Brazil/Legacy crew...whatever happened?

[LegacyDriver]

So true! Wait 'till he sees his locker, he really will go ballistic

Cheers- Rum

Touch my locker and I'll smack ya', Nightstalker. (I know you watched "Blackhawk Down" last week.)

 

[rumrnr78]

I can't help myself! It is too much fun! You know we all secretly wish we flew the Legacy! Then we would be (cool).

Cheers- Rum

 

[LegacyDriver]

I can't help myself! It is too much fun! You know we all secretly wish we flew the Legacy! Then we would be (cool).

Cheers- Rum

Nah...but you would love the plane and it would make you *FEEL* cool. None of those crosswind landing heart palpatations you always complain about!!!!!!!! LOL! It's a badass jet and anyone who has really flown one will back me on it.

Ask A-Rod what one of my old flying buds told him about the Legacy in KTEB.

 

[rumrnr78]

Better than a Falcon? How do you figure that? Just curious...

There is no way you are serious! If ya are, hang on to your hat, I am guessing this could beat the "Bashfest":laugh:

Cheers- Rum

 

[400A]

Or is it "you're"? Talk about an imbecile.

Glad to see you guys still don't have a sense of humor. "Lighten up Francis."

Now, as to the issue at hand I've heard two different stories on this one. The one that is repeated most often is that the unit failed a test after being installed on an airplane. It was removed and replaced, then sent to be tested on the bench. It passed and was put in the accident airplane where it failed in flight resulting in the collision.

I have not heard what subsequent testing has shown regarding the avionics. The "pilot's foot turned off the transponder" is a pretty lame explanation IMHO. Neither Honeywell nor Embraer want to be party to the lawsuit using a defective piece of equipment would bring down so blame the pilots ...

The issue at hand as you say was not what failed, or what defense could be put up for the Legacy.......He asked about the crew.

 

[LegacyDriver]

The issue at hand as you say was not what failed, or what defense could be put up for the Legacy.......He asked about the crew.

I answered it as it stands now. Nothing has happened to the crew, yet.

The entire mess is winding its way through the Brazilian court system.

 

[Rez O. Lewshun]

Gentlemen,

On Saturday December 9th First Officer Doug Marotta and I were honored to represent Continental Airlines and the Airline Pilots Association in welcoming back fellow pilots Joe Lepore and Jan Paladino.

Doug and I were graciously invited by ExcelAire Service CEO and President Bob Sherry to join more than two hundred family members, friends and colleagues to welcome back Joe and Jan. We all waited for the Embraer Legacy, the same type of aircraft involved in the mid-air collision, which carried Joe and Jan from Brazil at ExcelAire’s hanger at Long Island MacArthur in Ronkonkoma, N.Y.

This was truly an experience both Doug and I will remember for the rest of our lives. We participated and witnessed a very emotional homecoming, one that left very few with dry eyes. After Joe and Jan were so emotionally greeted, a press conference began. Afterwards we all enjoyed a catered lunch in the ExcelAire hanger.

Doug and I had the opportunity to talk at length with both Joe and Jan. We told both of them how very proud we all were, not only of their heroic landing of a severely damaged aircraft in the middle of the Amazon jungle, but also of how they handled themselves for the next seventy days of virtual incarceration in an extremely hostile environment. We expressed that they both represented the very best of professional aviation. Joe and Jan expressed sincere gratitude for all of the assistance provided by ALPA and their fellow peer pilots. I told them ALPA isn't just about negotiating and enforcing contracts, a big part of ALPA is pilots helping pilots.

We were also able to talk extensively with three individuals who were primarily responsible for Joe and Jan’s safe return. Mr. Robert Torricella , Joe and Jan’s Miami attorney, who was nothing short of amazing. He more closely resembled a friend of Joe and Jan’s with a life long bond than anything like the normal attorney-client type of relationship.

Robert, incredibly, spent seven of the ten weeks Joe and Jan were held captive in Brazil in the same hotel suite at the JW Marriott in Cabana Beach in Rio. The only reason he left their side was when it was absolutely necessary to return to the United States to attend to their defense. Robert told us he ate the same food, slept at the same time and constricted himself to the same physical and mental limitations as Joe and Jan. Sometimes that meant eating dinner at two in the afternoon or two in the morning as Joe and Jan’s body clock changed. He recalled one two-week period in which the three of them remained in one suite with the curtains closed never opening the door.

Robert stated that there would be no way he could ever express his gratitude to the staff at the JW Marriott Cabana Beach. He said that whatever Joe and Jan needed the staff bent over backwards to accommodate. This included clearing out the entire 17th floor by moving guests immediately out and providing security upon Robert’s request because the hotel was being infiltrated by the Brazilian paparazzi. When Joe and Jan needed to go outside, the staff secured the roof and provided security to allow Joe and Jan to get much needed fresh air. They also provided decoy cars out of the hotel to the Federal Court house for the media to follow when it was needed to safely and securely move Joe and Jan to other locations.

Robert asked me to forward to all of you that if there is any way in the future it would be possible you for you to provide business to the JW Marriott Cabana Beach, including booking airline crews for layovers, he would sincerely appreciate it.

Mr. Robert Sharkey, a reporter for the New York Times and fellow mid-air survivor on the Legacy, accurately documented the entire seventy-day ordeal. During this time period, there wasn't a day that he didn't update his blog at www.joesharkey.com or write an article in order to continue to keep media attention on this terrible injustice and help provide a medium for the huge support for so many, not only New York residents, but for people from all over the world.

Mr. Bob Sherry made sure every base was covered to bring home his two employees. His company paid $75,000 for the Legacy charter because he was very concerned about Joe’s and Jan’s safety and didn't want the two of them to spend a minute longer in Brazil than they had to. Even though this was Jan’s first trip with his company he was treated like he had been an employee with many years of longevity.

Bob wanted to make sure everyone understands that even though Joe and Jan are home the battle is far from over. Joe and Jan are still criminally charged and face extradition back to Brazil. The precedent of criminalization of US pilots flying abroad is significant and he asks that ALPA and Continental continue to use their political muscle to make sure this terrible injustice never happens again to anyone else. Bob also wanted everyone to know that U.S. Representative Peter King (NY) was the only politician to get involved and play a significant role in Joe’s and Jan’s return. Despite the many requests for assistance and many personal calls Bob had placed to New York Senators Clinton and Schumer pleading for help, never once did either of them take a moment to respond.

Thank you, everyone, for your significant assistance helping bring my new friends Joe and Jan safely back home. As stated in a sign a little girl was holding at the welcome home celebration, “you are the best holiday gift ever”.

I wish you and your families a safe and happy Holiday season.


Sincerely,


Captain Jayson Baron