Pinnacle FA sues Pinnacle.

[FCPhotography]

http://airlinkpilots.com/cgi-perl/bb/viewtopic.php?p=35396#35396

A Chaska flight attendant indicted and then cleared of tampering with airline safety equipment during 14 flights is suing his former employer for turning him in to authorities and branding him a "terrorist in his own community."

Steven Robert Hirtzinger filed a lawsuit Thursday against Pinnacle Airlines, a regional carrier for Northwest Airlines, in U.S. District Court in Minnesota, alleging that he was wrongly arrested after pointing out safety violations.

Hirtzinger, 24, also alleges defamation, negligence, wrongful termination and emotional distress.

Hirtzinger was arrested in December 2004 and indicted in U.S. District Court in the Eastern District of Wisconsin with causing a plane to become inoperable. Hirtzinger, who worked flights between the Twin Cities and Milwaukee, was accused of tampering with safety equipment, including fire extinguishers, oxygen tanks and breathing apparatus used by pilots in emergencies. He had worked for the airline about two years.

Federal prosecutors in Wisconsin agreed to dismiss the criminal case in March 2005 in the "interest of justice."

According to Hirtzinger's suit, an independent investigation of the airline by the Federal Aviation Administration turned up more than 400 reports of safety concerns, including more than 200 reports of safety-equipment deficiencies.

After his arrest, Hirtzinger said his photo was splashed all over the news and he was branded a "saboteur." His name was placed on the federal no-fly list, which prohibits all air travel and prevents him from working as a flight attendant.

"As a matter of policy, Pinnacle will not comment on lawsuits," said Phil Reed, Pinnacle's vice president of marketing.

Neither Hirtzinger nor his attorneys returned calls for comment Friday.

 

[Ganja60Heavy]

Get out the checkbook.

 

[Amish RakeFight]

Steven Robert Hirtzinger filed a lawsuit Thursday against Pinnacle Airlines, a regional carrier for Northwest Airlines, in U.S. District Court in Minnesota, alleging that he was wrongly arrested after pointing out safety violations......

.....was accused of tampering with safety equipment, including fire extinguishers, oxygen tanks and breathing apparatus used by pilots in emergencies. He had worked for the airline about two years.

Anyone have more detailed information on what he was doing and why.


.

 

[redflyer65]

Rumor was that he would alter saftey equipment and either ground the A/C for awhile, or be forced to ferry it out of the station. Not sure how true it all was. But it sounds like the company tried a sting operation to confirm their suspesions. They gave him a clean airplane, and shortly after it was 'broken'. Just what I had heard, not sure how true it is/was.

 

[Longhorn]

He did grounded of my planes on Christmas Eve, 2004 when I worked there. I cant get into the details but we had to ferry a flight back to MSP on x-mas eve from ORF with 100% loads and they could not rebook. The flight had over 20 military serviceman trying to get home the day before Christmas after serving in Iraq. He is a jackass and should have been tossed in jail. I hope pinnacle shoves this up his a$$.

 

[arthompson]

Amen!!!!

 

[ReportCanoa]

They gave him a clean airplane, and shortly after it was 'broken'. Just what I had heard, not sure how true it is/was.

Not the airworthy airplane trick again!

 

[Lear70]

He did ground one of my planes on Christmas Eve, 2004 when I worked there. I cant get into the details but we had to ferry a flight back to MSP on x-mas eve from ORF with 100% loads and they could not rebook. The flight had over 20 military serviceman trying to get home the day before Christmas after serving in Iraq. He is a jackass and should have been tossed in jail. I hope pinnacle shoves this up his a$$.

What he said.

What really sucks is that the company might have to do one of those 6-figure settlements again for someone who was CAUGHT red-handed.

Something like 80% of the days this guy flew he GROUNDED at least ONE aircraft a day. Not deferrable items, but emergency equipment, emergency exit light and handle covers, things that are no-go with passengers aboard. If he did it, he would ALWAYS do it at an outstation and ALWAYS before the pax were on board.

This guy deserves a good swift kick in the nuts, not a settlement.

 

[FlyBunny]

So, what really happened...

