Welcome to Flightinfo.com

  • Register now and join the discussion
  • Friendliest aviation Ccmmunity on the web
  • Modern site for PC's, Phones, Tablets - no 3rd party apps required
  • Ask questions, help others, promote aviation
  • Share the passion for aviation
  • Invite everyone to Flightinfo.com and let's have fun

US Air firing pilot who's gun discharged

Welcome to Flightinfo.com

  • Register now and join the discussion
  • Modern secure site, no 3rd party apps required
  • Invite your friends
  • Share the passion of aviation
  • Friendliest aviation community on the web
Register   Log in
Was this guy an original Airways guy? Lemme guess, USAPA doesnt have any money yet or the wherewithal to defend this guy like ALPA would have? The timing of this not so good for this guy.
 
Thoughts about the ALPA/USAPA vote aside...this sounds like an unfair termination to me.
 
That is complete BS. This guy is doing a service to our industry and the country and these Jacka$$es are going to fire him. Nice managment! Your union should run an add in The WSJ about what these guys do and how he was treated.
 
PositiveRate said:
What would have been a 'fair' course of action for the company to take?
Click to expand...

Hey PR, not knowing the details other than the fact that the guys gun accidentally went off...I blame the stupid FFDO procedures requiring the gun to be locked and unlocked every single flight.

I know he's an Eastie, and I'm fully on the West's side in this whole Nic debacle...but still I think termination is a bit extreme. If it had been an HP pilot would your opinion be different?
 
I bet their SOPs do not say they should take their gun off and stow it while on SHORT FINAL. If he was not following the guidelines, then there is nobody to back him. One of my problems with the FFDO program.
 
N1atEcon said:
Your union should run an add in The WSJ about what these guys do and how he was treated.
Click to expand...

Yeah, uSAPa will get right on assessing the membership a few hundred bucks a piece so they can afford that.........right after they assess everybody a few hundred bucks so they can afford officer elections. :rolleyes:
 
If it had been an HP pilot would your opinion be different?
Click to expand...

I actually expressed no opinion. I asked a question. If you shoot a hole in a company aircraft, you're going to get to talk to HR. That meeting is where the value of ALPA is, but many assume they'll never find themselves in such a situation. From what I hear, there is pretty strict protocal for handling the weapon in flight and maybe things weren't up to SOPs at the time of the 'incident'. I will, however, call BS that ALPA denied to defend him. I'd like to see proof on that as I doubt it was the case.

If you get sick, hurt or diagnosed, have something going on at home that makes you unfit to fly, get a number from ATC, have a runway incursion, etc etc....there were immediate avenues for help. We're on our own now.
 
Last edited:
And the Terrorists out there are all saying - Thank You, US Air Management. We truly appreciate how you are discouraging your pilots from participating in the FFDO program...
 
SkiFishFly said:
And the Terrorists out there are all saying - Thank You, US Air Management. We truly appreciate how you are discouraging your pilots from participating in the FFDO program...
Click to expand...

Airline management teams have never warmed to the idea of armed pilots. They've always seen it as a liability issue and have assumed they'd be indemnified in the event of another terrorits attack.
 
PositiveRate said:
I actually expressed no opinion. I asked a question. If you shoot a hole in a company aircraft, you're going to get to talk to HR. That's where the value of ALPA is. I'll call BS that ALPA denied to defend him.

If you get sick, hurt or diagnosed, have something going on at home that makes you unfit to fly, get a number from ATC, have a runway incursion, etc etc....there were immediate avenues for help. We're on our own now.
Click to expand...

I completely agree with you. It'll be interesting to see how this pans out.

Good luck with everything by the way.
 
Bdfg1 said:
This pilot was fired days ago while under ALPA. ALPA made the decision to not defend him.
Click to expand...


You actually think with ALPA's days numbered that it had no effect on what happened to this guy???

This is only the first of many incedences that will prove what a mistake USAPA was.
 
