SkyWest getting Sued!

[MTBoy]

Skywest harrassment suit

Court history is repleat with individuals who have been deposed in matters involving prior serious disciplinary action, wherein the plaintiff attempts to turn attention away from that to trumped up charges of harrassment by fellow employees and supervisors that may be hard to prove.

I've sat in court during similar matters and it is not a pretty sight for the plaintiff in the end. My guess that when this is all over, either the plaintiff will be forced to drop the suit, or the plaintiff could face charges of contempt.

If there is pending FAA action, and a preponderence of evidence contrary to the plaintiff's story, the score may very well be: Skywest 1- plaintiff 0

 

[Flydaplane]

I remember that hailstorm in Omaha, Midex had some damage too. In fact I think all aircraft parked in Omaha had damage. I remember hearing people talk about how they couldn't believe Skywest had taken off the next morning when the rest of the airport's planes were all damaged. I think she's pretty much done with her career and wants a little cash to live on.

 

[captjim]

Funny, I've passed over this thread until now, but I'm glad I read it. I know Paula, not intemitly, but know her. She was a 120 FO when I was throwing bags for Skywest in "96". She was always very nice to me and my friends on the ramp. She didn't seem like the type to come up with bullsh!t like this. The time that I was at Skywest there were a couple pilots that were in trouble for sexual harrasment, so I think its possible. Quite possible that this is an act of desperation, time will tell. (Sorry for the spelling)

 

[~~~^~~~]

IFF: Although you disagree with me way too much - you're a good moderator

BTW - no need to pick on female pilots - I've flown with some great aviatrixs. This Mesa mess IMHO also involved the training department - this sort of flying / decision making should have been eliminated before signing the candidate up for the type ride...

Here's the NTSB prelim - I love the part about going around "not being an option" during the brief:


NTSB Identification: NYC02LA013

Scheduled 14 CFRPart 121 operation of Air Carrier Mesa Airlines (D.B.A. US Airways Express)
Accident occurred Tuesday, October 16, 2001 at Roanoke, VA
Aircraft:Embraer EMB-145LR, registration: N825MJ
Injuries: 33 Uninjured.

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed.

On October 16, 2001, at 2114 eastern daylight time, an Embraer 145LR, N825MJ, operated by Mesa Airlines as US Airways Express flight 5733, was substantially damaged while landing at Roanoke Regional/Woodrum Field Airport, Roanoke, Virginia. The 2 certificated pilots, 1 flight attendant, and 30 passengers were not injured. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the scheduled passenger flight. The flight was operated on an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan under 14 CFR 121.

According to Mesa Airlines personnel, the flight originated at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. No problems were reported with the en route or approach phases, and the flight had been vectored for a visual approach to runway 33.

According to the captain:

"…While on short final approach to landing at Roanoke (...[reported winds] of 280 at 25 [knots] gust to 40 [knots]), there was an abrupt drop in indicated airspeed. Upon simultaneous notification of the stick shaker, I applied power accordingly and landed without apparent incident.

As the landing was more firm than usual, the first officer and I mutually agreed to visually inspect the aircraft upon arrival at the gate. The visual post flight inspection noted nothing unusual, nor any damage to the aircraft.

As the occurrence noted no damage to aircraft, passengers, or crew, no further action was taken."

According to the first officer:

"…We arrived into the Roanoke area approximately 9:45 PM, and began a visual approach to runway 33. The captain briefed that a go-around was not an option due to hills on the other side of the runway. Takeoffs were not authorized on 33 during night and IFR operations. Although we had a quartering crosswind at 15 mph gusting to 21 mph, I do not think there was any wind shear. The approach was normal until approximately 300 feet AGL, when I called that we were one dot high on the PAPI and Ref +5. The captain appeared to pull the thrust levers to idle and placed both hands back on the yoke. At 200-300 feet I called Ref -5, Ref -10, then the stick shaker activated for one second and we began to sink rapidly. I saw the airspeed reach 110 KIAS, the captain pushed the thrust levers up, but the engines did not spool up in time, and the stall stick shaker went off [again]. At this point, approximately 100 feet AGL, the aircraft seemed to stall and within seconds hit the end of the runway. The main gear hit the runway very hard, then the nose gear followed quickly. I do not recall the pitch attitude. The events happened very quickly, and by the time I thought about going around it was too late.

Immediately upon deplaning I inspected the entire aircraft with a flashlight, paying particular attention to the landing gear. I did not notice any damage to the aircraft, and if I had, I would have reported it immediately. The captain verified that there was no damage and said that it was not necessary to have maintenance inspect the aircraft. I felt uneasy but complied."

The flight attendant stated:

"I strapped in, heard all the necessary commands from the computer in the cockpit: '300', '200', '100'...then right after I heard the computer say the 100...I heard this alarming shaking noise and rapid beeping alarm...The aircraft immediately slammed to the ground…."

