MEL you describe might exist if it where say a Cessna 208.

 

[icefr8dawg]

So was it a bandit or caravan then?

 

[kamikaize]

caravan

 

[bell47]

There when it happened

I'm glad they favored Aric. I had an additude when I flew for them too. If you didn't they would hold your job over your head. They would try and press you into flying below mins(yes, no $hit, below mins), and would routinely swap aircraft around to keep from fixing them. If something broke odds were they would just remove it from the aircraft instead of repairing it, ie radars. I was lucky to have a day job, so I didn't have to depend on flying for AIRNOW. They are the type of operator that gives aviation a bad name. I hope you MHT crackhouse guys are careful this winter, good luck.

 

[icefr8dawg]

he was probably more ticked that the autopilot wouldn't work w/o the bendix AI hooked up then

 

[FN FAL]

Well it just means that airnow is going to have to pay out big. Plus the two crashes in the same type of plane on the same run doesn't help their chances at getting out of paying.

Why, was the same pilot flying both planes that crashed?

One incident will not have any bearing on the other incident unless there is a class action suit. If one person is suing, then one incident will be looked at during the trial based on it's own merits.

You cannot go into court on a lawsuit and point at various and sundry unrelated things and say that they are another reason why you should get money in your incident.

Either you can prove your case or you can't...you can't point at all these other things and say, "and so!"

 

[JetBlast2000]

I'm glad they favored Aric. I had an additude when I flew for them too. If you didn't they would hold your job over your head. They would try and press you into flying below mins(yes, no $hit, below mins), and would routinely swap aircraft around to keep from fixing them. If something broke odds were they would just remove it from the aircraft instead of repairing it, ie radars. I was lucky to have a day job, so I didn't have to depend on flying for AIRNOW. They are the type of operator that gives aviation a bad name. I hope you MHT crackhouse guys are careful this winter, good luck.

I flew there and still have lots of friends there. I never heard of them “forcing” or “coercing” a pilot in the above mentioned way.

If you did your job and worked within the FARS you had no problem. If you were a tool, you had lots of problems.

 

[T-REX]

he was probably more ticked that the autopilot wouldn't work w/o the bendix AI hooked up then

No A/P in the E110....and you call yourself a freightdog!?!?!

 

[icefr8dawg]

No A/P in the E110....and you call yourself a freightdog!?!?!

No man, I was refering to the caravan... But I'd never complain about having an autopilot because I love to read

 

[bell47]

for jetblast

If you never heard of them wanting pilots to do stupid/illegal things when you were there, then you must have been management yourself, or were living in a dream world. It happened on just about a daily basis. Everything from maint. issues, to weather mins., to pilot duty times, ect... I was personally asked on several occasions to do things that are ILLEGAL, period. If you didn't want to do what they asked then you had to explain to about three different people that they could kiss your a$$, and find another pilot if they didn't like it. I had refused to sign the taining contract and had a better day job so I didn't have to put up with their BS., and I made that perfectly clear. So smartass, if that is being a "tool" then so be it. A still living, still flying, ex-rattler

 

[Capt. JD]

I was personally asked on several occasions to do things that are ILLEGAL, period. If you didn't want to do what they asked then you had to explain to about three different people that they could kiss your a$$, and find another pilot if they didn't like it. I had refused to sign the training contract and had a better day job so I didn't have to put up with their BS., and I made that perfectly clear. So smartass, if that is being a "tool" then so be it. A still living, still flying, ex-rattler

At $hitty freight company's one must project ones self to stay alive, safe & legal... Because it all on the PIC at the end of the night. In my opinion training contracts at crap companys is away for the managment to force you to do things that you know are stupid & illegal. I salute you for not signing that oppressive document /(*_*) Don't they make you sign it before training starts?

 

[bell47]

training contract

I simply told them at training in Benninton that I would not sign it. They went on with the training and the day of my checkride I was asked to sign it again. I politely refused and told them that it would be no hard feelings if they didn't want me to fly for them but I was not going to sign it. I was flying the line the next night, go figure.

 

[rubicon789]

I heard from a friend that the last bandit crash was as a result of the pilot running out of fuel.

 

[JetBlast2000]

If you never heard of them wanting pilots to do stupid/illegal things when you were there, then you must have been management yourself, or were living in a dream world. It happened on just about a daily basis. Everything from maint. issues, to weather mins., to pilot duty times, ect... I was personally asked on several occasions to do things that are ILLEGAL, period. If you didn't want to do what they asked then you had to explain to about three different people that they could kiss your a$$, and find another pilot if they didn't like it. I had refused to sign the taining contract and had a better day job so I didn't have to put up with their BS., and I made that perfectly clear. So smartass, if that is being a "tool" then so be it. A still living, still flying, ex-rattler

I was not referring to you specifically dude. If you somehow got out of the training contract, more power to you. I personally have never heard of anyone starting 208 training and not signing the contract. If someone dropped the ball and forgot to ask in the begging (which I find dubious), than that’s another story all together. There were 4 guys in my training class. We were all not going to sign it as a group. The CP said “the door is over there, see ya.” Needless to say we all signed…

As far as doing something illegal: if you did it, it’s on you. Have the integrity to quit a job and look for something else. I do recall some duty time issues at the MHT crew house and in fact when that was brought up to the company, they designated pilots as “on call” and pilots as “on rest.” We, as pilots brought up this issue and it was resolved in a legal manner. Now you may not like it, but it ain’t a democracy. And No, I’m not management.