What he said.

What really sucks is that the company might have to do one of those 6-figure settlements again for someone who was CAUGHT red-handed.

Something like 80% of the days this guy flew he GROUNDED at least ONE aircraft a day. Not deferrable items, but emergency equipment, emergency exit light and handle covers, things that are no-go with passengers aboard. If he did it, he would ALWAYS do it at an outstation and ALWAYS before the pax were on board.

This guy deserves a good swift kick in the nuts, not a settlement.

"Federal prosecutors in Wisconsin agreed to dismiss the criminal case in March 2005 in the "interest of justice."

So, what really happened?

If this is so 'cut'n'dry', why would a Federal Prosecutor drop such serious charges in this day and age of [false] 'security induced' paranoia?

Did he? Did he not?

If he did, it's very serious allegation, then why would the charges be dropped (hence, the impetus to launch a campaign to clear his name - and yes Pinnacle should be sued to the limits if they indeed defamed him intentionally). But, if he 'did' do it, why were the charges dropped?

I remember it vividly. Every indication was that he was caught red-handed.
How can Pinnacle fight this when the charges were dropped?

And Ppppaaaaalleeeeessssssseeeee don't mention 'our' military personals who were trying to get home to spend X-Mass with their loved ones. The non-military people were equally discomforted. Just because one serves in the military does not make one more or important than those who didn't serve...or less important for that matter!

Bunny

 

[MarineGrunt]

"And Ppppaaaaalleeeeessssssseeeee don't mention 'our' military personals who were trying to get home to spend X-Mass with their loved ones. The non-military people were equally discomforted. Just because one serves in the military does not make one more or important than those who didn't serve...or less important for that matter!

Bunny

^^^^^
Tell that to the wives and families of sevicemen/women who have spent the last X months/years praying every night that their loved one would come home alive...

 

[wmuflyguy]

^^^^^
Tell that to the wives and families of sevicemen/women who have spent the last X months/years praying every night that their loved one would come home alive...

So that makes them more important than a non-serviceman. BS. They chose their own career paths, just like we all did. I appreciate what our military men and women do for us, but that doesn't make them more important in life and I believe many of the soldiers would agree.

 

[CrownandCoke]

So that makes them more important than a non-serviceman. BS. They chose their own career paths, just like we all did. I appreciate what our military men and women do for us, but that doesn't make them more important in life and I believe many of the soldiers would agree.

they're fighting for your freedom jack*ss. Have some respect. I would gladly give my seat up to a military person trying to get home for christmas, and I sure as hell hope you would do the same.

Christ, some people.

 

[FN FAL]

Tell that to the wives and families of sevicemen/women who have spent the last X months/years praying every night that their loved one would come home alive...

They can pray all they want. Much to their chagrin, the FedEx Feeders will never offer passenger service.

 

[MarineGrunt]

So that makes them more important than a non-serviceman. BS. They chose their own career paths, just like we all did. I appreciate what our military men and women do for us, but that doesn't make them more important in life and I believe many of the soldiers would agree.

If there was one seat open on an airplane home on Christmas Eve and it came down between you and a soldier who has been on the streets of Falluija for the past year, would you let them have your seat? I would without hesitaion.

 

[FN FAL]

Federal prosecutors in Wisconsin agreed to dismiss the criminal case in March 2005 in the "interest of justice."

According to Hirtzinger's suit, an independent investigation of the airline by the Federal Aviation Administration turned up more than 400 reports of safety concerns, including more than 200 reports of safety-equipment deficiencies.

I think you guys are missing this glaring comment...The feds investigated Pinnacle and found their dirty laundry as well.

 

[ex j-41]

OOps

they're fighting for your freedom jack*ss. Have some respect. I would gladly give my seat up to a military person trying to get home for christmas, and I sure as hell hope you would do the same.

Fighting for your freedom? Well i think you have been brainwashed.
Maybe fighting for Iraqi freedom. Or maybe fighting for a chunk of middle
east oil fields. But if you are part of the middle class in America they
are not fighting for you. I am sure they wish they were but they are not.

