USA Today: Concerns arise over regional airlines

[Ernest T. Bass]

Here we go:

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2008-02-06-regionalsafety_N.htm?loc=interstitialskip

 

[Oakum_Boy]

Just read the comments. Oh, dear God.

 

[XPOO]

....safer than taking a shower....

I have been trying for five minutes to find the joke in there, and basically, I'm stumped...

 

[V-1]

Pretty good article, with lower than normal factual errors.

Odd that they didn't mention the Comair flight that took off the wrong runway in Lexington. Had the reporter researched that he would have found the NTSB ultimately pinned that accident on the pilot's non-safety-related conversation...90% of which occurred before the flight began.

The subject of that conversation:

Trying to find jobs elsewhere as their personal financial future was in doubt due to Delta's bankruptcy.

Bankrupt Delta had announced just a week before the accident that they would be removing aircraft from Comair because Comair's pilots were earning too much money.

 

[Ernest T. Bass]

I loved the part about the Pinnacle flight being at an "unauthorizd" altitude. I used to work for Pinnacle, and there was nothing in the FOM at the time prohibiting flights at that altitude. Furthermore, they received a clearance from ATC to climb there.

Nothing unauthorized about it. Foolish, maybe, but certainly not unauthorized by any stretch.

 

[time builder]

Just another article written from the view point of the consumer. They want safety, and they want their government to enforce it. Total disregard for the pilot compensation issue.

 

[Stifler's Mom]

One month before the accident, Langford received a written reprimand for the high number of absences he had taken over the previous year, according to NTSB files. He could be fired if he missed work again, the letter said.

I like this one. Come to work fatigued or sick, otherwise, you're fired.

 

[Flybet3]

"It's safer to fly an airplane than it is to take a shower," said Jonathan Ornstein, chairman and CEO of Mesa Air Group, which operates regional airlines. "No fatalities last year. That speaks for itself."

Oh my God. That's the stupidest sh** I've ever heard. How does this guy take a shower? Standing on his fu***g head I assume.

 

[Flybet3]

I have been trying for five minutes to find the joke in there, and basically, I'm stumped...

I got ya covered.

 

[Flybet3]

Just another article written from the view point of the consumer. They want safety, and they want their government to enforce it. Total disregard for the pilot compensation issue.

Money doesnt have little to do with the fact that guys are getting stupid due to fatigue and lack of experience. Pax dont give a crap of what you're making, they only care to get good & safe service.
Hell! Everytime I jumpseat the last thing I want to see is both pilots up front not complaining and crying about how "little" money they make, and how they could make more a as a Burger King manager, mean while they're Vref+30 and 1 dot high on the f****** glide slope.
One thing thing at a time my friend.

 

[viper548]

"It's safer to fly an airplane than it is to take a shower," said Jonathan Ornstein, chairman and CEO of Mesa Air Group, which operates regional airlines. "No fatalities last year. That speaks for itself."

Oh my God. That's the stupidest sh** I've ever heard. How does this guy take a shower? Standing on his fu***g head I assume.

I think he's talking about a prison shower

 

[Papps]

said Jonathan Ornstein, chairman and CEO of Mesa Air Group, which operates regional airlines. "No fatalities last year. That speaks for itself."

Wow pat yourself on the back.

 

[XPOO]

I think he's talking about a prison shower

Oh snap! There's the joke I was looking for!

 

[wscrj]

One guess who the large regional that DOES NOT use ASAP is.......

 

[elguapo9]

said Jonathan Ornstein, chairman and CEO of Mesa Air Group, which operates regional airlines. "No fatalities last year. That speaks for itself."

Reminds me of Chris Rock:

"Least I'm not in jail...."
"I take care of my kids....."

"My airline hasn't killed anyone....."

 

[OPECJet]

Reminds me of Chris Rock:

"Least I'm not in jail...."
"I take care of my kids....."

"My airline hasn't killed anyone....."

Yet...........

 

[flylike44]

yo airline isn't supposed to kill anybody you low expectation havin' mother f'er!

 

[Grimper]

I tried to explain the rest problem to some one last night. They told me we are tired because of lack of discipline. The public doesn't care they think this is an easy job and anyone can do it. The public takes air travel for granted and they feel it is a right.

 

[XPOO]

Yes, flying is no longer a luxury. It was the 53rd Amendment. The right to bear Boarding Passes.

 

[Superpilot92]

The real problem that should be addressed is the the airlines hiring 200-500tt hour pilots to fly airliners at the regionals. I would rather have an experienced tired pilot than an inexperienced low time fully awake pilot at the controls. JMHO

 

[Dubya]

Money doesnt have little to do with the fact that guys are getting stupid due to fatigue and lack of experience. Pax dont give a crap of what you're making, they only care to get good & safe service.
Hell! Everytime I jumpseat the last thing I want to see is both pilots up front not complaining and crying about how "little" money they make, and how they could make more a as a Burger King manager, mean while they're Vref+30 and 1 dot high on the f****** glide slope.
One thing thing at a time my friend.

Dear God I hope that was intentional.

W

 

[siucavflight]

The real problem that should be addressed is the the airlines hiring 200-500tt hour pilots to fly airliners at the regionals. I would rather have an experienced tired pilot than an inexperienced low time fully awake pilot at the controls. JMHO

I completely disagree with this. Regardless of the experience of the pilot, I would always choose the one who is awake to fly me around.

 

[XPOO]

Just like the Captain who used to tell all of his new F/O's that they had better not let him wake up to catch them sleeping.

 

[Flybet3]

Dear God I hope that was intentional.

W

Give me a break man, I'm been fu***d up with the flu for the last 4 days.

 

[Superpilot92]

I completely disagree with this. Regardless of the experience of the pilot, I would always choose the one who is awake to fly me around.

I disagree because experience of the pilot is directly related to you making it to your destination safely. I didn't say an asleep pilot i said a tired experienced pilot. Its a moot point, both items need to be addressed and are both = as important of an issue.

 

[rtmcfi]

The older more experienced guy is more likely to tell crew scheduling that he is fatigued than the new hire.

 

[LowlyPropCapt]

What the FAA should say:

Any pilot who excuses him/herself from duty due to illness or fatigue is immune from discipline by their respective company and/or those entities with operational control over the flight.

It'll never happen, since the FAA has to both promote and regulate the aviation industry. But it is that dichotomy which is the ultimate cause of much of the danger present in our business.

 

[John Pennekamp]

Just like the Captain who used to tell all of his new F/O's that they had better not let him wake up to catch them sleeping.

What's wrong with that? It is bad when you wake up and find out they're asleep.

 

[John Pennekamp]

What the FAA should say:

Any pilot who excuses him/herself from duty due to illness or fatigue is immune from discipline by their respective company and/or those entities with operational control over the flight.

It'll never happen, since the FAA has to both promote and regulate the aviation industry. But it is that dichotomy which is the ultimate cause of much of the danger present in our business.

Here's what the FAA actually says:

"A certificate holder has the right to establish an attendance program as part of running its business". That's what they said about ASA's "occurrence" program when the union dropped a dime about pilots being intimidated for calling in sick.

 

[Cpt Oveur]

what the hell is an "occurence?" there is nothing in writing from the company that explains it. I think it's a Bravo Sierra program and until they start providing employees with info, they should all be erased.