According to a check captain for Mesa Airlines:

"At approximately midnight on October 16, 2001, I received a phone call from Captain... telling me she thought I was taking her plane the next morning...she told me about her arrival into ROA in strong gusty winds. She described it as a rough ride with a possible stick shaker and a hard landing at the end. I asked her if there was any damage to the aircraft. She said the FO and her had inspected the landing gear and tires during post flight and found no damage. I told her that if she was in doubt, she needed to report it as a hard landing...Upon arrival at the airport the next morning, I discovered that the Charlotte crew had the [accident] airplane and not myself. Wanting to pass on the information to...[that captain], I summarized the story from the night before...."

The accident airplane was subsequently flown to Charlotte, North Carolina, where a crew swap took place. The new flight crew discovered the damage during the pre-flight inspection.

The airplane was removed from revenue service and further inspected. A ferry permit was then issued, and the airplane was flown to a heavy maintenance facility for further examination. There, it was determined that the airplane had broken and cracked frames and stringers, popped rivets, and the skin had been worn through in the lower aft pressure vessel. Scraped skin was also visible on the lower aft fuselage, in an area about 10 feet long by 3 feet wide.

There were no notations in the airplane's log sheets regarding a hard landing at either Roanoke or Charlotte. However, the accepting crew at Charlotte entered a maintenance discrepancy of a tail strike due to overrotation.

The cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder were retained for further investigation. According to the flight data recorder, the maximum g load at the time of touchdown at Roanoke was +2.75 fir 0.25 seconds.

The 2054 and 2154 weather observations at Roanoke reported winds from 300 degrees at 17 knots with gusts to 22 knots, and winds from 280 degrees at 16 knots, with gusts to 23 knots, respectively.

The captain's total flight experience was about 2,500 hours. She had accumulated 200 hours in the EMB-145, all within the preceding 90 days. She had upgraded from the Beech 1900, where she had been a first officer.

The first officer's total flight experience was 1,850 hours with 750 hours in the EMB-145. She had accumulated 90 hours in the preceding 90 days. She had upgraded from the Beech 1900, where she had been a first officer.




Index for Oct2001 | Index of months

 

[Tim47SIP]

You know, I am sorry to have brought this incident up. I never realized that both the Cpt and FO were she's. I guess that really does not make a difference though as they were both qualified?

 

[ifly4food]

Thanks Prof.

 

[ipilot]

This whole haressment story sounds a bit odd. I can't imagine someone being so insane for doing a sexual act without thinking of the consiquenses. Specially being a captain and even in the air and on approach as well. I think her being demoted might have something to do with it. But u never know anything is possible. I hope we r not debating woman in avation, its just one incident.....


________________________
Check that its three greens.....

 

[English]

ipilot,

I'm afraid the aviation world isn't as sweaky clean as you might believe. Yes, there are captains who have fooled around on final approach in an airplane (and lots other places on an aircraft both inflight and on the ground...) not limited to captains but also first officers, flight attendants, baggage handlers...am I leaving anyone out here?

My point is this...I've read many a bashing over female pilots on this board when a claim of harassment (whether actual or ficticious) is made. Keep in mind there are several incidents of actual sexual and nonsexual harassment that have occurred against women when they kept it to themselves, dealt with the perpetrator one-on-one, and never took it any farther. None of us really knows what happens in these situations except the people involved. There seems to be alot of assumptions about what can and cannot happen on a flight. Ever heard the term "what happens on the road, stays on the road"? It's there for a reason.

 

[Tim47SIP]

English,
Sorry Mom!

 

[1900laker]

Just make sure you don't forget the other side of the argument that there have been many instances of woman conjuring up stories also, usually to save their butt after something they have done. I personally have witnessed that occuring several times. And I bet others have to. Not to jump to conclusions in this case, but to balance out that other argument that suggests that nearly all claims are true.

 

[English]

Just to clarify...I am not suggesting that nearly all claims made are true. What I am trying to emphasize is that it makes no difference if a male pilot or a female pilot makes claims about mistreatment or harassment - there are equal numbers on both sides that make false claims (again, we have no basis for assuming this case was a false claim - we weren't there). It just seems that some contributors on this and the previous board see an article about a female pilot and start analyzing to death the pilot's qualifications, morals, intentions, whatever. For example, the ROA incident and this mistreatment case. I'd like to see the same emphasis placed on the mistakes of male pilots.

For the record, I've flown with female and male pilots, both good and bad. The gender had nothing to do with piloting skills.

 

[skypine69]

I have heard some things about this individual and I am afraid to say that I think she is capable of making these accusations. This is not about female pilots in general, this about one pilot making a bad decsion, getting caught and trying to get something out of it. I honestly believe that had any of the male pilots made the same mistake in OMA, they would have been fired instead of demoted.
Fly safe!

 

[Broke in CVG]

Anyone know if she (Paula) won her suit?

She is now at Comair as an FO and the rumor is that she got a settlement from SkyWest.

I have only very briefly talked to her and she seems nice.

But there have been NUMEROUS rumors around here from multiple sources that paint a very, very bad picture of her and her behavior here at Comair.... if even 10% of it's true it makes her out to be a predatorial, diabolical person. Almost to the point of psycotically evil.

My girlfriend flew with her and a Capt and thought she was nice, but also saw indication that the rumors were more more based on fact than fiction.

