SWA LGA Captain Fired

[JT12345]

Why is the f/o getting training? Are they going to train him how to wrestle the controls from the captain at low altitude? I'd hope SWAPA would be fighting that before worrying about the captain's job. Of course all of this is speculation as the NTSB has not finished their investigation yet.

This is a typical interview question.

You get on the god dam radio and call a go around unless you are going to run out of gas soon.

Once you call the go around ATC cancels your landing clearance. They do not care if you are the Captain or FO. Now I would find any pilot hard pressed to ask for another landing clearance after a go around is called by a pilot on board, but I suppose it depends on location and time to touchdown. Inside the marker and below 1000' asking for another landing clearance would be nuts.

 

[KarmaPolice]

This job is so easy, and so easy to screw up too.

 

[PCL_128]

They don't have a choice. Unless she doesn't fight it.

Sure they do. The union controls the grievance process. If they don't want to file a grievance, and they have a legitimate reason, they don't have to. Most unions just file any disciplinary grievance to avoid DFR litigation, but they certainly have no requirement to file the grievance if they feel it is without merit.

 

[nwaf16dude]

I have to say I am impressed with the SWA guys closing ranks on this incident. I not heard much if any thing about what happened thus far. Good job guys.

 

[igneousy2]

Sure they do. The union controls the grievance process. If they don't want to file a grievance, and they have a legitimate reason, they don't have to. Most unions just file any disciplinary grievance to avoid DFR litigation, but they certainly have no requirement to file the grievance if they feel it is without merit.

Absolutely not true.

The union MUST file a grievance if requested by the grievant PERIOD. The grievant is the one that is entitled to all of the contract protections and to have their case heard all the way through and including the full System Board if that is what is desired.

This is not just a discipline hearing matter either...this would apply to any grievance technically, however, everybody is more careful in a termination case obviously because of the HUGE potential liability.

For non-termination cases, if the grievant is wrong, it is very difficult to win a case when the Grievance Chairman AND the company lawyer both testify in front of the arbitrator that the pilot is wrong about what the contract requires...but it is still the grievant's right to do so.

As far as not initiating a go-around below 400', SWA would have to show that they terminate everybody that doesn't initiate a go-around below 400'. Also note that it is required to deploy the spoilers after landing, was that Captain fired? This isn't as much of a slam-dunk as you are making it out to be.

As far as totaling the airplane because of a mistake, SWA will run into difficulty if they have not terminated everybody that wrecks an airplane.

I have a feeling they offered her some hush money to resign and she refused...hence the firing.

Also realize that in the termination hearing all the CVR/FDR information, and hence, most of the NTSB stuff findings will be out since they will be based on the contents of the FDR/CVR's. So all you have is what the FO said happened...what the Captain said happened...what is on the tower tapes...and the fact that you have a 737 with a busted nose-wheel.

My prediction is once the real lawyers get a hold of this she will "retire" with a nice little nest egg, with a signed non-disclosure agreement.

 

[PCL_128]

Absolutely not true.

The union MUST file a grievance if requested by the grievant PERIOD. The grievant is the one that is entitled to all of the contract protections and to have their case heard all the way through and including the full System Board if that is what is desired.

Wrong. Talk to a lawyer. You may learn something.

 

[SWA Bubba]

Wrong. Talk to a lawyer. You may learn something.

PCL is correct; the union owns the grievance, not the individual. And unions (including SWAPA) have refused to carry grievances put forth by members when they don't believe it's merited. However, having said that, I can't imagine any union NOT grieving a termination if the member asks for it--if nothing else, then to cover its own ass. In this case, SWAPA is carrying the grievance to ensure the pilot gets due process. I don't know that they expect to win, but they want to make sure she gets every benefit of doubt.

Bubba

 

[DUBLINFLYER]

Let's face it in any industry where you cost your company several million dollars through your negligence you deserve to be fired( not even accounting for the passengers) she is lucky there were no criminal proceeding as a result.

 

[C680]

This job is so easy, and so easy to screw up too.

\

If you are taking it easy on your job because you think it is easy, you WILL screw up.

Stay vigilant and do not become complacent. Ever.

Cant wait to read the CVR transcripts.

 

[doh]

Let's face it in any industry where you cost your company several million dollars through your negligence you deserve to be fired( not even accounting for the passengers) she is lucky there were no criminal proceeding as a result.

Then you also deserve to be compensated commensurate with those responsibilities. As an industry, aviation has a long F'n way to go in that respect...

 

[canyonblue]

Cant wait to read the CVR transcripts.

The fact that they become public in any event is a disgrace.

 

[Donald]

I heard she took the controls at 40 feet. I've also heard the FO is a good guy and a solid flyer. I wish him the best.

 

[Ty Webb]

Let's face it in any industry where you cost your company several million dollars through your negligence you deserve to be fired( not even accounting for the passengers) she is lucky there were no criminal proceeding as a result.

Not true. There was no intent to cause harm. Be careful what you are promoting . . . . It's a slippry slope.

 

[ImbracableCrunk]

Union pilots are “disappointed” by the captain’s dismissal, Southwest Airlines Pilots’ Association President Mark Richardson said in an e-mailed statement.

I'm sure. All of the FOs on her no-fly list must be drowning their tears in Champagne.

 

[Turtle21]

Let's face it in any industry where you cost your company several million dollars through your negligence you deserve to be fired( not even accounting for the passengers) she is lucky there were no criminal proceeding as a result.

Maybe so but lets face it, pilots have crashed with multiple fatalities and the unions have gotten their job back. I won't waste my time agreeing or disagreeing with it. It just is.