Would sound great...A pilot defends the country and his company and then fired= Bring on Unemployment from USLESS AIR
 
Guess its time for all FFDOs to send their weapons back to artesia. You spend your own money to go out, get trained and then carry a huge responsibility for free only to have an accident and the lose your job. What a bunch of chit. Anyone have parker's e-mail? He needs to get some messages.
 
Last edited:
SkiFishFly said:
And the Terrorists out there are all saying - Thank You, US Air Management. We truly appreciate how you are discouraging your pilots from participating in the FFDO program...
Click to expand...


Management? Terrorists? This guys seems to be doing a fine job endangering his fellow pilot and passengers and threatening the FFDO program all by himself. While it was an unfortunate accident, why do you think he should keep his job?
 
me thinks an FOIA Act should be filed to find out the TRUE story and not the USA-Today-under-your-hotel-room door version / crew lounge version.

but that is just me
 
Cobra17 said:
Management? Terrorists? This guys seems to be doing a fine job endangering his fellow pilot and passengers and threatening the FFDO program all by himself. While it was an unfortunate accident, why do you think he should keep his job?
Click to expand...
Had this happened postflight, it would have been handled differently. Accidents that occur while adhering to SOP's are accidents. Mishaps that occur while violating SOP's are "a little tougher" to defend.
 
jon coqtoestone said:
Had this happened postflight, it would have been handled differently. Accidents that occur while adhering to SOP's are accidents. Mishaps that occur while violating SOP's are "a little tougher" to defend.
Click to expand...

never mind the conveniently overlooked fact how an AD could have capped the other pilot and had it been multiple AD's hit something and ricoceted (sp?) and capped both pilots

but besides that, nah, just a tiny mistake. heck, it is TSA's fault. Blame Bush too. Blame Hillary also.
 
satpak77 said:
never mind the conveniently overlooked fact how an AD could have capped the other pilot and had it been multiple AD's hit something and ricoceted (sp?) and capped both pilots

but besides that, nah, just a tiny mistake. heck, it is TSA's fault. Blame Bush too. Blame Hillary also.
Click to expand...

The chances of a 'hollow point' round, ricochetting (correct sp. dictionary.com) off of aluminum would be very unlikely. In fact, from the pics, the round, accidently fired, barely pierced the outer skin of the a/c.

Regardless, the pilot should NOT have been fired; and all pilots (FFDOs or not), should be outraged. peroid. Total B.S.

For what its worth.

DA
 
Bdfg1 said:
ALPA made the decision to not defend him.
Click to expand...
I call BS on this. ALPA is required to grieve every termination. They're not just defending the pilot; they're defending the contract. The process takes many months so I'd bet the preliminaries had begun. USAPA's grievance committee, if there is one, is free to take over. The contract is still in effect.

FWIW I agree that termination is too harsh a punishment. We'll see if he gets his job back.
 
PlaneDrvr said:
The chances of a 'hollow point (A)' round, ricochetting (correct sp. dictionary.com) off of aluminum would be very unlikely. In fact, from the pics, the round, accidently fired (B), barely pierced the outer skin (C) of the a/c.

Regardless, the pilot should NOT have been fired; and all pilots (FFDOs or not), should be outraged. peroid. Total B.S.

For what its worth.

DA
Click to expand...

A) Wonder what the hollow point would have done had it hit someone ?

B) We all know "accidently fired" that has been emphasized enough

C) It pierced the aluminum skin (barely tho...!), seems like if it hit something inside and broke into pieces, it could have hurt somebody.

why is this "total BS" to fire him? What are the FACTS of the case?
 
Last edited:

Share this page

Latest posts

Latest resources

Latest media

Carbon Cub FX-3 Shenandoah Valley
Carbon Cub at Kittyhawk
FX-3 in the backcountry
IFR Panel in a Carbon Cub FX-3
Cub-Provo-UT-c.jpg
Back
Top Bottom