FAA favoring business over safety.

[Rick James]

Ain't the free market grand!

I don't intend to ruin your union party, but that last line sums up the misguided correlation of your article. The phrase "free market" and China don't usually share the same computer monitor. May I suggest changing that line to "Ain't CORRUPTION grand"?

 

[JAFI]

Are we talking about movie Buffy or TV Buffy?

I favor the TV Buffy.....

 

[densoo]

I don't intend to ruin your union party, but that last line sums up the misguided correlation of your article. The phrase "free market" and China don't usually share the same computer monitor. May I suggest changing that line to "Ain't CORRUPTION grand"?

Sure, that'll work.

 

[waveflyer]

Try to remember on both sides that an unregulated market is NOT free.

 

[pilotyip]

The only way to ensure 100% aviation safety is to not fly. There is inherent risk in everything. We could build cars that would never allow anyone to die in them. But they would get 2 MPG, have a top speed of 35 MPH, and cost $500K. The good news would be, for those who a afford them, the hi-ways would not be busy.

 

[ImbracableCrunk]

Back in my day, we used to fly 30 hours a day. And we paid the airline to fly. And we gave them bonus if they didn't kill us. Consarnit, you dagnabit kids get off my lawn! Mehhhhhh!!!!

Okay, maybe that wasn't really a quote.

 

[densoo]

I don't intend to ruin your union party, but that last line sums up the misguided correlation of your article. The phrase "free market" and China don't usually share the same computer monitor. May I suggest changing that line to "Ain't CORRUPTION grand"?

"Ain't the free market grand" vice "ain't corruption grand" are basically redundant statements. A true free market is based completely on what's best for the bottom line, every person and business acting in their own self-interest, which is usually not in the self-interest of the next person.

Slavery, hiring illegal immigrants, child labor, locking the emergency exits so people can't flee a fire, breaking the unions, and happening now joint venture flying, and soon to happen cabotage, are all the free market at work.

 

[Skippy]

there's been one fatal airline crash in what? 4 years? so that denotes change to the FTDT requirements? trust me, yes, the faa works for business-- there is a cost and unfortunately a few deaths here and there arent worth the change in regulations- unless there is money to made Hence- the increase in flying--- it's smoke and mirrors-- sure we'll increase the rest requirements, but we'll make them more efficient by saving them mor emoeny than the rest rules cost by allowing their pilot group to fly 2 more hours.

as always, the pilot profession, along with ALPA, takes one step forward and two steps back

 

[pilotyip]

Originally Posted by pilotyip
Back in my day, we used to fly 30 hours a day. And we paid the airline to fly. And we gave them bonus if they didn't kill us. Consarnit, you dagnabit kids get off my lawn! Mehhhhhh!!!!

Funny!, now get off my lawn err ramp

 

[densoo]

there's been one fatal airline crash in what? 4 years? so that denotes change to the FTDT requirements? trust me, yes, the faa works for business-- there is a cost and unfortunately a few deaths here and there arent worth the change in regulations- unless there is money to made Hence- the increase in flying--- it's smoke and mirrors-- sure we'll increase the rest requirements, but we'll make them more efficient by saving them mor emoeny than the rest rules cost by allowing their pilot group to fly 2 more hours.

I agree. The MBAs and the FAA will allow pilots to be pushed harder because it is obviously so safe now there must be a margin to push them harder. They're "leaving something on the table" so to speak in terms of possible profitability in exchange for reducing the margin of safety. Problem is, that "margin" isn't really known until there's an accident.

Part of the smoke and mirrors you speak of is the fact that after 9/11 the legacy pilot groups' pilots have gotten progessively more experienced on average. How many total new hires have there been in the last decade at the legacies? At most, none. You might be able to make a case that the pilots of today's legacies are the most experience and senior ever simple due to the lack of hiring.

This likely has had more impact on the accident rate than superior management or FAA oversight.