I also agree with you to an extent. I don't think you'll find anyone who disagrees with these guys receiving punishment, even possible jail time. The problem here is a state goverment prosecuting for federal crimes. It sets a bad precident for all of us.
There are places now where a mistake made in an aircraft, even while sober is considered a crime, and pilots have been sentenced to jail. The guys who landed on a closed runway with a 74 in Asia can tell you all about it.
Imagine the scenario that you've been on duty for 14 plus hours. The weather has been bad, and you've flown 8 plus hours. All perfectly legal since you were scheduled for less. Throw in that you commuted to work that morning adding another 3 or 4 hours to the time you've been awake, making it 18 hours since you last saw the inside of your eyelids. You make a bad decision by not deviating around a buildup you otherwise would. The resulting turbulence results in someone in the back being thrown into the ceiling breaking their neck.
The state you were flying the aircraft over decides to prosecute you for manslaughter, and succeeds. You now face jail time.
Granted, the scenario is way out in left field and the situations are totally different, but the precedent for all of us to be prosecuted by a state court system has been set. I can all but guarantee you this will not be the last time this happens if the present scenario isn't fought.
There are places now where a mistake made in an aircraft, even while sober is considered a crime, and pilots have been sentenced to jail. The guys who landed on a closed runway with a 74 in Asia can tell you all about it.
Imagine the scenario that you've been on duty for 14 plus hours. The weather has been bad, and you've flown 8 plus hours. All perfectly legal since you were scheduled for less. Throw in that you commuted to work that morning adding another 3 or 4 hours to the time you've been awake, making it 18 hours since you last saw the inside of your eyelids. You make a bad decision by not deviating around a buildup you otherwise would. The resulting turbulence results in someone in the back being thrown into the ceiling breaking their neck.
The state you were flying the aircraft over decides to prosecute you for manslaughter, and succeeds. You now face jail time.
Granted, the scenario is way out in left field and the situations are totally different, but the precedent for all of us to be prosecuted by a state court system has been set. I can all but guarantee you this will not be the last time this happens if the present scenario isn't fought.