 

[MarineGrunt]

I think you guys are missing this glaring comment...The feds investigated Pinnacle and found their dirty laundry as well.

Sounds pretty alarming, but I wonder how this is in comparison to other regionals. If all these reports are over the 21 year life of the airline, it doesn't seem as bad...

 

[Amish RakeFight]

I think you guys are missing this glaring comment...The feds investigated Pinnacle and found their dirty laundry as well.

When you go over anything with a fine-tooth comb, you're bound to find something, regardless of how insignificant or benign.

Courts can be too lenient. It sounds like this guy should have been found guilty of tampering.

 

[MarineGrunt]

deleted to help bring sanity to flightinfo :uzi:

 

[ex j-41]

Think before you type you

Read into it dude.....They are fighting for corporate america.
I did my time dude so i get my .02.

 

[MarineGrunt]

Read into it dude.....They are fighting for corporate america.
I did my time dude so i get my .02.

Alright, I'll give you the benefit of a doubt that you didn't mean it how I interpreted it, so I'll retract my comment.

In any case, it is what it is, and has nothing to do with the topic of this thread, so lets get back to it....

 

[FN FAL]

Courts can be too lenient. It sounds like this guy should have been found guilty of tampering.

Federal prosecutors in Wisconsin agreed to dismiss the criminal case in March 2005 in the "interest of justice."

While prosecutors may be "officers" of the court, they are not in charge of the court.

Judges are in charge of the court.

And relevant to sounds, juries hear trials and determine guilt.

 

[FN FAL]

Sounds pretty alarming, but I wonder how this is in comparison to other regionals. If all these reports are over the 21 year life of the airline, it doesn't seem as bad...

How do you determine that a VOR check wasn't done 21 years ago? You can't. All the more reason to not keep records around, that aren't required.

 

[capt. megadeth]

Courts can be too lenient.

Can be? They most certainly are no doubt about it.

 

[FN FAL]

Can be? They most certainly are no doubt about it.

Maybe the prosecutors weren't being lenient, maybe they just couldn't get over that scared feeling?

 

[Amish RakeFight]

FN FAL

I've heard the term "in the interest of justice" used before. What exactly does it mean and why or when is it most appropriately used?

 

[wmuflyguy]

screw it, it isn;t worth reasoning with people on the internet

 

[FN FAL]

FN FAL

I've heard the term "in the interest of justice" used before. What exactly does it mean and why or when is it most appropriately used?

Did you ever see that special on AMC about Bruce Lee, where he's talking to that blonde white guy that he has in the choke hold, while teaching him kung fu?

Bruce tells the white guy, that in order to win, you have to know how to accept defeat.

"Interest of justice" might mean that the prosecutors realized they had no winnable case, based on the evidence available to them at the time. So, in the "interest of justice" they spared the taxpayers and the court the wasted time and money of pursuing a loser case. Only about 10 percent of charged criminal cases ever make it to a trial...90 percent of people charged accept plea agreements.

 

[DoubleDown]

Did you ever see that special on AMC about Bruce Lee, where he's talking to that blonde white guy that he has in the choke hold, while teaching him kung fu?

Bruce tells the white guy, that in order to win, you have to know how to accept defeat.

"Interest of justice" might mean that the prosecutors realized they had no winnable case, based on the evidence available to them at the time. So, in the "interest of justice" they spared the taxpayers and the court the wasted time and money of pursuing a loser case. Only about 10 percent of charged criminal cases ever make it to a trial...90 percent of people charged accept plea agreements.

If he were to beat the charges, they can't try him again due to "double jeopordy". So in the "interest of justice", they'll wait it out and see what rope he hangs himself with in civil court.

Man, I watch too much "Law and Order".

 

[Amish RakeFight]

If he were to beat the charges, they can't try him again due to "double jeopordy". So in the "interest of justice", they'll wait it out and see what rope he hangs himself with in civil court.

Man, I watch too much "Law and Order".

...so in other words, he could still be tried for the same offenses with an "interest in justice" dismissal?

If so, would this be a common technique amongst prosecutors to strengthen a case?

And so lets say he wins in civil court, he could still be charged later on in criminal court?