I was around when the company fired a guy for landing at an a/p that was below mins. He could have diverted (as everyone else did) and been legal, but skiing was more important to this guy. Yet another example of the company doing what was right.

In terms of maint., some mechanics were better than others. I made sure to do a thorough preflight. I never had any repercussions from a squawk. I’m an A&P and I’ll tell you for a fact that I have grounded both the E110 and the 208 prior to flights. One for a hydraulic leak and one for an exhaust bracket crack. I was always thanked for catching these problems on the line. Were there issues, sure. Most know about the MHT swap to get an a/c to BGR for maint.

You have to recognize Airnow for what it is: a stepping stone. You as a pilot must treat it as such. Get as much time as you can and get out.

 

[JetBlast2000]

actually icefre8dawg let me fill you in on the subject

The horizon replaced was an electrical one. The mechanic was told to replace it with the other electrical one. Mechanic told the pilot i don't know how long it's been since this has been done and used as a electrical one. Pilot then looks at MEL and says the electrical one can be replaced as long as there is a air one on the other side. Problem is there is another electrical one on the other side doesn't fit the MEL.

But hey the electrical is pulled out and put on the pilot side. The mel conditions are not met. Wait where is the Air side per the MEL. Oh there is none? Coditions are not met. Airnow at fault. Period.

It's maine and the weather is nasty.... what would you do?

Oh that's right the maine human rights board found in favor of the pilot.... A board that has voted in favor of the accusor like 3 times in it's history but it learned enough about aviation in it's short time frame to understand that the pilot was right and that's the end of it.

So he might have had an attitude. Or lack there of due to MX but he was proven right in a court of law. You can't touch them facts.... Or the fact that the mechanic that performed the MX testified AGAINST Air Now.

I’m not sure what story you heard, probably from Aric. But the MEL requires only one operable electric AI. This incident happened in the E110 Not the caravan. The swap from the left to the right side was made. The flight was legal…

I was there.

 

[moto74]

You can tell jetblast is a bennington boy or should we say a skippy boy.If skippy told him to shoot his mother he would because thats how much of an idot he is.Sorry guy they lost and our going down in flames just like the last three E-110 in the past year.Iam just sorry it wasen't your ass on there and it had to be a good guy. I feel sorry for you jetblast, because you werent liked as a kid or a pilot from what they have said and you have not one friend. Good luck hiding behind your screen name bitch.

 

[Capt. JD]

Skippy

You can tell jetblast is a bennington boy or should we say a skippy boy.If skippy told him to shoot his mother he would because thats how much of an idot he is.Sorry guy they lost and our going down in flames just like the last three E-110 in the past year.Iam just sorry it wasen't your ass on there and it had to be a good guy. I feel sorry for you jetblast, because you werent liked as a kid or a pilot from what they have said and you have not one friend. Good luck hiding behind your screen name bitch.

Who is Skippy? Chief Pilot? Wow, can you feel the love on this thread or what!

 

[irapilot]

I worked for them many years ago and it sounds like it hasn't changed much. I was flying a crappy Navajo that the GS wasn't working on. The CP at the time told me to fly to MHT, where it was 200 and 3/4 and to "just fly the LOC approach and when you get to the MM just duck it down to 200 AGL and there would be plenty of room to get it down and land, you don't need a GS, really". That is a no kidding story. I left soon after.

 

[JetBlast2000]

You can tell jetblast is a bennington boy or should we say a skippy boy.If skippy told him to shoot his mother he would because thats how much of an idot he is.Sorry guy they lost and our going down in flames just like the last three E-110 in the past year.Iam just sorry it wasen't your ass on there and it had to be a good guy. I feel sorry for you jetblast, because you werent liked as a kid or a pilot from what they have said and you have not one friend. Good luck hiding behind your screen name bitch.

I’m sorry you feel the need to attack me personally. I’m simply stating my experience at Airnow. Take it or leave it.

 

[bell47]

jetblast

If you were there when the guy was fired for busting mins to go skiing then you and I were there at the same time. There was more to it than that. UPS had been complaining about the guy for a while, from what I was told. Anyway I too am an a&p and I think I know you. Did the fired pilots name begin with a "W". (i don't want to name names here). You got to admit that maint. was a huge problem with Airnow. When I was there moral among the pilots was awful. Then there were the company rats, like the little wormy kid from Benninington. If you are who I think you are you were a floater pilot, right?

 

[GoingHot]

I was flying a crappy Navajo that the GS wasn't working on. The CP at the time told me to fly to MHT, where it was 200 and 3/4 and to "just fly the LOC approach and when you get to the MM just duck it down to 200 AGL and there would be plenty of room to get it down and land, you don't need a GS, really". That is a no kidding story. I left soon after.

 

[JetBlast2000]

If you were there when the guy was fired for busting mins to go skiing then you and I were there at the same time. There was more to it than that. UPS had been complaining about the guy for a while, from what I was told. Anyway I too am an a&p and I think I know you. Did the fired pilots name begin with a "W". (i don't want to name names here). You got to admit that maint. was a huge problem with Airnow. When I was there moral among the pilots was awful. Then there were the company rats, like the little wormy kid from Benninington. If you are who I think you are you were a floater pilot, right?

I agree with what you said. And he did have issues. But the final straw was bust’n mins. If he had not done that he would still have a job. It pissed me off to see him do that, we fight hard to tell dispatch when we can and can not go. They are not the final word. We are. You, as the pilot, must stand up and be heard. You have to document your case otherwise you will have to go. When he went, IMHO it was a blemish on all of us.