 

[350DRIVER]

This is obviously a case where a female cannot fly the airplane to SkyWest standards so she tries to get back at the company and falsify information. What a joke- Not only was SkyWest correct for demoting her to the right seat they should have fired her for pi$$ poor judgement and lack of ability.

I would only hope that this case gets tossed out the window as well as her employment with SkyWest. A male screws up like this and we are history (probably without being "nicely" demoted to the right seat and given a dozen of roses to hold the tears back)-


jeez oh man, I could not believe this when I read it-- - This is a "perfect" example of "why" we will always have the numbers in our favor in this industry-



3 5 0

 

[FearlessFreep]

Issues like these are usually brought up in some vain attempt to question the validity of minorities in aviation.

There are several things that must be taken into consideration;

First off everyone makes mistakes, be them mistakes in technique or judgement.

Trying to duck out of a problem and not take responsibility for these is not specifically limited to gender. It is human nature and requires a mature individual to override this impulse.

Acceptance and retention of personnel in situations like these are not soley based on gender. It is based on a track record of performance and proven abilities. I have heard of incidents in which crewmembers of EITHER genders are retained after what some would consider serious and dangerous mistakes.

This individual was retained not just because she is female, because if the company wanted to they could have very easily terminated her right after the incident as they legally had a fair amount of evidence against her. The company retained her because they have an investment, and they wish to retain it.

Remember the old, old saying:

To Err Is Human, To Forgive Divine.

We all make mistakes. We would all wish to be forgiven for them, no matter what the size of them are.

When SWA pilots ran the aircraft off the end of the runway at BUR did they deserve to get fired? Certainly not. They made a mistake, a very human thing to do. If you keep them and forgive them you can rest assured that they will endeavor very hard not to repeat that mistake again. I was very surprised that SWA fired these guys as when you read their company propaganda, "Nuts" they pride themselves in letting people make mistakes, forgiving them and letting the employee travail over the unfortunate decision/incident. Kind of makes you think that things may be a bit duplicitious there.

As to this individual's discrimination lawsuit. I think it can go any of a number of ways. She could be telling the truth or it could be either a total fabrication or some varying amounts of embellishment. Who knows. The story is so outrageous it might be true. With all the things that have been in the news of late this certainly is not out of the realm of possibility. This will be for the courts to decide. In a case like this it would be very difficult to find "hard" evidence to support the plaintiff's claims. About the only thing that might have some bearing on it would be the CVR, I doubt that the tapes are retained and that is not supposed to be used as evidence against anyone in a certificate action. Is that applicable in a civil case? Anyway who knows. You are innocent till proven guilty, at least that was the way it was when I last checked.

I think that there are better things to discuss other than this issue.

Take Care & Good Luck To Us All!

 

[PCL_128]

When SWA pilots ran the aircraft off the end of the runway at BUR did they deserve to get fired? Certainly not.

Yes, they absolutely should have been fired!!! Have you actually read the accident report? Here's the address for it if not: http://www.ntsb.gov/Publictn/2002/AAB0204.pdf

The GPWS was giving "Pull Up" and "Sink Rate" warnings for 35 seconds with no reaction at all from either pilot. The aircraft touched down at over 180 kts and with flaps not in the landing configuration.

This is not just a simple mistake. This is some of the worst decision making I have ever heard of from a professional pilot.

 

[BE20AV8R]

I was very surprised that SWA fired these guys as when you read their company propaganda, "Nuts" they pride themselves in letting people make mistakes, forgiving them and letting the employee travail over the unfortunate decision/incident.

No offense dude, but that is one of the most galactically f'ed up things I've heard in a long time! I'm all about forgiveness, but aviation is unique, you can't be afforded the luxury of three strikes like many other occupations. With this in mind, how can you possibly be suprised that two guys were fired for countless SOP violations and just plain old ridiculous lapses in any inkiing of good judgement and decision making?

As for SWA's (or any other airline for that matter) forgiving attitude, I'd think it's safe to say that some ramper sending bags to Lubbock instead of Laredo is worthy of forgiving, NOT bending metal!

 

[B190Captain]

"The captain's total flight experience was about 2,500 hours. She had accumulated 200 hours in the EMB-145, all within the preceding 90 days. She had upgraded from the Beech 1900, where she had been a first officer.

The first officer's total flight experience was 1,850 hours with 750 hours in the EMB-145. She had accumulated 90 hours in the preceding 90 days. She had upgraded from the Beech 1900, where she had been a first officer."

 

[DesertFalcon]

Last month during a landing, Manjarrez was working as co-pilot when Wall allegedly pulled down his pants, grabbed his penis and demanded she perform a sex act, according to the suit. After Manjarrez refused, the pilot pressed himself against Manjarrez and "proceeded to fill a soft drink container with urine."

Sounds very interesting!

I don't know about you, but I can barely get my hands in my pockets while seated at the flight controls, let alone pull down my pants and pee in a cup.

This guy must be Superman! He did all this while on final to one of the busiest airports in the world!

Amazing!

 

[Saabslime]

I would have pee'd on her and made it worth my while.