MSNBC: A CAL captain just died in flight. Plane making an emergency landing

[airplane wizard]

61. This never would have happened if he had retired when he was supposed to... (Yes. I realize this is callous, but it had to be said as the issue was brought up ad nauseum during the Age 60 fight. They said it would never happen... Condolences to his family.)

Fox News reported that ALL air traffic inbound to the NY/NJ area will be diverted/sent "FAR, FAR away" so that this plane, with its "backup crew" will not "risk running into another aircraft".

Proud to be an F/O on a day like this. "Am I your pilot? Uh no ma'am. I just sit up there to make sure the other guy isn't dead or dying. Should be a smooth ride out to Denver today."

A few years ago, one of my friends was 36, in great health, always ate right and exercised and never smoked. Dropped dead of a brain annyurisim.

 

[Flopgut]

Sounds like the work and sacrifices he made to earn that pension don't count.

I realize you're trying to mouth off, but what could your point possibly be?! He died at the controls. He had NO retirement time. His survivors get NO lump sum. It was pretty darn selfish, was it not?

BTW, if CAL ALPA membership had known age 65 would be coming we would have allowed the company to scuttle his whole A plan. We have stopped negotiating increase for these guys completely. This better be a wake up call for the rest of the guys we [CAL] have working past 60. If you perish at the controls, or lose more retirement money, too bad! We're going to press on, land the plane, taxi to the gate, and make our commute flight home. We have appropriate regard for you (more than you deserve for certain), but we are done messing with you.

 

[Metro752]

He was a scab?

 

[OrionFE]

Very sorry to hear a fellow pilot died. Is anyone really surprised he was over 60? Before I left the clown show(aviation) I had to take over the aircraft and return to land. The captain after having his circadian rythm flipped on the third day totaly zoned out, I mean bye, bye, lights are on and nobody's home. You just can't deal with these schedules at an older age. Great guy though and a better pilot than me when well rested. Let's face it switching to 65 had nothing to do with safety.

I don't think that is very accurate. The cargo industry has FE's flying well into their 70's, doing 20 day laps around the globe. Not a real issue, because nobody wants those jobs.

 

[regionaltard]

Gotta love the media when it comes to aviation reporting.

 

[FlyingPieceOfSt]

Some people need to work due to the loss of pension money and the wiping out of their retirement funds! I hope those of us younger don't have to face the same decisions, but in this world, some (many) close to retirement have to!

Very Good
(+)1

 

[Flopgut]

What if the flight with a deceased captain had been on an RJ with a 200 hour FO right off OE? Could've been a different outcome.

That day is coming just like today was. Wait until it's the random 40ish old who dies and the captain is 64.5. Say whatever you want about age 60; It was as close to a perfect rule as there ever was. 40+ years and never an issue. Now look where we are.

 

[ultrarunner]

What if the flight with a deceased captain had been on an RJ with a 200 hour FO right off OE? Could've been a different outcome.

Well, not good....but not too many 60 or 65 year old career RJ captains. Most of those guys will medical-out by their 50's! Too rough a schedule.

However, with age 65, and at some point, age 70, cuts in domestic service, and scope issues, most of the RJ drivers today will still be RJ driver in 20 and 30 years from now, so it will bound to happen.

But again, until that senators wife and daughter get buy it....

 

[DoinTime]

Lenell, Craig A CAL 83 dob 7/16/48, SSN 2392, 0525A

One more I can mark dead on my scab list. He won't come off the list though, not even in death. Never forgive.

 

[TransMach]

A few years ago, one of my friends was 36, in great health, always ate right and exercised and never smoked. Dropped dead of a brain annyurisim.

"annyurisim" ... I would have had to use a dictionary ...

Excellent!

TransMach